Pre-Med Programs

Health occupations comprise one of the fastest-growing and in-demand career fields in the nation. These jobs are projected to grow faster than the average rate for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here at South Dakota Mines, our students are working to fill these demands by pursuing their bachelor's degrees with us while also preparing for advanced studies in a wide range of pre-medicine healthcare programs.

At South Dakota Mines we offer three foundational degrees for any professional healthcare program:  Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Health Sciences. With the addition of our pre-professional programs, students ensure they are taking the right classes to meet the requirements for the next step in their educational journey. Their academic advisor will also provide resources to gain experience through local job shadowing, research, internship, and volunteer opportunities.

Outside the Classroom Learning Opportunities

Medical schools look at applications holistically.  Meaningful activities outside the classroom are just as important as a competitive GPA.  In other words, don’t get involved in an activity just because it will “look good on an application”.  Medical schools like to see experiences like patient care, service to community, research, and leadership.   A lot of emphasis is put on patient care, like CNA, patient care tech, phlebotomist, EMT… to name a few.  Also, med schools find any activity that gives students the opportunity to work with marginalized and/or diverse populations desirable.

Healthcare Related Student Organizations:       

Biomedical Engineering Society

Future Health Science Professionals

Mines Emergency Medical Services Club

See a full list of all student organizations

Research Opportunities at Mines:

Medical Research

Microbiology

Nanoscience

Please check with the academic departments for research details.

Job Shadowing Opportunities:

Medical job shadowing hours are required for entrance into medical school. Opportunities are available in the local community with Monument Health System, Rapid City Medical Center, Black Hills Surgical Hospital, Community Health Center of the Black Hills.  To get connected, reach out to the Career Services Office.

Professional Healthcare Schools Recent Grads have been accepted into:

Des Moines University

Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine

Palmer School of Chiropractic

Texas Chiropractic College

University of Iowa

University of Minnesota

University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

University of Washington