Pre-Health Programs | Accelerated Health Dual Degrees

These pathways are designed for high-achieving students to earn two degrees efficiently and economically. Learn about Loras’ programs and our pathway partnerships.

3+1 Nursing BA/BS+BSN

3+2 Athletic Training BS+MAT

3+2.5 Physical Therapy BA/BS+DPT

3+3/4+3 Occupational Therapy BA/BS+OTD

4+1 Exercise Physiology BA/BS+MSEP

4+1 Public Health BA/BS+MPH

4+1 Social Work BA+MSW

3+1 NURSING BA/BS+BSN

Mercy College Partnership

Earn a bachelor’s degree from Loras College (BA or BS) and a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from Mercy College of Health Sciences in four years, all on the Loras College campus.

You can sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN exam) after completing the nursing requirements.

Nursing BA/BS+BSN

How does it work?

Students participating in the 3+1 program take coursework for their BA or BS degree in the first three years of the program, which includes the prerequisite courses needed to qualify for admission to the BSN program.

I’m a transfer student, am I eligible?

Transfer students are not excluded from the BSN pathway; however, you should work closely with your advisor to ensure you meet all requirements.

View additional nursing program opportunities.

3+2 ATHLETIC TRAINING BS+MAT

Loras College Program

Gain expertise in prevention, recognition, evaluation, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions for a wide variety of musculoskeletal, orthopedics, and general medical illness and injury for an active population.

Athletic Training BS+MAT

Pursuing a degree in athletic training will prepare your for a career that incorporates healthcare, sport, wellness, and an overall focus on an active population.

How does it work?

Complete much of the undergraduate kinesiology major required during your first three years. In your fourth year, you will then begin the graduate portion of your studies.

In addition to completing a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 5 years instead of 6, you will be charged undergraduate tuition and eligible for undergraduate financial aid in years 1-4 which greatly reduces the total program cost.

This accelerated program prepares you to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.

3+2.5 PHYSICAL THERAPY BA/BS+DPT

St. Ambrose Partnership

The collaboration between Loras College and St. Ambrose University allows you to complete a bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) and a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree in five and a half years instead of the typical seven.

Dual degrees earned: Loras College BS/BA, St. Ambrose University DPT
Guarantees interviews at St. Ambrose for the top five Loras applicants

Physical Therapy BA/BS+DPT

How does it work?

Students who pursue this pathway complete three years of undergraduate study at Loras College and apply to for admission to the St. Ambrose DPT program during the third year.

If accepted into the DPT program, you will transition to the St. Ambrose campus in your fourth year to begin the DPT program. The credits earned during the fourth year transfer back to Loras College to complete your bachelor’s degree. St. Ambrose University awards the DPT degree upon successful completion of the DPT program after an additional year and a half of coursework.

I’m a transfer student, am I eligible?

Transfer students are not excluded from the DPT pathway; however, you should work closely with your advisor to ensure you meet all requirements for graduation, particularly those related to the number of transfer credits that can be applied to the undergraduate degree and the number of transfer credits that can be applied to the major. Credits from the St. Ambrose DPT program are accepted via reverse transfer in accordance with the Loras College transfer policies.

3+3/4+3 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY BA/BS+OTD

St. Ambrose Partnership

Loras College students have the option of pursuing early admission and/or shortened pathways into the accredited St. Ambrose University Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. Students can select their preferred location, either St. Ambrose’s campus in Davenport, Iowa, or Loras’ campus in Dubuque, Iowa.

Occupational Therapy BA/BS+OTD

How does it work?

In addition to the traditional 4+3 route, Loras College students have the option of selecting a 3+2.5 option, which allows you to complete the bachelor’s and doctoral degree in five and a half years instead of seven.

I’m a transfer student, am I eligible?

Transfer students are not excluded from the OTD pathway; however, you should work closely with your advisor to ensure you meet all requirements for graduation, particularly those related to the number of transfer credits that can be applied to the undergraduate degree and the number of transfer credits that can be applied to the major. Credits from the St. Ambrose OTD program are accepted via reverse transfer in accordance with the Loras College transfer policies.

4+1 Exercise Physiology BA/BS+MSEP

St. Ambrose Partnership

The collaboration between Loras College and St. Ambrose University creates an opportunity for students with an interest in kinesiology and exercise science to complete a bachelor’s degree from Loras and a master of science in exercise physiology (MSEP) degree from St. Ambrose in five years.

Two spots in the MSEP program are reserved for highly qualified Loras applicants.
Transfer up to 6 credits to SAU toward the MSEP.
Students who apply during the fourth year have the GRE requirement waived.

Exercise Physiology BA/BS+MSEP

How does it work?

Students who pursue this pathway typically major in kinesiology, though other majors are possible so long as the student completes the prerequisite science coursework for admission to the MSEP graduate program. Students earn their undergraduate degree from Loras before attending St. Ambrose University for one year to earn the MSEP degree. Loras students may transfer up to six credits to St. Ambrose toward the advanced degree.

I’m a transfer student, am I eligible?

Transfer students may be eligible for the MSEP 4+1 pathway and will have the opportunity to work with an academic advisor to review transfer credit policies and develop an academic plan that supports their goals.

4+1 Public Health BA/BS+MPH

St. Ambrose Partnership

Improve the health of communities by learning to lead change that addresses health equities and ensures access to high-quality healthcare by earning your Master of Public Health degree online from St. Ambrose University.

An online, asynchronous degree allows working professionals more flexibility to achieve their career goals.

Public Health SAU

Public health leaders are problem solvers who work in multidisciplinary teams to identify root causes of health problems and develop unique solutions to protect the health of populations, ranging from local neighborhoods to entire regions of the world.

How does it work?

Students who pursue this pathway take graduate coursework from St. Ambrose University beginning as early as the fall semester of their junior year while remaining full-time undergraduate students at Loras College.

I’m a transfer student, am I eligible?

Transfer students are not excluded from the MPH pathway; however, you should work closely with your advisor to ensure they meet all requirements for graduation, particularly those transfer credits that can be applied toward your MPH degree.

4+1 Social Work BA+MSW

St. Ambrose Partnership

The collaboration between Loras College and St. Ambrose University creates an opportunity for students pursuing a social work major at Loras to complete a bachelor’s degree from Loras and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from St. Ambrose in five years.

The Loras College Social Work major instills the values, ethics, practice strategies, communication, diversity, and knowledge required for students to become effective generalist social workers. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Social Work BA+MSW

Students pursuing this accelerated dual degree program will continue to study social work at the graduate level through a social justice and advocacy model, with fieldwork occurring two days each in the fall and spring semesters.

How does it work?

Students who pursue this pathway earn their undergraduate degree from Loras before attending St. Ambrose University for one year to earn the MSW degree.

I’m a transfer student, am I eligible?

Transfer students are not excluded from the MSW pathway; however, you should work closely with your advisor to ensure they meet all requirements for graduation, particularly those the transfer credits that can be applied toward your MSW degree.