Additional Curricula Opportunities

Colby-Sawyer's Pre-Art Therapy curriculum prepares students for graduate programs in art therapy or expressive arts therapy. (A master’s degree is required to practice in these fields.) Art therapy is widely practiced in hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, private practice, wellness centers, crisis centers, schools and other clinical settings. This track, which combines the visual arts and other creative processes to foster personal growth and community development, pairs well with the studio art major or minor and the psychology major or minor. It also provides insights into other professional areas such as counseling, psychology, art teaching, art education programs and arts organization administration.

The Liberal Education Program at Colby-Sawyer, in conjunction with any number of majors offered by the college, provide opportunities to fine tune the skills necessary for success in law school. Pre-law students take courses that develop critical thinking, research skills and effective communication. Students graduate with a solid understanding of the American political system, social interactions, issues of diversity and basic quantitative literacy skills.

Colby-Sawyer's faculty offer advice and assistance to students interested in health-related professional schools including dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, doctor of podiatry, doctor of osteopathy, and medical or veterinary school (see Pre-Veterinary Curriculum below). The requirements for medical school may be fulfilled in conjunction with any Colby-Sawyer major. Interested students should meet with a pre-medical advisor to discuss career planning and preparing for admissions requirements.

Admission to occupational therapy graduate programs is competitive and schools select students on the basis of academic excellence; graduate record exam scores; letters of reference from professors and physical therapists; clinical observation experience; an essay and an interview. A master’s degree is typically the minimum required degree to sit for certification as an occupational therapist, however there also are some entry-level clinical doctoral programs that satisfy certification requirements. Students can pursue occupational therapy programs through a variety of Colby-Sawyer majors including exercise science and biology, however students may choose any major along with the suggested prerequisites. Students should work closely with an advisor to select the prerequisites required for specific programs.

Physical therapy graduate program admissions are competitive and schools select students on the basis of academic excellence; graduate record exam scores; letters of reference from professors and physical therapists; clinical observation experience; an essay and an interview. A doctorate degree in physical therapy is required for certification as a physical therapist. Physical therapy program requirements may be fulfilled through a variety of Colby-Sawyer majors including exercise science and biology, however students may choose any major along with the suggested prerequisites.

Colby-Sawyer's faculty offers advice and assistance to students interested in veterinary and other health-related professional schools. Pre-veterinary program requirements can be fulfilled in combination with any major, though most of the required courses are in the biology major. Students should meet with a pre-veterinary advisor to discuss career planning and preparing for admissions requirements.

Colby-Sawyer and the Center for Wildlife Studies collaborate to offer this pre-professional track. Courses equip biology and environmental science majors with specialized skills, field-based experiences and instruction from experts worldwide to prepare them for graduate study and rewarding careers in wildlife-related fields. Students who complete the track will meet the educational requirements to certify as Associate Wildlife Biologists (AWB) with The Wildlife Society and as Ecologists in Training (EIT) with the Ecological Society of America. The track has been approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education.  

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The School of Nursing & Health Sciences at Colby-Sawyer College offers baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses the opportunity to further their education in preparation for advanced roles in a healthcare or academic setting. Programs are offered 100% online in 8-week sessions and available in three tracks; Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Education, and Nursing Management & Executive Leadership.

Application Information

Colby-Sawyer College offers students the opportunity to graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration over the course of five years. Students enrolled as business administration majors will have met all prerequisites needed to enroll in the college’s fifth-year MBA option upon completion of the bachelor’s degree program. Students enrolled in other majors are also eligible to participate, but must complete a business administration minor and other preparatory courses prior to enrollment.

Colby-Sawyer has entered into a 3+2 articulation agreement with Plymouth State University. Entering students will enroll in the Bachelor of Science in exercise science program selecting a focus in athletic training and be able to complete their bachelors and master's degree in five years. If you are interested in learning more about the 3+2 bachelor's of exercise science to master's of science in athletic training agreement with Plymouth State, please contact T. J. Smith at tjsmith@colby-sawyer.edu.

Colby-Sawyer graduates who have a GPA over 3.4 and GRE or GMAT score over the 60th percentile will automatically be accepted into the University of New Haven graduate degree programs in sports management. First come, first awarded scholarships are available to Colby-Sawyer graduates. University of New Haven's sports management program, available in residence and online, is ranked as the fourth best business-based program in the nation and 13th best internationally.

An articulation agreement allows Colby-Sawyer students to complete their bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor in as little as five years, and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in four. Students in the dual-degree program complete their bachelor’s degree at Colby-Sawyer in three years. If students choose to do the 3+3 program, they complete their J.D. at Vermont Law & Graduate School in the traditional three years; if they choose the 3+2 program, they complete a two-year accelerated J.D.; and in the 3+1 they receive a master’s degree in one year from Vermont Law & Graduate School.