Undergraduate to Graduate Pathways

Available Pathways

At North Central College, you will graduate prepared to achieve your personal, academic and professional goals. If those goals include pursuing a graduate degree, we’ve designed dedicated pathways to help you create a foundation of knowledge in your undergraduate program and launch a successful post-graduate career.

Explore the variety of pathways offered in:

Health Science
Business
Education
Leadership

Dedicated Health Science Support

North Central provides dedicated resources to help keep you on track as you move through the undergraduate-to-graduate health science pathways. Advisors specific to the health sciences ensure you take the right courses, get connected to shadowing opportunities, are prepared for entrance exams, and receive advice on choosing the right health science path for you.

Health Science Pathways

Pathways into several of North Central’s clinical health science graduate programs are available to eligible undergraduate students.

NCC DPT Guarantee Admissions into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Occupational Therapy Dual Admission into the Master of Occupational Therapy Program
Selective Internal PA Admissions Pathway into the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program
3 + 2 Track into the Master of Athletic Training Program

Additionally, North Central has strategically partnered with Lake Erie College of Medicine and Northwestern Medicine Clinical Schools to offer early acceptance pathways into health science programs North Central does not offer.

Recommended Majors

The chart below demonstrates areas students commonly major in to best prepare them for their desired graduate program. Note: achieving a degree in these undergraduate majors does not guarantee entry into a graduate program.

Undergraduate Major	Graduate Degree Program(s)
Biology (BS)	Athletic Training (MAT)* Dentistry (DMD)+ Osteopathic Medicine (DO)+ Occupational Therapy (MOT)* Pharmacy (Pharm. D.)+ Physical Therapy (DPT)* Physician Assistant (MSPAS)* Nuclear Medicine (BS)++ Radiation Therapy (BS)++
Biochemistry (BS)	Dentistry (DMD)+ Osteopathic Medicine (DO)+ Pharmacy (Pharm. D.)+ Physician Assistant (MSPAS)*
Chemistry (BS)	Pharmacy (Pharm. D.)+ Nuclear Medicine (BS)++ Radiation Therapy (BS)++
Exercise Science (BS)	Athletic Training (MAT)* Occupational Therapy (MOT)* Physical Therapy (DPT)*
Health Science (BS)	Athletic Training (MAT)* Occupational Therapy (MOT)* Physical Therapy (DPT)* Diagnostic Medical Sonography (BS)++
Neuroscience (BS)	Physical Therapy (DPT)* Physician Assistant (MSPAS)*
Nuclear Medicine Technology (BS)	Nuclear Medicine (BS)++
Psychology (BS)	Occupational Therapy (MOT)* Physician Assistant (MSPAS)*
Radiation (BS)	Radiation Therapy (BS)++

*Graduate program offered through North Central College School of Graduate and Professional Studies
+ Graduate program offered through partner institution – Lake Erie College of Medicine
++ Graduate Program offered through partner institution – Northwestern Medicine Clinical Schools

Business, Education and Leadership

In general, your undergraduate major does not always need to be in the same field as what you plan to study in graduate school. You can choose from a variety of undergraduate programs and successfully pursue a graduate degree in Business, Education, and Leadership. Listed below are pathways we often recommend and frequently see students pursue during their time at North Central.

Business Pathways

Undergraduate Major	Graduate Degree Program(s)
Business Economics Economics Entrepreneurship Finance Human Resource Management International Business Management Marketing Organizational Communication Social Entrepreneurship	Master of Business Administration* Master of Business Administration: Financial Management Master of Business Administration: Human Resource Management Master of Business Administration: International Business

*Students in any major can complete a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in 5 years

Education Pathways

Undergraduate Major

Graduate Degree Program(s)

Leadership Pathways

Undergraduate Major	Graduate Degree Program(s)
Communication Studies Ethical Leadership Organizational Communication Political Science Psychology Sociology Sport Management	Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Master of Arts in Sport Leadership

Explore All Programs

With more than 90 undergraduate and 16 graduate programs—you are sure to find the best fit for your future. With our Program Finder you can filter majors by interest, format and field of study.

Explore Programs

Have Questions?

We're thrilled you're interested in becoming part of the Cardinal family! Contact us at admissions@noctrl.edu or 630-637-5800.

Undergraduate Admissions

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