Cooperative programs are those in which students take a portion of their undergraduate work (usually three years) at Guilford, completing an additional one to two years at a cooperating institution. At the end of the specified period of time, the student receives a baccalaureate degree from Guilford and a more specialized professional certificate or degree from the second school.

Admission to Guilford does not automatically qualify students for admission to a cooperative program. Students must apply to the schools sponsoring programs that interest them, and their admission is the prerogative of those schools.

Do you want to be an engineer with a solid foundation in the liberal arts and excellent oral and written communication skills?  The Guilford physics program may be just the right one for you.  At Guilford, students learn how to attack and solve complicated problems by getting to the root causes and analyzing connections between the pieces.  In addition, Guilford physics students become excellent communicators to both technical and non-technical audiences. These are critical skills for a successful engineer.  More than  30% of Guilford physics graduates have careers in engineering or engineering related fields.  At Guilford, these students concentrated on applied physics while also benefiting from our strong writing program and broad liberal arts education.  As Nathan Knisely (class of ‘11 graduate and currently a Ph.D. candidate in aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech) recently said, “Guilford’s physics/math tests were always about applying the knowledge, not just spitting it back. “ Guilford-trained engineers are not only excellent in finding technical solutions to problems, they understand the relationship between technology and humankind and can communicate effectively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds and technical knowledge.  The training in alternate perspectives that a liberal arts education provides will be a critical asset for 21st century engineers who will need to navigate through complicated problems and find creative solutions.
There are three ways in which Guilford students can prepare for an engineering career.
1. Students may follow the pre-engineering track of the Physics major (and Chemistry major for chemical engineering). Graduates may go to graduate school in engineering or enter the workforce directly.
2. Students may obtain a dual-degree by completing a 3-2 program in pre-engineering physics. Students in this program complete three years at Guilford satisfying all the requirements for a B.S. in pre-engineering physics except for thesis and IDS 401 before transferring to an engineering program at an accredited university. After completing the program, the student receives a B.S. in physics from Guilford as well as an engineering degree from the cooperating school. In addition to the advantages of small classes, individualized instruction, and broad background enjoyed by Guilford students, the graduate with two degrees also gains the advantage of standing out of the crowd to potential employers because of her/his two degrees.
3. Following two years at Guilford, students may transfer to an engineering school to obtain a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Two years at Guilford would provide students with a basic foundation in science and mathematics as well as experience in writing and exposure to the liberal arts. These classes at Guilford are much smaller and personalized than at a university so they provide an excellent way to begin one’s college career. This option is attractive for those students with a weak scientific background or, paradoxically, a desire to pursue physics and math in greater depth than is customary in engineering education.

All three paths for pursuing an engineering career at Guilford require careful planning. Interested students should meet with an advisor from the Physics Department as soon as possible so that the student and advisor can develop the best plan of action. 

The college offers a cooperative program with Duke University leading to graduate study in natural resources and the environment. The program accepts students after three years of undergraduate study or upon completion of the baccalaureate degree.

At Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, students can pursue a professional master’s degree in environmental management or forestry or a doctoral degree in coastal systems science and policy, earth and ocean sciences or environmental sciences and policy.

With appropriate guidance, highly qualified students can reach a satisfactory level of preparation for graduate work in the School of the Environment after three years of coordinated undergraduate study. The student must fulfill all the general education requirements by the end of the junior year at Guilford. At the end of two full-time semesters at Duke, the student will have completed the undergraduate degree requirements, and a degree will be awarded by Guilford. After four semesters at Duke, in which a minimum of 48 credits is earned, the student may receive one of two professional degrees, either the Master of Forestry or Master of Environmental Management, from Duke’s School of the Environment.

The cooperative college program does not guarantee admission to Duke. Students, who wish to enter the Nicholas School of the Environment, whether after the junior year or completion of the baccalaureate, must submit an application for admission by February 15 preceding the academic year in which they desire to begin study at Duke.

An undergraduate major in one of the natural or social sciences, business or environmental science is good preparation for study at Duke, but students with other undergraduate majors are considered for admission. All prospective students should have at least one introductory course in ecology, calculus, statistics and microeconomics and a working knowledge of microcomputers for word processing and data analysis. Advisor: Lynn J. Moseley, Department of Biology.

Students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, podiatry, osteopathy, chiropractic, pharmacy or optometry must fulfill the prerequisites at Guilford for professional school admission. Health professions advisors provide detailed information on various careers, as well as on professional school admission requirements, application procedures and special programs for minority students. Also available are application materials, financial aid information and study materials for entrance examinations (such as Medical College Admission Test and Dental Admission Test).

A health professions advisor assists the student in planning an individualized program of study that, for most career fields, includes at least one year each of biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, mathematics and physics. Pre-medicine and other pre-health students may major in the field of their choice while obtaining specialized courses needed for graduate study. Advisors: Anne G. Glenn, chemistry department.

Students receive solid preparation at Guilford College for admission to a school of veterinary medicine. To complete prerequisites for application, students usually major in biology. Some veterinary schools also require a course in animal nutrition, which Guilford students can take at North Carolina A&T State University through consortium arrangements, or students can take an approved online course. Advisor: Lynn J. Moseley, Department of Biology.

Students planning to attend law school are urged to contact Guilford’s pre-law advisor and to participate fully in the activities of the Websterian Pre-Law Society. Students are encouraged to contact the advisor early in their undergraduate studies for both academic and law school admission advice.

There is no prescribed or preferred major for pre-law students, but law schools seek students who have demonstrated mastery of their chosen fields of study and complete a balanced liberal arts education. Pre-law students are urged to include foreign languages, the basics of accounting, political theory, logic (formal or informal), economics, analytical writing and critical thinking among their undergraduate courses. Many law schools require solid performance on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and a 3.00 or higher grade-point average.

The Websterian Pre-Law Society provides practice LSATs, regular meetings, guest speakers and visits to nearby law schools. Internships at local agencies and law firms are coordinated by the pre-law advisor. Advisor: Lisa J. McLeod, Department of Philosophy.

The Department of religious Studies offers preparation which may lead to a career in the ministry or religious education. A broad range of courses preparing the student to enter theological school directly upon graduation includes History of Christianity, Old Testament and New Testament, Contemporary Theology, Quakerism and various explorations in modern religious problems. Studies in comparative religions are offered regularly. Advisor: Eric Mortensen, Department of Religious Studies.

NOTE: As a Quaker-founded college, Guilford supports the peace testimony of Friends and does not offer or support courses in military science. Such courses are available on an audit basis at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, also located in Greensboro, for Guilford students who want to enroll through the consortium cross-registration program.