Tammy Moyers (Left) and Maryanne Murphy conduct an obesity test on a dog on January 14, 2026. Photo by Raffe Lazarian.

Pre-Professional Programs

While all majors within the Herbert College of Agriculture provide a great foundation for advanced education, several offer special programs and concentrations in law, medicine, veterinary medicine, and more. With distinctive programs and a high-quality education, our students stand out when applying to professional schools.

Explore Our Pre-Professional Programs

Three agricultural leadership, education, and communications students standing and smiling with their arms around each other outside the front of Morgan Hall while wearing UT Knoxville and Herbert attire. Photo by Celina Menard.

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

In partnership with the Winston College of Law, students majoring in agricultural leadership, education, and communications with concentrations in agriculture and natural resource communications or community engagement and leadership development can complete a law degree faster through the 3+3 program.

Herbert College of Agriculture student intern Mason Dunlap working to collect data from cows at the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center’s Little River Dairy on July 20, 2025. Photo by Haley Harbin/University of Tennessee.

Department of Animal Science

The veterinary science 3+1 program allows students to complete three years of undergraduate coursework before entering veterinary school. After finishing their first year at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, they earn their bachelor’s degree while accelerating their path to becoming a veterinarian. Animal and veterinary science students can also choose the pre-veterinary concentration, providing the necessary education for veterinary school.

Three University of Tennessee students work together on a biosystems engineering project in a workshop, examining and measuring materials.

Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

The biosystems engineering major provides a pathway for pre-health and professional engineering. Also, the soil science concentration is the first step towards licensure as a professional soil scientist.

Student worker, Paul Schmudde, measures ingredients to make ice cream for the UT Creamery in the Ag Campus Food Science building on October 23, 2025. Photo by Raffe Lazarian.

Department of Food Science

Food science students in the pre-professional program can earn the pre-requisites for a variety of pre-health tracks, including pre-med, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, and more. The food science program sets students apart when applying for professional schools.

Pre-Professional Advising

Student success advisors in the Herbert College of Agriculture are more than equipped to advise you through a pre-professional program and make sure you get the pre-requisites needed to further your education.

Advisor Ally Lay hands out papers during class in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Building (ANR) on the University of Tennessee Ag Campus on on September 10, 2025. Photo by Raffe Lazarian / UTIA