Pre-Professional Pathways

You know what you want to do. Do you know how you will get there?

The path to your dream career is here at Governors State University. From your undergraduate program, to your graduate degree, and into the professional world, we are here to lead you towards success in your desired career field. Check out the list below to find the profession of your interest and how you will get there with the guidance of our exceptional academic programs.

If you are a freshman enrolled in our Honors College, during your second semester, you will have the opportunity to enter the Guaranteed Graduate Admissions Pathway (GPATH). If you are a transfer student, you may apply for GPATH while you have at least 30 credit hours (including transfer credits) left toward your undergraduate degree. If you meet and maintain graduate program-specific GPA and coursework requirements, pass discipline-specific exams, and maintain full-time student status, you will be considered for a space in a competitive GovState graduate program of your choice.

File

GPATH Program Brochure

All GPATH-eligible graduate programs are noted below.

Professor speaks to students in front of a chalkboard.

Accountant

Learn the analytical skills needed to communicate financial reports to stakeholders by enrolling in our undergraduate and graduate programs that will guide you towards becoming a successful accountant.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $65,800

Common Undergraduate Programs: Accounting, Business Administration, Mathematics
Graduate Program: Accounting (GPATH-eligible)
Certification: CAPM

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Biologist

Discover the extraordinary secrets of life through lab and environmental research so you can help preserve all of our planet's living organisms with our diverse selection of programs and concentrations.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $60,216

Common Undergraduate Programs: Biology, Chemistry, Psychology
Graduate Program: Biology (GPATH-eligible)

Scientist in safety glasses and blue gloves looks up at pipette tips with blue liquid.

Chemist

Research the composition, structure, and nature of materials, as well as study the relationships and interactions of such substances, so you can find the presence of pollutants and save lives.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $70,543

Common Undergraduate Programs: Chemistry, Biology, Community Health
Graduate Program: Chemistry (GPATH-eligible)

Police car driving on a winding road.

Chief of Police

Become the highest-ranking officer in a police department, responsible for overseeing operations, setting policies, managing personnel, ensuring public safety, and collaborating with government officials and communities to enforce laws and maintain order.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $135,000

Common Undergraduate Programs: Criminal Justice, Political Science
Graduate Program: Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Political and Social Justice Studies (all GPATH-eligible)

Group of people outside large classical building with dome.

City Manager

Appointed by a city council, the city manager oversees daily municipal operations, implements policies, manages budgets, and coordinates departments. They ensure efficient governance, provide administrative leadership, and guide council decisions for community development.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $119,580

Common Undergraduate Programs: Political Science
Graduate Program: Public Administration (GPATH-eligible)

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Clinical Psychologist

With our undergraduate and graduate psychology programs, you can learn how to help members of your community overcome psychological trauma through appropriate assessment and treatment.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $147,894

Common Undergraduate Programs: Psychology, Social Work, Communication
Graduate Program: Psychology
Certifications: CADC, LCSW

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Counselor

Understand the issues experienced by individuals, families, and communities through our on-campus Counseling Lab and program coursework to receive the professional experience that will help your future clients and surrounding communities foster healthier relationships.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $66,990

Common Undergraduate Programs: Psychology, Social Work, Communication
Graduate Program: Counseling
Certifications: CADC, LCSW

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Data Analyst

Find out how you can utilize modern software tools to gather useful information from data so you can lead your company or corporation towards financial success.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $207,833

Common Undergraduate Programs: Business Administration, Accounting, Mathematics
Graduate Program: Business Analytics (GPATH-eligible)
Certification: CAPM

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Finance Director

Acquire the skillset needed to impact organizational business operations in any situation with our various business, or business-related, programs and concentrations.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $196,587

Common Undergraduate Programs: Accounting, Economics, Mathematics
Graduate Program: Business Administration (GPATH-eligible)
Certification: CAPM

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Human Resource Manager

Prepare yourself to support a high-performance work culture, provide personnel solutions, and improve employee morale through the implementation of strategic data analysis taught in our business programs.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $126,466

Common Undergraduate Programs: Business Administration, Communication, Psychology
Graduate Program: Human Resource Management (GPATH-eligible)
Certifications: Professional in Human Resources/Senior Professional in Human Resources

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Occupational Therapist

Gain the knowledge that will help you assist your future patients restore their ability to accomplish daily functions through our Master of Occupational Therapy program.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $104,070

Common Undergraduate Programs: Interdisciplinary Studies, Biology, Psychology,
Community Health
Graduate Program: Occupational Therapy (GPATH-eligible)

A physical therapy student performs manual therapy on a peer while two other physical therapy students observe in a classroom.

Physical Therapist

By earning your Doctor of Physical Therapy at Governors State, you will obtain the skills and resources necessary to understand the human body, identify injuries, and lead your patients toward recovery.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $106,801

Common Undergraduate Programs: Interdisciplinary Studies, Biology, Psychology,
Community Health
Graduate Program: Physical Therapy (GPATH-eligible)

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Social Worker

Study how to lead, implement, and support social action agendas that will empower diverse, at-risk communities by enrolling in our undergraduate and graduate Social Work programs.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $76,348

Common Undergraduate Programs: Social Work, Psychology, Communication
Graduate Program: Social Work
Certifications: CADC, LCSW

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Special Education Director

Become the mentor that is imperative to the academic and social growth of students with special needs by enrolling in our Master of Arts in Multicategorical Special Education and SPED Director Subsequent Endorsement programs. Not only will you fulfill your dreams, but lead your future students to accomplish their's as well.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $82,061

Common Undergraduate Programs: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education
Graduate Programs: Multicategorical Special Education, SPED Director Subsequent Endorsement

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Change lives with the skills you will learn in our undergraduate and graduate Communication Disorders programs. Here, you will figure out how to asses, diagnose, treat, and prevent communication disorders among children and adults.

Median Salary in Chicago, IL: $96,490

Common Undergraduate Programs: Communication Disorders
Graduate Program: Communication Disorders (GPATH-eligible)