Moorhead prepares future doctors

An undergraduate degree from Minnesota State Moorhead not only prepares students for their careers, but for pre-health students, also for prestigious professional programs.

For students interested in advanced degrees in the healthcare field, many pathways exist to prepare for master’s or doctoral degrees. Pre-health students at Moorhead can add graduate prerequisite classes to any undergraduate degree.

Pre-Health Pathways

Many Dragons are firmly planted in the healthcare field, including chiropractors, dentists, and medical doctors. For example, Moorhead offered Evan Lubken and Cole Winkels the tools they needed to not only pursue, but succeed, in their doctorate programs.

“MSUM gave me the foundation, confidence, and support system I needed to take the next step in my education,” Evan Lubken (’25) says.

One Smile at a Time

Evan Lubken on the University of Minnesota's Campus.

From a young age, Evan was interested in dentistry. In high school, he participated in one of the first high school dental assisting programs in the nation. This experience gave him a hands-on look at what could be in his future and allowed him to see firsthand the effect dentists have on patients.

“I saw how dentistry truly changes lives, restoring confidence through improved smiles and relieving patients who were in significant pain,” Evan says.

His professors hugely impacted his studies, with small classes enabling him to build personal relationships with his instructors.

“Because of that, I felt comfortable asking questions, especially those that were important for my dental school application,” he says.

Chemistry Professor Craig Jasperse was especially impactful to Evan throughout his time at Moorhead. Dr. Jasperse consistently believed in Evan and pushed him to recognize his capabilities.

“Through working closely with Dr Jasperse on research projects, he shared insights from his own life and taught me the importance of balancing academics with personal well-being,” he says. “He always went above and beyond to support me, and his mentorship had a lasting impact on my confidence and career path,”

Evan pursued a Bachelor of Science in biology with a cellular and medical biology emphasis and a minor in chemistry, graduating in 2025. What he’s learned, and the habits he’s created at Moorhead, are carrying over into his doctorate program.

“MSUM helped me become more organized, disciplined, and proactive in my learning,” he says. “The emphasis on small class sizes and group work taught me how to collaborate effectively with others, skills that will be essential in dental school and beyond.”

Evan is studying at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, slated to graduate in 2029.

The Perfect Alignment

Cole Winkels getting hands-on chiropractic experience.

While playing football in high school, Cole struggled with lower back pain. Visits to a chiropractor helped him manage and relieve those symptoms, allowing him to get back on the field with confidence.

Cole is now in a chiropractic program at Northwestern Health Sciences (NWHSU), hoping to replicate the care he needed in high school. “I chose chiropractic school because I’ve always loved helping people,” he says. 

Moorhead and NWHSU have a "3+3" agreement, allowing students like Cole to earn both a Biology B.A. from Moorhead and a Doctor of Chiropractic from NWHSU in about six and a half years. This partnership creates a streamlined pathway that saves students a year's worth of tuition and time.

His time in the human health sciences and pre-chiropractic program gave him the tools and support he needed to succeed after his undergrad studies.

“I really enjoyed the smaller class sizes. I was able to get more help from the professors if I needed it. They were always there for me when I needed them.”

Access to instructors was crucial to his success in the program. Cole relied on his professors’ guidance when he was confused or struggling with assignments.

Anatomy Professor Patricia (Bee) Wisenden led the cadaver labs, a rare experience for undergraduates that helps students get an unparalleled look at the human body. “Bee always answered my questions and helped prepare me for the rigorous anatomy program at NWHSU, which I will forever be grateful for,” he says.

Cole is on track to graduate as a Doctor of Chiropractic in December 2027.

Evan and Cole are adamant about the powerful impact Moorhead has had on preparing them for the next step in their academic journeys. Their programs were a place to learn and grow new skills, instill discipline, and make meaningful connections with professors and mentors. Whether through dentistry or chiropractic care, they are eager to graduate and make a meaningful and lasting impact in their communities.