Medical Fields
Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Chiropracty, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy
| AREA OF SPECIALIZATION | EMPLOYERS | EDUCATION INFO |
|---|---|---|
| MEDICINE | ||
| Allergology Cardiology Dermatology Emergency Medicine Family and General Practice Gastroenterology Internal Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology Orthopedics Pathology Pediatrics Psychiatry Radiology Surgery Research Public Health |
Clinics Private or group practice Health networks Nursing homes Rehabilitation Centers Mental Health Institutions Federal, State, & Local Health Depts Government Agencies Armed Services Correctional facilities College or Universities Medical Schools Large Corporations |
Schooling Required: After earning an
undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Medicine
(MD) requires 4 years of medical school,
followed by 3-8 years of internship and
residency depending on specialization chosen. Some physicians pursue the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. DO's emphasize the body's musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic patient care and often work in family and general practices, although they may be found in many specialties. |
| DENTISTRY | ||
| Endodontics Oral Pathology Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Pediatric Dentistry Periodontics Prosthodontics Public Health Research Hospitals |
Private Practice (80% of dentists) Armed Services Federal, State, and Local Health Depts. Correctional Facilities Private Companies Health Networks |
Test Required: MCAT Test Required: DAT School required: After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) requires 4 years of dental school (the last 2 years are clinical rotations) |
| PODIATRY | ||
| Surgery Orthopedics Primary Care Sports Medicine Pediatrics Dermatology Radiology Geriatrics Diabetic Foot Care |
Private Practice Community Health Clinics Hospitals Residential and Nursing Homes National Health Service Sports Clubs Some specialty retail chains |
Test Required: MCAT or GRE Schooling Required: After earning at least 90 hours of undergraduate course work, the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) requires 4 academic years (last 2 years are clinical rotations). One year of post-doctoral residency is required in most states. |
| OPTOMETRY | ||
| Family Practice Pediatric Optometry Geriatric Optometry Vision Therapy Contact Lenses Hospital Based Optometry Primary Care Optometry Ocular Disease Public Health Research |
Private Practice Vision care centers Hospitals Physicians' offices Armed Services Government Organizations |
Test Required: OAT Schooling Required: After earning the undergraduate degree the Doctor of Optometry (OD) requires 4 academic years at an Optometry school. |
| CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE | ||
| Sports Injuries Neurology Orthopedics Pediatrics Nutrition Internal Disorders Diagnostic Imaging Ergonomics |
Solo and Group Practices Hospitals or health clinics |
TEST Required: GRE or MCAT Schooling Required: After earning at least 90 hours of undergraduate course work, the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) requires 4 academic years of a chiropractic school. |
| PHARMACY | ||
| Clinical Pharmacy Intravenous Nutrition Support Oncology Nuclear Pharmacy Geriatric Pharmacy Psych pharmacotherapy Research Public Health |
Hospitals Nursing Homes Mental Health Institutions Health Clinics Retail Chains Government agencies including: Food and Drug Administration Public Health Service Dept. of Veteran's Affairs Armed Services Pharmaceutical Companies Health Insurance firms Universities |
Test Required: PCAT Schooling Required: After spending 2 to 3 years in undergraduate coursework, the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) requires 4 academic years. |
| VETERINARY MEDICINE | ||
| Small Animal Care Large Animal Care Food Safety Preventative Medicine Surgery Laboratory Animal Medicine Research |
Group or private practice Federal Government including: Dept. of Agriculture Dept. of Health & Human Services State and Local government Colleges of Veterinary Medicine Medical Schools Research laboratories Animal food companies Pharmaceutical companies Zoos |
Test Required: GRE, VCAT, or MCAT Schooling Required: After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) requires 4 academic years at a college of Veterinarian medicine. Veterinarians who plan to specialize will spend additional years in internship or residency programs. |
| PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT | ||
| Hospitals Medical Centers Public Clinics Prisons Internal Medicine/physical exams Pediatrics Surgery Assistants Pre and post-operative care Rural Practice Diagnosing and treating illness |
Hospitals HMO Private Practice Government Agency Military |
Test Required: GRE Schooling: 2 years college in basic and behavioral sciences Most students have bachelors 3 years health care experience PA Programs are 27 months and include classroom & clinical rotations |
| PHYSICAL THERAPY | ||
| Acute care Rehabilitation Wellness/preventative /sports/fitness Hospice Government Programs: VA Indian Health Dept. of Defense Research |
Hospitals Private Practice Out Patient Clinics Home Health Agencies Schools Sports & Fitness Facilities Industrial Work settings Skilled Nursing Homes Schools In Patient Rehab |
Test: GRE Bachelor's Degree GPA 3.0 in last 560 hours Must have graduate degree and take national licensure exam |
STRATEGIES FOR GAINING ADMITTANCE INTO PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS:
- Choose an appropriate undergraduate major and include prerequisite courses required by the professional program, e.g. biology, chemistry, and physics, if they are not a requirement of the chosen major.
- Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions.
- Maintain a high grade point average, particularly in the sciences, to improve chances of admission to graduate or professional school
- Develop strong computer, mathematics, and verbal and written communication skills.
- Build strong relationships with professors and/or employers in order to secure strong recommendations.
- Join related student organizations, such as Alpha Epsilon Delta, and assume leadership roles.
- Obtain summer jobs, volunteer positions, or internships to test field of interest and gain valuable experience.
- Develop a backup plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.
- Look at entrance requirements for desired institutions. Be aware of any standardized test requirements, minimum grade point averages, and prerequisites.
- Talk to professionals already in your desired field regarding their backgrounds, arrange a shadowing experience. Join professional associations and community organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts.
- Read scientific journals related to your area of interest.
- Research accredited institutions. Check graduation rates, success rates on licensing exams, cost location, etc. If possible, speak with current students.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- Develop a desire to help people of all backgrounds and ages including various races and socioeconomic groups.
- Gain an understanding of the rigorous education and training required in the medical professions to ascertain your willingness to complete the required experiences.
- Study the demands required of each of the medical fields. Many physicians work many long irregular hours. Consider your tolerance of such a schedule.
- All fields require licensure that is generally regulated by the state of residency.
- Plan for a lifetime of learning to stay abreast of new trends in the field to fulfill continuing educational requirements for licensure.
- In some medical fields additional training is necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching and independent research.
- Some medical fields offer the opportunity for post-doctoral experiences which can allow one to gain additional training or specialize in a particular area.