Medical Fields: Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Chiropracty, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine – What Can I Do With These Professional Degrees?

Medicine Some areas of specialization: Allergology Anesthesiology Cardiology Dermatology Emergency medicine Family and general practice Gastroenterology Internal medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology Orthopedics Pathology Pediatrics Psychiatry Radiology Surgery Research Public Health

Employers Hospitals Clinics Private or group practice Health networks Nursing homes Rehabilitation centers Mental health institutions Federal, state & local health departments Government agencies Armed services Correctional facilities Colleges or universities Medical schools Large corporations

Information & Strategies Test required: MCAT 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. DOs 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 Some areas of specialization: Endodontics Oral pathology Oral & maxillofacial radiology Oral & maxillofacial surgery Orthodontics Pediatric dentistry Periodontics Prosthodontics Public health Research

Employers Private practice (80% of dentists) Armed services Federal, state & local health departments Correctional facilities

Information & Strategies Test required: DAT Schooling 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 Some areas of specialization: Surgery Orthopedics Primary care Sports medicine Pediatrics Dermatology Radiology Geriatrics Diabetic foot care

Employers Private practice Community health clinics Hospitals Residential and nursing homes National Health Service Sports clubs Some specialty retail chains

Information & Strategies Test required: MCAT or GRE Schooling required: After earning at least 90 hours of undergraduate coursework, 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 Some areas of specialization: Family practice Pediatric optometry Geriatric optometry Vision therapy Contact lenses Hospital-based optometry Primary care optometry Ocular disease Public health Research

Employers Private practice Vision care centers Hospitals Physicians' offices Armed services Government organizations

Information & Strategies Test required: OAT Schooling required: After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Optometry (OD) requires 4 academic years at optometry school.

Chiropractic Medicine Some areas of specialization: Sports injuries Neurology Orthopedics Pediatrics Nutrition Internal disorders Diagnostic imaging Ergonomics

Employers Solo and group practices Hospitals or health clinics

Information & Strategies Test required: GRE or MCAT Schooling required: After earning at least 90 hours of undergraduate coursework, the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) requires 4 academic years at a chiropractic school.

Pharmacy Some areas of specialization: Clinical pharmacy Intravenous nutrition support Oncology Nuclear pharmacy Geriatric pharmacy Psychopharmacotherapy Research Public health

Employers Hospitals Nursing homes Mental health institutions Health clinics Retail chains Government agencies including Food and Drug Administration, Public Health Service, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services Pharmaceutical companies Health insurance firms Universities

Information & Strategies Test required: PCAT Schooling required: After spending 2-3 years in undergraduate coursework, the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) requires 4 academic years.

Veterinary Medicine Areas of specialization: Small animal care Large animal care Food safety Preventative medicine Surgery Laboratory animal medicine Research

Employers Group or private practice Federal government including Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services State and local government Colleges of veterinarian medicine Medical schools Research laboratories Animal food companies Pharmaceutical companies Zoos

Information & Strategies 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 internships or residency programs.

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 fields 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 by each of the medical fields. Many physicians work very long, irregular hours. Consider your tolerance for 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 and to fulfill continuing education 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.

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