Medical Fields
Below is a brief overview of the specialty areas, employers, and education for different health professions. This list is not exhaustive but helps illustrate the opportunities available to professionals.
| 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. Test Required: MCAT |
| 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: 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. |
| PHYSICIAN 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.