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Home , Doctor of Medicine, Optometry, Undergraduate degree

MEDICAL FIELDS , , , , Chiropracty, , Assistant, and AREAS EMPLOYERS INFORMATION

MEDICINE Some Areas of Specialization Required: MCAT Allergology Private or group practice Schooling Required: After earning an undergradu- Health networks ate degree, the of Medicine (MD) requires homes 4 years of , followed by 3-8 years of Rehabilitation centers and depending on specialization Family and General Practice Mental health institutions chosen. Federal, state, & local health departments Government agencies Some pursue the Doctor of Osteopathic & Gynecology Armed services Medicine (DO) degree. DO's emphasize the body’s Orthopedics Correctional facilities musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and or holistic patient care and often work in family and gen- Medical schools eral practices, although they may be found in many Large corporations specialties.

DENTISTRY Some Areas of Specialization Private practice (80% of ) Test Required: DAT Endodontics Armed services Oral Pathology Federal, state, & local health departments Schooling Required: After earning an undergradu- Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Correctional facilities ate degree, the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) requires 4 years of Orthodontics dental school (last 2 years are clinical rotations). Pediatric Dentistry Periodontics Prosthodontics Public Health Research (Medicine, Page 2)

AREAS EMPLOYERS EDUCATION INFORMATION

PODIATRY Some Areas of Specialization Private practice Test Required: MCAT or GRE Surgery Community health clinics Orthopedics Hospitals Schooling Required: After earning at least 90 Primary Care Residential and nursing homes hours of undergraduate course work, the Doctor of National Health Service Podiatric Medicine (DPM) requires 4 academic years Pediatrics Sports clubs (last 2 years are clinical rotations). One year of post- Dermatology Some retail chains doctoral residency is required in most states. Radiology Diabetic Foot Care

OPTOMETRY Some Areas of Specialization Private practice Test Required: OAT Family Practice Vision care centers Pediatric Optometry Hospitals Schooling Required: After earning an Geriatric Optometry Physicians’ offi ces , the Doctor of Optometry Vision Armed services (OD) requires 4 academic years at optometry school. Contact Government organizations -Based Optometry Primary Care Optometry Ocular Disease Public Health Research

CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE Some Areas of Specialization Solo and group practices Test Required: GRE or MCAT Sports Injuries Hospitals or health clinics Physicians' offi ces Schooling Required: After earning at least 90 Orthopedics hours of undergraduate course work, the Doctor of Pediatrics (DC) requires 4 academic years at a chiropractic school. Internal Disorders Diagnostic Imaging Ergonomics (Medicine, Page 3)

AREAS EMPLOYERS EDUCATION INFORMATION

PHARMACY Some Areas of Specialization Hospitals Test Required: PCAT Clinical Pharmacy Nursing homes Intravenous Nutrition Support Mental health institutions Schooling Required: After spending at least 2 to Health clinics 3 years in undergraduate coursework, the Doctor Nuclear Pharmacy Retail chains of Pharmacy (PharmD) requires 4 academic years. Geriatric Pharmacy Government agencies including: Many applicants to pharmacy school have complet- Psychopharmacotherapy Food and Drug Administration ed a bachelor's degree. Research Public Health Service Public Health Department of Veteran’s Affairs Armed Services Pharmaceutical companies Health insurance fi rms Universities

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Most Common Areas of Practice Physicians' offi ces Test Required: GRE or MCAT General Internal Medicine Hospitals Surgical facilities Schooling Required: Complete an accredited Surgery Public clinics physician assistant educational program. The major- Pediatrics Community health centers ity of programs take at least 2 years to complete Emergency Medicine Government agencies and result in a master's degree (e.g. MPA or MPAS). Colleges or universities Clinical experience is gained during the second Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing homes year. Dermatology Armed services Some PA's pursue additional education to prepare Correctional facilities for specialities.

VETERINARY MEDICINE Areas of Specialization Group or private practice Test Required: GRE, VCAT, or MCAT Small Animal Care Federal government including: Large Animal Care Department of Agriculture Schooling Required: After earning an Food Safety Department of Health and Human Services undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Veterinary Preventative Medicine State and local government Medicine (DVM or VMD) requires 4 academic years Surgery Colleges of veterinarian medicine at a of veterinarian medicine. Veterinarians Laboratory Animal Medicine Medical schools who plan to specialize will spend additional years in Research Research laboratories internships or residency programs. Animal food companies Pharmaceutical companies Zoos (Medicine, Page 4)

STRATEGIES FOR GAINING ADMITTANCE INTO PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS • Choose an appropriate undergraduate major and include prerequisite courses required by the professional program, e.g. , chemistry, and , 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 , to improve chances of admission to graduate or professional school. • Develop excellent computer, , and verbal and written communication skills. • Build good relationships with and/or employers in order to secure strong recommendations. • Join related organizations, such as Alpha Epsilon Delta, and assume leadership roles. • Obtain summer jobs, volunteer positions, or internships to test fi elds of interest and gain valuable experience. • Develop a back up plan in case medical/ 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 fi eld regarding their backgrounds. Arrange a shadowing experience. • Join professional associations and community organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the fi eld and to develop networking contacts. • Read scientifi c 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 .

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 to ascertain your willingness to complete the required experiences. • Study the demands required by each of the medical fi elds. Many physicians work very long, irregular hours. Consider your tolerance for such a schedule. • All fi elds 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 fi eld and to fulfi ll continuing education requirements for licensure. • In some medical fi elds, additional training is necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, teaching, and independent research. • Some medical fi elds offer the opportunity for post doctoral experiences which can allow one to gain additional training or specialize in a particular area.

© 2005 The University of Tennessee Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005, Revised 2010) UTK is an EEO/AA/ VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer