Professional Schools

1. Professional Schools Douglas H. McBride Career and Academic Advisor College of Ag & Life Sciences – Health Professions

2. Medical School

3. Medical • Nature of work • Physicians diagnose illnesses and prescribe and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease • This is accomplished by: • Extracting patient information and obtaining medical histories • Performing and interpreting diagnostic tests

4. Medical • Two Types of Physicians • M.D.-Doctor of Medicine – Allopathic • Traditional Medicine • D.O.-Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. • Greater emphasis on the relationship between the organs and the musculoskeletal system as well as on treating the whole individual rather than just the disease.

5. Similarities: • Applicants to both DO and MD colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses. • Both DOs and MDs complete four years of basic medical education. • After medical school, both DOs and MDs can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine—such as psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics, or sports medicine—after completing a residency program (typically two to six years of additional training). • Both DOs and MDs must pass comparable state licensing examinations. • DOs and MDs both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers. • Both are medical doctors; MD is specifically Doctor of Medicine and DO is Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

6. Medical • So which one should you choose: • Allopathic training is the most widely available and recognized type of medical training. • Allopathic training, the M.D. is universally recognized as a medical degree. If you are interested in practicing overseas, the M.D. is far easier to negotiate with than is the D.O. • The best way to decide which path is right for you is to spend time with each and talk about the differences in their practices.

7. Medical • Working Conditions • Many physicians work in small private offices or clinics. • Increasingly, physicians practice in groups or healthcare organizations. They are less independent than solo practitioners of the past. • Almost one-third of physicians work 60 hours or more a week. • Physicians and surgeons often have to take call, and may make emergency visits to hospitals.

8. Medical • Getting into Med School • Acceptance to medical school is highly competitive. • Average Acceptance • 3.64 Overall GPA/ 3.57 Science GPA • 30 MCAT • Applicants must submit: • Transcripts / Pre-requisites • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) • Letters of recommendation • American Medical College Admission Service application (AMCAS)

9. Medical • Undergraduate Training • Academic: • Physics, biology, mathematics, english, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the social sciences. • Non-Academic • Volunteer work • Community Service • Shadowing • Other clinical Exposure • Leadership • Research

10. Medical • Medical School Training • Minimum educational requirement for entry into a medical school is 3 years of college. • Most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. • There are 147 medical schools in the United States • 125 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree; • 22 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.

11. Medical • Medical Curriculum • First 2 years • Courses in anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical ethics, and laws governing medicine. • Last 2 years • Students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics. • Following medical school • M.D.s enter a residency which may last 3 to 9 years. • Most D.O.s serve a 12-month rotating internship after graduation before entering a residency which may last 2 to 6 years.

12. Medical • Earnings • Physicians have among the highest earnings of any occupation. • Median income for a physicians is about $160,000+ Specialties Salaries

13. Medical • Additional Information MD • Association of American Medical Colleges http://www.aamc.org • American Medical Association: http://www.ama-assn.org DO • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine http://www.aacom.org • American Osteopathic Association: http://www.aoa-net.org

14. Podiatry

15. Podiatry • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) • A doctor of podiatric medicine is to the foot what a dentist is to the mouth or an ophthalmologist to the eye - a specialist who has undergone lengthy, thorough study to become uniquely well-qualified to treat a specific part of the body.

16. Podiatry • Nature of work • A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot disorders, diseases and injuries. They perform surgery; administer medications, and prescribe physical therapy regimens.

17. Podiatry • Nature of Work Cont’d • DPMs often detect serious health problems that may otherwise go unnoticed, because a number of diseases manifest first through symptoms of the lower extremities (i.e., diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or kidney disease).

18. Podiatry • Working Conditions • The practice of podiatric medicine lends itself to flexible hours and is therefore comfortable for individuals who want time for family, friends and other involvements that characterize a balanced lifestyle. • Work hours of a podiatric physician can vary from 30 to 60 hours a week. • Podiatrists in private practice can set their own hours.

19. Podiatry • Getting into Podiatry School • Acceptance to Podiatric school is competitive. • Average Acceptance • 3.3 Overall GPA/ 3.0 Science GPA • 22 MCAT • Applicants must submit: • Transcripts / Pre-requisites • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) • Letters of recommendation • American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) application.

20. Podiatry • Undergraduate Training • Academic: • Physics, biology, mathematics, english, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the social sciences. • Non-Academic • Volunteer work • Community Service • Shadowing • Other clinical Exposure • Leadership • Research

21. Podiatry • Podiatry School Training • Minimum educational requirement for entry into a Podiatric school is 3 years of college. • Most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. • There are 8 podiatry schools in the United States

22. Podiatry • Medical Curriculum • First 2 years • Courses in anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical ethics, and laws governing medicine. • Last 2 years • Students work with patients under the supervision of experienced Podiatrists in hospitals and clinics. • Following podiatry school • Choice of 24 or 36 month residency to be board certified. • The 36 month residency includes extensive rear foot and ankle surgery.

23. Podiatry • Earnings • Median income for a physicians is about $120,414 + • There are many types of podiatry specialties, including the following: • Pediatric podiatry • Podiatric medicine and orthopedics • Podiatric surgery • Sports medicine and biomechanics • Wound care

24. Podiatry • Additional Information • American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicinewww.aacpm.org • American Podiatric Medicine Association http://www.apma.org/s_apma/index.asp

25. Dental

26. Dentistry • Two degrees awarded • Equivalent • (DDS) Most dental schools award the Doctor of Dental Surgery • (DMD) The rest award the Doctor of Dental Medicine

27. Dentistry • Nature of work • Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat problems with teeth or mouth tissue. • Remove decay, fill cavities, examine x rays, place protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth. • Perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. • Extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. • They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care. • They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.

28. Dentistry • Working Conditions • Average 36 hours per week in their practices • They have great flexibility in determining the number of hours per week they choose to work. • Initially, dentists may work more hours as they establish their practice. • Many continue in part-time practice well beyond the usual retirement age. • Most dentists are solo practitioners, some dentists have partners, and a few work for other dentists as associate dentists.

29. Dentistry • Getting into Dental School • Acceptance to Dental school is very competitive. • Average Acceptance • 3.6 Overall GPA/ 3.5 Science GPA • 20 DAT • Applicants must submit: • Transcripts / Pre-requisites • Dental Admissions Test (DAT) • Letters of recommendation • Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)

30. Dentistry • Undergraduate Training • Academic: • Physics, biology, mathematics, english, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the social sciences. • Non-Academic • Volunteer work • Community Service • Shadowing • Other clinical Exposure • Leadership • Research

31. Dentistry • Dental School Training • A bachelor’s degree is not required. Most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. • There are 56 dental schools in the United States

32. Dentistry • Dental Curriculum • First 2 years • Studying biological sciences learning structure and function of human body and it’s diseases, concentrating on the oral aspects of the sciences. They also learn basic diagnostics and treatment procedures. • Last 2 years • Concentration on clinical study. Working with patients to provide competency in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases and disorders under direction of clinical instructors.

33. Dental • Earnings • Median income for a dentist is about $134,000 + • Specialties • http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career.1.aspx

34. Dentistry • Additional Information • American Dental Association http://www.ada.org • American Dental Education Association http://www.adea.org

35. Optometry

36. Optometry • Nature of the Work • Optometrists provide primary vision care to the 50% of Americans who wear corrective lenses. • Optometrists examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases. • Optometrists prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses • Optometrists provide preoperative and postoperative care to cataract, laser vision correction, and other eye surgery patients.

37. Optometry • Nature of the Work • Don’t confuse Optometrists with Ophthalmologists or Opticians. • Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, and diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries. Like optometrists, they also examine eyes and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. • Opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and in some states may fit contact lenses according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. • Most optometrists are in general, private practice.

38. Optometry • Working Conditions • Optometrists usually work in their own offices. • Most full-time optometrists work about 40 hours a week. Many work Saturdays and evenings to suit the needs of patients. • Employment • Currently about 35,000 jobs in the U.S. • Although many optometrists practice alone, a growing number are in a partnership or group practice. • Some optometrists work as salaried employees of other optometrists or of ophthalmologists, hospitals, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), or retail optical stores.

39. Optometry • Getting into Optometry School • Acceptance is very competitive. • Average Acceptance • 3.43 Overall GPA • 330 OAT • Applicants must submit: • Apply through each school individually • Transcripts / Pre-requisites • Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) • Letters of recommendation

40. Optometry • Undergraduate Training • Prerequisite courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. • Non-Academic • Volunteer work • Community Service • Shadowing • Other clinical Exposure • Leadership • Research

41. Optometry • Optometry School Training • A bachelor’s degree is not required. Most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor's degree. • There are 17 Optometry schools in the United States

42. Optometry • Optometry Curriculum • First 2 years • Studying biological sciences learning structure and function of human body and it’s diseases, concentrating on the oral aspects of the sciences. They also learn basic diagnostics and treatment procedures. • Last 2 years • Concentration on clinical study and external rotations. Working with patients to provide competency in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in pediatric optometry, glaucoma, contact lenses, rehabilitative optometry, retinal and neurological disease, ophthalmic lasers, refractive surgery, environmental optometry, primary care optometry and practice management.

43. Optometry • Earnings • Median income for a optometrists is about $124,000 + • Specialties • Most doctors of optometry practice “full-scope” primary care optometry and treat all forms of visual and ocular conditions. However, some may choose to treat a particular population or condition.

44. Optometry • Postgraduate Training • Optometrists wishing to teach or do research may study for a master's or Ph.D. degree • One-year postgraduate clinical residency programs are available for optometrists who wish to specialize in family practice optometry, pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, vision therapy, contact lenses, hospital-based optometry, primary care optometry, or ocular disease.

45. Optometry • Additional Information • American Dental Association http://www.ada.org • American Dental Education Association http://www.adea.org

46. Chiropractic

47. Chiropractic • Nature of the Work • Some chiropractors use water, light, massage, ultrasound, electric, and heat therapy. • Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery. • Many chiropractors are solo or group practitioners who also have the administrative responsibilities of running a practice.

48. Chiropractic • Working Conditions • Chiropractors work in clean, comfortable offices. They spend a great deal of time on their feet and practice using hands-on manipulation techniques to resolve imbalances in the patient's skeletal system. • Employment • Chiropractors currently hold about 50,000 jobs in the U.S. • Most chiropractors are in solo practice, although some are in group practice or work for other chiropractors.

49. Chiropractic • Getting into Chiropractic School • Average Acceptance • 3.2 Overall GPA • Applicants must submit: • No entrance exam required • Apply through each school individually • Transcripts / Pre-requisites • Letters of recommendation

50. Chiropractic • Undergraduate Training • All required applicants must have at least 90 semester hours: • English • Social sciences and/or humanities • Organic and inorganic chemistry • Biology • Physics • Psychology. • Non-Academic • Volunteer work • Community Service • Shadowing • Other clinical Exposure • Leadership • Research