Allopathic Medicine (MD)

Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients about illness, injuries, health conditions, and preventive healthcare. Physicians are licensed to practice in their trained specialty, including areas such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, and psychiatry.

Education:

Medical school is a four year program, leading to a doctoral degree (MD). Following the completion of medical school, students must apply for and gain acceptance into a residency program to earn training in a specialty area. Depending on the specialty, residency programs may vary from 2 years to 5 years and beyond.

Pre Requisite courses:

Medical schools require a minimum of the courses listed below. Check individual schools for more specific information.

Admissions committees consider the following criteria:

• Cumulative and science grade point average.   Overall trends, course loads per term, and number of advanced courses are considered.
• Score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), typically taken the spring during or summer after the Junior year.
• Letters of recommendation, both from individuals and from the Premedical Professions Committee (see the Preparation page for more information)
• Clinical Experience, through volunteer or paid positions
• Community service and other extracurricular activites
• Interview

Application Process:

Medical Schools participate in the AMCAS Application service.

Further Information

• Association of American Medical Colleges
• American Medical Association

Chiropractic

Chiropractors focus on the inherent ability of the body to heal without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic medicine is especially effective in the treatment of backache, sciatica, whiplash, and disk problems. Other functional disorders such as those that involve organs and internal glands of the body may also respond to chiropractic adjustments.

After diagnosing any abnormalities in the musculoskeletal relationships of the vertebrae, the chiropractor manipulates or adjusts all the articulations of the body, thus reducing or minimizing the effects of acute trauma or chronic biomechanical instability and allowing the nervous system to function at optimum capacity.

Education

The chiropractic curriculum is four years long, leading to a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree (D.C)

Admissions Requirements:

Below is a list of common prerequisites. Because requirements may vary, check individual schools for specific information.

Further Information

Contact the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, http://www.chirocolleges.org

Dentistry

Dentist treat people, not just teeth and mouths. They interact with people of all ages, cultures and personalities. About 90% of all dentists are in private practice.  Also, 80% of all dentists practice general dentistry; 20% are specialists.

A Dentist may:

• Be the first health care professionals to recognize and identify a wide variety of diseases, ranging from hypertension to cancer.
• Diagnose and treat problems affecting the teeth, gingival tissue, tongue, lips and jaws.
• Improve patients' appearance by using a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures.
• Perform trauma surgery, implants, tissue grafts and laser surgery.
• Teach good habits for good health by educating their patients, as well as the general public, on oral health and disease prevention.

Education

Although not always required, the majority of dental school matriculates have completed a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in dental school.

Dental school is a four year doctoral program.  The admission requirements include the courses listed below, but it is advised to check individual Dental Schools, as there may be additional courses required.
 

In addition, art courses such as jewelry making (ART 171) and sculpture (ART 181) are recommended to develop manual dexterity.

Entrance Exam: the Dental Admission Test

U.S. dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Applying to Dental Schools:

Most Dental Schools participate in AADSAS, a centralized application service.

Further information (dentistry, dental schools or the DAT):

American Dental Association

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct medical system of healthcare: an art, science, and practice of diagnosing and treating people and preventing disease through the processes of nature. The scope of a Naturopathic practice varies from state to state, depending on current law. A Naturopath may diagnose and treat patients for both acute and chronic conditions. Treatment may include but is not limited to: nutrition, botanical medicine, NMT, acupuncture, homeopathy, mind-body, natural childbirth, minor surgery, prescriptions (natural and synthetic). A Naturopathic physician not only identifies a disease, but wants to know which way it is going; a naturopath believes disease is dynamic.

Education

Before you can decide how you want to utilize information, you need to have that information. Naturopathic medicine begins with a study of the basic sciences in a very similar fashion to conventional medical school. Naturopathic medicine combines modern science with ancient healing wisdom for the benefit of each individual patient. This includes laboratory diagnosis, psychological assessment & counseling, clinical & physical diagnosis, natural & pharmacological therapies. Even if naturopathic physicians choose to do little or no prescribing it is crucial to have a knowledge of pharmacology & pharmaceutical because many patients you see will be utilizing them.

Licensure

National Board Exams - NPLEX

NABNE - North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners www.nabne.org

AZ State Board Exams

NPBOMEX - Naturopathic Board of Medical Examiners www.npbomex.az.gov

Further Information:

Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges www.aanmc.org

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine www.scnm.edu

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help patients with mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling conditions to develop or re-learn functional day-to-day activities so they can be independent at home, school, work or in the community. An OT evaluates the patient's performance in self-care, work and leisure activities, then helps the patient adapt to task or make changes in the environment. Treatment may include personal self-care, thinking skills, equipment training, or hand therapy.

Professional Outlook

There is a growing shortage of occupational therapists today and in the near future. The median beginning salary for occupational therapists is $49,450, which increases with experience to an overall average salary of $57,890 for the profession.

Education

Occupational therapy programs may lead to a four year Bachelor's degree or they may be a two year program leading to a Master's degree or certificate. The nearest OT training is the Master's program offered at Kirksville Southwest center in Phoenix. Prerequisite courses for this program include:

Further Information:

American Occupational Therapy Association

Arizona School of Health Sciences

Optometry

"Doctors of Optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions." American Optometric Association (AOA), 1997.

Optometrists are the major providers of primary vision care in the United States. Optometrists examine the eyes and prescribe glasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, aids for low vision, and in an increasing number of states, therapeutic drugs for specific diseases. As members of the eye health care team, optometrists work with ophthalmologists, who are M.D.s licensed to perform surgery, and with opticians, who fit, supply and adjust eyewear according to prescriptions written by optometrists or ophthalmologists.

Education and Admissions

The typical route to a Doctor of Optometry degree (O.D.) is a four year undergraduate degree followed by four years of study at one of the 17 optometry schools in the U.S.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements vary slightly from school to school, so applicants should carefully check school catalogues. In general, however, the requirements are:

Applicants to optometry schools must take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), offered twice a year in February and October. The OAT consists of four sections:

1. Quantitative Reasoning
2. Survey of the Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Organic Chemistry
3. Reading Comprehension
4. Physics

For more information about the OAT please visit the following link:
https://www.ada.org/oat/index.html

Further Information:

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

American Optometric Association

American Academy of Ophthalmology

American Orthoptic Journal

Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Physicians, both Osteopathic and Allopathic, examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients about illness, injuries, health conditions, and preventive healthcare. Physicians are licensed to practice in their trained specialty.

Osteopathic Programs offer training comparable to allopathic programs, although there is an emphasis on the whole-body approach. Not surprisingly, most Osteopathic physicians choose specialties which compliment this philosophy. These include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology.

Education:

Medical school is a four year program, leading to a doctoral degree (DO). Following the completion of medical school, students must apply for and gain acceptance into a residency program to earn training in a specialty area. Depending on the specialty, residency programs may vary from 2 years to 5 years and beyond.

Pre Requisite courses:

Medical schools require a minimum of the courses listed below. Check individual schools for more specific information.

Admissions committees will consider the following:

• Cumulative and science grade point average.   Overall trends, course loads per term, and number of advanced courses are considered.
• Score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), typically taken the spring during or summer after the Junior year.
• Letters of recommendation, both from individuals and from the Premedical Professions Committee (see the Preparation page for more information)
• Clinical Experience, through volunteer or paid positions
• Community service and other extracurricular activites
• Interview

Admissions

Osteopathic schools participate in the AACOMAS ON-LINE APPLICATION

Further Information on Osteopathic Medicine

American Osteopathic Association

For further information on osteopathic schools contact

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

Pharmacy

Training to become a pharmacist requires completion of a doctoral Pharmacy program. Pharmacists provide information regarding medication to consumers and health care professions.

Pharmacist responsibilities include

• dispense medications and monitor patient health and progress
• educate consumers on the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
• advise physicians, nurses, and other health professionals on drug decisions
• provide expertise about the composition of drugs ensure their purity and strength

To apply to Pharmacy programs:

Most pharmacy schools participate in PharmCas, a web-based application service.

Entrance Exam: Pharmacy College Application Test (PCAT)

Pharmacy programs require or recommend the PCAT for admission.

Education

Below is a list of common pre requisites for pharmacy programs, as well as the NAU courses which meet the requirement. Variations occur from school to school, so check the exact requirements of specific pharmacy schools on the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy website

Further Information About Pharmacy and Pharmacy Schools

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists examine, treat, and instruct patients affected by physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction and pain from injury or disease.

Specialties

The following specialties are certified by the American Physical Therapy Association: pediatrics, sports physical therapy, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, neurology, and geriatrics.

Education

All accredited PT schools offer degrees at the master's degree level and above, in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Today, more than half of the PT programs in the U.S. offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Check individual schools for specific course and other requirements for application.

There are two Physical Therapy programs in Arizona, one at NAU and one at the Arizona School of Health Sciences. Both offer a doctoral degree.

The Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy (DPT) offered at NAU is a 33-month program. The prerequisite courses include:

Further Information About Physical Therapy:

American Physical Therapy Association

Physicians Assistant

A physician assistant is a health care professional licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. What a Physician Assistant does varies with training, experience and state law. The scope of a PA's practice corresponds to the supervising physician's practice. In general, the PA sees many of the same types of patients as does the physician, but the more complicated or non-routine cases are referred to a physician as appropriate. Physician assistants (PA's) ALWAYS work "in the context of a supervising physician." Most PA’s work in primary care.

Application:

Most Physician Assistant programs participate in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants

Education

There are 137 physician assistant programs nationwide, two in Arizona. The typical program is at least two years long, and no residency is required afterwards. Over 90 of these programs, including the two in Arizona, award master's degrees.

The General Record Exam (GRE) is often required to apply, although sometimes the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is accepted as an alternative.

For specific course requirements, check individual Physicans Assistant programs. In addition, most programs require a significant amount of clinical experience hours.

Arizona has two Physician Assistant programs:

• Arizona School of Health Sciences
• Midwestern University

Further Information

American Academy of Physician Assistants

Podiatry

Podiatric physicians, or podiatrists, specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the human foot, ankle, and their related or governing structures. 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. A doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) makes independent judgments, utilizes x-rays and laboratory tests for diagnostic purposes, prescribes medications, orders physical therapy, sets fractures, and performs surgeries.

Professional Outlook

There are approximately 13,000 practicing podiatrists in the United States. The need for podiatric medical care will continue to grow as the over-65 population increases. The work hours of most podiatric physicians are significantly more flexible than those of other medical professions.

Certified Specialties

• Surgery
• Orthopedics, biomechanics
• Primary medicine

Subspecialties

• Sports Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Dermatology
• Radiology
• Geriatrics
• Diabetic foot care

Education and Admission Requirements

To enter one of the seven podiatry schools in the United States, a student must complete at least three years (90 credits) of undergraduate work including:

About 95% of the students entering podiatry school have a bachelor's degree.

Traditionally the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) has been the only standardized test required for admission, but some schools will accept other test scores, such as the GRE. Check with individual colleges. The MCAT must be taken no later than Spring of the year of admission.

The D.P.M. (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) degree is awarded after four years of graduate study. Satisfactory completion of Parts I and II of the National Board is one of the requirements for state licensure. Podiatrists may follow their D.P.M. with a one to three year residency in a hospital.

Further Information

AACPMAS Application

American Podiatric Medical Association

American Podiatric Medical Student Association

American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine

Public Health

The goal of public health is to enhance health in human populations through organized community effort. A public health professional creates strategies which address community health problems in a practical, effective way: determining the causes of disease, disability and premature death; planning and organizing appropriate health services, including health education and policy. Public health practitioners do not treat health problems, but are involved, through community efforts, to prevent illness.

Concentration Areas

• Community Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Administration and Policy
• Internal Health
• Health Education and Health Promotion
• Public Health Nutrition

Education

At the undergraduate level, a Bachelor's in Health Education is offered at NAU. To move into policy-setting positions, however, an MPH (Master's of Public Health) is desirable. The three state universities in Arizona cooperate in delivering classes at each university and through satellite link.

To be considered for admission to the University of Arizona, applicants typically earn a Bachelor's degree, including the following requirements:

• At least one course in mathematics, biology, and social sciences
• Three letters of recommendation
• MCAT/GRE

For Further Information

American Public Health Professions

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians treat ill and injured animals, from family pets to zoo inhabitants, from the agricultural setting to the wildlife realm. While most operate in private practice, there is a growing need for veterinarians who have completed specialized training in areas such as molecular biology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, immunology, diagnostic pathology, or environmental medicine.

To apply to Veterinary programs:

Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). VMCAS is the central distribution, collection, and processing service for applications to the veterinary medical colleges.

Entrance Exam: Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Veterinary programs require applicants to complete the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). NAU’s Testing Center schedules appointments to take the exam: http://testing.nau.edu/

Education

The D.V.M. degree, (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) is awarded after four years of study. Although it is possible to apply to veterinary school after successful completion of all course prerequisites, most students admitted have earned an undergraduate degree at a four-year institution. In addition, hands on experience working with animals is highly recommended.

The prerequisite courses for veterinary school admission vary slightly from school to school. It is advisable to check each school’s web site for exact requirements. Most veterinary schools do require:

WICHE

Arizona residents are eligible to apply for participation in the WICHE program, which allows students to apply for veterinary programs in qualifying states.

For more information, visit WICHE: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

Further Information about veterinary programs

Visit the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Website.