purdue university health professions advising
Information on Specific Careers and Educational Requirements

Linked below is more information on selected health careers. Please remember that this is an incomplete list of available careers. See the Health Professions Advisor or the Center for Career Opportunities to discuss your career options more completely or to learn about other possible careers.

Many of the descriptions below include a printable Career guide in PDF format. These two page guides include information on admissions and required courses. Don't see the career you are interested in? Check back. New Career Guides will be added soon. Another great place to learn about careers is the Explore Health Careers website.

Fields requiring a Doctoral Level Degree includes Allopathic Medicine (MD), Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Naturopathic Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Audiology, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine

Fields requiring Master's Degree or Graduate Certificate includes Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Pathologist Assistant, Public Health, Anesthesiology Assistant, Speech Language Pathology, Orthotics/Prosthetics, Advanced Practice Nursing, Forensics, Genetic Counseling, Health Information Management, Rehabilitation Counseling, Health Administration, Human Donation Science, Medical Social Work

Fields requiring a Bachelor’s degree includes Nursing, Athletic Training, Dietetics, Veterinary Technology, Dental Hygiene

Fields requiring a Doctoral Level Degree:

This means that you generally must complete your bachelor's degree then go to a three- to four-year professional program. Purdue is a great place to do your pre-professional training for any of these careers!


Allopathic Medicine (MD)

Training lasts four years and is followed by a three- to eight-year residency (depending on specialty). MDs diagnose and treat illness in patients including prescribing medications, ordering tests, and performing surgery (depending on specialty). Click here for the Allopathic Medicine Career Guide.                                  
Professional school organization: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): www.aamc.org

 

Osteopathic Medicine (DO) 

Training lasts four years and is followed by a three- to eight-year residency (depending on specialty). DOs diagnose and treat illness in patients including prescribing medications, ordering tests, and performing surgery (depending on specialty). All of the same specialty fields are open to MDs and DOs. Osteopathic medical training has a slightly different philosophy than that of allopathic medicine, but overall the training is very similar. Click here for the Osteopathic Medicine Career Guide. 

Professional school organization: Association of American Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM): www.aacom.org

 

Naturopathic Doctor (ND/NMD) 

Naturopathic physicians combine approaches of allopathic medicine with nutrition, natural remedies, manipulative techniques, and Asian medicine to treat patients holistically. A bachelor's degree is required followed by a four-year naturopathic program. Be aware that practitioners in this field are currently not licensed to practice in all states.

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians: www.naturopathic.org

 

Chiropractic Doctor (DC) 

Chiropractors link health problems to the muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems. By manipulating the body, they can restore function. Although some chiropractic schools will accept students with only two-three years of undergraduate training, most prefer that students have a bachelor's degree. The chiropractic training itself is a four-year program.  Click here for a Chiropractic Medicine Career Guide.

Association of Chiropractic Colleges: www.chirocolleges.org

 

Dentistry (DDS or DMD) 

Dentists prevent, diagnose, and treat problems affecting the teeth, gums, tongue, lips, and jaws. Training generally requires four years after receiving a bachelor's degree. Dentists may continue their education after dental school to become orthodontists, endodontists and many other specialty fields within dentistry.  Click here for the Dentistry Career Guide. 

Professional school organization: American Dental Education Association (ADEA): www.adea.org

 

Podiatric Medicine (DPM) 

Podiatric programs train doctors to prevent, diagnose, and treat problems of the foot and lower leg using medical, surgical, and mechanical techniques. A bachelor's degree is required before admission into a four-year podiatric medicine program. This is followed by a one- to three-year residency. Click here for the Podiatric Medicine Career Guide. 

Professional school organization: American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine: www.aacpm.org

 

Optometry (OD)

Optometrists specialize in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the eyes. Besides prescribing corrective lenses, optometrists often identify broader health concerns that are visible in the eye. A bachelor's degree is required (though some students are accepted after 2-3 years of undergraduate work) followed by a four-year optometry program. Click here for the Optometry Career Guide. 

Professional school organization: Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: www.opted.org

 

Physical Therapy (DPT) 

Physical Therapists help patients restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent physical disabilities. After your bachelor's degree, the DPT training is generally about three years. Click here for a Physical Therapy Career Guide. 

American Physical Therapy Association: www.apta.org

 

Audiology (AuD) 

Audiologists specialize in the study of normal and impaired hearing. They assess hearing losses and fit equipment for clients and train others on proper use of hearing devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. The minimal degree to practice as an audiologist is now a doctorate. This generally requires three years of study after the bachelor's degree. 

Purdue's Audiology program: www.cla.purdue.edu/slhs/

 

Pharmacy (PharmD) 

Pharmacists are experts on medications. They are an important part of the health care team and are much in demand. You can either enter a six-year PharmD program (such as the exceptional program here at Purdue) which requires 5-6 years after high school graduation or you can complete a bachelor's degree and then apply to a pharmacy program. 

Purdue's Pharmacy program: www.pharmacy.purdue.edu/

 

Veterinary Medicine (DVM) 

Veterinarians diagnose and treat illness in animal patients.  Many veterinarians also protect human health by studying zoonotic diseases (which affect humans and animals), working with laboratory animals, and monitoring food animal safety. Training lasts four years followed by several years of specialty training if desired. Purdue has one of the finest Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in the country!

Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine: www.vet.purdue.edu/admissions

 

Fields requiring Master's Degree or Graduate Certificate:

This means that you must generally first complete your bachelor's degree and then enter a two- to three-year program.


Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational therapists help people with injuries or disabilities learn or regain skills they need to live independently and to function to the best of their ability. A two-year master's degree is required for licensure in most states. Click here for an Occupational Therapy Career Guide. 

American Occupational Therapy Association: www.aota.org

 

Physician Assistant (PA) 

PA programs train students to perform physical exams, diagnose illness, order tests, provide treatments, and inform patients of preventive care. Their practice is under a physician's supervision. PA programs offer a variety of degrees, but most grant either a master's degree or a certificate. A bachelor's degree is required. Most programs last 24-27 months. Click here for a Physician Assistant Career Guide. 

American Academy of Physician Assistants: www.aapa.org

 

Pathologist's Assistant

These programs train people to provide anatomical and pathology services under the supervision of a pathologist. They perform exams of surgical pathology specimens, cells, and autopsies. These are master's level programs that require 22-24 months to complete. Click here for a Pathologist's Assistant Career Guide. 

American Association of Pathologists' Assistants: www.pathologistsassistants.org

 

Public Health (MPH)

Public health actually encompasses a number of fields. Careers in public health include protecting people from environmental hazards, studying how a disease moves through a population, creating policies to vaccinate people during an outbreak, creating health messages, and programming events to teach communities about their health. Most jobs in the public health area will require at least the MPH, though a doctoral level degree is also offered. Click here for a Public Health Career Guide.

Purdue's new Public Health program: www.cla.purdue.edu/hk/learning/graduate.htm. 

Association of Schools of Public Health: http://www.asph.org

 

Anesthesiology Assistant

Also referred to as anesthetists, AAs work cooperatively under the direction of an anesthesiologist to implement an anesthesia care plan. The master's degree generally takes 24-28 months to complete. 

American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants: www.anesthetist.org

 

Speech Language Pathology 

Speech language pathologists study, evaluate, and treat human communications problems. They help patients with stuttering, speech difficulties, and eating or swallowing problems. Generally a master's degree is required to be licensed in the field. 

Purdue's program in speech language pathology: www.cla.purdue.edu/slhs

 

Orthotics & Prosthetics 

Orthotists create external supports and braces for people with weakened or deformed body parts. Prosthetists produce and fit artificial limbs. Most programs are postbaccalaureate (after your bachelor's degree) certificate programs and at least one program offers a master's degree. Huge shortages in these fields are expected!  Click here for an Orthotics & Prosthetics Career Guide. 

American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists: www.oandp.org

 

Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing 

These programs train those with nursing degrees to perform higher-level tasks. They see their own patients and are able to make diagnoses while still keeping the educational and prevention approach common to nursing. Some specialty areas include nurse-midwife and nurse-anesthetist, but others are available. Generally two-three years of master's level training is required. 

Purdue's school of nursing: www.nursing.purdue.edu

 

Forensic Science

Forensic Science actually encompasses numerous fields from forensic anthropology and entomology to wildlife forensics, odontology, and criminalistics (just to name a few). Not all fields in forensic science require an advanced degree, but many do. Click here for a Forensic Science Career Guide. 

American Academy of Forensic Sciences: www.aafs.org

 

Genetic Counseling

Providing information, education, and support to families who have a family with a genetic disorder is the role of genetic counselors. They teach families about the genetic factor affecting them, interpret data about the disorder, and analyze inheritance patterns. A master's degree in genetic counseling is required following the bachelor's degree. Most programs are about two years. Click here for a Genetic Counseling Career Guide.

American Board of Genetic Counseling: www.abgc.net

 

Health Information Management

Health information (Medical Informatics) professionals are critical in maintaining, collecting, interpreting, and protecting data that health care providers rely on in the delivery of health care. Strong job prospects are expected in this area. Certificates and master's degrees are available. 

American Heatlh Information Management Association: http://www.ahima.org/

 

Rehabilitation Counseling

Working with people who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities, rehabilitation counselors assist people with achieving psychological, social, vocational, and economic independence. 

American Rehabilitation Counseling Association: http://www.arcaweb.org

 

Health Administration (MHA) 

Degrees give students the background necessary to run a hospital or HMO. These programs generally include a mix of marketing, finances, human resources, and public relations. Though some programs offer a bachelor's degree, a master's degree is recommended.

Association of University Programs in Health Administration: http://www.aupha.org

 

Human Donation Science

Human donation science professionals serve as coordinators for organ transplant facilities and oversee the organ donation process from beginning to end. 

The only program in the country is at University of Toledo: http://hsc.utoledo.edu/allh/donation_science/index.html

 

Medical Social Work

Medical social services professionals help individuals and families cope with the social, psychological, and medical issues resulting from an illness. Generally a master's in social work is required to work in clinical settings. 

National Association of Social Workers: http://www.naswdc.org/


 

Fields requiring a Bachelor's Degree:

(You must generally complete a four-year bachelor's degree program that combines a generalized education with specialized training.)


Nursing

Nursing is projected to be one of the fastest-growing health care fields. Registered nurses (RN) care for patients, monitor patient status, assist physicians, administer medication, and educate and advise patients and their families on preventive measures. You can enter the field with a bachelor’s degree or you can earn a bachelor’s degree and then attend one of the accelerated nursing programs that train people holding a bachelor's degree in something other than nursing in about one year’s time. 

For more information about nursing at Purdue: http://www.nursing.purdue.edu

 

Athletic Training

Athletic trainers prevent, care for, and rehabilitate injuries. Besides working with athletes, athletic trainers often work in health clubs, businesses, schools, and colleges. 

Purdue’s athletic training program: http://www.cla.purdue.edu/hk/sportsmed/ATEP.htm

 

Registered Dieticians (RD)

Registered Dieticians (RD) help promote health and prevent illness through nutrition education. Dieticians work in a number of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, business, and schools. Becoming registered as a dietician requires a bachelor’s degree from an American Dietetic Association approved program. 

Program at Purdue: http://www.cfs.purdue.edu/fn/undergrad/majors_minors_dietetics.shtml

 

Veterinary Technology

Veterinarians use veterinary technologists to provide many of the same duties that a nurse would for a physician.  They complete routine laboratory and clinical procedures, prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, assist with surgeries, and help with case histories. Purdue is home to one of the best Veterinary Technology programs in the country!

Purdue's Veterinary Technology Program: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/vettech/index.html

 

Dental Hygiene

Dental hygienists provide a number of tooth cleaning and preventative services. In some states, expanded roles have been created for dental hygienists allowing them to do much more clinically. Most people practice with an associate’'s degree, though bachelor’s and even master’s degrees are available. Taking on the functions of the expanded role will generally require a higher level of degree. Students interested in dental hygiene at Purdue usually stay on campus between 1-2 years taking prerequisite courses and then apply to a dental hygiene program at another school.  Click here for a Dental Hygiene Career Guide.

American Dental Hygienists' Association: http://www.adha.org