Exploring careers
Whether your interest in the health professions is just beginning or has a long history, whether you feel set on one pathway or wholly uncertain about your future career, take the time to explore all of your options. You may discover a newfound passion or come right back to the career that you always dreamed of. Either way, broad exploration will help you develop a full understanding of health care within the United States and how you can best play a role within it.
Considering pre-health?
Visit our YouTube playlist featuring recordings of past events to help you explore career paths and schools within the health professions.
Advice from Katie Lipp
Director of Health Professions Advising
Five students talk about their unique experiences exploring and preparing for careers in the health professions.
How can I explore?
Visit websites
Investigate the resources available on this page. Be wary of information shared through online forums as it may not be accurate. Look to professional and reputable sources to back up or clarify information that you may find elsewhere.
Explorehealthcareers.org provides a clear overview and additional links for nearly any health profession you might think of.
The National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions provides links, slides, and fact sheets about a variety of professions as well as a bibliography of print resources.
Our bibliography offers an array of multi-media resources for reading, listening, and viewing.
My Next Move is a free website that offers a look at a wide variety of professions, not limited to healthcare.
Attend events
Attend workshops and presentations hosted by the Office of Health Professions Advising and other campus organizations.
Find events listed on the website of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.
Look at the sites of professional education associations or application services such as the AAMC (MD schools), ChooseDO.org (DO schools), NursingCAS (nursing schools), PAEA (PA programs), AAVMC (vet schools), AACPM (podiatric medical schools), ADEA (dental schools), PharmacyForMe, and This is Public Health.
Look at the sites of individual professional schools that may host virtual open houses or Q&A sessions.
Conduct informational interviews
Talk to practitioners in your field of interest; shadow in person when possible, virtually when not.
Connect with MHC alums in careers of interest by using The Gates.
Investigate the Career Development Center's great resources on networking and conducting informational interviews.
Reflect
Engage in self reflection on your interests, goals, and values, and how they align with different career possibilities.
Keep a pre-health journal. Here are some tips on journaling from the pre-health offices at Princeton University and Missouri State University.
Schedule an appointment to meet with the pre-health advisor.
Allopathic & osteopathic medicine
Degrees offered: M.D., D.O.
Allopathic (M.D.) and osteopathic (D.O.) physicians diagnose disease, supervise the care of patients, prescribe treatment, and participate in improving the delivery of health care. Although most physicians provide direct patient care, some concentrate on basic or applied research, become teachers or administrators, or combine various elements of these activities. A physician may work in a private office, group practice, managed care system, clinic, hospital, laboratory, industry, military, university, government, or combination of the above.
Physicians complete 3-4 years of medical school followed by 3-7 years of residency training. There are more than 150 M.D.-granting schools and 35 D.O.-granting schools in the United States. Many applicants apply to both D.O. and M.D. schools.
Whether D.O. or M.D., the preparation, training, and daily practice are largely the same:
Both are licensed to practice in any medical specialty in all 50 states.
The academic and non-academic entrance requirements are the same.
D.O.s receive all the training in medical school and residency that M.D.s do.
Both M.D.s and D.O.s apply for residencies through the same process, and most residency programs will accept both the M.D. licensing exam (USMLE) and the D.O. licensing exam (COMLEX).
There are also a few key differences:
Osteopathic medicine was founded in the late 1800s as an alternative to the traditional “Western medicine” of the time; it emphasizes wellness through health promotion and disease prevention.
Each set of schools uses its own centralized application service, and the D.O. application (AACOMAS) is open for submissions over a longer period of time each year than the M.D. application (AMCAS).
In medical school, D.O.s receive over 200 hours of training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, a hands-on approach to patient care. M.D.s do not receive this training. This video demonstrates O.M.M.
M.D.s are recognized and have full practice rights in all countries of the world, while only about 65 countries fully recognize the D.O. degree. More information on international practice rights for DOs.
Learn about being a physician
Explore medical careers | AAMC
What Is Osteopathic Medicine - Its History & Philosophy
Association of American Medical Colleges
AACOM - American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
American Osteopathic Association | AOA
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to medical school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
College math: two semesters
English: two semesters
For complete information on medical school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with physicians
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing a medical school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
Official Guide to Medical School Admissions (search in the AAMC store)
American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS)
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
Exploring schools
Dentistry
Degrees offered: D.M.D., D.D.S
Dentistry is the profession devoted to maintaining the health of the teeth, gums and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. There are a variety of career options available to dentists. They may elect general dentistry or one of several specialty areas including orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery. They may establish private practices or work for other dentists, clinics, hospitals, or government agencies. Some dentists work in research or academic dentistry.
Dentists complete 4 years of dental school and may choose residency training after that. There are 76 dental schools in the United States offering the D.M.D. and the D.D.S., which are equivalent degrees.
Learn more about being a dentist
ADEA: American Dental Education Association
ADA: American Dental Association
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to dental school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
English: two semesters
For complete information on dental school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with dentists
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Preparing for dental school | ADEA
Dental enrichment programs (database) | ADEA
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing a dental school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
The application to dental school: ADEA AADSAS
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS)
Exploring schools
Nursing
Degrees offered: B.S.N., M.S.N., D.N.P., Ph.D.
Nursing is a broad and diverse health profession with many degree and training options. Nurses are an integral part of the health care team and assume a great deal of professional responsibility. Registered Nurses (RNs) focus on implementing plans of care, and their academic training is designed to prepare them to work with any patient population. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), such as Certified Nurse-Midwives and Nurse Practitioners, have advanced, specialized training; they develop plans of care and oversee care coordination. In addition to hospitals, nurses work in birthing centers, outpatient clinics, private practice, wellness centers, nursing homes and home health care agencies. Nurses hold administrative positions, teach, and conduct research in community and public health agencies, employee health programs, businesses, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, higher education, and K-12 schools.
To become trained as a nurse after completing a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field requires anywhere from 1.5-6 years of additional education, depending on the degree you hope to complete and the precise educational pathway that you choose. There are more than 1,500 nursing programs in the United States.
Learn more about being a nurse
What is Nursing? | American Nurses Association
ExploreHEALTHCareers.org — Nursing Overview
Nursing Degree Comparison Chart | NursingCAS.org
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
AANP | The American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American College of Nurse-Midwives
Johnson & Johnson: Empowering nurse-led innovation to transform health
What is the difference between an APRN and a PA?
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to nursing school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
Microbiology: one semester with lab
Nutrition: one semester
Statistics: one semester
For complete information on nursing school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with nurses
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Learn about becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant from nurse.org, The Red Cross, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Learn about becoming a Certified Doula
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing a nursing school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
NursingCAS | The Centralized Application for Nursing Programs
Exploring schools
Selecting schools | Mount Holyoke College
AACN Nursing Education Programs
ACME Accredited Midwifery Programs | Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
Occupational therapy
Degrees offered: M.O.T., D.O.T.
Occupational therapists (OTs) promote health and well being. They consider psychological, physical, emotional, and social factors that may impact a person’s ability to manage their daily tasks and the interventions that may be most useful. OTs help people of all ages, and in varied settings, to participate in the activities, or “occupations,” of daily life. Occupations may include play, self care, caring for a home and family, participating in education, or seeking and holding employment. Many OTs work with children, the elderly, people with disabilities, or people recovering from injury or illness.
Occupational therapists complete 2-4 years of graduate education, depending on whether they pursue a Master’s or Doctoral level program. Currently, both the M.O.T. and D.O.T. qualify students to sit for the Occupational Therapist Registered OTR® examination, although the field is gradually moving towards the D.O.T. as the standard. More information on the degrees and how to select the right program for you is available here. There are more than 220 accredited occupational therapy programs in the United States.
Learn more about being an occupational therapist
Learn About Occupational Therapy | AOTA
What is Occupational Therapy? |AOTA
Occupational Therapist | explorehealthcareers.org
Hear from an OT, and another OT
Watch a video about occupational therapy
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to occupational therapy school are:
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
Statistics: one semester
Introduction to psychology
Abnormal psychology
Developmental psychology: usually across the lifespan, e.g. birth to death
For complete information on occupational therapy school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with occupational therapists
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
State OT Associations may help you connect with local occupational therapists
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Take UT Health San Antonio's OTD course for supplemental observation hours [login on main website using case sensitive password: LucasQU]
Preparing an occupational therapy school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
OTCAS | Applicant Login Page Section
Exploring schools
Optometry
Degrees offered: O.D.
Optometrists are primary health care providers who diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye. They provide treatment by prescribing glasses and contact lenses, and they provide vision therapy when indicated to preserve or restore maximum efficiency of vision. Optometrists may also identify systemic conditions that affect the eye, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Optometrists complete 4 years of optometry school and may elect to complete a year-long residency in a specialty area. There are 23 accredited optometry schools in the United States.
Ophthalmologists and opticians are not optometrists:
Ophthalmologists are physicians and surgeons who have completed 4 years of medical school and 4-5 years of specialized training. In addition to prescribing corrective lenses, ophthalmologists diagnose and treat all eye diseases and perform surgery.
Opticians fit glasses and contact lenses. Some opticians have formal education in the field, though most receive on-the-job training.
Learn more about being an optometrist
Explore the possibilities of a career in optometry.
American Optometric Association (AOA) | Doctors of Optometry
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to optometry school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
Microbiology: one semester with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: one semester with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
Statistics: one semester
Calculus: one semester
English: two semesters
Psychology: one semester
For complete information on optometry school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with optometrists
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
The Importance of Shadowing in Pursuing an Optometry Career – ASCO
Another resource for shadowing an optometrist
Search for summer pre-optometry programs
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing an optometry school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
OptomCAS | Optometry Centralized Application Service
Exploring schools
Selecting schools | Mount Holyoke College
Pharmacy
Degrees offered: Pharm.D.
As an expert in both the science and clinical use of medications, the pharmacist is an essential member of the healthcare team. In addition to the traditional role of dispensing medications, today's pharmacists actively participate in the direct care of the patient. Pharmacists work in community pharmacies, hospital and other institutional settings, the pharmaceutical industry, in government agencies and in academic pharmacy.
Pharmacists complete 4 years of training and may elect to complete a year-long residency in a specialty area. There are 140 accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States.
Learn more about being a pharmacist
Pharmacy is Right for Me: Pharmacy Careers Change Lives
Future Pharmacy Students | AACP
American Pharmacists Association
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to pharmacy school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
Microbiology: one semester with lab
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
General physics: one semester with lab (a few schools require two semesters)
Statistics: one semester
Calculus: one semester
English: two semesters
For complete information on pharmacy school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with pharmacists
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Becoming a Pharmacist with an Internship
Pharmacy technician training programs in Massachusetts
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing a pharmacy school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
Exploring schools
Physical Therapy
Degrees offered: D.P.T.
Physical therapists (PTs) diagnose and treat individuals who have health conditions that limit their abilities to move as they need to. PTs may also work on prevention, supporting individuals to maintain their mobility. A physical therapist's duties may range from rehabilitation of accident victims, to providing education in schools and communities on health issues, to sports-related assessment, conditioning and preventive medicine. Physical therapists may work in hospitals, private offices, corporate health centers, schools, community health clinics, nursing homes, and other settings.
Physical therapists complete 3 years of training in a physical therapy program. Some PTs may choose to become certified in one of 9 different specialty areas. There are more than 150 accredited physical therapy programs in the United States.
Learn more about being a physical therapist
Videos | APTA - American Physical Therapy Association
APTA: American Physical Therapy Association
APTA Specialist Certification - Governed by ABPTS
Resources for PT Students | apta.org
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to physical therapy school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
Anatomy and physiology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
Psychology: one semester
Statistics: one semester
For complete information on physical therapy school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with physical therapists
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Find a Board-Certified Specialist
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing a physical therapy school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
Exploring schools
Physician Assistant
Degrees offered: M.S.
A physician assistant (PA) is a medical professional with graduate level training who is qualified to take medical histories, counsel patients, order laboratory tests, perform physical exams, determine treatment, assist in surgery, set fractures, and perform other medical procedures. PAs work in hospitals, community clinics, nursing homes, private medical practices, public health agencies, and many other settings. The role of PAs on the medical team has increased in importance over the past decade as the profession has grown dramatically. PAs comprise a critical element of the healthcare workforce.
Physician assistants complete a 2-3 year Master’s program in general medical education. Some choose to complete a residency program after earning their degree, although this is relatively uncommon. Specialty training will occur in the workplace under the guidance of a physician, and PAs may choose to change specialties throughout the course of their career. There are currently more than 260 accredited PA programs in the United States.
Learn more about being a physician assistant
Advisors and Pre-PA Students | Physician Assistant Education Association
What is a PA? Learn more about the PA profession
Become a PA: Getting Your Prerequisites and Certification
What is a Physician Assistant? | Tufts University School of Medicine
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to physician assistant school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
Microbiology: one semester with lab
Anatomy: one semester with lab
Physiology: one semester with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
For complete information on physician assistant school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with physician assistants
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Find an accredited EMT training institution in Massachusetts
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Find State Constituent Chapters of the AAPA
Preparing a physician assistant school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
CASPA | Applicant Login Page Section
Exploring schools
Physician-Scientist
Degrees offered: M.D./Ph.D., D.O./Ph.D.
A physician-scientist or physician-investigator is dedicated to the pursuit of research that informs and advances health, healthcare, and/or medicine, and who is also committed to being a clinician who diagnoses and treats individual patients. Although often referred to broadly as “physician-scientists,” people holding the M.D./Ph.D. or D.O./Ph.D. degrees may have completed their Ph.D.s in disciplines such as anthropology, public health, or bioethics. The vast majority of the Ph.D. fields available within the M.D./Ph.D. and D.O./Ph.D. combined degree programs, however, are indeed in the sciences.
It is also possible to be a physician who is involved in research without having completed a Ph.D. Those interested in research must consider what their long-term goals are, how much of their professional life they may hope to devote to work in research versus in the clinic, and whether a Ph.D. is necessary in order to achieve their goals. Most physician-investigators spend a majority of their time engaged in research.
A typical M.D./Ph.D. or D.O./Ph.D. program lasts 7-8 years, during which time both degrees are earned. There are 119 M.D./Ph.D. programs and 8 D.O./Ph.D. programs in the United States.
Learn more about being a physician-scientist
AAMC MD-PhD Dual Degree Training
NIH Graduate and Professional School Fair - MD/PhD: Is It Right for Me?
American Physician Scientists Association: Undergraduate resources
Academic preparation
Prerequisites courses for M.D./Ph.D. and D.O./Ph.D. programs are identical to those for M.D. and D.O. programs. The most common courses required for entry are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
College math: two semesters
English: two semesters
Additionally, dual-degree applicants will be expected to have a strong foundation in the coursework and research experience necessary to prepare them to undertake Ph.D.-level research in their field of interest. Typically this means a minimum of three years of substantive research where you have some level of ownership of the project(s). While not required, publications may be a strong indication of the depth of your experience.
For complete information on medical school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with physician-investigators
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
MD-PhD-focused Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing an M.D./Ph.D. or D.O./Ph.D. application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
Applying to MD-PhD Programs | AAMC
Video: Applying to MD-PhD Programs
Applying to Medical School with AMCAS® - AAMC Students
AACOMAS | Applicant Login Page Section
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS)
Exploring schools
Selecting schools | Mount Holyoke College
MD-PhD Degree Programs by State | AAMC
Chart of Individual MD-PhD Program Information for Prospective Applicants
Medical School Admission Requirements™ for Applicants | AAMC
Podiatry
Degrees offered: D.P.M.
Doctors of podiatric medicine prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the lower extremity (foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg). A podiatrist will obtain medical histories, use physical diagnostic methods, employ x-rays and laboratory tests. Podiatrists perform minor surgical procedures in the office and major surgical procedures in the hospital. Because symptoms of certain diseases may initially show in the lower extremity, podiatrists may be the first to diagnose conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and kidney disease. Podiatrists work in varied settings including private practice, hospitals, extended care facilities, and academic institutions. They may specialize in areas such as surgery, sports medicine, pediatrics, wound care, and diabetic care.
Podiatrists complete 4 years of podiatric medical school followed by a 3-year podiatric medical and surgical residency. There are nine schools and colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States.
Learn more about being a podiatrist
The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
American Podiatric Medical Association
American Podiatric Medical Students' Association | APMSA
Events - The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to podiatry school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab (one school requires a third course)
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
English: two semesters
For complete information on podiatry school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with podiatrists
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing a podiatry school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS)
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
Exploring schools
Selecting schools | Mount Holyoke College
Podiatric Medical College Information Book 2021-2022
Colleges - The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Public Health
Degrees offered: M.P.H., M.H.A., M.S., Dr.P.H., Ph.D.
Public health professionals seek to protect and improve health at a population level. Rather than providing clinical care to individual patients, public health professionals might provide health education, conduct research, or develop public policy. Public health is a dynamic, interdisciplinary field with a wide array of specialty options. Some examples of public health specializations are:
Behavioral and social science
Biostatistics and informatics
Community health
Epidemiology
Environmental health
Global health
Health policy and management
Health promotion and communication
Maternal and child health
Minority health and health disparities
Those seeking graduate training in public health may opt for a Master’s or Doctoral-level degree, or both. There are more than 200 schools and programs of public health in the United States, with many programs offering more than one area of concentration within public health.
Learn more about being a public health professional
American Public Health Association
Areas of study within public health
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health | ASPPH
Events | This Is Public Health
Academic preparation
Programs in public health typically do not have specific prerequisite courses. If you are preparing to enter a program in public health, you may major in whatever you choose. Take courses across a range of disciplines that are relevant to your interests, and begin to explore programs in public health early on to form a comprehensive academic plan. The individual programs will provide some guidance on how their applicants can be best prepared. All aspiring students of public health should build strong oral and written communication skills.
For complete information on academic preparation for public health school, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with public health professionals
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Local jobs and internships in public health
Preparing a public health school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
SOPHAS: The centralized application service for public health
Exploring schools
Veterinary Medicine
Degrees offered: D.V.M., V.M.D.
The roles veterinarians play in the community are diverse, and continue to expand. Vets may treat animals (domestic, livestock, wildlife, zoological), research diseases and disorders affecting both humans and animals, protect ecosystem health, guard the safety of the nation’s food supply, ensure the fair treatment of animals used in research, and much more. Most veterinarians are employed in private practices, but many work in veterinary hospitals, or teach or do research in colleges and universities. Some work in the meat products industry. Others work in government, such as for police or wildlife departments, in animal control, and in the military. Veterinarians may specialize based on species groups or in areas such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, surgery, epidemiology, or immunology.
Veterinarians complete 4 years of veterinary school, after which some graduates will begin work as a practicing veterinarian, while others will complete an internship and/or residency. A residency is required for board certification in certain specialty areas. There are 33 colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States. In addition to these programs, the Veterinary Medical College Application Service also allows applicants to apply to 14 colleges of veterinary medicine that are located outside of the U.S.
Learn more about being a veterinarian
Your Career - Current Student – AVMA My Veterinary Life
A Career in Veterinary Medicine
AAVMC | American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
American Veterinary Medical Association: Home
Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association
Academic preparation
The most common courses required for entry to veterinary school are:
Biology: two semesters with lab
Genetics: one semester with lab
General chemistry: two semesters with lab
Organic chemistry: two semesters with lab
Biochemistry: one semester, no lab
General physics: two semesters with lab
College math: two semesters
English: two semesters
Humanities and/or social sciences: specific requirements vary
For complete information on veterinary school prerequisites, please visit our Prerequisite Courses page.
Building experience and connecting with veterinarians
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Networking and Informational Interviewing
Take an online course with Coursera
Preparing a veterinary school application
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS)
Exploring schools
Other health professions
The field of health care is vast, and if you are interested in being involved in the promotion of health, there is probably a profession that is the right fit for you. In addition to the professions listed on this page, Explorehealthcareers.org is an excellent resource for broad exploration of pathways within the health professions, and the information at the following links is valuable for anyone interested in pre-health:
Building Experience | Mount Holyoke College
Ideas for pre-health students during COVID-19
Applying | Mount Holyoke College
Selecting schools | Mount Holyoke College
Below are some examples and resources for careers - beyond those listed in the accordion paragraphs above - that Mount Holyoke students have expressed interest in, over the years.
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acupuncturists heal patients through needles, herbs, and other therapeutic techniques.
Anesthesiologist Assistant
Anesthesiologist Assistants are mid-level clinical providers who design and implement anesthesia care plans.
Anesthesiologist Assistant | explorehealthcareers.org
American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants
Athletic Trainer
Athletic Training is an allied health profession that encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. The athletic training curriculum follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited program, and 70% of athletic trainers have a master’s degree.
National Athletic Trainers' Association
Athletic Training chart of prerequisite courses
Art Therapy
Art Therapists are mental health professionals who use art as a central therapeutic tool.
Art Therapist | explorehealthcareers.org
American Art Therapy Association
Audiologist
Audiology is the science of hearing, balance and related disorders. Audiologists are experts in the nonmedical diagnosis and management of disorders of the auditory and balance systems.
Audiologist | explorehealthcareers.org
Planning your education in communication sciences and disorders
Researching and selecting programs to apply to
Child Life Specialist
Child Life Specialists support children and families who are experiencing illness, injury, disability, or loss.
Association of Child Life Professionals
Child Life Academic Program Directory
Example of a local Child Life program
Chiropractic
Chiropractors use a hands-on, holistic approach to healthcare, with a particular focus on health problems that are associated with the body’s muscular, nervous and skeletal systems.
Chiropractor | explorehealthcareers.org
American Chiropractic Association
The Association of Chiropractic Colleges
Clinical Social Work
Social workers work with individuals and communities to address crises and provide counseling. There are more than 40 different practice areas within the field of social work. Clinical social work is a specialty area focused on addressing mental illness as well as emotional and behavioral difficulties. Clinical social workers may work in settings as varied as hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and private practice.
Social Worker | explorehealthcareers.org
National Association of Social Workers
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) - Home
Directory of Accredited Programs
Dietitian Nutritionist
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are nutrition experts who design nutrition programs to promote wellness, and prevent and manage disease and allergy symptoms.
Dietitian Nutritionist | explorehealthcareers.org
American Society for Nutrition - Nutrition Research & Practice
eatrightPRO - Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
About Accredited Programs - ACEND
Master of Public Health | Programs of Study | Public Health
Forensic Science
Forensic Scientists use science to help uphold the law and to protect public health. Professionals working in forensic science may be scientists and researchers as well as physicians and dentists with specialty training.
Forensic Science | explorehealthcareers.org
American Academy of Forensic Sciences | AAFS Home
How to Become A Forensic Scientist
Accredited Forensic Science Programs | fepac-edu.org
Genetic Counseling
Genetic Counselors support individuals and families who are considering, or may be undergoing, genetic testing.
Genetic Counselor | explorehealthcareers.org
National Society of Genetic Counselors
Healthcare Administration
Health Administrators work in clinical settings, public health departments, and private companies. They may help shape policy and direct the operation of health care systems.
Health Administrator | explorehealthcareers.org
Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)
Health Administration, Management & Policy Centralized Application Service (HAMPCAS)
Medical Physics
Medical Physicists use their expertise in physics to support medical radiation treatments, devices, and technologies; many are directly involved with a patient’s diagnosis and treatment. There are five possible areas of certification: Therapeutic Medical Physics, Diagnostic Medical Physics, Nuclear Medical Physics, Medical Health Physics, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Physics.
SDAMPP Student Guide to a Medical Physics Career
CAMPEP Accredited Graduate Programs in Medical Physics
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Physicians are primary care providers who promote health and wellness while managing both acute and chronic conditions. Naturopathic Physicians use evidence-informed therapies such as nutrition, physical medicine, stress management, and natural approaches to health.
Naturopathic Physician | explorehealthcareers.org
What is Naturopathic Medicine? | AANMC
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges
Perfusion
Perfusionists operate heart-lung machines, typically during cardiac surgeries, but also in cardiovascular intensive care units (CIVICU) and catheterization laboratories.
Perfusionist | explorehealthcareers.org
The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion: The AACP
Pharmacology
Pharmacology integrates knowledge from many fields to study how drugs and biological systems (e.g. human and animal bodies) interact. Pharmacology careers can be in research, regulatory affairs, science policy, and more.
Pharmacology | explorehealthcareers.org
Pharmaceutical Graduate Education
Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-Language Pathologists provide services to prevent, evaluate, and treat disorders in speech, spoken and written language, social communication, cognition, voice, fluency, and swallowing. They work in health care, education, private practice, and community-based settings.
Speech-Language Pathologist | explorehealthcareers.org
ASHA: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Planning Your Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders
ASHA EdFind - Find graduate programs in Speech-language pathology and audiology
Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine focuses on injury recovery and prevention, and it helps people improve their athletic performance. Professionals of varied training backgrounds may work in sports medicine, for example athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, kinesiotherapists, and physicians.
Sports Medicine | explorehealthcareers.org
National Athletic Trainers' Association
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
American Society of Exercise Physiologists :: Home
American Kinesiotherapy Association – AKTA
What is a Sports Medicine Specialist? (PDF)