Prospective Students

Many people think of traditional tracks in medicine, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy when considering a career in health care. There are a number of different fields in health care, however, that can lead to fulfilling careers. We encourage you to assess your goals and aptitudes before choosing a specific field.

Many careers in health care require professional school after completion of the baccalaureate degree. If you are interested in medicine (allopathic or osteopathic), dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, or veterinary medicine, you should expect to attend a doctoral or professional post-baccalaureate program. Physician assistants (PAs), genetic counselors, orthotists, and occupational therapists are also required to complete a master’s degree in their respective field. Students interested in any of these fields should carefully plan their undergraduate careers to fulfill the academic and extracurricular prerequisites for admission.

Some undergraduate programs lead directly into careers after graduation with additional certification or licensing examinations. These include, but are not limited to, medical technology (a major in the College of Arts and Sciences), dietetics and nutrition, exercise physiology, recreational therapy, registered nursing, and radiologic technology. If you are interested in any of these programs, you should choose a major that will provide you with the necessary training. You can find a complete list of undergraduate degrees in biological sciences, health, and wellness through Explore Degree Programs.

There are a number of ways to become involved in the growing field of healthcare. If you are uncertain of what area you would like to work in, The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists many job titles along with the basic job requirements, required education, and medial salary.

Honestly assess what you would like to accomplish in your professional life should you enter the health care field. Also, consider your strengths and interests. Do you want to:

• Provide direct care to patients?
• Work in a laboratory setting?
• Provide health and wellness education?
• Begin working with a bachelor’s degree? Or, are you willing to continue your education for a master’s or doctoral degree?

It is very important take the time to research the realities of health care career options in order to select the one that is the best fit for you. Considering the breadth of job titles, you are bound to find a job that complements your personal interests and abilities.

There are a number of ways to become involved in the growing field of health care. If you are uncertain of what area you would like to work in, The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists many job titles along with the basic job requirements, required education, and medial salary. ExploreHealthCareers.org is another resource you can use to explore different professions in the field.

Interested in preparing for one of the following professions?

Follow the links to find out more:

• Medicine
• Podiatry 
• Dentistry 
• Pharmacy 
• Physician Assistant 
• Veterinary Medicine
• Optometry
• Chiropractic

Is your specific area of interest not listed here? There are other opportunities offered through the College of Nursing, the College of Education, Health and Human Services, and the College of Public Health. If you are interested in working in one of these health care fields, please contact the appropriate college for more information.

Though the majority of health professional schools will specify the coursework required for admission, most schools do not identify a preferred undergraduate major. Students who intend to go to a professional school for a health care field can declare any undergraduate major in which they have interest and aptitude. Professional schools will admit students from any major, as long as they satisfy the admission criteria. Schools will look to see that students chose a challenging course of study and excelled in these classes, in addition to completing extensive extracurricular activities such as shadowing and volunteering.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, the most common degrees are usually in the sciences such as Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Physics, and Psychology. In these degree programs, students declare a concentration geared towards their specific interest in health care. The benefit in choosing one of these programs is that the required curriculum often includes many prerequisites for professional schools in health fields.

At Kent State University, we offer an opportunity for students to apply for early assurance to the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). The Early Assurance Program (EAP) grants students a traditional undergraduate experience at Kent State University leading to a reserved seat at NEOMED. Candidates apply for admission to the EAP during the second year of study at Kent State University. There is more information on the KSU/NEOMED EAP page.

Heather Eaves, Director of Recruitment and Retention, heaves1@kent.edu

Erin Lawson, Pre-Health Academic Program Coordinator, elawson1@kent.edu