Health Professions
Leading the way to better health and better lives
Exploring Health Professions
The Health Professions Advising Office will guide you towards your dream of becoming a health professional. Below are some introductory resources to begin your research into the health professions. In addition, the Explore Health Careers website provides information on a range of health professions.
Please note that the following programs are not advised by HPAO staff - dietetics/nutrition, exercise science, pharmacy, public health, and speech therapy. Learn more about those programs at UM.
There are two major pathways for entering a health profession.
Allied health programs include Dental Hygiene, Health Informatics and Information Management, Histotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Radiologic Sciences. Undergraduate students
- complete prerequisite courses for admission to the professional school (~2 years);
- are enrolled in the Allied Health Studies major while at UM and may choose to complete that degree before going to professional school;
- must complete a competitive application to professional school and be accepted; and
- earn a baccalaureate degree in the health field from that professional school.
Professional programs include Dentistry, Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Veterinary Medicine, and many others. Undergraduate students
- complete a baccalaureate degree and prerequisite courses for admission to the professional school;
- must complete a competitive application to professional school and be accepted; and
- earn a masters or doctorate degree in the health field from that professional school.
Professional Programs
Anesthesiologist Assistant
Students complete a two-year master's program that is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs after the bachelor’s degree.
Athletic Trainer
Students will pursue a Master of Athletic Training in order to become a certified Athletic Trainer (AT). This degree takes 2 years of school after the bachelor’s degree.
Cardiovascular Perfusionist
UM students typically earn a bachelor’s degree in any major, complete prerequisites, then apply to a master’s program or certificate program in perfusion.
Chiropractic Medicine
Students interested in chiropractic medicine will pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC) after completing a baccalaureate degree.
Dentistry
Dental students pursue either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Either degree takes 4 years of dental school after the bachelor’s degree.
Medicine
The Doctor of Medicine (allopathic) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (osteopathic) take 4 years of medical school after the bachelor’s degree.
Occupational Therapy
Students will pursue an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree. This is a terminal degree that takes 3 years of occupational therapy school after the bachelor’s degree.
Optometry
Optometry students will pursue a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. This is a terminal degree that takes 4 years of optometry school after earning the bachelor’s degree.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy students will pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). This is a terminal degree that takes 3 years of physical therapy school after the bachelor’s degree.
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants (PAs) provide health care services under the supervision of physicians. Although PAs work under the supervision of a physician, they may be the principal care providers in certain practices.
Podiatry
Students interested in podiatry will pursue a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). Requirements for application to a podiatry program are very similar to requirements for medical and dental schools.
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarians complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. It takes 4 years to complete and includes classroom, lab, and clinical components.