Defining "Health Professions"

While most students interested in the health professions think of medical school, there are many other professional careers that allow graduates to "care for people." These include but are not limited to:

Allopathic Medicine
This is what most think of when they think of being a doctor or an M.D.

• American Medical Association (national association)
• Association of American Medical Colleges (national organization of schools and/or programs)
• American Medical Student Association (AMSA) (national student organization)

Osteopathic Medicine
Similar in almost all respects to allopathic medicine, except with a focus on preventive and holistic health.

• American Osteopathic Association (national association)
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (national organization of schools and/or programs)
• Student Osteopathic Medical Association (national student organization)

Not sure how Osteopathic Medicine is different from Allopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine
Programs generally award a doctor of Naturopathic Medicine or a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. Two local schools, Bastyr, in Seattle Washington and National College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Portland Oregon, offer these programs.

• American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges (national organization of schools and/or programs)

Chiropractic

• American Chiropractic Association (national association)
• Association of Chiropractic Colleges (national organization of schools and/or programs)

Dentistry

• American Dental Association (national association)
• American Dental Education Association (national organization of schools and/or programs)
• American Student Dental Association (national student organization)

Nursing
Nurses comprise the largest single component of hospital staff, are the primary providers of hospital patient care, and deliver most of the nation's long-term care. A complete list of schools of nursing allows you to search by location and program.

The Bachelor of Science degree in nursing is the critical first step for a career in professional nursing. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and other leading nursing organizations recognize the BSN degree as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice.

Of interest to students completing a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, the Master of Science in Nursing. This new program prepares qualified applicants with an earned baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field to complete a MSN in approximately 36 months. You may also want to check out an online database focused on nursing opportunities.

Optometry

• American Optometry Association (national association)
• Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (national organization of schools and/or programs)

Pharmacy

• American Pharmaceutical Association (national organization)
• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (national organization of schools and/or programs)
• Academy of Students of Pharmacy (national student organization)

Physician Assistant

• American Academy of Physician Assistants (national association)
• Physician Assistant Education Association (national organization of schools and/or programs)
• Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (national student organization)

Podiatry

• American Podiatric Medicine Association (national association)
• American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (national organization of schools and/or programs)
• Podiatric Medical Students Association (national student organization)

Public Health

• Association of Schools of Public Health (national association of schools and/or programs). Includes joint programs with other fields/specialties (e.g. MD/MPH, MPH/JD, MPH/MBA, MA/MPH).

Veterinary Medicine

• American Veterinary Medicine Association (national association)
• American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges (national organization of schools and/or programs)
• American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (student organization)