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:
Medicine
Allopathic Medicine (MD): 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 (DO): 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)
Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Association of Anesthesiologist Assistant Education Programs (national association)
Chiropractic Medicine
- 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)
- ADEA Enrichment Programs Calendar (virtual and in-person events to further exploration into the field of dentistry and/or connect with specific dental schools)
Genetic Counseling
- National Society of Genetic Counselors (national association)
- Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (program directory)
Healthcare Administration
Involvement in the business side of healthcare changes the landscape of the industry and helps you make an impact on a large scale. Learn about this side of the healthcare profession by visiting Discover Health Admin.
Naturopathic Medicine
Programs generally award a doctor of Naturopathic Medicine or a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. The closest geographic school to the University of Puget Sound is Bastyr University, in Seattle, Washington.
- American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges (national organization of schools and/or programs)
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. Nursing degrees and certifications include:
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification: Used by some students to gain entry-level patient-care experience prior to pursuing a more
advanced professional health program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree: Minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice. Puget Sound students who
will graduate with a bachelor's degree usually consider an accelerated BSN (ABSN) or an entry-level master's program (EL-MSN).
Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree: NPs are mid-level providers, with doctoral programs (DNP) being the highest degree possible within the
professional nursing practice.
- Nursing Program Directory (AACN)
- Nursing Program Directory (NursingCAS)
- Nursing Degree Comparison
Nutrition/Dietetics
- American Society for Nutrition (national association)
Occupational Therapy
- American Occupational Therapy Association (national association)
- Washington Occupational Therapy Association (Washington State organization)
- University of Puget Sound School of Occupational Therapy
Optometry
- American Optometric Association (national association)
- American Academy of Optometry (national association)
- Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (national organization of schools and/or programs)
Pathologist Assistant
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (national association)
- American Association of Pathologists' Assistants (national association)
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)
Physical Therapy
- American Physical Therapy Association (national association)
- University of Puget Sound School of Physical Therapy
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).
- Online Public Health Degree Programs
- What can I do with a degree in public health?
- University of Puget Sound Masters in Public Health
Speech & Language Pathology
- Comparison of Speech Pathology degrees
- American Speech Language Hearing Association (national association)
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)