Allopathic
Medical School
Allopathic medical schools award the M.D. degree after
four years of study. The first two years typically consists of foundational
science courses and their application to the study of medicine. The final
two years are more patient-focused and the student is exposed to a variety
of specialties within the medical field.
Following graduation, students undergo more advanced, specialized
training in a field of their choice, typically between 3-8 years. This
training varies with each specialty and is organized into 24 areas or
specialty boards. Students who successfully complete this training and
pass their board examinations (steps 1, 2 and 3 of the United States
Medical Licensing Examination) are able to diagnose and treat patients
using a variety of tools at their disposal. This can be done in a variety
of health care settings, including hospitals and clinics, managed care
organizations, private or group practices. They may also work in other
settings, including nursing homes, businesses, education institutions,
research facilities and public health agencies.
American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org
Association of American Medical Colleges
http://www.aamc.org
American Medical College Application Service
http://www.aamc.org/audienceamcas.htm
Medical College Admissions Test
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm
Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2997.html
American Medical Student Association
http://www.amsa.org/
American Medical Student Association Foundation
http://www.amsa.org/premed/
Medical Schools (United States and Canada)
http://www.aamc.org/medicalschools.htm
The AMA Medical Student Section
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/14.html
US News and World Report
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/grhome.htm
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Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic physicians consider the whole person, including physical, emotional and spiritual components. They also use a hands-on system of diagnosis and treatment known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. They work in partnership with their patients to help each individual maintain their health. And they can specialize in any medical field, practice the full scope of modern medicine, complete important medical research, advise policymakers, and contribute to societal health and well-being in many ways.
Educated consumers of medicine are increasingly demanding patient-centered, preventative medical care, and the osteopathic philosophy - that the body has a natural ability to heal itself, that the health of the musculoskeletal system is inherently linked to the functioning of other parts of the body and that a patient-centered approach to health is optimal – is becoming a key player in today’s medical education.
Students interested in keeping a broad range of options open should research osteopathic medicine. It is also important to know that admission to osteopathic programs, while competitive, is often possible for students whose grades and especially test scores are slightly below those of students generally competitive for allopathic admission.
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
http://www.aacom.org/Pages/default.aspx
Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)
http://www.studentdo.com/
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Dental Schools
Dental schools award the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree after
three or four years of study; the degrees are equivalent to one another.
The first years typically consists of foundational science courses and
their application to the study of dentistry. The final years are more
patient-focuses and the student is exposed to a variety of specialties
within the dental field.
Following graduation, students who wish to specialize undergo
postgraduate training in fields such as periodontics, orthodontics, oral
and maxillofacial surgery. Graduates who plan to be general practitioners
are not required to engage in postgraduate training. Most dentists are
in private practice with most of these in a practice by themselves. It
is becoming more common for dentists to be employed by health organizations
rather than owning their own practices. All graduates must pass a licensing
exam to practice dentistry, which varies from state to state.
American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org
American Dental Education Association
http://www.adea.org
Dental Admissions Test
http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat.asp
Associated American Dental Schools Application Service
http://www.adea.org/AADSAS/
Links to Dental schools
http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/programs/index.html
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Optometry
School
Schools and colleges of Optometry award the O.D. degree
after four years of study. The first two years typically consists of
foundational science courses and their application to the study of medicine.
The final two years are more patient-focused and the student is exposed
to a variety of specialties within the medical field.
Following graduation, some students undergo more advanced,
specialized training in a field of their choice, such as pediatric or
geriatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation, family practice, hospital
or primary care optometry. All students must successfully complete the
training in the school or college of optometry and pass a State Board
Examination. Optometrists typically work in an office setting, usually
in a private practice. Some optometrists work in group practices but
most function independently. As with other health care professionals,
they may be employed by a health service organization, work in hospitals
or other institutions, such as schools or government agencies. They are
trained to examine the eye for any abnormalities and test for proper
eye function. When problems are detected, treatment can include corrective
glasses or contact lenses, eye therapy or prescription drugs (some states
only). For more advanced diseases, optometrists refer patients to another
medical practitioner, often an opthamologist who is a D.O. or M.D. specializing
in care of the eye.
American Optometric Association
http://www.aoanet.org
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)
http://www.opted.org
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Podiatry
Schools
Podiatric medical schools award the D.P.M. degree after
four years of study. The first two years typically consists of foundational
science courses and their application to the study of medicine. The final
two years are more patient-focused and the student is exposed to a variety
of specialties within the medical field. Following graduation, more advanced,
specialized training can take 1-2 years to complete. All students must
successfully complete the training in podiatric medical school and pass
a State Board Examination or the National Board of Podiatry Examiners.
Podiatrists practice in a private setting, educational institutions,
hospitals, and government agencies. They are trained to examine the foot
and lower leg for any diseases and disorders and able to provide surgical
or medical treatment.
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
http://www.aacpm.org
American Podiatric Medical Association
http://www.apma.org
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