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Health professions encompass a wide variety of careers. Most of these careers require training beyond the bachelor's degree. The Health Professions Committee assists students in the planning and preparation for entrance into graduate and professional training programs.
Students should contact the Health Professions Committee and begin researching the course pre-requisites and other requirements for professional and graduate schools as early in their college careers as possible.
The Occupational Outlook from the U.S. Dept. of Labor may also be helpful in choosing a career path. It provides information on the current and future status of certain health fields, including working conditions, demand, job satisfaction, and earnings.
For additional information on over 100 health professions careers, visit http://www.healthprofessions.org.
Pre-Medical School
Courses Required:
Biology 1111 and 1112 with laboratory
Chemistry 1101 and 1102 with laboratory
Chemistry 2217 and 2218 with laboratory
Physics 1101 and 1102 with laboratory
Mathematics: generally one course in college math, sometimes calculus is required.
Additional courses in Biology and Chemistry are extremely helpful in medical school, especially: Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Genetics.
There is no restriction for a specific major.
MCAT:
Medical College Admission Test Required. This test is administered twice a year, once in April and again in August. Most students should plan to take the test in the spring semester of their Junior year. The test is divided into 4 parts: Physical Science (General Chem. and Physics), Biological Science (General Biology and Organic Chemistry), Verbal Reasoning, and Writing Sample. Apply online: www.aamc.org/mcat
AAMCAS Application:
The American Association of Medical Colleges provides a universal application used by all medical schools. This application is online and very detailed. You must register to file out the application. It is suggested that students download a sample application to fill out before doing so online. There are several areas where a personal statement must be submitted. This statement
should be well-though tout and written in your best English style and grammar. This application is available in mid-June. It is the preliminary application submitted to the entire list of medical schools the student requests.
A secondary application is sent directly by the medical school to an applicant. Generally, students receive these secondary applications by late August or early September.
Letter of Recommendation:
The Pre-Medical Committee sends a letter of recommendation for each student upon request. This letter is most often preceded by an interview with the committee members.
Pre-Dental School
Courses Required:
See above list for Pre-medical students. In addition, the only other requirement often seen is for English Literature and Composition. Since we have an excellent introductory English program at McDaniel College, there is generally no problem. For students who have Advanced Placement in English upon arrival at McDaniel College, they must take some course in English.
No specific requirement for major.
DAT:
Dental Admission Test is required. There is a paper application available through: Dental Admission Testing Program, 6th Floor
211 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
Or, through the American Dental Association: www.ada.org
Unlike the MCAT, The DAT tests the following areas of knowledge: Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. The Perceptual Ability Test is a 3-D test of shapes rotated in space.
AADSAS Application:
This universal application for all dental schools in the United States is available through the following avenues:
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Call: 1-800-353-2237 between 9 and 5 EST;
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E-mail: aadsasappl@aads.jhu.edu; or
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Write: AADSAS Application, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-2212.
Letters of Recommendation:
Process is the same as for Pre-Medical Students above.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Courses Required:
See Basic Science Requirements for Pre-Medical Students.
Additional Courses: Veterinary Schools vary widely in their supplemental courses in the sciences and humanities. Each school should be carefully checked prior to admission. For example, Maryland students have an agreement with Virginia for admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. They require: Biochemistry, Mathematics – 6 credit hours or two courses, English – 6 credit hours, and Humanities/Social Science – 6 credit hours.
Other veterinary schools require Genetics, Cell Biology, and/or Animal Science.
GRE:
Graduate Record Examination is required of all applicants. This test is available online (www.gre.org) or through the Graduate Record Examination, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000. VMCAS Application:
Many, but not all veterinary schools subscribe to the VMCAS application service. This is an universal application form submitted to veterinary schools as a primary application. It is available through: VMCAS
1101 Vermont Avenue, NW
Suite 411
Washington, DC 20005-3521
Phone: (202) 682-0750
E-mail: vmcas@aavmc.org
Web site: www.aavmc.org/vmcas
Letters of Recommendation:
Process is similar as for Pre-Medical students.
Physician's Assistant
Physician's Assistants are licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. To read more about Physician's Assistants click here: (http://saaapa.aapa.org/prepa/padefined.htm).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 edition visited at http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm on Aug. 31, 2005, identified four significant points regarding Physician Assistants:
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The typical physician assistant program lasts about 2 years and requires at least 2 years of college and some healthcare experience for admission.
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Most applicants to physician assistant programs hold a bachelor's or master's degree.
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Job opportunities should be good, particularly in rural and inner city clinics.
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Earnings are high.
Recommended Courses:
Because the prerequisites vary for each school, students are encouraged to identify the specific prerequisites for schools that they may apply to during their sophomore and junior years. While each program may have different requirements, the following courses are commonly required (McDaniel course numbers are in parentheses):
Anatomy with Laboratory
Physiology with Laboratory (BIO 2211 or BIO 3316)
2 semesters of Biology (BIO 1111 and BIO 1112)
Microbiology with Laboratory (BIO 3307)
2 semesters of Chemistry (CHE 1101 and CHE 1102)
Psychology (PSY 1106)
Statistics (STA 2215)
Completion of these courses at McDaniel College does not guarantee that the student will meet the prerequisite requirements for Physician Assistant education programs. Additional courses in biology (Cell Biology), chemistry (Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry), and psychology (Abnormal Psychology, Child & Adolescent Psychology, and Life Span Development) are also commonly required by various programs.
There is no restriction for a specific major. Common majors include Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Exercise Science & Physical Education.
Testing:
Most Physician Assistant programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) though some do require the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and there are several that do not have any testing requirements. Most students should plan to take the test either in the spring semester of their junior year or early in the fall semester of their senior year.
Application:
The majority of Physician Assistant programs accept applications through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) (https://secure.caspaonline.org/). Students should determine if the schools they are applying to accept applications through CASPA. The online CASPA process will allow the student to complete one application that can be submitted to multiple schools. It is suggested that students download a sample application to fill out before doing so online. You will be required to write a narrative explaining why you want to become a Physician Assistant. This narrative should be well thought out and written in your best English style and grammar.
Links:
What is a Physician Assistant?
Student Academy of the American Academy
of Physician Assistants
Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
Association of Physician Assistant Programs
Accreditation Review Commission on
Education for Physician Assistant, Inc
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 edition, U.S. Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists (PTs) provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 edition, visited at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm on Sept. 8, 2005, identified three significant points regarding Physical Therapists:
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Employment is expected to increase faster than the average, as growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function spurs demand for therapy services.
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After graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program, therapists must pass a licensure exam before they can practice.
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About two-thirds of physical therapists work either in hospitals or in offices of physical therapists.
Recommended Courses:
Because the prerequisites vary for each school, students are encouraged to identify the specific prerequisites for schools that they may apply to during their sophomore and junior years. While each program may have different requirements, the following courses are commonly required (McDaniel course numbers are in parentheses):
Anatomy with Laboratory
Physiology with Laboratory (BIO 2211 or BIO 3316)
2 semesters of Biology (BIO 1111 and BIO 1112)
2 semesters of Chemistry (CHE 1101 and CHE 1102)
2 semesters of Physics (PHY 1101 and PHY 1102)
Psychology (PSY 1106)
Statistics (STA 2215)
Completion of these courses at McDaniel College does not guarantee that the student will meet the prerequisite requirements for Physical Therapy education programs. Additional courses in biology (Cell Biology and Microbiology), chemistry (Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry), Exercise Science & Physical Education (Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics) and psychology (Abnormal Psychology, Child & Adolescent Psychology, and Life Span Development) are also commonly required by various programs.
There is no restriction for a specific major. Common majors include Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Exercise Science & Physical Education.
Testing:
Most Physical Therapy programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Most students should plan to take the test either in the spring semester of their junior year or early in the fall semester of their senior year.
Application:
There is no centralized application service for applying to Physical Therapy programs. Though application deadlines vary for each school many of the schools will start reviewing completed applications beginning in October. It is suggested that students download a sample application to fill out before doing so online.
Links:
American Physical Therapy Association
Accredited Physical Therapy Programs
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 edition, U.S. Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics
A World of Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 edition, visited at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm on Sept. 8, 2005, identified four significant points regarding Occupational Therapists:
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Employment is projected to increase faster than the average, as rapid growth in the number of middle-aged and elderly individuals increases the demand for therapeutic services.
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A bachelor's degree in occupational therapy is the minimum educational requirement; beginning in 2007, however, a master's degree or higher will be required.
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Occupational therapists are increasingly taking on supervisory roles.
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More than a quarter of occupational therapists work part time.
Recommended Courses:
Because the prerequisites vary for each school, students are encouraged to identify the specific prerequisites for schools that they may apply to during their sophomore and junior years. While each program may have different requirements, the following courses are commonly required (McDaniel course numbers are in parentheses):
Anatomy with Laboratory
Physiology with Laboratory (BIO 2211 or BIO 3316)
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1106)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2211)
Sociology or Anthropology (SOC 1104 or SOC 1108)
Completion of these courses at McDaniel College does not guarantee that the student will meet the prerequisite requirements for Occupational Therapy education programs. Additional courses in biology, chemistry, exercise science, psychology, and sociology are also commonly required by various programs.
There is no restriction for a specific major. Common majors include Biology, Sociology, Psychology, and Exercise Science & Physical Education.
Testing:
While many Occupational Therapy programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) there are several schools that do not have a testing requirement. Additionally, some schools require the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Most students should plan to take any required test either in the spring semester of their junior year or early in the fall semester of their senior year.
Application:
There is no centralized application service for applying to Occupational Therapy programs. Students should be aware that application deadlines vary for each school and that they need to be aware of specific deadlines for those schools in which they have an interest. It is suggested that students download a sample application to fill out before doing so online.
Links:
American Occupational Therapy Association
Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs
Information for Prospective OT Students
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 edition, U.S. Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
The American Occupational Therapy Foundation |
