Health Professions
Careers in the allied health professions are both rewarding and demanding.
Before you begin down the path of a healthcare career, be sure that you understand the requirements and expectations of the profession. Healthcare practitioners enjoy working with people, are curious about the sciences, are team players, and are dedicated to their work. Consider your values, skills, and interests and make sure that they are a good fit with a future career.
There are over 100 healthcare-related careers, many of which you may not have considered yet! You can learn more about healthcare careers at ExploreHealthCareers.Org.
Below we list additional information and resources on the career paths that we advise.
Northeastern University students interested in pursuing a career in other Allied Health Professions may reference the Allied Health Career Guides and relevant resources on the Employer Engagement and Career Design website.
Allopathic “physicians are on the front line of medicine. As practitioners, they work in solo or group practices examining patients and obtaining medical histories; ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests; and prescribing and administering treatment for patients suffering from injury or disease. They also counsel patients about illness, injuries, health conditions and preventive healthcare (diet/fitness, smoking cessation, etc.)… It is an exciting and rewarding career and it’s also a broad one, which is why physicians choose a specialty during their training.” (Explore Health Careers)
Learn more about Allopathic Medicine
- Explore Health Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- The AAMC’s Aspiring Docs
Centralized Application Services
Entrance Exam
“Dentistry is the branch of the healing arts and sciences devoted to maintaining oral health…General dentists examine the head and neck and oral cavity to identify and diagnose oral conditions and determine the oral health of the patient; restore and replace teeth; perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum disease; extract teeth when necessary; eliminate pain arising from oral diseases, conditions and trauma; provide instruction and advice on oral health care; oversee the administration and business of private practice and frequently employ and supervise a large number of staff and allied dental personnel.” (Explore Health Careers)
Learn more about Dentistry
- Explore Health Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Go Dental
- American Student Dental Association
- American Dental Education Association
- ADA Dental Specialty Definitions
Centralized Application Services
Entrance Exam
“Doctors of Optometry (ODs) are the independent primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases, injuries and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures. They also identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.” (Explore Health Careers)
Learn more about Optometry
- Explore Health Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Association of Schools of Optometry
- American Optometric Association
- Admission Requirements Handbook
Centralized Application Service
Entrance Exam
“Osteopathic physicians (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or D.O.s) diagnose illness and injury, prescribe and administer treatment, and advise patients about how to prevent and manage disease. Like their M.D. counterparts, they are fully licensed to diagnose, treat, prescribe medications, and perform surgery in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Today, more than 20 percent of all U.S. medical students are studying at a college of osteopathic medicine… In addition to using all of the tools and technology available to modern medicine, D.O.s have a strongly holistic philosophy and practice osteopathic manipulative medicine – a distinctive system of hands-on diagnosis and treatment which focuses specifically on the musculoskeletal system.” (Explore Health Careers)
Learn more about Osteopathic Medicine
- Explore Health Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
- Doctors that DO
Centralized Application Service
Entrance Exam
A profession created in the 1960’s, “Physician assistants are medical providers who are licensed to diagnose and treat illness and disease and to prescribe medication for patients. They work in physician offices, hospitals and clinics in collaboration with a licensed physician…because of their advanced education in general medicine, modeled after physician education, physician assistants can treat patients with significant autonomy.” (Explore Health Careers)
Learn more about being a Physician Assistant
- Explore Health Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- History of the PA Profession
- American Academy of PAs
- Physician Assistant Education Association
Centralized Application Service
Entrance Exam
“A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot disorders, diseases and injuries. A DPM makes independent judgments and performs or orders all necessary diagnostic tests. They perform surgery; administer medications, including DEA-restricted medications; and prescribe physical therapy regimens.” (Explore Health Careers)
Learn more about Podiatric Medicine
- Explore Health Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)
Centralized Application Service
Entrance Exam
“Veterinarians play a major role in the healthcare of pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Some veterinarians use their skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals and conduct clinical research on human and animal health problems. Others work in basic research, broadening the scope of fundamental theoretical knowledge, and in applied research, developing new ways to use knowledge.” (Explore Health Careers)
Learn more about Veterinary Medicine
- Explore Health Careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
- American Veterinary Medical Association Channel