Program Pathways

Careers in the 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.

PreMed and PreHealth Advising exists to support undergraduate students and alumni from across the university’s global campus network, and students and alumni enrolled in the Northeastern University’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Program, on their pathway to medical school, dental school, physician assistant school, podiatry school, optometry school, and veterinary school.

Explore the menu below to learn more about your PreHealth Pathway.

As you get started on your PreHealth journey, students should also review the relevant Pathway handout below to become familiar with the academic requirements and experiential preparation for their chosen health profession.

 

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

Centralized Application Services

Entrance Exam

Additional Resources

PreMed and PreHealth Advising exists to support individuals on their pathway to medical school, dental school, physician assistant school, podiatry school, optometry school, and veterinary school.

However, 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.

Northeastern University students interested in pursuing a career in other allied health professions should reference the Allied Health Career Guides and utilize advising support services through their home college and the Office of Employer Engagement and Career Design.

Oftentimes PreHealth students may be deciding among healthcare professions for their future careers. Exploration is an important part of your journey, and is strongly encouraged!

The resources below have been curated to help you explore and compare health professions in order to make an informed choice.