Welcome to the pre-health science advising page created and maintained by Dr. Jim MacKenzie in the Department of Biological Sciences at SUNY Oswego.  The following information should be used as a guide by students who are interested in pursuing a career in the health sciences.  This page is in no way comprehensive, and should be used as a start for students to explore the careers that are available and the resources that are available to help them get the education/job that they want.

Careers in the Health Sciences

Anesthesiologist Assistant - Chiropractor - Cytotechnologist - Dental Assistant - Dentist - Emergency Medical Technician - Genetic Counselor - Histologist - Home Health Aides - Medical Geneticist - Medical Imaging Specialist - Medical Technologist - Nursing/Nurse Practitioner - Nursing Aides - Occupational Therapy - Optometrist - Perfusionist - Pharmacologist - Physical Therapist - Physician - Physician Assistant - Podiatrist - Public Health Microbiologist - Medical Research - Radiation Therapist -Respiratory Therapist - Sports Medicine - and many others.

Pre-health Experiences

No matter your career choice, it is very important that you get hands-on experience during your undergraduate training.  Some health science careers require a specialized Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, which will give you the training during your undergraduate studies.  However, many careers require advanced degrees/certifications, and the schools that give you that education/training will be looking for you to have involved yourself in health care settings as a part of their admissions requirements.  The following are some of the opportunities that you can take advantage of during your undergraduate careers:

• Certified Nursing Assistant
  • This certification allows you a better chance to get a paid job while getting your hands-on experience.
  • Certification Program at Oswego County BOCES Adult Education
• EMT
  • Student Association Volunteer Ambulance Corps of Oswego, Inc. (SAVAC)
• Hospice Employee/Volunteer
• Hospital Employee/Volunteer
• Medical Mission Trips
• Nursing Home Employee/Volunteer
• Pre-med Internship (Bio 498)
  • This 3-credit course is set-up for students who are specifically interested in obtaining an MD, DO, or PA graduate degree and is available for only one semester per student in their Junior or Senior year.
  • It is recommended that students interested in seeking an MD or DO take the internship in their Junior year.
• Summer camps that serve people with illnesses.

Physician (MD, DO, MD/PhD)

• Timeline, Majors, Minors, and Coursework
• What's the difference between an M.D. & D.O?
• American Medical Association
• Medical Schools of the U.S. and Canada 
  • Medical School Admission Requirements
  • Average MCAT and GPA scores
  • American Medical College Application Service
  • M.D./Ph.D. Programs
  • AAMC Curriculum Directory (information about medical school curricula and joint, dual, and combined-degree programs)
• Osteopathy Information
  • American Osteopathic Association
  • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Osteopathic Medical Schools of the U.S.
  • Average MCAT and GPA scores
• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
  • AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP)
  • 2009 MCAT Dates 
  • Kaplan MCAT Preparation
• SUNY Oswego Pre-med Advisory Committee

Naturopathic Physician (ND)

• What does a naturopathic physician do?
• Naturopathic Medicine Schools and Careers Q&A
• What states license naturopathic physicians?
• Required courses for admission

Physician Assistant (PA)

• American Academy of Physician Assistants
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants 
• U.S. Physician Assistant Programs
• Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) 
• NYS Physician Assistant Licensing

Physical Therapy (PT)

• American Physical Therapy Association
• CAPTE Accredited Physical Therapist Education Programs
• Admissions Requirements for Specific PT Programs 
• New York Physical Therapy Association
• SUNY Upstate Medical University - Physical Therapy

Medical Research (MS, PhD, MD, MD/PhD)

• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
• Kaplan GRE Preparation
• M.D./Ph.D. Programs
• Gradschool.com
• SUNY Upstate Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

Dentistry (DDS)

• American Dental Association
• The American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
• Dental Admission Test (DAT)
• List of Dental Schools

Pharmacy (PharmD)

• Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
• U.S. Pharmacy Schools
• Pharmacy School Admissions Requirements

Optometry (OD)

• Optometry Admission Test (OAT) 
• National Board of Examiners in Optometry
• Doctor of Optometry Admissions Requirements 
• Doctor of Optometry Admitted Student Profile

Allied Health Careers

• List of Allied Health Careers
• Allied Health Professional Associations
• Allied Health Accrediting Agencies
• Allied Health Salary Ranges
• 2+2 Program with SUNY Upstate Medical University 
  • Participating in Oswego's 2+2 articulation agreements with SUNY Upstate does not guarantee acceptance into the SUNY Upstate program. Articulation agreements are intended to promote easy transition from Oswego into the specific Upstate program for those students that are accepted into the SUNY Upstate program. For more information, see the articulation agreement below.
  • Program Prerequisites
    • Cardiovascular Perfusion
    • Medical Imaging
    • Medical Biotechnology
    • Medical Technology
    • Radiation Therapy
    • Respiratory Therapy
• Occupational Therapy (OT), OT Assistant
  • AMA OT Description 
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • OT Job Market

Please report dead links to jmackenz@oswego.edu