Explore the many health-related career paths
There are a multitude of the health professions you can choose to pursue with a degree from Springfield College. Each of these pathways has unique requirements, such as standardized tests for admissions and specific coursework. Additionally, each school may have unique requirements, which you can explore with your pre-health professions advisor. Explore each of these career paths by clicking on the links to professional associations that represent each of these fields.
Allopathic Medicine (MD)
Applications: American Medical College Application Service
General Requirements (may vary by school):
- English (1 year, must include writing)
- Biology (1 year, with labs)
- General Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Organic Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Physics (1 year, with labs)
- Mathematics (1 year, varies by school, calculus and/or statistics)
- Psychology and/or sociology
- Biochemistry (lecture only, recommended)
Association of American Medical Colleges
Required exam: MCAT
Choosing a Major for MD
Advising Guide for MD
Audiology
- Springfield College Communication Sciences and Disorders
- General requirements will vary by school and by desired graduate degree.
- National Association for Hearing and Speech Action
- American Academy of Audiology
- Applications: Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders Programs
Chiropractic Medicine (DC)
- General requirements vary by school; see academic requirements for each college
- Association of Chiropractic Colleges
- Required exam: Chiropractic College Aptitude Test
- No central application service
Clinical Social Worker (MSW)
- Springfield College Bachelors and Masters in Social Work
- Examples of careers to pursue:
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Academy of Certified Social Worker (ACSW)
- Applications: SocialWorkCAS
Counseling (Clinical Mental Health, School or Rehabilitation Counseling)
- Springfield College Graduate Programs in Counseling
- General Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or closely related field
- Examples of careers to pursue:
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensure varies by state.
- Licensed School Counselor
- American Mental Health Counselors Association
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
- American Counseling Association
- National Board for Certified Counselors
- Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Dental Medicine (DDS, DMD, Dental Hygiene)
General Requirements (may vary by school):
- English (1 year, must include writing)
- Biology (1 year, with labs)
- General Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Organic Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Physics (1 semester, with labs)
- Biochemistry (lecture only, recommended)
American Dental Education Association
Required exam for DDS/DMD: Dental Admission Test
Applications for Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD): Associated American Dental Schools Application Service
Applications for Dental Hygiene: Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service
Exercise Physiology
- PhD in Exercise Physiology
- Masters of Science or Master Education
- Clinical Track
- Performance Track
Health Promotion and Health Equity
- Health Promotion and Health Equity MEd
- Students will examine critical and complex health equity and social justice challenges.
Naturopathic Medicine (ND)
General Requirements (may vary by school):
- English (1 year, must include writing)
- Biology (1 year, with labs)
- General Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Organic Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Physics (1 semester, with lab)
- Mathematics (college-level algebra)
- Psychology (1 semester)
- Biochemistry (lecture only, recommended)
Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges
MCAT not required, but will be considered if taken.
No central application service
Nursing
General requirements will vary by school and by desired nursing degree.
Applications: NursingCAS
Information about nursing options and specialties
American Nurses Association
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Choosing a Major for Nursing
Advising Guide for Nursing
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Applications for Occupational Therapy: OTCAS
Applications for Occupational Therapy Assistant: OTACAS
Springfield College occupational therapy program
General Requirements will vary by school and by desired OT degree.
American Occupational Therapy Association
Choosing a Major for OT
Advising Guide for OT
Optometry (OD)
- General requirements vary by school; see academic requirements for each school
- Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
- Required exam: Optometry Admission Test
- Applications: Optometry Centralized Application Service
Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Applications: AACOMAS
General Requirements (may vary by school):
- English (1 year, must include writing)
- Biology (1 year, with labs)
- General Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Organic Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Physics (1 year, with labs)
- Mathematics (1 year, varies by school, calculus and/or statistics)
- Psychology and/or sociology
- Biochemistry (lecture only, recommended)
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
Required exam: MCAT
Choosing a Major for DO
Advising Guide for DO
Pathology
- General requirements will vary by school and by desired graduate degree.
- College of American Pathologists
- American Society for Clinical Pathologists
- American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants
Pharmacy
General Requirements (may vary by school):
- English (1 year, must include writing)
- Biology (1 year, with labs)
- Microbiology (1 semester, with labs)
- General Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Organic Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Anatomy and Physiology (1 year, with labs)
- Physics (1 year, with labs)
- Mathematics (1 year, calculus, and/or statistics)
- Psychology and/or Sociology
- Biochemistry (lecture only, recommended)
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Required exam: Pharmacy College Admission Test
Applications: Pharmacy College Application Service
Physician Assistant (PA)
Applications: Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants
Springfield College physician assistant studies
General Requirements (may vary by school):
- English (1 year, must include writing)
- Biology (1 year, with labs)
- Microbiology (1 semester, with labs)
- Genetics (1 semester, recommended)
- General Chemistry (1 year, with labs)
- Organic Chemistry (1 semester, with labs, recommended)
- Biochemistry (1 semester, recommended)
- Anatomy and Physiology (1 year, with labs)
- Medical Terminology (1 semester, recommended)
- Mathematics (1 semester of statistics)
- Physics (1 semester, with labs, recommended)
- Psychology (1 semester)
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Choosing a Major for PA
Advising Guide for PA
Psychiatrist
- see MD or DO, will need residency training in psychiatry during medical school
Psychologist (PhD in Psychology or PsyD)
- Springfield College Psychology Major or Minor
- There are many different kinds of psychologists, and each has its own educational/training requirements. You may find much more information at the APA’s webpage
- American Psychological Association
- Applications: PSYCAS
Veterinary Medicine
- General requirements vary by school; see requirements by school
- American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Applications: Veterinary Medical College Application Service
Medical Technology
- Typically requires bachelor’s degree and master’s degree and/or special certification
- Dental Assistant
- Genetic Counselor
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Records Technician
- MRI Technologist
- Nursing Aide
- Ophthalmic Medical Technician
- Orthotist and Prosthetist
- Paramedic
- Phlebotomist
- Radiologic Technologist
- Surgical Technologist
- Veterinary Technologist and Technician