Sometimes, it can take longer than usual but the rewards will soon be worth it. In fact, if you research the highest-earning white-collar jobs, you will see most on the list are medical jobs.
With a lot of programs to choose from, the most crucial part is choosing which primary degree you want to obtain. We have listed four general types of medical degree that you can study:
Doctor of Medicine
If you’re aspiring to become a physician, surgeon, nurse, dentist, or more, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree is right for you. This degree is the most common among medical students, with most medical practitioners in the United States are MDs.
If you’re an interested MD student, you must first take a Bachelor of Science degree for four years. Then, you must pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) before you can be eligible to enter medical school.
The MCAT is an examination that costs a fixed $315. Once you’re in the MD program, you will encounter clinical training and internships for another four years—a total of eight years in school.
After completing the MD, your medical responsibilities include treating ill patients and preventing diseases through surgeries, medication, and therapy.
A medical practitioner earns a salary of up to $200,000 per year, depending on the field of expertise.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is quite similar to MD when it comes to responsibilities and privileges. It also follows the same pattern—a duration of eight years, requiring both to be an undergraduate degree holder in science major, and an MCAT passer.
Of course, there are differences between the two, like the career options available. Also, an MD’s goal is to learn about medicine and a person’s body systems, while a DO aims to be more knowledgeable on how a human body works and operates as a whole. You can see that MDs focus more on medication’s importance, while a DO highlights the significance of a healthy lifestyle.
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is a medical degree that deals with the various treatments and prevention of abnormal conditions of the lower limbs. When an athlete is injured, they usually consult a podiatrist.
Like the two mentioned medical degrees, a DPM requires you to have a Bachelor of Science degree.
Then, you will need to accomplish the degree program, which consists of coursework on subjects such as anatomy, neuroscience, and immunology, among others. Future podiatrists are also taught how to properly use laboratory equipment such as 3D scanners and x-ray.
Before you end your study, you will undergo the Podiatric Medical and Surgical Residency (PMSR), which takes up to four years to complete. Certified podiatrists receive an annual pay-off of around $120,000.
Doctor of Dental Medicine
If you plan on becoming a dentist, you’ll need to apply for the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. To be qualified to study in a dental school, you must be a graduate of a Bachelor of Science degree and a Dental Admission Test (DAT) passer. A DAT costs a fee of $460.
Dentists are responsible for a patient’s oral health, dealing with dental procedures such as dentures, implants, and orthodontics.
The first two years of a dental student are focused on learning more about the dental sciences, then the next two for clinical training.
Getting into a med school, learning the course, and practicing it can be difficult. It takes a couple of years to finish. But if you’re passionate about earning a medical degree, it’s all the reason you need to pursue it.
Aside from medical courses, there are others being offered by many universities. Find out more about them by browsing through MSM Unify.