Other Health Careers

Optometry

The current job outlook for optometrists seems quite good with the supply and demand in balance. Optometry schools require two years of college work for entrance into the four-year program leading to the Doctor of Optometry degree. Most applicants complete three or more years of college work prior to admission. There are 13 schools of optometry in the United States. The course requirements for admission are similar to those of medical schools. All of the schools require the Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT) given annually in March and October. Ripon students with a GPA of 2.8 or above generally have been admitted. Specific course requirements and admissions information for each of the schools of optometry are given in the booklet "Information for Applicants to Schools and Colleges of Optometry." Generally required courses are given below:

• General Biology or Zoology - 1 year
• General Chemistry - 1 year
• General Physics - 1 year
• English - 1 year
• Mathematics - 1 year

In addition, most schools require organic chemistry, calculus, psychology and statistics. Other specific requirements vary widely, but upper division courses in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry are recommended. For more information about an optometry career, contact:

Pharmacy

The field of pharmacy is undergoing a transition from five-year bachelor's degree programs to a six-year programs leading to a doctorate in pharmacy. Individuals with doctorates are more flexible and can command a higher salary. Admission to pharmacy school requires at least two years of pre-pharmacy college work. After three years of work in pharmacy school, a B.S. in pharmacy is awarded, whereas an extra year is required for the doctorate.

The specific Ripon courses required for entrance to the bachelor's program at University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy are given below:

• Biology 120
• Chemistry 111, 112, 211, 214
• Economics 211 or 212
• English 110 plus a WI course
• Mathematics 141
• Physics 151-152 or 171-172
• Sociology 110
• Electives - sufficient to bring total to 60 hours. These should be in the humanities and social sciences.

This is a demanding set of requirements to complete in two years. Most Ripon students have taken three years or have completed a Ripon degree before entering pharmacy school. Such students are encouraged to consider programs that grant the Doctorate in Pharmacy, M.S. or Ph.D.

In addition, students must take the Pharmacy College Admission Test given in November, February and May, and have a GPA of 2.5 or better. Madison prefers that the test be taken in November. The application deadline usually is Feb. 1. Students interested in pharmacy school should see Dr. Light (Chair of the HPAC) and/or contact:

Podiatry

Podiatrists are foot-care specialists. They perform most of the same functions medical doctors perform, but their practice is limited to the foot. Currently, this field may be somewhat over-populated.

The five schools of podiatric medicine in the United States grant the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree (DPM). Forty states currently license podiatrists.

Requirements for admission are similar to those of medical schools. Three years of college work is the minimum requirement, and applicants also must take the MCAT. Admission is somewhat less competitive than admission to medical school.

Further information concerning podiatric medicine may be obtained from the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine and the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

The "Health Careers Guide," published by the U.S. Department of Health and Welfare, actually lists 17 major job descriptions under the therapy heading (including horticultural therapist). Physical therapy and occupational therapy are just two of these 17. Demand for physical therapists is expanding rapidly; a shortage of PT practitioners exists now and is expected to continue to exist in the foreseeable future.

Both physical and occupational therapy require a baccalaureate degree, certification and licensure in order to practice. The discipline is heading toward requirement of a master's degree, and soon the entry level to most programs will be at the post-baccalaureate level. Students usually major in physical education or biology, although these majors are not required. In fact, people with undergraduate degrees in a liberal arts curriculum, including non-science majors, are welcomed in master's degree programs. The following courses are required at most institutions:

• Biology 120 and 211
• Chemistry 111 and 112
• Physics 151 and 152
• Psychology 110 and 120, and four more hours

Independent study with a physical therapist in a local hospital is encouraged. Consult Dr. Charles Larson or the Career Development Office (Mr. Thomas Vaubel), or contact:

Sports Medicine

There has been a big increase in interest in careers which focus on the treatment of athletic injury and health problems. The field of Sports Medicine encompasses a rather large range of health-care professionals who have chosen to dedicate their practices to this area. Included are orthopedic surgeons, family practitioners, osteopathic physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, physical therapists, nutritionists and psychologists, as well as athletic trainers and others. A career in sports medicine can be approached from any of these professional areas.

Physician Assistant

Physician assistants typically work in primary health care, performing patient care for acute and chronic conditions, including examining patients and prescribing medicine. They always work in a medical team under the supervision of a physician. Fifty-five accredited programs exist, including one at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Entry into these programs is only slightly less competitive than medical school, but the program is only two years long and emphasizes a holistic approach to medicine, including patient education and counseling. Undergraduate coursework typically might include:

• Biology 120, 211, 216, 332 and 314
• Chemistry 111, 112, 211, 214 and 422
• Mathematics 120
• English 110
• Psychology 110, 221 and 235
• Sociology 110 and 302
• Philosophy 120 and 241
• Speech 110

Further information concerning physician assistants may be obtained from the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Are there more health careers?

You bet. We have mentioned in this booklet only those health careers most often selected in the past by Ripon students. There are dozens of other health-related careers which students should investigate. The brochure "200 Ways to Put Your Talent to Work in the Health Field" gives capsule descriptions of most of these opportunities and where to write for more information. This publication may be perused in HPAC member offices, or obtained free by writing:

National Health Council
Box 40, Radio City Station
New York, NY 10019

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