You can consider career alternatives like Pharmacy, Radiology, Physiotherapy, and many others. There are a variety of alternative medicine programs through a number of colleges and universities around the country. you can choose the one that best suits your career aspirations. The field of alternative medicine covers a broad range of topics and you can find programs at multiple degree levels that align with their academic and career goals. We have compiled a good number of alternatives to medical schools to help you get started on a pleasant note. You can select the option that best suits your career goals.
Why Alternatives To Medical School
The term “alternative” is often used interchangeably with “complementary” to describe medical approaches outside of mainstream Western, AKA “conventional,” medicine. The good news is that these degrees are typically less competitive than medicine and many universities ask for lower entry grades. Here’s our list of alternative healthcare degrees that you might not have considered yet.
Top Schools in Alternative Medicine
If you’re thinking about studying medicine but unable to meet with the medical school demands, you can consider the following alternative degree options in specialized healthcare.
These schools typically cover multiple specialized practices in the field of alternative medicine and all of them offer graduate-level programs in the field.
However, some positions still require graduate degrees, but their programs have a shorter duration and often lower overall costs.
#1 Osteopathic school
Osteopathy is a type of complementary medicine that is a drug-free, non-invasive manual therapy and aims to improve health across all body systems by manipulating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework. Programs offered at Osteopathic schools are aimed at training rural primary care physicians. These schools are cited in the midst of the rural communities their graduates are meant to serve. As an Osteopathy student, you’ll spend more of your clinical rotations in community clinics than acclaimed hospitals. Top institutions that offer Osteopathy programs are listed below;
#2 Nursing Schools
A nursing school according to Wikipedia is a type of educational institution, or part thereof, providing education and training to become a fully qualified nurse. Nursing school basically offer intensive classroom education, as well as the clinical aspect that prepares students for an entry-level in nursing and also lay the necessary foundations necessary to advance your career during the graduate program. Below are schools that offer the best nursing programs in the world; Read here for details on 15 Best Nursing Schools in the World | 2022
#3 Physician Assistant schools
Physician Assistant or PA schools is one of the best alternatives to medical school. They offer a training program that has received accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Programs for physician assistants are normally offered at the master’s degree level and consist of supervised clinical training, laboratory work, and also classroom instruction. Who is a physician assistant? Physician assistants are medical providers who have the license to diagnose and treat illness and disease and to prescribe medication for patients. List of Physician Assistant schools Check out! 10 Physician Assistant (PA) Schools in Canada 2022 | Rankings
#4 Speech-Language Pathology Schools
Speech pathology is the study and treatment of speech and language problems that can occur in both children and adults. With a degree in speech pathology, you can work in a variety of settings including private practice, healthcare facilities, and educational environments. A Speech-Language Pathology School is another great alternative to medical school. They offer courses that qualifies you for a professional entry-level as a speech-language pathologist. Some of the best speech-language pathology schools include; Check out! 10 Best Speech Pathology Graduate Programs Online
#5 Dentistry Schools
Dentistry is ranked by the US news as the second-best career in the United States. A Dentistry program can serve as an alternative to a medical program. Dentistry school schools offer unique teaching methods and training that prepares students for an entry-level position in any medical job setting. Some of the best Dentistry programs can be found in the schools listed below
#6 Pharmacy Schools
A career in pharmacy is very lucrative and rewarding. To become a pharmacist, you must enroll in a pharmacy school. This school offer programs in the pharmaceutical sciences at the M.S. and/or PhD level. Here is the list of top pharmacy schools.
#7 Paramedic science Schools
Paramedic science Schools offer degree courses that prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in this highly responsible role. They feature clinical practice areas such as NHS facilities, where you will be working under the supervision of qualified paramedics. Additionally, paramedic science school programs prepare students for state and national licensure as paramedics.
#8 Optometry Schools
Optometry School degrees normally combine academic studies with clinical and practical opportunities, with many courses offering the chance to work with real patients and in high-tech simulation facilities. To work as an optometrist you’ll need to register with the General Optical Council, which requires working for a year as a pre-registration optometrist after your BSc.
#9 Podiatry Schools
Podiatric schools are medical school alternatives often called Podiatric medical schools. These schools offer the doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree following four years of medical training. Upon completion, graduates of podiatry schools are awarded the D.P.M. (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) degree. Successful completion of national board examinations and state-licensure examinations are required to practice. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine treats a range of medical problems that have a direct effect on foot health, including diabetes, arthritis, sporting injuries, and heart and blood disorders.
#10 Naturopathic Schools
Naturopathy is a system in medicine that uses natural or traditional remedies to help the body heal itself. It embraces many therapies such as yoga, meditation, massage, diet, herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counseling. Similarly, Naturopathic Schools combine primary care with the foundation of evidence-informed natural medicine. They also focus on experiential education and the students benefit from a preceptorship program, simulation labs, diverse clinical experiences, internships, and research. Read more: Learn how to become a Naturopathic Doctor
#11 Dietitics and Nutrition School
Dietitics and Nutrition schools offer training to individuals who are passionate about improving health through proper nutrition. These individuals are part of the public health system. They may work with patients one-on-one to encourage healthy eating habits, or they may be employed to oversee meal programs in a community setting such as a nursing home or hospital. The school offer programs that prepare students to work in research, public policy, and advocacy.
#12 Occupational Therapy School
Occupational therapists help clients identify daily tasks they’d like to compete more successfully and then devise activities that help build the skills and strengths necessary for achieving those goals. They work with children who have disabilities, adults recovering from injuries, and even high-caliber musicians dealing with performance pressure. These professionals earn master’s or doctorate degrees and can specialize in fields such as pediatrics or geriatrics. They may work in diverse environments that include schools, prisons, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
#13 Rehabilitation Counselling School
Rehabilitation counseling schools train professionals that help people overcome challenges to reach their goals. The reach out to individuals with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities who want to maintain employment or live independently. Rehabilitation counselor’s schools offer master’s degree and also prepares students for state licensure as well.
#14 Radiology School
Radiology is an area of medicine that uses radiant energy to provide diagnostic images of a patient’s body. Radiology School prepares students for four years of a radiology residency. The residency combines specialty medical education with paid on-the-job training.
#15 Veterinary School
Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in animals, and along with this, it also deals with animal rearing, husbandry, breeding, research on nutrition and product development – Wikipedia.
Conclusion
If you aspire to work in health care but are unable or not interested to attend medical school, take advantage of the well-paid career alternatives to become a physician we’ve highlighted in this post. They will help you meet your career aspirations.
Frequently Asked Question On Alternatives To Medical School
Pharmacy schoolRadiology schoolNursing schoolPhysician assistant school You will work in the hospital, clinics, and other medical settings but as a physician assistant. It takes four to five years to complete any medical-related course.
