Exploring the Health Professions
Learn more about graduate & professional school in the health professions, along with professional associations.
Not sure where to start? Check out ExploreHealthCareers.org!
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): central site for information about, and application to, allopathic (MD) medical schools
- Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR): an online database that enables you to browse, search, sort, and compare information about U.S. and Canadian medical schools
- American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS): centralized application service for allopathic medical schools
- AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP)
- Aspiring Docs: AAMC resources and inspiration to help you get started on your path to medicine
- Pre-Med Webinars (AAMC): Archived webinars containing resources, guidance, and tips about the AAMC’s services (SHPEP, FAP, FIRST, MCAT, AMCAS) to help you conquer the medical school application process
- Premed Navigator: AAMC’s monthly premed newsletter of important topics, resources, tips, and key dates for aspiring physicians
- AAMC Pre-Med Twitter feed: follow @AAMCPreMed for updates on MCAT registration and score release dates, AMCAS verification time updates, and virtual events and recruiting fairs
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM): central site for information about, and application to, osteopathic (DO) medical schools
- Choose DO Explorer: a fully searchable database that allows you to explore all US accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine
- Admission Requirements: Courses and average metrics for DO applicants
- AACOM Application Service (AACOMAS): the centralized application for osteopathic medical schools
- AACOMAS Fee Assistance Program
Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS): centralized application for public Texas medical, dental, and vet med schools
Note: TMDSAS does not grant fee waivers
- TX Health Education Service: YouTube channel with applicant webinar, TMDSAS podcast and more
- Courage Sessions: in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TMDSAS launched this program to support applicants. Topics cover all aspects of MD, dental, and vet med application process and include interviews with many of the admissions deans in Texas
MD-PhD Dual Degree Training: AAMC’s site about MD-PhD programs
- American Physician Scientist Association: undergrad resources, including interactive programs
- ’20-21 Applicant Series – tips for applying, secondaries, and interviews
- MD-PhD/MSTP Summer Undergrad Programs: gain experience and explore the physician-scientist track
American Academy of Anesthesiologists Assistants: Learn about CAA careers
- FAQs about the differences between CAAs, CRNAs, and PAs
American Society of Anesthesiologists: career pathways and job postings
- States where CAAs can practice
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: Find accredited programs
National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants: Learn about the certification process
Centralized Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants (CASAA): centralized application site
AT Each Moment: Learn about athletic training careers, degree options, and programs
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE): information about degree tracks and programs
ATCAS: centralized application service for athletic training programs
National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA): information about certification for athletic trainers
Association of Chiropractic Colleges: information about chiropractic education and careers
ChiroCAS: central application site for chiropractic programs
American Dental Education Association
ADEA GoDental: the dental education portion of the ADEA site
AADSAS: central application site for dental school
National Society of Genetic Counselors: extensive information about the role of genetic counselors
Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling: directory of U.S. and Canadian programs
Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors: application and match information
Genetic Counseling National Match: key dates and instructions for completing your Rank Order list
Regional Associations offering training & resources for students:
Association of University Programs in Health Administration: resources for students interested in health administration; note that HAMPCAS, the central application site, is linked from this site
Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Schools: information about naturopathic medicine and programs; note that application instructions are available on this site
American Association of Colleges of Nursing: information about nursing degrees; note that NursingCAS, the central site to apply to nursing programs, can be found on this site
Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN degrees: information about nursing pathways for individuals holding a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, plus a searchable database of programs
Pathways Into Nursing: Degree options for students at various levels for RN certification
NursingCAS: centralized application service for nursing programs
Info Sessions for Nursing Programs: virtual and in-person events to learn about nursing schools
American College of Nurse-Midwives: information about becoming a nurse-midwife and the national certification process
- Pathways to Midwifery Education: view accredited programs
- For Career Changers: training options for students holding a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree
American Occupational Therapy Association: information about the field of occupational therapy
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education: information about the profession, programs, and accreditation status, plus program directory
OTCAS: central application site for occupational therapy programs
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: information about optometry and schools of optometry
OptomCAS: central application site for optometry programs. Note: OptomCAS does not currently have a fee waiver/assistance program
- Summary of prerequisites for all opto programs
Future Eye Doc: explore the field of optometry
Optometry Admissions: a guide to the world of optometry school
American Physical Therapy Association: information about the field of physical therapy
PTCAS: central application site for physical therapy programs
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy: information about pharmacy education and careers
- Pharm4Me monthly newsletter
Physician Assistant Education Association: information about physician assistant practice and programs
CASPA: central application site for physician assistant programs
PAEA Program Directory: searchable directory of all physician assistant degree programs
PAMO/PASO: national database of PAs willing to mentor or provide shadowing opportunities
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine: information and application portal for podiatry
AACPM Career Center: learn more about the field, apply to summer internships, and research DPM programs.
Explore Pod Med: The most up-to-date information from DPM schools, events, and many other details about the profession. Note: This resource replaces the College Information Book (CIB).
DPM Mentors Network: Find a podiatrist to shadow
AACPM Application Service (AACPMAS): centralized application service for podiatric medicine programs.
AAMC Postbaccalaureate resource page: information to help you decide if a postbac is right for you, including a searchable database of career-changer and record-enhancer postbac programs
NAAHP’s Postbaccalaureate Program Information: answers to common questions and a glossary of frequently used terms
Explore the field of public health and learn more about graduate programs, including the Master of Public Health Cooperative Degree Program through the University of Iowa College of Public Health.
Be An RT: Find your path, explore resources, and get connected
More RTs: Celebrate the specialized skill of RTs on the front lines
American Association for Respiratory Care: Learn about the training, profession, and scholarships
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care: Find an accredited program
America Speech-Language-Hearing Association: learn about the profession and certification
ASHA EdFind: find accredited graduate programs
CSDCAS: centralized application service for Audiology and SLP programs
Prerequisite Course Content Areas: liberal arts and SLP courses needed to apply to graduate programs. Note that some direct-entry Masters programs will allow you to complete SLP courses in a bridge semester after an offer of admission
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC): information about veterinary medicine and vet schools
- Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements (VMSAR): an online database that allows you to browse, search, sort, and compare information about U.S., Canadian, and international veterinary medical schools
VMCAS: central application site for vet school
Vet School Student Engagement System (VSES): monthly AAVMC newsletter with customized pathways for first/second-year students and juniors/seniors/graduates.
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC): information about veterinary medicine and vet schools