Medical clinical sciences/graduate medical studies degrees available through accredited colleges and universities prepare you for an enterprising career in medicine. An undergraduate degree must be completed prior to enrollment in medical clinical sciences/graduate medical studies programs. The undergraduate degree can be in any field, but you must take the necessary undergraduate courses for your program. Generally, these include biology, chemistry, and mathematics classes. Admittance into Graduate and Doctorate programs generally requires successful completion of entrance examinations such as the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) or DAT (Dental Admission Test).
The typical work experience for someone finishing a program in medical clinical sciences/graduate medical studies will vary depending on their educational focus. Some medical professions have a majority of their workers operating through a private practice, where they see patients and reap their incomes depending on the amount of people they treat. Others work in clinics or hospitals for a salary and are at the behest of their bosses, typically senior practitioners in the field that have climbed the ladder to success and administrative positions.
According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 43 percent of physicians and surgeons work 50 or more hours per week while nine percent of them work part-time. The profession is exceptionally rewarding since your work directly affects the health and well-being of people. Students interested in entering the profession, however, should be prepared to deal with considerable stress, as their work may be taxing and quite busy.
Curriculum for Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies Postsecondary Programs
The courses you will take in a medical clinical sciences/graduate medical studies program depend on the specialization you choose. Some of the classes, however, include:
There are varieties of degrees that can be attained in a medical clinical sciences/graduate medical studies program. Depending on your choice of specialization, you can attain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, which requires approximately four years of study. After attaining this degree, students must complete a residency in their field, which requires another three to eight years. Residents shadow doctors and learn the techniques they need to know through first-hand experience. Students can also obtain a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, which requires the same amount of time, but approaches medicine in a slightly different way. They can also earn Doctorates in psychology or other fields depending on their choice of profession.
Enrolling in a medical clinical sciences/graduate medical studies program will teach you a variety of skills that will benefit you professionally and in your personal life. Some of these skills include:
Job opportunities in the medical industry should be very good and employment should grow much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment of physicians and surgeons is expected to increase by 22 percent through 2018 and physicians in primary care enjoyed a median compensation of $186,044 in 2008 while those in medical specialties earned $339,738.