What Can I Do with a Pre-Med Degree?

<h3 id="section---WhatIsAPreMedDegree">What is a Pre-Med Degree?</h3> <p>Pre-med degree programs are designed for students who want to pursue a medical or science-related career. The term 'pre-med' refers to the prerequisite coursework that medical schools require for admittance. </p> <p>Pre-med typically isn't offered as a standalone major. Instead, you might choose a major in a related subject, such as chemistry or biology, and complete a pre-med curriculum in addition to your major. There are many options available to you once you've completed your bachelor's program, including medical school, entry-level careers and other graduate study. Below is an overview on the common types of pre-med careers, along with pre-med salary information. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutPreMedCareerOptions">Important Facts About Pre-Med Career Options</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> High School Teacher </th><th> Clinical Lab Technologist </th><th> Mechanical Engineer</th></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2018) </td><td> $60,320 </td><td> $52,330 (clinical laboratory technologists and technicians) </td><td> $87,370</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2016-2026) </td><td> 8% growth </td><td> 12% growth (medical and clinical laboratory technologists) </td><td> 9% growth</td></tr> <tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Clear communication; patience; ingenuity </td><td> Technologically savvy; attention to detail; manual dexterity; physical stamina </td><td> Problem solving; solid mathematical foundation; creativity; active listening</td></tr> <tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Career and technical education teachers; childcare workers; librarians </td><td> Biological technicians; chemists and materials scientists; chemical technicians </td><td> Materials engineers; drafters; mathematicians</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---MedicalSchool">Medical School</h3> <p>If you dream of becoming a physician, a pre-med program can provide you with a strong science curriculum that serves as a foundation for medical school. It's important to note that most medical schools don't require a specific undergraduate major; in fact, many schools encourage diversity in their candidates' course of study and routinely admit non-science majors. Most medical schools require that your undergraduate program include a minimum number of courses in science and math, including biology, chemistry, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Where_Can_I_Find_Organic_Chemistry_Courses_Online.html">organic chemistry</a>, physics and calculus. </p> <h3 id="section---EntryLevelCareerOptions">Entry-Level Career Options</h3> <p>While many careers might require some additional training or certification, several entry-level opportunities do exist. For example, if you've completed pre-med coursework in addition to a major in a natural science, you're generally qualified for an entry-level career in science, such as research assistant or biology teacher. If you were pre-med in addition to a non-science major, such as English literature or engineering, you might qualify for an entry-level position as a clinical lab technologist, mechanical engineer or patient services representative. </p> <p>If you have an interest in the medical field but don't want to commit to the many years of additional education it takes to become a doctor, there are many options for terminal professional certificate or diploma programs in allied healthcare. Some popular certificate programs include nuclear medicine technology, physician's assistant training, informatics and medical dosimetry. </p> <h3 id="section---GraduateOptions">Graduate Options</h3> <p>With a pre-med degree, you also might be qualified to pursue advanced study in several areas of graduate school, depending on your other interests and experience. If you hold a degree in a natural science like biology, you might pursue a master's or doctoral degree and specialize in a particular area of study, such as microbiology or epidemiology. Most advanced natural science degree programs involve both classroom study and laboratory work. </p> <p>If you like working with animals and particularly enjoy biology, you might decide to pursue <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Education_Requirements_to_Be_a_Veterinarian.html">veterinary school</a>. If you like working with athletes and want to help people recover from injuries or surgery, you might want to pursue a graduate program in physical therapy. Other options you could pursue include dentistry, psychiatry and occupational therapy.</p>