Pathways to Careers through Mansfield University: Selected Health Professions
Many students enter college with the goal of pursuing a career in healthcare, often with the goal of helping others and giving back to the community. Entering into healthcare is also a good career choice looking to future job opportunities. In Northeast Pennsylvania, the healthcare industry is currently the largest employer, and is predicted to have the most growth in the near future, adding approximately 10,000 jobs between 2014 and 2024.
Although most students are aware of healthcare careers such as doctors and nurses, there are many alternative careers which perform similar duties and are critical to the healthcare system. Some of these careers include:
- physician assistants,
- physical therapists,
- dentists,
- chiropractors,
- medical laboratory technicians,
- optometrists,
- pharmacists,
- nutritionists, and
- health educators.
Mansfield University provides the educational background which prepare students to successfully enter into each of these healthcare career paths, among others.
Students interested in healthcare might also consider: Social Work, Psychology (Counseling Concentration), or Nutrition.
Health Career Pathways
- Medical Doctor (Pre-Med)
- Nurse
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Physical Therapist
- Dentist
- Chiropractor
- Optometrist
- Pharmacist
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Nutritionist
- Community Health Educator
Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy (Pre-Med)
Doctors are typically responsible for examining, diagnosing, and directing the treatment of patients. There are two types of degrees which doctors can hold: Medical Doctor and Doctor of Osteopathy. Although there are some differences to their approach to medicine, both have full practice rights across the U.S. and can become specialists. Demand for some specialties are predicted to grow dramatically in Northeast PA, such as podiatry which is predicted to grow by 70% between 2014 and 2024.
Mansfield University can prepare students to enter into either type of medical school. One suggested pathway is below. With proper advising, it is possible to progress to medical school with other majors such Nutrition or Chemistry. Mansfield University has an ongoing affiliation agreement with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), which will be opening a campus in Elmira, NY (40 minutes from Mansfield University) in July 2020.
- Major: Biology, Cell and Molecular Concentration
- Major Elective Choices: BI 3390 Biostatistics and Experimental Design
- General Education Course Choices: PSY 1101 Introduction to General Psychology, NTR 2211 Introduction to Nutrition
- Additional Advised Courses: BSC 1121 and BSC 1122 Human Anatomy I & II
- Outside Activity: Suggested shadowing
- Entrance Exams:
- MCAT:
- Most medical schools require students to submit MCAT scores with their application.
- MCATs are offered year-round
- Should be taken end of junior year (March-May); take early so you can take it twice if necessary
- MCAT:
- Application to medical schools: You will complete an application through American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) for M.D. programs and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) for D.O. schools
- Affiliation Agreements:
- Mansfield University has an early acceptance program with the LECOM School of Osteopathic Medicine. Students can apply any time in their first two years at Mansfield. LECOM will interview the student prior to their enrollment at Mansfield University of PA or within the first two years of study at Mansfield University of PA. Students interviewing successfully will be offered a provisional acceptance to LECOM's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. Up to five students can accepted into this program each year.
Nurse
Mansfield offers a B.S.N. in Nursing in the Department of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Similar to doctors, physician assistants are typically trained to take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans for their patients, and prescribe medications and assist in surgery (although not perform the surgery itself). Physician assistants must work under the supervision of a doctor. In most states, the scope of practice of physician assistants can be determined within each medical practice.
Mansfield University can prepare students to enter into a physician assistant (PA) program. One suggested pathway is below. With proper advising, it is possible to progress to PA school with other majors such Nutrition or Chemistry.:
- Major: Biology, Bachelor of Science
- Major Elective Choices: BI 3371 General Microbiology, BI 3372 Genetics
- General Education Course Choices: MA 1125 Introduction to Statistics, NTR 2211 Introduction to Nutrition, PSY 1101 Introduction to General Psychology
- Additional Advised Courses:
- Required: BSC 1121 Anatomy and Physiology I, BSC 1122 Anatomy and Physiology II
- Recommended
- Outside Activity: medical hands-on patient care experience necessary for application to PA programs
- Entrance Exams:
- GRE:
- Most physician assistant programs require GRE scores with the application.
- GREs are offered year-round
- Should be taken summer between junior and senior year
- GRE:
- Application to PA programs: complete CASPA application
Physical Therapist
Mansfield University can successfully prepare you to pursue a physical therapy career. To become a licensed physical therapist, you will need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and pass the licensure exam.
- Major: A Biology degree (General Biology or Cell and Molecular Concentration) with course selections similar to those listed for medical school preparation (four-year plan) will provide the prerequisites for application to PT school.
- Additional advised courses: PT schools usually require two semesters of Anatomy & Physiology, which can easily be fit into your four-year program at Mansfield.
- Outside experience: As with most other health professional programs, PT experience (shadowing or internship) is required by many programs. Mansfield has agreements in place for these experiences in local Physical Therapy practices (walking distance from campus). For more information on the admissions process to Physical Therapy graduate programs, see the American Physical Therapy Association's Admissions Process website. More details to be added shortly.
- Entrance exams: GRE
- Application: Application is centralized through Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
Dentist
The aging baby boomer generation means an increase in demand for dental services as well as a large number of retirements from the dentistry profession. There is also an increasing recognition of the role in oral health in overall health (such as a link to cardiovascular disease). Because of these trends, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics demand for dentists is predicted to increase by 18% from 2014 to 2024, much higher than most occupations. Dentists are in particular demand in rural areas like northeastern Pennsylvania as noted in this news article "A Good Dentist is Hard to Find in Rural America."
Affiliation agreement:
- Mansfield University has an early acceptance program with the LECOM School of Dental Medicine. Students can apply any time in their first two years at Mansfield. LECOM will interview the student prior to their enrollment at Mansfield University of PA or within the first two years of study at Mansfield University of PA. Students interviewing successfully will be offered a provisional acceptance to LECOM's Doctor of Dental Medicine program. Up to five students can accepted into this program each year. Contact the Biology Department for more details.
Check individual schools (pdf)for specific required/recommended courses. For general information see the American Dental Education Association's guide to preparing for dental school.
Mansfield University can prepare students to enter into a dentistry program:
- Major: Biology, Cell and Molecular Concentration
- Major Elective Choices:
- General Education Course Choices: A basic business or computer course is recommended due to the fact that many dentists choose to pursue private practice
- Additional Advised Courses:
- MA 1125 Introduction to Statistics
- BSC 1121 Anatomy & Physiology I
- Entrance Exams:
- DAT (Dental Admissions Test):
- Most dentistry programs require DAT scores with the application.
- View the full DAT guide.
- DAT (Dental Admissions Test):
- Application to dentistry programs: You will complete an application through American Association for Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
Chiropractor
Mansfield University can successfully prepare you to pursue a chiropractic career. One option is our NYCC 3+3 Articulation Agreement (pdf). More details to be added shortly regarding general chiropractic school admissions requirements. Contact the Biology Department for more information.
Major: Biology
Affiliation agreement:
Mansfield University has an articulation agreement with New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) which allows Mansfield students to apply to NYCC in their first year of Mansfield University to pursue a 3+3 program (3 years at each school). Students in the program must complete specified course requirements (pdf) and receive a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.10, and earn a minimum of "C" (2.0) in all specified science courses (chemistry, organic chemistry, biology and physics) to guarantee admission into the entrance date of their choice. For more details, contact the Biology Department.
Optometrist
Mansfield University can successfully prepare you to pursue a career as an optometrist. Details to be added shortly. Contact the Biology Program for more information.
Pharmacist
Mansfield University can successfully prepare you to pursue a career as a pharmacist through either the Biology or Chemistry Programs.
Affiliation agreement:
Mansfield University has an early acceptance program with the LECOM School of Pharmacy. Students can apply any time in their first two years at Mansfield. LECOM will interview the student prior to their enrollment at Mansfield University of PA or within the first two years of study at Mansfield University of PA. Students interviewing successfully will be offered a provisional acceptance to LECOM's Doctor of Pharmacy program. Up to five students can accepted into this program each year. Contact the Biology Program for more details.
More details to be added shortly. Contact the Biology or Chemistry Programs for more information.
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical laboratory technicians perform complex laboratory analysis that plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for Medical Technicians (Clinical Laboratory Scientists), is predicted to grow by 13% by 2026. In 2015, the median salary for medical laboratory technicians was about $41,420, and $60,520 annually for medical laboratory scientists, based on geographic location. Currently there is a shortage in many parts of the country improving employment prospects and higher salaries for graduates. For more information you can visitthe American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science website.
At Mansfield University, the Medical Laboratory Sciences program includes three years of academic study on campus and one year (50 weeks) of clinical study at an approved hospital school of Medical Technology such as the Robert Packer Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Sciences in Sayre, Pennsylvania. This program is designed to prepare students for a professional career in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology.
Nutritionist
Mansfield offers a B.S. in Nutrition with concentrations in dietetics or sports nutrition.
Community Health Educator
Mansfield offers both a B.S. in Community Health Education and an A.A.S. in Health Education.