1. Indiana University

Indiana University is located in Bloomington Indiana and enrolls over 43,000 students. This public institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. The student to faculty ratio is 16 to 1. According to Carnegie, Indiana University is a Doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report, Indiana University is the 76th best school in the nation and ranks highly for veterans, innovation, value, business programming and computer science. In fact their business programs are some of the best programs in the country including number four from entrepreneurship and number six for accounting. To support the success of the students at this rigorous institution the university offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. In recent years, the university has offered online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students alike.

Indiana university offers an online bachelors degree in nutrition. This program includes course material in nutrition and exercise, theory and practice of translating nutrition, human nutrition throughout the lifespan and health promotion and disease prevention. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public institution located across the state of Arizona. Their campus immersion is headquartered located in Tempe Arizona. The current student enrollment is over 50,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 20 to 1. ASU offers bachelors masters and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, ASU ranks as a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks ASU as the number one most innovative school in the nation. Their innovation ranking stems from their assessment of curriculums, faculty and students and technology used in the curriculums. In recent years, ASU has grown an entirely online university known as Arizona State University online. ASU offers hundreds of online programs for both undergraduate and graduate students as well as those returning to school to seek professional certification. Their online offerings are considered to be some of the best in the world.

One of their online offerings as the online Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Entrepreneurship. This is the inter-disciplinary program that features manufacturing marketing and management programming with a food twist. The food and nutrition degree courses include microbiology, anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of writing for digital media, accounting and financial analysis and an introduction to chemistry. From this program you’ll be able to start a career as a food quality control technician, food scientist, a chef, a certified health education specialist a restaurant manager public relations manager and more. Graduates from this program will have the knowledge to address challenges from the industry. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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3. Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University TWU is located in Denton, Texas and is a public institution that enrolls over 15,000 students. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1923. The university offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and according to Carnegie is classified as a doctoral/professional university. To support the success of their students, the University offers academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, and distance-learning opportunities. According to the US News and World Report, Texas Women’s University is nationally ranked.

TW offers a Bachelor of Science and Nutrition with an emphasis in dietetics. This is a 120 to 130 credit our program and when taken full-time may be completed in four years. In this program you’ll study food nutrition sciences and as well as how to manage and create nutrition programs. The course features small classes and a knowledgeable faculty. This is a hybrid course that takes place on TWU Denton campus with some online course options. This degree does prepare students to take the national registration examination for dietetics in Texas and licensure through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians. The curriculums focuses on 53 credit hours of nutrition and dietetics and 35 hours of electives. Students also complete a Dietetic internship which takes 6 to 24 months. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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4. Ohio State University

Ohio State University is a public four-year institution that’s located in Columbus, Ohio. The University enrolls over 60,000 students and offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications. The student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. According to Carnegie, Ohio State University is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks Ohio State University OSU as the 53rd best school on the nation as well as highly for veterans, undergraduate teaching, value, innovation, undergraduate engineering, business program in computer science learning communities and much more. In recent years, Ohio State University has expanded their online offerings and includes programming for undergraduate as well as graduate students. In fact OSU has some of the largest online offerings in the world.

Among their online offerings is the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences that’s offered through the college of medicine. This program format is entirely online. Some of the sample courses include: health promotion and disease prevention, application of ethical decision making in healthcare, individual differences in patient/client relationships. This program prepares students for a health related career such as in physical therapy occupational therapy medicine dentistry etc. OSU is military friendly. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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5. SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Oneonta is a public four year institution located in Oneonta New York. The institution enrolls over 6000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. SUNY Oneonta offers bachelors and Masters degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, the institution is a masters college and university. The university has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1949.

The university features the Bachelors of Science in Dietetics. This program is structured to meet the requirements of becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. The program prepares you for the registered dietitian exam. This is an interdisciplinary program that specializes in human biology and bio chemistry as well as food science and how the body utilizes nutrients for optimal health throughout the lifecycle. The program prepares you for a career in dietetics or to pursue the master of science in nutrition and dietetics. This program has been accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Education and Nutrition and Dietetics Education. The course features some of the following core courses: dietetics profession seminar, advanced nutrition, food science, design layout and operations, food service systems management. Students will study bio chemistry, cellular perspectives in biology, sociology psychology, statistics and more. As you can see this is an inter-disciplinary degree. For more information and to apply to check out their website.

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6. Rutgers University

Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public four-year institution and enrolls over 50,000 students. New Brunswick university affers associates bachelors masters and doctoral degree’s and professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report ,Rutgers University New Brunswick is the 63rd best school in the nation and ranks highly for veterans value social mobility engineering business programming, computer science and much more. When it comes to public schooling Rutgers University is among the top in fact is ranked 23rd in the nation along with Pennsylvania State University and the University of Connecticut. To support the success of their students in this rigorous institution Rutgers offers academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. In fact, undergraduate students and graduate students may pursue programming online.

Rutgers offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. The program features a flexible online model that leads to the DTR designation. This program has been accredited by the accreditation Council for education and nutrition and dietetics. This program will take 2 to 3 years to complete and requires 42 to 53 credit hours. Additionally students will complete 1200 hours of supervised practice in their geographic location. This program is intended for credentialed dietetic technicians who are looking to advancing their career and build on their previous education. This is an inter-disciplinary program that features health sciences and pre-professional courses as well as clinical opportunities. The curriculum features the following: nutritional microbiology, preventative nutrition, and advanced nutritional physiology among others. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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7. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is located in Tucson. The institution enrolls over 44,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Arizona offers bachelors masters in doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. To support the success of the students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling in distance-learning opportunities among others. According to Carnegie, Arizona ranks as a doctoral University with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Arizona ranks as the 97th best school on the nation and highly for value, computer scienc,e engineering, business programming and much more.

Among their online offerings is their Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences. Students will have the opportunity to specialize in either dietetics or nutrition. If you follow the dietetic synthesis then you are allowed to apply for dietetic internship and become a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The nutrition emphasis focuses on careers and graduate studies in food science, dentistry, nursing, nutrition, physical therapy even veterinary medicine. The nutritional emphasis gives you a few options and combines medicine along with food chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology and nutrition and foods. The dietetics emphasis prepares you to work in disease prevention and management, community health and wellness, counseling, and food science in the food industry. Some of the courses include sports nutrition, community nutrition, lifecycle nutrition, diet genes and disease experiential learning and nutrition, and foundations of medical nutrition therapy. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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8. University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado is located in Greenley, Colorado. The institution offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as professional doctoral programming. UNCO enrolls over 12,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio 17 to 1. According to Carnegie, UNCO is a doctoral/professional university. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. According to the US News and World Report UNCO is a nationally ranked institution and is one of the top performers in social mobility. Their student support services include academic and career counseling, remedial services, and distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate as well as graduate students may pursue a degree entirely online.

UNCO extended campus offers a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. This program has been accredited by the ACEND and adhered to competencies as they are described in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students have two options when pursuing distance-learning in the dietetic programming they may pursue the DND only which is a certification program for the dietetic special or bachelor of science for individuals who are seeking to complete their bachelors degree or complete a second bachelors degree. The core curriculum is 31 credit hoursand follows a 16-week semester format followed by a summer term which is eight weeks long. Some of the courses may include an introduction to food lives, nutritional applications in food service, food service systems management, and medical nutrition intervention. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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9. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri is located in Columbia, Missouri. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctorale degrees and is classified according to Carnegie as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Mizzou enrolls over 30,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Missouri ranks as the 124th best school in the nation and highly for veterans, value, public schooling, engineering, business trade gaming, computer science, agricultural programming and much more. In recent years, Mizzou has expanded their programming to offer Mizzou online. Undergraduate as well as graduate students may pursue programming online.

Missouri Online offers an online bachelor of science in health science. This is a non-clinical degree that helps you prepare for a health-related field. This is a 100% online program that’s been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The total number of credit hours is 120 and students may transfer up to 64 credit hours. This online course covers health professions and leadership and an introduction to health professions as well as healthcare in the United States and introduction to research, clinical ethics hands-on learning experiences and public health principles as well as practice. The program prepare students for a health related career. For students interested in pursuing a clinical graduate or professional program they should take pre-requisite science courses. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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10. Weber State University

Weber State University is a public four year institution located in Ogden, Utah. The institution offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certification. Currently, Weber enrolls over 29,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1. To support the success of their students the university offers credit for life experiences, dual credits, academic and career counseling, and distance learning opportunities. According to Carnegie, Weber University is classified as a Masters College University with larger programming. Some of their most popular academic programs are in the fields of Business health and liberal arts. Cording to the US News and World Report Weber State University is regionally ranked.

Weber offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Education. This this major allows students to concentrate in integrative or sports nutrition. The integrative nutrition option may be completed fully online focuses on sustainable cooking, the lifespan, fitness and current issues. Students may complete elective courses in a related discipline such as botany, child and family studies, exercise and sport science, communications, physical education, psychology and more. The sports nutrition concentration focuses on sports nutrition advanced human nutrition, anatomy physiology, chemistry and other related subjects and athletic training. The degree program is 120 credit hours in length 60 credit hours must be from the major. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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11. Kansas State University

Kansas State University is a public four year institution that offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. The student population is over 20,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan Kansas and has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. According to Carnegie, Kansas State University is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks Kansas State University as the 170the best school in the nation as well as highly for engineering, business programming and computer science. To support the success of their students Kansas State University offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities.

Kansas State Online offers a bachelors degree in dietetics. If you’re looking to become a registered dietitian and are interested in pursuing that online than this is the degree program for you. This program has been accredited by the ACEND and leads to eligibility to apply for supervised practice. As a registered dietitian you may have a career in one of the following settings: hospitals, clinics or extended care facilities as well as in community and public health organizations or universities researching and teaching. The curriculum of this program includes course material in basic nutrition, human nutrition, management and dietetics, nutritional assessment, lifespan nutrition, clinical nutrition. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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12. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa. The university offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree‘s and enrolls over 38,000 students. According to Carnegie UA is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The U.S. News and World Report ranks UA as the 143rd best school in the nation and highly for value, social mobility, business programming, engineering and more. To support the success of their students the University of Alabama offers academic and career counseling, study abroad programming, and online offerings. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue a degree entirely online. Bama by Distance is the University of Alabama’s online school.

One of their online offerings is the Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition. This 120 credit hour program may be completed entirely online. If you are passionate about nutrition then you may wish to follow this accredited program. This program has been designed for working adults. This program satisfies part of the requirements that will lead to a registered dietitian credential. The required major courses include the following: an introduction to human nutrition, nutrition in the lifecycle, food science, community nutrition, nutrition counseling, applied nutrition, food service management, quality food production service, and much more. The required science courses are in chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology and microbiology. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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13. Azusa Pacific University

The Azusa Pacific University APU is a private institution located in Azusa, California. APU enrolls over 9000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Azusa university is a doctoral institution with high research activity. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as professional and academic career counseling. According to the US News and World Report APU is a nationally ranked university the ranks highly for a first year experiences and social mobility. Additionally, APU offers a wide array of online offerings including in the fields of business, education, nursing and more.

APU offers an online Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Allied Health. To determine which pathway is right for you determine your career goals. The bachelor of arts provides prerequisites for careers in cytotechnology, nursing, nutrition and dietetics and more. The bachelor of science provides the prerequisites for chiropractic, clinical laboratory science, and physician assistance coursework. This program has been accredited by the WSCUC. Additionally, the university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Health with an emphasis in business. The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Health includes course material in the following areas: physics for life sciences, human growth and development, kinesiology, the psychology of personality, and stress and coping. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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14. Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University is a public four year institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The institution enrolls over 17,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. EMichigan offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree is as well as professional certifications and is currently classified according to Carnegie as a doctoral University with high research activity. The institution has been accredited by the higher learning commission since 1915. According to the US news and world report Eastern Michigan University ranks Nationally. To support the success of their students Eastern Michigan University offers academic and career counseling credit for life experiences and distance-learning opportunities. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue an online degree a degree online. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of business education engineering and health.

The School of Health Sciences college of Health and Human Services offers the Bachelors in Dietetics and Human Nutrition. This program teaches you how health and nutrition affects the performance of the body. The program leads to the RDN credential. Students may pursue both a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics as well as the Master of Science in Dietetics. Their Bachelors of Science in Dietetics includes course material in nutrition of the lifecycle, integrative medicine, development of the entrepreneurial dietitian, nutritional therapy, food service systems management, nutrition nutrient metabolism: micro nutrients, as well as a number of seminars in dietetics. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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15. University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution that enrolls just over 12,000 students. The institution maintains a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. UAA offers associates bachelors masters and doctorate degrees as well professional certifications and is classified according to Carnegie as a master college with larger programming. The University of Alaska Anchorage is regionally ranked according to the US News and World Report and as the 75th best school in the west and ranks highly for undergraduate engineering, social mobility, business programming, computer science and more. To support the success of their students, the university offers academic and career counseling, study abroad programming, ROTC, and distance learning opportunities for both undergraduates and graduates like.

The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics ACEND. This degree provides the prerequisite requirements necessary to complete a dietetic internship and to be eligible to take the registered dietitian nutritionist RDN examination. The purpose of this program is to preparestudents for supervised practice. The course material includes a strong science foundation along with courses in management food science therapeutic nutrition, nutrition and development, clinical and community nutrition, as well as courses in management. As you can see, this is an inter-disciplinary program that would be appropriate for anyone applying to work in a clinical setting or for private practice. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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16. Pacific University

Pacific University is a private four-year institution located in Forest Grove, Oregon. The university enrolls 3,832 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1. Pacific University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Pacific University is a doctoral/professional university. To support the success of their students the university offers academic and career counseling along with distance-learning opportunities. This institution has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1929. According to the US News and World Report Pacific University is a national institution that also ranks highly for veterans, value, and social mobility. Some of their most popular online offerings are in the fields of health.

Pacific University offers an online Bachelor of Health Science. This program has been designed for working professionals and is formatted online with live weekly interactive sessions. Upon completion, students may puruse a career in one of the following settings: hospitals, healthcare systems, health insurance companies, public health agencies, dental and medical practices, nurse facilities and more. This program follows a cohort model and has 40 credits. The course material was developed both by faculty as well as practitioners in healthcare. The curriculum focuses on the following areas: healthcare finance and accounting, research methods, healthcare strategic planning and marketing, and includes an internship. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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17. University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word is a private institution located in San Antonio, Texas. This is a doctoral/professional university according to Carnegie and it is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. To support the success of their students the institution offers remedial services as well as academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, study abroad programming, ROTC teacher certification and distance-learning opportunities. The most popular programs are in the fields of business, health, and visual and performing arts. In recent years, the University of the Incarnate Word has expanded their programming online and offers online degrees for both undergraduate and graduate students.

UIW offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Students may choose from two concentrations including: administration, and general studies. The administration concentration prepares you for four nationally accredited healthcare certifications including in cardiac rhythm analysis, certified billing and coding, certified electronica health, and certified medical administrative assistance. General studies concentration includes 18 or more transfer credits in allied health or the appropriate military training. Some of the core course material includes: medical coding, healthcare organizations in administration, healthcare communication, healthcare ethics and law, HIPPA compliance and certification, an introduction to the electronic health record, and healthcare ethics in law and third-party payment systems. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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18. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public four year institution that offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The university enrolls 4,700 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. According to Carnegie, Clarion is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, ROTC, teacher certification options, as well as distance-learning opportunities. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Clarion offers an online Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Leadership. Are you looking to become a healthcare manager? Than this is the program for you. Additionally this online degree allow students to pursue a career in healthcare education, medical sales, healthcare services management and more. As you can see, this is an inter-disciplinary program. This program has been designed for working professionals who need to balance work and life responsibilities and includes course material in financial accounting, managerial accounting, financial management, leadership and more. Like with most bachelors degrees, students will complete liberal education credits as well as the profession in the science as well also science proficiency. Additionally as this is an inter-disciplinary program, students must complete course material in micro and macro economics. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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19. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private four-year institution located in Manchester, New Hampshire. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. SMHU as a very large institution that enrolls over 100,000 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 22 to 1. SNHU is considered to be one of the most innovative schools in the world. According to the US News and World report, Southern New Hampshire University ranks as the most innovative school in the north. Their innovation core takes into account curriculum, faculty, students, campus life as well as technology and facilities. SNHU is known for its online offerings. In fact, students may select from hundreds of online programs from the undergraduate and graduate level.

SNHU offers a Bachelors in Health Science online. Students may transfer up to 90 credits of this 120 credit our program.SNHU features affordable programming that is accredited by the NECHE as well as no application fee. SAT/ACT scores are not required. Students may also apply credits from their associates degree in allied health. The purpose of this program is to meet the growing need for non-management roles in healthcare. Students may pursue a career in one of the following areas: cardiovascular technology, diagnostic medical technology, radiography, restoration therapy, and much more. The current curriculum includes course material in health and sciences, healthcare finance, healthcare reimbursement, healthcare delivery systems and more. All students must complete an introduction to anatomy and physiology as well as statistics courses for healthcare professionals. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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20. Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The institution offers comprehensive programming as well as professional certifications. Their current enrollment is over 38,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 24 to 1. According to Carnegie, Purdue Global is a baccalaureate college that features diverse fields. To support the success of their students Purdue global offers academic and career counseling along with their distance learning opportunities. Their online offerings center on in demand fields such as health, education, computer information sciences, and Homeland security.

Purdue University Global offers a Bachelor of Science in nutrition. The course focuses on nutrition science and healthcare and highlights foundational knowledge as well as exposes you to research methods and applications that prepare you for a career in healthcare and nutrition. The major requirements include core courses in food safety, nutritional analysis and assessment, nutritional coaching counseling, food science says with a lab as well as a bachelors capstone and nutrition. The total credit requirements of this program is 180. All students must complete a mathematics social science science and arts and humanities requirement along with their general education electives.The majority of the credits are in open electives in fact, students for must complete 75 open up elective credits. Open electives give students the opportunity to expand and tailor their degree to match their interests. For more information about this program, check out their website.

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The post The 20 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees In Nutrition appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Biochemistry is the science of life. All our life processes – walking, talking, moving, feeding – are essentially chemical reactions. So biochemistry is actually the chemistry of life, and it’s supremely interesting. – Aaron Ciechanover

Chemistry is the science of energy, matter, and how they interact. It is compelling, universal, and constantly omnipresent in our lives, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Besides being a fascinating, challenging discipline, studying chemistry will let you understand all that silently governs the world around us. Energy and matter’s combinations, conflicts and reactions control, maintain and structure what we see and experience, as well as all that we can’t. But when you study chemistry, you can explore and comprehend what was previously unknowable, and begin to take control of processes that generally act upon us instead of at our behest.

In science, chemistry is seen as a bridge between biology and physics. It’s known for facilitating understanding of the world at a fundamental level. You need chemistry to understand how plants and animals consume and process energy, which is essential to botany and biology. You also need it to explore the way rocks are formed, or how the ozone came to be, and the factors degrading it. In medicine, forensics, astrophysics, you name it, chemistry is the way we describe and explain the world around us.

We take discoveries like the periodic table, electrons, and the inner workings of oxygen for granted, but think about how remarkable those findings were, especially considering they were uncovered in the 1700s and 1800s. Imagine defining and identifying unseen aspects of the world that few had even imagined or attempted to describe. That’s what chemists do.

Chemistry hasn’t only shown us the nature of the world we live in, and it’s helped us tap into parts of ourselves that may have remained dormant forever without intervention.

Like many breakthroughs in chemistry LSD was created accidentally. In 1938 Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman was researching ergot, a deadly fungus that could be used to constrict blood vessels and aid childbirth when administered in small doses. During his work, Hoffman and his colleagues accidentally synthesized LSD. They didn’t even realize its hallucinogenic properties until five years later. Since then the drug has had a profound impact on our culture, and many people credit it for changing the way they perceive themselves, others, and the world.

And of course, chemists have saved countless lives through their work with vaccines. In the 17th and 18th centuries, smallpox was killing massive swaths of the European population. It wasn’t until Lady Mary Wortley Montagu adopted the Turkish technique of inoculation on her own son, and brought the practice back to England that the disease began to be defeated. Eventually, Edward Jenner invented the smallpox vaccine in 1796, marking the first time a successful vaccine was created. He used inoculation to do so, and smallpox has since been eradicated.

These are just a few of the things chemists have done over the years that changed humanity, and the world itself.

You can be a part of these discoveries, critical research, and life-changing work by earning a degree in chemistry. It won’t be a painless path, but it can be an extremely rewarding one. However, it begins with finding the right chemistry degree for you, which can be a daunting process. That’s why we’re here to help.

In this sprawling resource we’ll look at the different levels of chemistry degrees, going over different focus areas in the field, look at the work we’ve created at Degree Query to help you find the right chemistry degree for you, and we’ll try to help you determine whether chemistry is the right fit for you or not.

While reading this, please ask yourself and consider the following:

• What are your short and longterm career goals, and how can a chemistry degree in turning them from goals into realities?
• Chemistry is a broad field with many applications, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t know exactly what you want to do in it yet, however, having a general idea will be helpful in your degree search.
• What degree level have you achieved thus far in your higher education? What job would you like in chemistry, and what degree level is necessary to be qualified for it?
• Entry-level chemistry positions often require a Bachelor’s degree, but candidates with graduate or doctoral degrees are extremely coveted, especially for highly competitive or supervisory roles.
• How much can you pay in tuition and the other associated costs for a specific chemistry degree, and how much would you have to take out in loans in order to pay for one?
• There are many costs that can come with earning a chemistry degree. Factors governing these include the school you choose and its prices, the delivery formats you select, scholarships, and loans you might qualify for, along with many other contributing elements.
• Whenever possible, try to choose a school you can afford instead of borrowing money. For many people, this isn’t possible, so if you need to borrow money to afford a degree, do your best to find public loans instead of private ones. You should also strive to pick programs from schools that are more affordable, accredited, and non-profit over expensive, for-profit options.
• Try to calculate approximately how much an investment in school would cost through all of its components, and how much return on investment you can expect in the 5-10 years after you graduate from it.
• How much time are you able to devote to a specific chemistry degree daily, weekly, and in total before you graduate from it? Different chemistry degree programs offer their classes through many different formats.
• These might include full-time, part-time, online, on-campus, or through a hybrid of online and traditional on-campus instruction.
• Where do you want to live and work after earning your chemistry degree? Different states, cities, and industries have higher or lower demands for chemists.
• What is your career and educational background thus far? How can a chemistry degree program you’re looking at reinforce your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses?
• What are the available specializations in chemistry degrees? How can a focus or specialization in the field help you achieve your educational and career goals?

This is just a light smattering of the questions and considerations you should explore while searching for a chemistry degree (or any other degree program). Whenever you’re searching for a degree, it’s very helpful to write out any other desires, needs, questions, considerations, and anything else that will impact the schools you can and want to get into. You need to determine what you want from a chemistry program, and whether one is fulfilling those needs.

Now let’s look at some of the things that make chemists successful. Please consider if these apply to you and if they don’t, whether you want to work towards them. Is chemistry right for you? Only you can determine that for sure, but this can help:

What are the Qualities and Attributes that Make Chemists Successful?

• Willingness to Continue Your Education: While you can work as a successful chemist after earning a Bachelor’s, those who continue to earn advanced degrees will see far more success and more importantly, gain a much better understanding of the field.
• Open-mindedness: Many major discoveries in chemistry happened because of someone’s curiosity or refusal to take conventional wisdom as empirical truth. New discoveries are happening all the time that can dramatically change what we take for granted, and good chemists embrace this intrinsically.
• Flexibility: Chemists work many different places, taking on vastly different responsibilities depending on their position. You’ll need to be open to doing work that may not be ideal to you as you build up your chemistry career.
• Actual Experience: Chemistry is highly theoretical, but also extremely practical. If you have some experience in a lab or can get some, that will do wonders for increasing your opportunities in the field.
• Analytical Chops: Chemists must use logic, analysis, and the willingness to reexamine things they’ve taken for granted to be successful.
• Organized and Problem Solving: You’ll be juggling a lot, so the ability to break it into bite-sized pieces is huge for chemists. Most importantly though, you’ll need a knack for identifying problems, hypothesizing solutions, then testing and recalibrating your prescriptions.

Now let’s look at what we’ve done at Degree Query to help you find a chemistry degree or another educational discipline that’s right for you:

How Can We Help You Find the Right Chemistry Degree for You?

Here at Degree Query we’ve worked very hard to give you tools you need to find the right degree for you, whether that’s in chemistry or another educational area. We’ve ranked jobs, schools, and degree options in a number of ways. We’ve answered common questions about the higher education landscape, built tools like our interactive compare careers resource, which was designed to help you find the best degree for your needs and goals. Some of the work we’ve done that applies to chemistry and adjacent fields, and the schools that offer them include:

Rankings

• Top 50 Degrees for the Future
• Top 50 Degrees For Changing The World
• Top 50 Highest Paying Master’s Degrees
• Top 20 Highest Paying Online Degrees
• Top 10 Highest Paying Medical Specialties
• Top 10 Highest Paying Science Careers
• Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

And here’s some of the question’s we’ve answered:

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Can I Do With a Chemical Engineering Degree?
• What Can I Do With a Food Science Degree?
• What Is the Benefit of a Chemical Engineering Degree Vs a Chemistry Degree?
• What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Materials Engineering?
• What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Agricultural Engineering?
• What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Chemical Engineering?
• What Can I Do With a Degree in Medicine?
• What Can I Do With a Degree in Science?
• What Degree Do I Need to Be an Organic Chemist?
• What Degree Do You Need to Be an Astrophysicist?

If you find any school through our content that seems like a good fit for you, do yourself a favor and reach out to their support staff directly to request more information. You’ll often find a dedicated team that is eager to help you in your application process and do their best to competently answer any questions you might have about the schools they work for and the programs those schools offer.

Now let’s get into the different levels available to prospective chemistry students:

What are the Different Levels of Chemistry Degrees?

Associates in Chemistry

If you’re looking to get your beak wet in the world of chemistry this is a great place to start. In these introductory higher education degrees you’ll get a formative base of knowledge in areas like molecular chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physics, geology, calculus, and more. You might get the opportunity to do some lab work, and upon graduation will be prepared to push your education forward to the baccalaureate level, or for entry-level employment in chemistry as an assistant technician or similar role. These programs most often take two years to complete. They can also save you time and money if you take them through a community or junior college then transfer into a four-year degree program. Speaking of which:

Bachelors in Chemistry

These programs take four years to complete and give a much more in-depth look at the field. You’ll study experimental physics, biology, cell biology, calculus, advanced algebra, differential equations, techniques of chemical measurement, and much more. There will be plenty of lab work to give you practical experience in the field, especially regarding research and experimentation. Graduates can go on to work for drug companies, chemical research companies, medical examiner’s offices, among many other roles they’ll qualify for, as well as continuing their education at the graduate level.

Masters in Chemistry

If you want a sustainable, longterm career in chemistry, it makes a lot of sense to earn your Master’s in the field. Here you’ll gain comprehensive, exceptional instruction and hours of lab practice in areas of chemistry like environmental chem, organic chem, analytical chem, and biochemistry. You’ll build up your research skills, which are essential to a thriving, long-term career in chemistry. You can expect these programs to take two years to complete and build towards a thesis project that draws from original research you’ve done on a topic of your choice. Graduates will be trained to work in some of the most desired positions in chemistry or move on to their doctorate.

Doctorates in Chemistry

Here you’ll need four to seven years of arduous work, advanced courses, independent study, and the will to reach the upper echelon of chemistry no matter what it takes. If you want to do professional research in chemistry in a wide range of settings, this is the degree for you. If you’re going to teach higher education courses in chemistry: same deal. You can also work in healthcare, consumer affairs, for government agencies, drug companies, and many other industries, and be qualified for their top positions.

Now that we’ve explored the different levels of chemistry degrees let’s dive into the various specializations in the field that can refine your education and career in the direction of your choosing:

What are Your Chemistry Specialization Options?

There are many focus areas within chemistry, but here are a few of the most common options:

Chemical Physics

Here you’ll combine physics, math, and chemistry. You’ll study advanced applied math, electronics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, among other topics. You’ll also likely explore biology. These are incredibly interdisciplinary degrees that give graduates an incredibly versatile education in diverse math and sciences.

Paleontology

In this specialization you’ll study fossilized remains with the goal of understanding previous organisms and environments. You can uncover the impacts of current and past climate change, and you’ll use chemical analysis on fossilized plants, animals, soils, and much more.

Organic Chemistry

Here you’ll learn to use chemistry to create medicines, plastics, foods, fuel, and much more. Graduates can expect to find roles at biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, or do research and development at a number of organizations, among other positions they’ll qualify for.

Geochemistry

These programs will help you study the processes, structure, and other physical aspects of the planet. You’ll explore the chemical makeup of rocks, minerals, soil, water systems, and more. You can work to mitigate climate change, measure its effects, dispose of toxic materials, encourage the use of alternative energies, predict earthquakes, and do extensive research. You’ll also likely do a lot of field work, so if you enjoy being on the go this might be the discipline for you.

Environmental Chemistry

This is related to geochemistry, but more geared explicitly towards examining how chemicals (often contaminating ones) move through different environments. You’ll study how these chemicals impact ecosystems, animals, and humans. You can try to correct the damage chemicals are doing through the disposal of hazardous waste, do critical laboratory analysis of chemical interactions, and much more. (Learn more about the 5 best careers in environmental science.)

Forensic Chemistry

Here you’ll learn to examine isolated, specific environments or crime scenes to answer essential questions. You might end up in a crime laboratory, and depending on what degree you earn, end up running one. If you want to solve complex problems and help serve justice, this might be the best chemistry degree pathway for you.

Now that we’ve looked into the different degree levels in chemistry and some of the most common specializations, we’re almost ready to wrap up. However, before we go let’s look at some markers of how much you can earn as a chemist, and cover some last notes on your school search:

Chemistry Degrees in Conclusion

Here at Degree Query we hope you’ve found this guide very beneficial and stimulating. So what will you get out of a chemistry degree in terms of providing for yourself and your loved ones?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that chemists and materials scientists earned a median pay of $78,330 in 2018. There were 96,200 of these jobs in 2016, and BLS expects there will be a 7% growth between 2016-26 (as fast as the average across the economy), which will lead to 6,300 new positions. The typical entry-level education for chemist and material scientist positions is a Bachelor’s degree.

The lowest 10% of people in these positions earned less than $52,560 in May 2018, and the top 10% earned over $159,970. Some areas associated with higher pay include research and development in the engineering, physical, and life sciences, and chemists that are working in the federal government.

Please keep in mind that if you find a great program or school for you through our content, it’ll do wonders to reach out to their support staff directly to ask for help in your application process or to answer any questions you might have about the school or program.

We here at Degree Query are rooting for you to find the best degree for you and change your life and career! Best of luck!

The post What Can I Do With a Chemistry Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you look at the U.S. Labor Department of Statistics you will notice the percentages of projected employment growth are all in double digits across the board. That’s excellent news for job seekers currently holding a healthcare-related degree as well as students trying to decide on their career path.

RELATED: The Best-Paying Jobs in Health Care: Top 15 Highest-Paying Medical Specialties

All salaries, education requirements and projected employment growth were sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. If a particular career was not featured on the BLS site, Payscale.com was used for median salary.

1. Optometrist

Read the top line. Now the next line. Can you read the smallest line? Are you reading it with glasses, or your own naked eye? If you’re reading with glasses, odds are, you’ve met an optometrist. (You might have met an ophthalmologist, which is a medical doctor who treats eyes; an optometrist is Doctor of Optometry, specializing in corrective lenses, not medicine.) Optometrists check vision, prescribe lenses, and sometimes prescribe medications for minor eye disorders; some even do basic surgeries.

If you want to help people see better, but you’re not so interested in doing surgery or treating major diseases, consider optometry. It’s a very rewarding career, in the good you can do patients and the income you’ll make.

Median Salary: $97,000
Education Level: Doctorate
Projected employment growth: 24% increase between 2012 and 2022

2. Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse hits that sweet spot where schooling, pay, and responsibility balance out. You can become a registered nurse with an associate’s degree and a license, in only two or three years, and pay is high for such a low level of schooling. You spend a lot of time directly with patients, assessing their well-being, keeping them comfortable, and doing all of the many tasks that come up (medicines, needles, monitors, and bandages). You can specialize in areas such as pediatric, emergency, intensive care, and labor/delivery, or you can work as a school or camp nurse. Some nurses choose lucrative traveling positions.

It’s not a cushy job – you’ll be on your feet a lot, and during your shifts, stress can get pretty high. You’re responsible for people’s lives, after all. But there is no shortage of work for good nurses, and the more experience you get, the more in-demand you’ll be, and the higher pay you can negotiate for.

Median Salary: $65,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

3. Respiratory Therapist

Take a deep breath. Appreciate that? What if you couldn’t do it? For millions of Americans, breathing is a daily struggle. Whether from asthma, COPD, emphysema, or any number of other disorders, difficulty breathing calls for a specialist who can help relieve symptoms, do therapy to strengthen the lungs, and practice preventative care. That specialist is a Respiratory Therapist.

Although Respiratory Therapists need to continue their training and education throughout their career, as new technologies and therapies emerge, RT is one of the best-paid professions you can get with only an associate’s degree. Many respiratory therapists work with premature births, children, adults with chronic lung disorders, and the elderly, all demographics, and there is no expectation that the need for RTs will diminish; if anything, the profession is expected to grow.

Median Salary: $56,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

4. Hospital Administrator

An exploding medical sector means an unprecedented demand for Hospital Administrators. These are the people who keep the hospital in compliance with regulations, financially stable, staffed, and housed. They may not have direct contact with patients, but they make sure the hospital is there, and that qualified people are on call to take care of the sick and injured.

This is a job with significant responsibilities; whether it’s for-profit or non-profit, a hospital is an expensive operation, and the administrators are the ones who make sure the hospital is making money and staying afloat. Anything that goes wrong is on the heads of the administrators, so they often have to talk to the press and be available during emergency situations. And for that responsibility, they’re very well-paid. A Master’s of Business Administration is recommended, though some administrators are going for Public Health, and even Doctor of Public Health degrees.

Median Salary: $97,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 23% increase between 2012 and 2022

5. Biomedical Engineer

Part of the excitement of working in medicine is using all of the amazing machines, tools, and gadgets that are being developed every day to heal people. Obviously, those incredible inventions don’t design themselves – that’s what Biomedical Engineers are for. Any innovation that has transformed some aspect of medicine in recent years, from brain-controlled prosthetics to imaging machines that can show the hair on a growing fetus, started out in a biomedical research and development facility.

If you like the idea of working in a lab, creating things that will improve and save lives, consider biomedical engineering. You only need a bachelor’s degree to get started, and pay is excellent for the education level.

Median Salary: $87,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 27% increase between 2012 and 2022

6. Dental Hygienist

Can you get past the fact you will be poking around in stranger’s mouths all day long? If so, you’re golden. You clean some teeth, examine for gingivitis and other oral diseases, maybe you do some sealant work and assist with fillings, round it out with patient education and you’ve got your shift in a nutshell.

A Dental Hygienist works for a team with Dentists and Dental Assistants. So for obvious reasons, you need to have excellent social and communication skills. Hygienist are paid very well given the fact that only a 2 year degree is the required amount of schooling for this position.

Median Salary: $70,210
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 33% increase between 2012 and 2022

7. Dermatologist

Who loves their skin? Really, sees no flaws and has no qualms? That’s why dermatologists will always have a job. But it’s not all smoothing wrinkles and removing unsightly moles. Dermatologists treat life-threatening skin cancers, correct disfiguring scars and damage, sooth painful skin conditions that make life miserable, and help patients learn good preventative habits to avoid future suffering.

You’ll have to do a lot of schooling first – a dermatologist is a medical doctor, not just a simple certification. But you’ll have no trouble paying back your student loans, either. Median income is up around $300,000, and in California, where good skin goes on your resume, it can be even higher. Makes you wonder why you’re not a dermatologist already, doesn’t it?

Median Salary: $300,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 18% increase between 2012 and 2022

8. Chiropractor

Chiropractors diagnose and treat disorders of the spine, along with all the muscles and nerves that go with it. To the layman, that means a lot of stretching and joint-cracking. As a chiropractor, you do a little of everything; a session may require working with computer imaging, doing some therapeutic massage, and stretching patients on equipment that looks kind of medieval. You can’t be afraid to try some unconventional treatments, because every patient’s pain is different.

If you want to go into a medical profession, but you’re kind of a lone wolf, chiropractic might be a good choice. Most chiropractors work in private practice. But that, of course, means you have to wear a lot of hats, so it wouldn’t hurt to have some skills in business and marketing in addition to your medical degree. Take a video course and you can even shoot your own late-night local TV commercial.

Median Salary: $66,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 16% increase between 2012 and 2022

9. Podiatrist

Frankly, the human foot is a disaster. It just can’t handle all we put it through, with all our running around, on hard floors and sidewalks, in poorly-designed shoes. Not to mention all the weight we keep putting on them. It’s a wonder they hold up as well as they do. But pretty much everyone experiences foot pain or illness at some time in their lives. The Podiatrist is the one who treats that pain and illness, whether it’s as simple as warts and bunions, or as complex as diabetic feet or deformities like club foot.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor?

Those Baby Boomers, patron saints of the medical field, just insist on staying active as they age, and that’s a very good thing for podiatrists. Every woman in her 60s whose heel spurs keep her from training for a marathon needs a podiatrist. Every man of a certain age who breaks his ankle rollerblading needs one. So it’s no wonder the profession is growing steadily, or that it pays so well. Anything to keep us on our feet.

Median Salary: $116,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 23% increase between 2012 and 2022

10. Physician Assistant

If you’ve ever been to an urgent care center, you’ve seen a Physician Assistant. You may not have even realized that he or she was not technically a doctor, because PAs are trained to do virtually everything a doctor does – perform exams, diagnose illnesses, even write prescriptions. They have some limitations; they can only assist in surgery, not perform it, for instance. But for your day-to-day sickness or injuries, a Physician Assistant can do it all.

When you become a PA, you can work in any speciality a doctor can, from neonatal to geriatric. You’ll answer to a medical doctor as part of a team, but the responsibility will be yours. Plus, it’s only a master’s degree, which means you’ll get there much faster and with a lot less student loan debt.

Learn more about the top 25 physician assistant (PA) degree programs 2022.

Median Salary: $90,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 38% increase between 2012 and 2022

11. Speech Pathologist

You may think of a speech pathologist helping people overcome stuttering, or learn to speak without a lisp, but speech pathologists treat a wide range of disorders. They help children born with cleft palate or developmental delays, and adults with strokes or Parkinson’s. Surprisingly, speech pathologists can even help treat problems with infant feeding, such a difficulties sucking or swallowing.

Speech Pathologists often work with as part of a team, such as with an audiologist or educators, and they are commonly employed in schools and senior facilities. This is another profession that requires only a master’s degree, and while it may be difficult, it is also very rewarding to help someone who has lost, or never had, the ability to communicate, break through.

Median Salary: $69,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

12. Pharmacist

Ever walk into a pharmacy, see the pharmacist counting out pills, and think, “Must be nice to get paid for counting out pills all day”? Well, you don’t know the half of it. Pharmacist is a highly technical job, and people’s health and well-being, even their lives, are in the pharmacist’s hands. The doctor may diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment, but it’s up to the pharmacist to put that prescription together correctly and inform patients how to use it.

Since the pharmacist profession is so important, a pharmacist must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and it’s nearly as demanding as a medical doctorate. You’ll have to spend some time working in a pharmacy as a student for hands-on experience, and be licensed. The upside is, you won’t have the pressure and stress of working in an emergency room or dealing with blood and fluids. A patient may sneeze on you asking where to find the cold medicine, but otherwise, it’s a clean, safe job with a lot of responsibility and the income to match.

Median Salary: $116,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 14% increase between 2012 and 2022

13. Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapist is a straightforward job: you give radiation treatments, usually for patients with cancer (though a few other, rare diseases benefit from radiation). That means working with oncologists to develop a treatment plan, using the equipment to administer treatments, interpreting the results, advising patients on treating side effects, and judging when treatments need to stop or continue.

That’s a major responsibility, and a high pay rate, for only an associate’s degree. Think of it – you could be saving lives in only two or three years. If that appeals to you, Radiation Therapist is one of the fastest ways to get there.

Median Salary: $77,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 24% increase between 2012 and 2022

14. Nuclear Medicine Technician

This is another medical job that requires only an associate’s degree, has a lot of responsibility, and can be explained pretty simply. A Nuclear Medical Technician gives a patient a radioactive drug, uses imaging equipment to perform a scan, and analyzes the results on a computer to determine where abnormalities show up. That includes tests for disorders of the intestinal tract, heart and blood vessels, and brain.

As a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, you’ll probably work in a hospital, though some work for physicians or in clinics. Nuclear medicine is growing and improving all the time, so there’s no bad time to get in.

Median Salary: $70,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 20% increase between 2012 and 2022

15. Audiologist

Many people worry about hearing loss, whether it’s their own golden years, or their children’s yearly ear infections. Just about everyone has had a hearing test at some point in their life, and that’s probably all they know of audiology. Of course the audiologist performs hearing tests, but they also treat tinnitus (ringing in the ears), balance issues caused by inner ear disorders like Ménière’s disease, and all forms of hearing loss. They fit hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Thanks to iPod earbuds and Beats by Dre, audiologists don’t have to worry about running out of patients any time soon. The profession is growing much faster than the average rate, and advances in hearing recovery are coming quickly as technology like cochlear implants become more common.

Median Salary: $69,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 34% increase between 2012 and 2022

16. Physical Therapist

A child injured in a car accident learns to walk on crutches; a young baseball pitcher tears a ligament and needs recovery; a grandmother has a hip replacement and needs to practice walking on her new part. All of these people need a Physical Therapist.

Physical therapists work with all kinds of people, often in specialties like sports medicine, geriatric, or orthopedics. PTs use a variety of techniques, often in creative ways, to help improve their patients’ mobility, range of motion, and quality of life. It’s a doctorate degree, so it won’t be obtained easily, but physical therapy is a great choice for those who want to work directly with patients and help them see visible improvements.

Median Salary: $79,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 36% increase between 2012 and 2022

17. Nurse Practitioner

Whether you already have your BSN, or if you’re just getting started in a nursing program and feel ambitious, Nurse Practitioner is worth considering. A Nurse Practitioner is a master’s-level program which goes beyond the basic tasks of nursing. A Nurse Practitioner has many of the same responsibilities of a doctor, including diagnosis and prescribing treatment, though under the supervision of a doctor.

Many NPs work in hospitals, urgent care centers, schools, and nursing homes, and with the added education and responsibility comes a higher pay. Like all medical fields, Nurse Practitioner is a growing job, and there is no shortage of work in sight.

Median Salary: $96,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 31% increase between 2012 and 2022

18. Occupational Therapist

For millions of people, daily tasks, from brushing teeth to cleaning up after meals, are difficult because of some physical or mental disorder. Occupational Therapists are the experts who help patients do the things they want and need to do to make their lives better. For instance, OTs may help autistic children curb repetitive, destructive behaviors by teaching them more constructive habits; they may help elderly people with limited mobility rearrange their household goods to make them more easily accessible; they may help adults with brain damage re-learn basic life skills while working around their injuries.

To become an Occupational Therapist, you will need a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. You may work for hospitals, clinics, group homes, and other settings where people experience physical limitations, writing up treatment plans and sometimes overseeing a team of assistants.

Median Salary: $75,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 29% increase between 2012 and 2022

19. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

One of the most thrilling moments in a new parent’s life is seeing the sonogram image of their baby for the first time. A Sonographer is the person who makes that miracle possible. A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer uses imaging equipment such as ultrasound to check on the development of a fetus, to look for damage to organs such as the heart or intestines, or to find breast cancers. Some Sonographers assist with surgeries.

Some people may be nervous about working with this equipment all the time, but unlike X-rays, sonography uses no radiation and is totally safe for operator and patient. And with only an associate’s degree, sonography is a well-paid profession with a reasonable entry point.

Median Salary: $60,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 39% increase between 2012 and 2022

20. Radiologic Technologist

The first time Wilhelm Rontgen saw human bones with x-rays, it must have seemed like magic. Now, all it takes to look through people’s skin is an associate’s degree and certification. So why not consider becoming a Radiologic Technologist? As a technician, you will work in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and sometimes even in private practice, if you save up your pennies for your own machine.

The Radiologic Technologist profession also allows for areas of specialization; for instance, you may move on to become an MRI Technologist, a job that usually pays more. You may focus on sports medicine, pediatrics, or mammography as well.

Median Salary: $56,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 21% increase between 2012 and 2022

For Further Reading: 

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Optometrist?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Speech Therapist?

Can a PA Prescribe Medication?

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Top 25 Medical Schools

The post Top 20 In-Demand Healthcare Careers appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Navigating the Path to a Career in Medicine: What to Expect

Pursuing a career in the medical field requires obtaining an undergraduate degree, graduating from medical school, completing residency, passing licensing exams, and developing the technical skills and practical medical experience needed for the job. You should also consider gaining soft skills and networking opportunities.

Medical careers require an unwavering commitment to service, a profound understanding of science, and the emotional resilience to handle patient care challenges. Missteps can result in lost time, wasted resources, and missed opportunities to improve one’s skills and medical knowledge.

Job Outlook

A career in medicine offers a range of opportunities and challenges, with the demand for healthcare professionals often influenced by various factors such as population growth, technological advancements, and healthcare delivery models.

Medical Specialties

An aspiring physician can choose from multiple specialties, each with its employment prospects. For example, the demand for geriatricians might increase due to the aging population, while technological advances may boost the need for radiologists or telemedicine specialists.

• Family medicine: Steady demand due to the ongoing need for general healthcare.
• Surgery specialties: Higher earning potential yet may have a more competitive job market.

Roles of Healthcare Teams

Healthcare extends beyond physicians, encompassing many healthcare teams, including nurses, physician assistants, and therapists.

• Nurses: High demand across various settings.
• Allied Health Professionals: Growing needs in areas like physical or occupational therapy.

Employment and Salaries

Physicians typically earn a substantial income, which varies significantly by specialty, location, and experience.

• Primary care: Average salary may be lower, although employment opportunities are abundant.
• Specialists: Generally higher salaries, with some fields such as cardiology and orthopedics leading in compensation.

Competition and Job Searching

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in healthcare occupations expects rapid growth from 2022 to 2032. This includes a projected 1.8 million openings annually.

• Urban versus rural: Greater competition in urban areas compared to rural areas, which often have a high demand for medical professionals.
• Residency: A strong performance and professional network can improve job opportunities.

Educational Pathways

The journey to becoming a doctor is structured and highly demanding, requiring specific educational milestones. 

• Undergraduate requirements: There are several degree options for medical school. Undergraduate students aiming for medical school admission need to meet prerequisite coursework and excel academically. The coursework typically includes a strong foundation in sciences and a high overall GPA.
• Extracurricular Activities: It’s highly recommended for students to participate in healthcare-related experiences such as volunteering, research, and shadowing medical professionals.
• MCAT: Prospective students must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which assesses knowledge of scientific concepts and critical thinking.
• Application: Students must compile a comprehensive application that includes their MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and a record of extracurricular activities.

Medical Experience

Gaining practical medical experience is a vital step for any individual considering a career in medicine. It enriches your understanding of the medical field while gaining essential exposure to real-world clinical settings.

• Volunteering and shadowing: In hospitals, volunteering might include supporting staff, interacting with patients, or assisting in non-medical ways. Shadowing a physician allows observation of daily routines, patient interactions, and exposure to different medical specialties.
• Research and internships: Research internships may involve working on specific medical studies, which helps in understanding the process of scientific inquiry. Meanwhile, clinical internships offer a closer look at patient care and afford the chance to assist in medical procedures under supervision.

Licensing and Residency

After medical school, a doctor must obtain a medical license and complete a residency to practice independently. It will take a long time to become a doctor. These are critical steps in a physician’s career that ensure a high standard of patient care and expertise in one’s chosen specialty.

Medical Licensing Examination

Physicians must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a three-step exam for medical licensure.

• Step 1: Basic science knowledge is critical to the practice of medicine.
• Step 2: Divided into Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS), assess the ability to apply medical knowledge and patient care.
• Step 3: Patient management and the use of knowledge in a real-world practice setting.

Residency Matching Process

The process of matching with a residency program is known as the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) or “The Match”.This highly competitive process determines where a medical graduate will train in their chosen specialty, ranging from three to seven years depending on the field.

• Medical graduates submit their list of preferred hospital programs.
• Programs similarly rank the candidates they have interviewed.
• A computer algorithm then matches students and programs based on their mutual rankings.

Residency Training Overview

Residency is hands-on training in a medical specialty under the supervision of experienced physicians, unlike the mostly theoretical knowledge of medical school.

• Residents are responsible for patient care while they learn specialized skills.
• Progression to more complex responsibilities happens as they demonstrate competency.
• Residency programs differ by specialty yet are designed to mold competent, independent practitioners capable of ensuring high-quality patient care.

Professional Advancement and Networking Opportunities

In any field of work, we emphasize the importance of professional advancement through continuous learning and meaningful networking. Aspiring medical professionals can actively seek educational opportunities, stay abreast of emerging technologies, and engage in specialized communities to thrive.

• Continuing education: Medical professionals can regularly engage in continuing education (CE) to maintain their licensure and stay updated with the latest medical knowledge.
• Certifications: These certifications often denote expertise in particular areas of medicine and can be obtained through accredited organizations.
• New technology or techniques: Attending workshops or hands-on training sessions allows practitioners to enhance their skill sets and offer cutting-edge care.
• Fellowship: A fellowship provides in-depth training and is a pathway to becoming a specialist.
• Specialization: Specialists have the opportunity to become authorities in their niche, contributing to significant advancements in that area.
• Research and conferences: These activities help healthcare professionals network and can often lead to collaborative opportunities and career development.

Technical, Practical, and Soft Skills

Pursuing a career in medicine requires a complex set of skills that you can refine. A blend of technical knowledge, practical experience, and interpersonal abilities are essential for servicing clients or patients.

• Technical skills: Technical skills in medicine relate to the specific medical knowledge and the capabilities necessary to perform clinical tasks. Candidates must develop a strong foundation in areas like anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, diagnostics, and procedural skills.
• Practical skills: These skills involve the direct patient application of medical procedures. They encompass patient examination and assessment, surgical techniques, emergency response, and management.
• Soft skills: A 2021 editorial in the Journal of Patient Safety states that communication errors cause 70% of adverse events in healthcare settings. Empathy, compassion, communication, and teamwork are the intangible attributes that enhance a healthcare professional’s ability to interact with patients and colleagues. 
• Professional skills: These skills are central to maintaining public trust and adapting to the ever-changing medical landscape. Ethical decision-making and integrity, a capacity for lifelong learning, time management, and adaptability will help you thrive in this field.

Related Questions

Why Do You Need to Understand Health Career Pathways?

Understanding the complex and diverse career pathways in healthcare allows you to align your education, skills, and interests with the appropriate medical profession. In this way, you embark on a career that suits your aspirations and meets healthcare demands.

What Is the Biggest Challenge of Pursuing a Career in Medicine?

The most formidable challenge to pursuing a medical career is often the rigorous education and training required. Aspiring medical professionals must commit to many years of intense study, examinations, and usually high competition in academics to secure residency placement.

What Should I Do to Explore the Different Health Careers?

Individuals should actively seek out resources and opportunities for experience, such as shadowing doctors, engaging in pre-med programs, or utilizing platforms designed to inspire and inform future doctors. Hands-on experience is vital for understanding the day-to-day realities of various healthcare positions.

Conclusion

Embarking on a medical career is an ambitious journey with challenges and unparalleled rewards. Potential careers range widely, each demanding high dedication and expertise. Success in this field requires attaining knowledge and skills and compassionate application of that knowledge to serve and improve patients’ lives.

The post Navigating the Path to a Career in Medicine: What to Expect appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Working in the field of applied behavioral analysis can be fulfilling. Applied behavior analysts, the professionals responsible for implementing interventions that bring about significant behavior change, make a difference.

To work in the field of behavior analysis, you will need at least a master’s degree. Many aspiring behavior analysts choose ABA online masters programs for their flexibility and convenience.

RELATED: Should I Get a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis?

What Is Applied Behavior Analysis?

The field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) can trace its roots back to B.F. Skinner, the founder of behaviorism.

Skinner claimed that, just like any other, animal humans can be trained through a series of reinforcements and punishments. Over the years, the field of applied behavior analysis has used these founding principles to create a systematic approach to learning. Modern ABA intervention plans are much more sophisticated than the behaviorism from Skinner’s day.

Modern Uses of Applied BehaviorAnalysis

Applied behavior analysis is an evidence-based approach to teaching. One reason you may have heard of applied behavior analysis (ABA) before is its popular use among children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Applied behavior analysis methods have been used to help children with ASD learn skills like the following:

• Communication skills
• Social skills
• Academic skills
• Fundamental life skills

RELATED: What Degree Do People With a Job in Treating Autism Have?

Today, ABA clinics across the nation use the natural environment and other less sterile settings as the backdrop for implementing interventions based on applied behavior analysis. This means that learning using ABA has moved away from the table time 1:1 model to a model that looks a lot more like how kids naturally play. The result is that everyone can benefit.

The applications of applied behavior analysis aren’t limited to this one population. In fact, ABA principles are used for learning applications that each one of us uses on a daily basis.

Studying Applied Behavior Analysis Online

Are you interested in learning about the science of behaviorism as it applies to working with children, teens and adults today? To qualify for professional employment in applied behavior analysis, you’re going to need an education and professional credentials.

Certification in Behavior Analytic Services

Practitioners in the field of applied behavior analysis are known as Board Certified Behavior Analysts, or BCBAs. Certification in the field of applied behavior analysis is granted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst must hold a master’s degree. Either as part of their degree program or through a separate course of study, aspiring BCBAs must complete behavior-analytic coursework.

The most highly educated behavior analysts are designated as BCBA-Ds. They have a doctoral degree, such as a:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree
• Doctor of Education (EdD) degree

Despite the distinct BCBA-D designation, having a doctorate is not required for this role. BCBA-D is not a separate certification from BCBA, and BCBA-Ds fulfill the same role as BCBAs, according to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Both BCBAs and BCBA-Ds are independent practitioners of behavior-analytic services. Further, providers with either designation can oversee the work that Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) perform in implementing the treatment plans the BCBA develops.

RELATED: How Advanced Does My Degree in Behavior Analysis Need to Be to Get a Good Job?

Becoming qualified for BCBA certification requires a specialized education in applied behavioral analysis. It’s important to choose a program that meets one of two characteristics:

1. Has been accredited or recognized by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), or
2. Utilizes a Verified Course Sequence as verified by the ABAI

Without taking coursework deemed eligible by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, you won’t meet the requirements for the BCBA credential.

RELATED: What Courses Will I Take to Become a Certified Behavior Analyst?

Online Education for a Career in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Fortunately for busy students, numerous colleges now offer online ABA programs that meet ABAI standards. Online students can earn a master’s degree and prepare to take the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s BCBA Exam without the hassle of commuting to campus. Some online programs require attendance in live online classes, while others allow students to access course lectures, materials and assignments on their schedule. For working students, students juggling family responsibilities and other non-traditional students, online ABA programs are a flexible and convenient way to pursue graduate-level certification.

The Best Online ABA Certificate Programs and Degree Programs

An online master degree is an excellent option for preparing for a career in applied behavior analysis. Studying applied behavior analysis prepares online students for the BCBA Exam and certification. Online master’s degree programs in this field may be offered under different titles, departments, schools and colleges. Some of the online master’s programs in this field are specialized applied behavior analysis degree programs. Others are concentrations or specializations within special education programs. What these degree programs have in common is that they are all among the best ABA online masters programs in America.

RELATED: 50 Top Applied Behavioral Analysis Degree Scholarships

Check out our list below of the 20 best online master’s degree programs in ABA.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University isn’t just home to one of the best online masters in applied behavior analysis. The public school that dates back to 1885 is also one of the top schools in the world for innovation.

Why Study ABA at Arizona State University

Don’t take our word (or the institution’s own words) for Arizona State University’s reputation for innovation. U.S. News and World Report has recognized Arizona State University as leading the nation on its Most Innovative Schools list. The publication also ranked ASU well on its lists of national universities, top public schools, best value schools and best colleges for veterans.

Arizona State University, located in Tempe, Arizona, is known for its degrees in teaching, engineering, business, science, computer science, psychology and more.

To rank among the top schools in the nation for innovation, ASU excels in both on-campus and online learning. The school is home to some of the best online offerings anywhere.

ASU Online offers more than 300 online degrees and certificates for undergraduate students, graduate students, and non-degree students seeking an online certification. Online undergraduate degree programs at Arizona State University cover a wide range of subject areas, including:

• Global management
• Art
• Geography
• Health
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Tourism and recreation

The online graduate programs at ASU are wonderful options for adults who are looking to advance their careers while maintaining their jobs and other responsibilities. Some of the online master’s programs Arizona State University has offered include the following programs:

• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Arts in Global Security – Cybersecurity
• Master of Science in Graphic Information Technology
• Master of Science in Psychology
• Master of Arts in World War II Studies

Among ASU’s many offerings is the institution’s online Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Coursework in Arizona State University’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

ASU’s online MA in Special Education program encompasses studies in areas like the following:

• Instructional design, planning and assessment
• Instruction and assessment for learners with exceptionalities
• Instructional methods for language and literacy
• Mathematics methods and assessment
• Language and communication methods and assessment
• Special education foundations
• Research and evaluation in education

The Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration utilizes research as well as experience to prepare students to work professionally with individuals who have special learning and behavioral needs. Through this ABA program, you will learn how to implement applied behavior analysis principles during instruction.

The curriculum of ASU’s Applied Behavior Analysis concentration constitutes a Verified Course Sequence, per the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Some of the courses in this concentration include:

• Concepts & principles of applied behavior analysis
• Ethics of applied behavior analysis
• Behavior change procedures
• Personnel supervision and organizational behavior management in educational settings
• Philosophical foundations of applied behavior analysis in educational settings
• Measurement, data display, interpretation & experimental design
• Behavior analytic assessment
• Advanced applications of applied behavior analysis
• Verbal behavior
• controversial therapies, science, fad and pseudoscience in educational settings

Completing this coursework satisfies the course requirements for taking the BCBA Exam, although students may need to fulfill additional requirements to be deemed eligible to move forward with the certification process.

If you are passionate about working with special needs students and want to take your career to the next level by applying ABA skills in the classroom, ASU’s ABA online program is an excellent choice. You can also pursue this master’s degree on the path toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

View program details.

2. Ball State University

Next on our list of the top applied behavior analysis graduate programs is Ball State University. At this public institution in Muncie, Indiana, master degrees across numerous disciplines are flourishing both on campus and online.

Why Study ABA at Ball State University

Ball State University ranks among the top public schools in the nation. U.S. News & World Report has also included the university on its lists of national universities, best value schools, best colleges for veterans and best first-year experiences.

In recent years, Ball State has developed some of the best online offerings. Students who study online at Ball State learn from the same professors as on-campus students do.

Over the years, Ball State has increased its online offerings to include a wide array of online masters degrees and online undergraduate degrees. In fact, there are over 100 fully online programs to explore. Among Ball State University’s many online offerings is a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in Ball State University’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

The Ball State ABA masters program is specialized, with an emphasis in autism. Not only does the 30-credit online master program incorporate an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence, but it also constitutes a QABA-approved training program. While graduates can apply the ABA skills they learn through this master’s degree to patients with other developmental disabilities, they will be particularly well prepared to work with children with autism spectrum disorder.

Coursework in this ABA program includes:

• Introduction to applied behavior analysis
• Professional issues in applied behavior analysis
• Behavioral consultation
• Advanced applied behavior analysis
• Verbal behavior
• Supervising human service staff in ABA
• Field-based experience in applied behavioral analysis
• Research methods for behavior analysis

The emphasis on autism consists of three focused courses:

• Introduction to persons with autism spectrum disorders
• Interventions and treatments for persons with autism
• Field-based experience in autism

Ball State University’s online applied behavior analysis (ABA)program is offered through the institution’s highly respected Teachers College. The Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

This is the largest program in applied behavior analysis in the nation. However, small class sizes ensure that you can still receive individual attention from instructors. This program can be completed in less than two years.

If your focus is an ABA program that prepares you for the BCBA Exam, Ball State University’s program is for you. In fact, the first-time exam pass rate for Ball State graduates is among the best in the nation.

No matter what your educational background, this program works for you. For most applications, GRE scores are not required. Motivated students can complete this online program in less than two years.

View program details.

3. Drexel University

Another of the best ABA master programs online can be found at Drexel University. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, private institution dates back to 1891. More than 22,000 students attend Drexel.

Why Study ABA at Drexel University

Drexel is a global research university with a strong reputation. The University’s 15 colleges and schools offer a combined total of more than 200 degree programs.

U.S. News & World Report recognized Drexel University on its lists of the best value schools, most innovative schools, national universities and best colleges for veterans. As of 2023, the publication has ranked Drexel as the second-best school in the nation for co-ops/internships.

Drexel has offered online education since 1996. Today, more than 4,000 students attend Drexel University online. Drexel’s online degree options include bachelors degrees, masters degrees, doctoral degrees and certificate programs in fields like the following:

• Engineering
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Broadcasting
• Digital media
• Technology
• Special education

Of particular interest is Drexel University’s applied behavior analysis (ABA) online degree.

Coursework in Drexel University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

This Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is geared toward aspiring ABA professionals interested in working with children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. The program encompasses an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence and prepares students to take the BCGA Exam.

Drexel University’s ABA degree program is divided into two main components: core coursework and ABA concentrations. Core coursework for this online master’s degree includes:

• Fundamental elements of behavior change
• Applications of fundamental elements of behavior analysis
• Behavioral assessment and functional analysis
• Behavioral interventions
• Measurement and experimental design
• Consultation, systems change and supervision
• Ethical considerations and professional conduct

In the Advanced Topics in ABA Concentration, students take the following classes:

• Analysis of verbal behavior
• Therapeutic approaches using principles of behavior analysis
• Seminar in applied behavior analysis

The Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration covers subject matter such as:

• Autism characteristics & methods
• High-functioning autism characteristics & methods
• Behavior & sensory support for autism spectrum disorders
• Communication & language interventions for autism spectrum disorders
• Teaching students with autism spectrum disorder

In the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Concentration, topics of study may include the following:

• Understanding social emotional disorders
• Social emotional wellness and evidence-based preventative school practices
• Evidence-based school interventions and trauma informed education/care
• Collaboration and community based practices to promote social emotional wellness

Students in Drexel’s online master’s program also complete a sequence of capstone courses in ABA.

View program details.

4. University of Kansas

Another of the best BCBA online masters programs is based out of the University of Kansas. The public university located in Lawrence, Kansas, was founded in 1865.

Why Study ABA at the University of Kansas

As of 2023, total enrollment at this research university amounted to close to 30,000 students. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school well on several of its college rankings lists, including national universities, top public schools, best value schools and best colleges for veterans.

The University of Kansas offers a number of online programs for students – more than 80, in fact. KU online offers degrees, certificates, and courses for students who are either initiating their programming or heading back to school.

The online undergraduate offerings at the University of Kansas include online bachelor’s degrees in subjects such as:

• Communications
• Liberal arts
• Exercise science
• Nursing.

The University of Kansas also offers a number of online graduate degree programs through its School of Business, School of Education & Human Sciences, School of Social Welfare, School of Nursing and many more schools. Among the more than 400 programs of study at the University of Kansas is an online Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science.

Coursework in the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program at the University of Kansas

Although the campus-based Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas is ABAI-accredited, the online program is not yet accredited. Instead, the curriculum now constitutes an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence. In this 30-credit hour program, the curriculum encompasses required coursework in six content areas. Students must also complete elective courses, research courses, a practicum and a thesis to graduate.

Required courses for this ABA online program include:

• Principles of behavior analysis
• Conceptual foundations of behavior analysis
• Introduction to applied behavioral science
• Experimental analysis of behavior
• Within subjects research methodology and direct observation
• Ethical, legal and professional issues in applied behavioral science

This program is intended for students who have a background in psychology or education, ideally with some amount of clinical experience. GRE scores are not required for admission, although having strong scores may positively impact your application. While the coursework for this ABA program is offered online, the defense of the required master’s thesis must be conducted on campus.

View program details.

5. Penn State World Campus

The Pennsylvania State University, better known as Penn State, also offers an excellent online masters in ABA program. Penn State is a prestigious public university that dates back to 1855 and now educates close to 100,000 students annually.

Why Study ABA at Penn State

In recent years, the Penn State World Campus – the online division of the university – has grown to include more than 175 degrees and certifications. Whether you’re a transfer student, a military student or a returning student, Penn State World Campus offers programs of study to fit your needs. The comprehensive programming includes online degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Penn State’s main campus, University Park, on its lists of national universities, best value schools and top public schools. The publication has also included Pennsylvania State University–World Campus on numerous lists of the best online programs, including the best online bachelor’s programs, best online master’s in education programs and best online master’s in special education programs.

Among Penn State’s many online offerings is the Master of Education in Special Education through which students can acquire ABA skills.

Coursework in Penn State’s Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

The online Master of Education in Special Education program at Penn State includes only two required courses, plus a capstone seminar. Most of the curriculum is devoted to an area of emphasis of students’ choice. The required courses are:

• Teaching learners with disabilities in inclusive settings
• Introduction to research in special education

What lands Penn State’s Master of Education in Special Education program a spot on our list of the best online ABA master’s programs is its optional emphasis in applied behavior analysis (ABA). The ABA Empahsis consists of 21 credits of ABAI-Verified Course Sequence coursework that amounts to 315 hours of preparation. Completing this ABA Emphasis satisfies the course requirements to sit for the BCBA Exam. Coursework in this concentration area includes:

• Current issues in special education
• Foundations of applied behavior analysis
• Concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis
• Behavioral change procedures and management
• Assessment of behavior in contexts
• Ethical considerations for special education populations
• Single-case research

The program also offers tracks in autism and in academic and behavioral supports. Most students take one and a half to two years to finish this 33-credit program.

View program details.

6. University of Nevada at Reno

Next on our list of the schools offering the best BCBA masters programs online is the University of Nevada at Reno. The University of Nevada Reno (UNR) is a public four-year institution founded in 1874.

Why Study ABA at the University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno is a top-notch research university that enrolls more than 20,000 students. The institution offers nearly 500 programs of study in disciplines that range from business to science and criminal justice to psychology.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Nevada, Reno on its lists of national universities, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

In recent years, the University of Nevada, Reno has expanded its online degree offerings to include more than 70 programs. Online courses of study at this school may culminate in bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate and industry certifications. Among the online program offerings at the University of Nevada, Reno is the Master of Science in Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in the University of Nevada’s Master of Science in Behavior Analysis Program

The M.S. in Behavior Analysis program at the University of Nevada, Reno is offered through the Department of Psychology in the College of Science. This program is accredited by the ABAI and constitutes a Verified Course Sequence that makes it ideal for students preparing for the BCBA Exam.

This online program prepares students for ABA-related careers in the private, public and government sectors through coursework on the philosophies and applications of behaviorism. Required courses include:

• Principles of behavior
• Behavioral interventions
• Behavior management and consultation
• Behavioral & systems assessments
• Behavioral analysis of language and cognition
• Experimental analysis of behavior
• Research methods in applied behavior analysis
• Ethics in Psychology

Students also devote six credits to a master’s thesis and six credits to a behavior analysis practicum.

View program details.

7. University of South Florida

Don’t overlook the University of South Florida, located in Tampa, as an option for studying applied behavior analysis online. The public four-year institution currently enrolls more than 50,000 students.

Why Study ABA at the University of South Florida

The University of South Florida is a newer institution of higher education, having been founded in 1956. Still, the school has cultivated an excellent reputation. In 2023, the University of South Florida joined the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), making it one of the youngest institutions to be part of the Association. Just six members of the AAU have founding dates later than 1950.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized the school in its lists of top public schools, national universities, best value schools and best colleges for veterans, among others.

The University of South Florida offers comprehensive degree programming on campus and online. USF masters programs online include the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Coursework in the University of South Florida’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

The online Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis program is recommended for students with at least three months of work experience in a related role, like registered behavior technician or behavior specialist.

Over the course of just five semesters, students can complete the ABIA-Verified Course Sequence and complete 1,500 hours of supervised experience, helping them prepare for the BCBA Exam. Students are also equipped to seek certification from the International Behavior Analysis Organization and the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA).

Required courses for the program include:

• Behavior theory
• Applied behavior analysis basic principles
• Ethics in applied behavior analysis
• Functional assessment
• Applied behavior analysis in complex community environments
• Single case experimental design
• Applied behavior analysis and developmental disabilities Credit Hours: 3
• Supervision and training in applied behavior analysis C

Students also complete 12 credits of practicum seminar work and five credits of directed research. To graduate, students must pass a comprehensive exam that consists of a research literature review.

View program details.

8. University of Southern Maine

An online ABA program may also fall under the category of educational psychology. That’s the case at the University of Southern Maine, a public college located in Portland.

Why Study ABA at the University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine is a regionally accredited institution that was founded in 1878. USM offers degrees for undergraduates as well as graduate students, including professional doctoral degrees.

U.S. News & World Report has acknowledged the University of Southern Maine on its lists of regional universities in the North, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

The University of Southern Maine offers among its 300 programs of study 70 different undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certifications completely online. The institution’s online Master of Science in Educational Psychology program offers a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that prepares students for a career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Coursework in the University of Southern Maine’s Master of Science in Educational Psychology Program

In the University of Southern Maine’s online Master of Science in Educational Psychology program, students can pursue an ABA Concentration. The 36-hour program encompasses an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence of ABA courses. Required coursework for this program includes:

• Behavioral principles of learning
• Functional behavioral assessment
• Physical bases of behavior
• Consultation and collaborative problem-solving
• Special education regulations, procedures and IEP team
• Psychopathology
• Principles and procedures for instructional intervention
• Principles and procedures for behavior Intervention
• Supervision and performance management in applied behavior analysis
• Professional ethics in behavior analysis
• Research methods and techniques
• Single case research method

Students can complete this degree program in as little as two years or, if studying part-time, in three years. The University of Southern Maine also offers an online non-degree Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Behavior Analysis for students who want to develop AMA skills but don’t need a master’s degree.

View program details.

9. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida is a public four-year institution located in Pensacola.

Why Study ABA at the University of West Florida

UWF offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as graduate certificate programs. More than 13,500 students attend the school, distributed across more than 1010 programs of study. The University of West Florida is known for the academic and career counseling services it offers, as well as for awarding credit for life experiences and advanced placement credits.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of West Florida on its lists of the top public schools, best value schools and regional universities in the South.

UWF offers a number of online opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Through UWF Online, students can enroll in more than 600 online courses that lead to upwards of 50 degrees and certificates. Among these online degree offerings is UWF’s online Master of Arts in Exceptional Student Education.

Coursework in the University of West Florida’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Students pursuing the University of West Florida Master of Arts degree can choose between two specialization areas: the Applied Behavior Analysis Specialization and the Special Education Specialization. Naturally, a student interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst will gain more out of the ABA Specialization. The program prepares students to seek BCBA certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or alternative professional certification, like the Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA) and International Behavior Analyst (IBA) designations.

The University of West Florida Master of Arts degree with an ABA Specialization requires 30 to 33 credits. Required courses include:

• Foundations of applied behavior analysis
• Concepts of applied behavior analysis
• Exceptionalities
• Behavioral assessments
• Applied behavior analysis and system support
• Supervision and Management Fluency
• Measurement and Single Case Design
• Ethics in applied behavior analysis

Students who want to be deemed eligible to pursue the International Behavior Analyst credential should also take the Experimental Analysis of Behavior course.

Students also complete major electives in areas such as the following:

• Intensive intervention in autism and related disabilities
• Autism and the law
• Behavior analysis of performance
• Behavior analysis in organizations
• Behavior systems analyst
• Curriculum design for behavior analysis
• Applied single case design
• Advanced single case design

Students in this program typically finish their degree in 18 to 24 months.

View program details.

10. Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University is a public four-year institution located in Danbury, Connecticut.

Why Study ABA at Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University was founded in 1903. Today, more than 4,400 students attend the school.

U.S. News & World Report included Western Connecticut State University on its rankings of the top public schools in the nation, regional universities in the North and top performers on social mobility. Western Connecticut State University currently offers more than 60 programs of study for undergraduate and graduate students, including a number of online options. One of these options is the online masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Coursework in Western Connecticut State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis at Western Connecticut State University is available online. Through this 30-credit program, students complete 330 classroom hours of graduate coursework. Of the 30 total credits required for this master’s degree, 22 credits are part of the Association for Behavior Analysis International Verified Course Sequence. Students can also complete just this Verified Course Sequence to qualify for a non-degree Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in the applied behavior analysis degree program at Western Connecticut State University includes:

• Introduction to concepts and principles of behavior analysis
• Methods and measurement in applied behavior analysis
• Behavior assessment
• Behavior change procedures
• Assistive Technology for Applied behavior analysis
• Advanced concepts and principles of behavior analysis
• Grant writing in applied behavior analysis
• Ethics and professional issues
• Capstone in applied behavior analysis

This Board Certified Behavior Analyst core coursework helps prepare students for the BCBA Exam.

View program details.

11. Endicott College

Endicott College is a regionally accredited private institution founded in 1939. At this college located in Beverly, Massachusetts, Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is one of more than 80 programs of study.

Why Study ABA at Endicott College

U.S. News & World Report ranked Endicott College on its lists of best value schools, regional schools in the North, best colleges for veterans, best undergraduate teaching schools, and best schools for co-ops and internships.

Endicott College is a great option for working adults, parents and other students with busy lives. The Van Loan School at Endicott caters to working professionals and offers both fully online and blended degrees. Online learners have the same access to services as the on-site students.

Coursework in Endicott College’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Endicott College’s 40-credit hour online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis offers five different pathways. Required coursework for the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis degree includes:

•  Basic principles of applied behavior analysis
• Conceptual issues in applied behavior analysis
• Behavioral assessment
• Behavior change procedures
• Measurement & experimental evaluation of behavioral interventions
• Supervision and management
• Ethical issues in behavior analysis

In the Childhood Clinical Disorders Track, students learn about psychiatric disorders, ABA for public school special education and collaboration in childhood clinical disorders.

The Organizational Behavior Management Track encompasses classwork in performance management, translating behavior analysis to the organization and applied organizational behavior management.

The Mental Health Track includes collaboration in mental health settings, using ABA interventions for psychiatric disorders and skill building for adults with psychiatric disorders.

Students in the Autism Track may study autism spectrum disorders, motivation and reinforcement, verbal behavior, treatment of severely challenging behavior and progressive applications in ABA.  

The ABA General Track allows students to combine elective coursework from any of these specialization areas.

View program details.

12. Bay Path University

Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, is home to another of the best applied behavior analysis masters programs online.

Why Study ABA at Bay Path University

Bay Path University is a private four-year institution that was founded in 1897. The school currently serves more than 2,700 students. In addition to offering upwards of 40 career-focused fully online associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree and certificate options through The American Women’s College, Bay Path University offers online and on-campus graduate degrees for both men and women in a dozen different fields, including applied behavior analysis.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Bay Path University on its rankings lists of regional universities in the North and top performers on social mobility.

Coursework in Bay Path University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Bay Path University actually offers several different programs in applied behavior analysis (ABA) online. The 48-credit Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is the shortest such program. This ABA degree is intended for students who are interested in becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts and prepares students for the BCBA Exam. Bay Path University’s other applied behavior analysis programs include 57-credit and 60-credit MS in ABA degrees with concentrations in areas like trauma-informed practice and applied verbal behavior. There’s also a 51-credit Educational Specialist (EdS) degree in ABA option.

In the 48-credit Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program, coursework includes the following:

• Science of ABA concepts and principles
• Concepts and principles of advanced applied behavior analysis
• Behavioral assessment and ongoing evaluation
• Interventions & behavior change procedures
• Analysis of verbal behavior
• Personal & management in ABA
• Functional analysis history, methods and applications
• Research methods in ABA
• Ethical practice in applied behavior analysis

Students typically complete this program in 24 to 27 months. During this timeframe, students complete coursework that prepares them for the BCBA Exam and acquire 2,000 supervised independent fieldwork hours.

View program details.

13. Purdue University

Purdue University is a prestigious public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana, so it’s no surprise that the school’s online masters in behavior analysis is worth checking out.

Why Study ABA at Purdue University

Purdue University’s long history stretches back to 1869. Today, more than 50,000 students are enrolled in the school’s 360+ undergraduate and graduate programs of study. The school offers more than 200 online and hybrid programs, including its online MS in ABA program.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Purdue University highly on its lists of national universities, top public schools, best value schools, most innovative schools and best colleges for veterans.

Coursework in Purdue University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Purdue’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program prepares students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. This is a 30-semester-credit hour program that prepares students for the BCBA Exam and meets the Verified Course Sequence standards per the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Courses in this program include:

View program details.

14. Pennsylvania Western University California (Formerly California University of Pennsylvania)

Until 2022, Pennsylvania Western University, California – or PennWest California, as it’s better known – went by the name California University of Pennsylvania. Despite the name change, this public four-year institution has a strong history of academic performance. The school also offers an online special education program with an emphasis on applied behavior analysis.

Why Study ABA at PennWest California/California University of Pennsylvania

The institution now known as PennWest California was founded in 1852. In addition to offering student services that include academic and career counseling, employment services and the opportunity to earn credit for life experiences, the institution now offers online learning through PennWest Global Online.

For more than 20 years, students of this institution have enjoyed online learning options. Online students at PennWest receive the same quality education found on campus. The online programs are military-friendly and intended for busy, working adults.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked California University of Pennsylvania on its college rankings lists of regional universities in the North, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

Coursework in PennWest’s Master’s in Special Education Program

PennWest offers a 36-credit online Master of Education in Special Education degree with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis Autism. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and meets the requirements for the BCBA Exam. In addition to the ABA Concentration, the program also offers an Autism Concentration and an Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism concentration.

Core coursework for the Master of Education in Special Education program includes:

• Special education foundations and collaboration
• Special education history, theory and exceptionalities
• Assessment and prescriptive teaching
• Evidence-based practice in PK-12 special education
• Secondary transition

The general ABA Concentration includes courses in the following areas:

• Introduction to behavior analysis
• ABA interventions
• Concepts, principles and assessment of behavior
• ABA supervision and assessment
• Foundations of measurement and experiment design
• ABA research design
• Professional and ethical practice in behavior analysis

In the Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Concentration, students take courses in areas such as:

• Introduction to behavior analysis
• ABA interventions
• Concepts, principles and assessment of behavior
• ABA supervision and assessment
• Foundations of measurement and experiment design
• ABA research design
• Professional and ethical practice in behavior analysis
• Nature and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder
• Communication and behavior in autism spectrum disorder
• Life transitions & ASD
• Navigating the social world & ASD

Aspiring special education teachers can also pursue a path that leads to teacher certification.

View program details.

15. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Next on our list of the best master of applied behavior analysis online is the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. This private nonprofit four-year institution offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Why Study ABA at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Unlike other other schools on our list, this entry is an institution with a special focus on health professions. Its academic offerings include programming in health, psychology, counseling, behavioral sciences and business. Of particular interest is the school’s online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in the Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

The online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis prepares students for the BCBA Exam, Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification and a career in ABA. The online program, like the Chicago campus program, is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Students who complete this course may work with a wide variety of populations, including children, adults and seniors. Some of the coursework students take includes studies in the experimental analysis of behavior, concepts and principles in behavior analysis and diversity in clinical practice. Throughout the curriculum, students will touch on the different domains within the field of behavior analysis, including theory, application, service delivery and experimental analysis of behavior.

Full-time students can complete this program in two to two and a half years of study.

View program details.

16. Arcadia University

Arcadia University is a regionally accredited institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Why Study ABA at Arcadia University

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Arcadia University on its lists of regional universities in the North, best undergraduate teaching schools, best schools for study abroad and top performers in social mobility.

This private institution was founded in 1853. Today, the school is home to 65 fields of study, 1,900 undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students. To support their students’ success, the college offers academic and career counseling. Arcadia University now offers more than a dozen online degrees and professional certifications. The Master of Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis is one such online program.

Coursework in Arcadia University’s Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis

Arcadia’s online Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis program encompasses an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence that prepares students to take the BCBA Exam and attain the Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential.

Required Concentration Courses include:

• Concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis
• Educational research & experimental design
• Functional behavior assessment and behavior change
• Behavior analysis and principles of development
• Behavioral consultation in homes, schools and communities
• Ethics and professionalism
• ABA training & supervising human service staff

Elective coursework may encompass studies in the following areas:

• Teaching methods for students with autism
• Characteristics of students with autism spectrum disorders
• Disability studies and special education law
• Positive behavioral approaches
• Special topics in autism

The program also includes 2,000 practicum hours and a required culminating activity.

Students can complete this 30-credit program in 18 months. They also have the option to complete the Online Graduate Certificate in Autism as they work their way through this program.

View program details.

17. McNeese State University

McNeese State University is a regionally accredited institution located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This is a public institution that offers associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and graduate and undergraduate certificates.

Why Study ABA at McNeese State University

McNeese State University offers AP credits, credit for life experiences and academic and career counseling services.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked McNeese State University among its lists of regional universities in the South, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

Recently, McNeese State University has started to expand its online offerings. The University offers online degrees for undergraduate and graduate students – including its Master of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in McNeese State University’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis

The ABA program at McNeese State University isn’t a dedicated ABA degree but rather a concentration within a psychology program. However, this program is an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence. It puts students on the path to taking the BCBA Exam and getting certified as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

This program is available online or on campus. The online option allows for a flexible schedule, which makes it a good fit for students who are working professionals. The curriculum of the applied behavior analysis degree at McNeese State University includes coursework in areas such as:

• Principles of learning and behavior
• Human growth and development
• Introduction to applied behavior analysis
• Conceptual foundations of behavior analysis
• Behavioral assessment
• Verbal behavior
• Applied behavior analysis interventions
• Advanced topics in behavior analysis
• Experimental analysis of behavior
• Applied research methods in applied behavior analysis
• Single-subject methodology
• Ethics for behavior analysts
• Professional standards for behavior analysts

McNeese offers a comprehensive curriculum and plenty of hands-on experience, integrating more than 1,500 hours of supervised practicum experience into the program.

View program details.

18. St. Cloud State University

Another of the best applied behavior analysis masters programs online is at St. Cloud State University. This public institution, located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, was founded in 1869.

Why Study ABA at St. Cloud State University

U.S. News & World Report has ranked St. Cloud State University on its lists of best value schools, top public schools and regional universities in the Midwest.

St. Cloud State University offers comprehensive degree programming, with more than 260 programs of study. The 10,000 students at this institution benefit from student support services like credit for life experiences and academic and career counseling. The institution is also military-friendly.

St. Cloud State University offers online academic programming, including hundreds of online courses. Among the more than two dozen online programs available is St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree.

Coursework in St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is available both online and on campus. Students in the applied behavior analysis online program follow one of two plans. The thesis plan is a 45-credit program, and the comprehensive exam plan is a 46-credit program. The program is broken into three main components: core courses, electives and research.

Required core courses include:

• Behavioral assessment
• Behavioral applications
• Social bases of behavior
• Experimental analysis of behavior
• Advanced applied behavior analysis
• Ethics in psychology and behavior analysis

Through the elective courses they select, students can develop a greater depth of knowledge in areas like behavior therapy, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, functional analysis and experimental analysis of behavior.

All students complete nine credits of required internship work, which amounts to an on-site 750-hour clinical internship.

View program details.

19. Texas A&M University

For a great special education master’s in applied behavior analysis, look no further than Texas A&M University.

Why Study ABA at Texas A&M University

Texas A&M is a public university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The school offers more than 140 programs at the undergraduate level and 270 graduate degree programs.

Founded in 1876, this institution was the first public college in Texas. It’s also a large institution. More than 69,000 study at the main Texas A&M campus in College Station, and the total enrollment in Fall 2022 amounted to almost 75,000.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Texas A&M University on its lists of top public schools, national universities, best value schools, most innovative schools and best colleges for veterans.

In recent years, Texas A&M has expanded its online offerings. Today, the institution offers online degree options through 12 of its 16 academic colleges and schools. Online education at Texas A&M is designed with working professionals in mind. Among the school’s many online offerings is its Master of Science in Special Education.

Coursework in Texas A&M University’s Master’s in Special Education Program

In this 36-credit online master’s degree, students complete both coursework pertaining to special education and ABA therapy. Special education coursework encompasses studies in the following areas:

• Consultation in special education
• Transition education and services for individuals with disabilities
• Early literacy for students with diverse instructional needs
• Adolescent literacy across the content areas for students with disabilities
• Multicultural and bilingual special education

The coursework that prepares students for the BCBA Exam and certification includes:

• Introduction to applied behavior analysis
• Advanced applied behavior analysis
• Assessment in school settings
• Prevention, support, and intervention for students with emotional and behavior problems
• Leadership in applied behavior analysis
• Single-case experimental design
• Ethics and professional conduct in special education and applied behavior analysis

This program is excellent not only for preparing students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts but also for students interested in roles like the following:

• Special education teachers
• General classroom teachers
• Therapists
• Counselors
• Behavior coaches

The program is best suited for students who have some professional experience working with individuals with disabilities, either in a teaching or clinical capacity. Aspiring teachers may need to pursue teaching certification elsewhere.

Students can complete this program in two years.

View program details.

20. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is home to another excellent applied behavior analysis online program.

Why Study ABA at the University of Cincinnati

This public institution in Cincinnati, Ohio, serves a student body of nearly 48,000. The nationally ranked institution was founded in 1819.

U.S. News & World Report has named the University of Cincinnati on its lists of national universities, top public schools, most innovative schools and best colleges for veterans.

The University of Cincinnati now offers a number of online degrees and certification programs designed with working professionals in mind. One such program is the online Master of Education in Foundations in Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in the University of Cincinnati’s Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

In the University of Cincinnati’s 30-credit Master of Education in Foundations in Behavior Analysis, students prepare to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. The ABAI-Verified Course Sequence helps students meet the requirements to sit for the BCBA Exam.

Ten courses are required for this applied behavior analysis degree:

• Applied behavior analysis I
• Applied behavior analysis II
• Applied behavior analysis-III
• Child development
• Frameworks for disabilities and disorders in childhood
• Behavioral supervision and management
• Functional behavioral assessment
• Working with cultural and linguistic diversity in schools
• Behavioral research and accountability methods
• Ethics for behavioral practice and research

Students at the University of Cincinnati can complete their applied behavior analysis degree in just five semesters, or 20 months.

View program details.

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post The 20 Best ABA Online Masters Programs (Applied Behavioral Analysis Degrees) appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What to Look for in the Top Medical Schools

What attributes position an institution among the best medical schools?

Accreditation: The practice of medicine is highly regulated, so attending an accredited medical school is essential for aspiring practitioners. All of the medical schools that landed a spot on our medical school rankings list are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. This accreditation body accredits allopathic Doctor of Medicine (MD) medical schools in the United States. (Accreditation of medical schools that award the Doctor of Osteopathic, or DO, medical degree instead is conferred by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.)

Opportunities for Experience: The reason you’re applying to medical schools is primarily to acquire the medical training needed to practice medicine. All accredited medical schools include practical rotations that allow students to develop the hands-on clinical skills they will use throughout their careers in medicine. However, some medical schools offer specific opportunities for students to gain experience in certain medical specialties, work with underserved communities or just begin their clinical training earlier in the course of their med school education.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Medical Specialties

Cost and Financial Aid: Medical school is expensive no matter where you go, but students should still be aware of how much they are spending on their education and what financial aid is available at various medical schools to make their education more affordable.

RELATED: Highest Paying Degrees in Medicine – Majors & Careers

Curriculum Content and Options That Match Your Interests: All medical schools train students for the clinical practice of medicine. However, not all medical schools incorporate research, scholarship or community health into the curriculum. Our list includes medical schools and programs that offer combined degree programs, research opportunities, specialized concentrations in clinical practice or scholarly inquiry and much more.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor?

1. New York University Grossman School of Medicine

New York University is home to two medical schools, the Grossman School of Medicine in New York City and the Long Island School of Medicine in Mineola, NY. Both medical schools have their strong points, but if we’re only including one NYU med school on our list, we have to give the edge to the Grossman School of Medicine, which dates back to 1841.

The Grossman School of Medicine (along with NYU Long Island School of Medicine) is part of the NYU Langone Health academic medical center, which U.S. News & World Report named the third-best hospital in the United States under its Best Hospitals for Adults 2022-23 rankings list.

NYU is a private research university, and the Grossman School of Medicine continues that tradition with excellence. Faculty at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine received $815 million in funding from National Institutes of Health awards alone in 2021, including a $450 million grant to study the long-term health effects of contracting COVID-19. The medical school’s extensive research activities prompted U.S. News & World Report to rank NYU Grossman School of Medicine second on its list of best medical schools for research.

RELATED: Do I Need to Have a Medical Degree to be Involved in Clinical Research?

The medical school also tied for ninth place in the specialty of psychology, 11th in radiology and 48th in primary care and claimed the 12th-place spot in obstetrics and gynecology.

One unique aspect of the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University is that it offers both a traditional four-year MD curriculum and an accelerated three-year MD program. New York University calls the accelerated pathway “the first of its kind at a nationally ranked academic medical center,” although according to U.S. News & World Report, the accelerated medical degree program established in 1969 at McMaster University Medical School in Canada has served as a “role models” for the other medical schools, like NYU’s, that have since implemented accelerated programs.

One of our favorite points about NYU Grossman School of Medicine is its tuition-free initiative. All students enrolled in the MD program receive Full-Tuition Scholarships – not dependent on financial need or merit – that, as long as the student continues to maintain satisfactory academic progress, cover “the majority” of the cost of going to medical school.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine is a competitive institution. Of the 8,361 applications received for the class that matriculated in 2022, only 1,037 applicants were even granted interviews, and just 102 students ultimately matriculated. Among the school’s incoming class during the 2021 admissions cycle, the average GPA was 3.92, and the average MCAT score was 522.

View program details.

2. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The Johns Hopkin School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, is affiliated with the John Hopkins Hospital, among other well-regarded medical facilities, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most highly respected medical schools in the nation.

In addition to its MD program, Johns Hopkin School of Medicine offers an MD/MBA dual-degree course of study and three combined degree paths that award an MD along with a Master of Public Health degree, a Master of Science in Health Care Management degree or a PhD.

The MD curriculum at this medical school, called the Johns Hopkins Genes to Society curriculum, is informed by the findings of the Human Genome Project. Throughout all four years of study, medical students at Johns Hopkins University will encounter the core themes of biological mechanisms, health systems science and the culture of medicine integrated into the curriculum through scientific, social and clinical Horizontal Strands. The core clerkships through which students gain clinical skills include medicine, surgery, neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology.

RELATED: What Major Do You Need to Be a Surgeon?

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine tied for third in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best medical schools for research and tied for 52nd place among the top medical schools for primary care. Among specialties, the school ranked first in internal medicine and radiology and tied for first place in surgery.

U.S. News also ranked Johns Hopkins School of Medicine second for anesthesiology, third for psychiatry, fourth for pediatrics and tied for sixth for obstetrics and gynecology. In 2019, Forbes ranked Johns Hopkins University as tied for 16th place on its America’s Top STEM Schools for Women list.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reported a 6.3% admission rate. Out of the 4,548 prospective students who applied for the MD class of 2026, 287 were accepted and only 118 matriculated. The average GPA for incoming students was 3.94, and the average MCAT score was 521.

For the 2022 through 2023 school year, the tuition and fees for medical students at Johns Hopkins University amounted to $66,173 for the first year of study, $65,433 for the second year of study, $65,233 for the third year of study and $64,099 for the fourth year of study. The school awards 85% of enrolled MD students financial aid packages funded through the 150+ scholarship and loan accounts the school has received from alumni and donors. As a result, graduates from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine report a student loan debt amount below the average for private medical schools.

View program details.

3. Harvard Medical School at Harvard University

Harvard University in Boston, MA, is a prestigious institution. It’s no wonder that the medical college associated with the Ivy League School is just as prestigious.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the medical school, which was founded in 1782 and is the third oldest medical school in America, as the best in the nation on its 2023 list of the best medical schools for research and ninth in the nation among medical schools for primary care practice. Harvard Medical School was also ranked #1 in anesthesiology and psychiatry, and it tied for first place in the specialties of surgery and obstetrics and gynecology.

U.S. News also ranked Harvard #2 in internal medicine and radiology and tied for second place in pediatrics. Harvard University as a whole also tied for first place on Forbes‘ 2019 list of America’s Best STEM Schools for Women.

Harvard Medical School at Harvard University awards Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees, as well as PhDs and master’s degrees. Through its Harvard School of Dental Medicine, students can also pursue a DMD for practitioners or a Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc) degree for researchers. The medical school at Harvard University offers a number of dual-degree programs, including programs that lead to an MD degree along with a Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master in Public Policy (MPP), Master of Academic Discipline (MAD) and Master of Medical Science (MMSc) degrees in areas like medical education, clinical investigation, immunology and global health delivery. Students interested in medical research should consider applying to the MD-PhD combined program. Of the 12,311 total faculty employed by Harvard Medical School, 35 have been appointed Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators, and one has been appointed an HHMI Professor.

A medical education at this institution consists of three tracks: a pre-clerkship phase, a principal clinical experience phase and a post-PCE phase. Most medical students participate in the traditional MD track, called the Pathways track, but around 20% of students instead enroll in the Health Sciences and Technology track that prepares students for academic research projects as well as the clinical practice of medicine. The core clerkships students must complete during the principal clinical experience phase of their education include general medicine, primary care, surgery, radiology, psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. Students complete these rotations in facilities such as Massachusetts General Hospital, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

An average acceptance rate of just 3.3% makes Harvard a highly competitive medical school. Applicants reported an undergraduate average GPA of 3.9 and an average MCAT score of 520.06.

If you beat the odds to get accepted into the medical school at Harvard, you may end up with less student debt than the average medical school graduate. Although tuition for the 2021 through 2022 academic year amounted to $67,610 and fees increased the cost of attendance by an additional $5,981, the average graduating debt for Harvard Medical School students was $108,382 – almost 40% less than the $179,679 national average graduating debt reported for medical school students.

View program details.

4. University of California–San Francisco School of Medicine

At the University of California–San Francisco School of Medicine, the MD program consists of three phases completed over four years of study and clinical training.

The Foundations 1 portion of the curriculum emphasizes coursework in basic sciences and clinical sciences. The Foundations 2 phase is a 48-week clerkship-focused phase of the program during which students complete short elective Clinical Immersion Experiences and gain hands-on training in clinical settings in medical specialties like family and community medicine, internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. The Foundations 2 phase of medical school ends with the Step 1 Clinical Performance Exam. Finally, the 61-week Career Launch phase of the MD curriculum includes advanced clinical rotations in students’ areas of interest. They also complete a required Specialty Practice Ambulatory “sub-iNternship,” or SPAN, and work on a scholarly Deep Explore research project.

Under the MD program’s Bridges Curriculum, students develop competencies in medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, professionalism, interprofessional collaboration and interpersonal and communication skills.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of California–San Francisco School of Medicine second in the nation for medical schools in primary care specialties and third in the nation for research. The school excelled in several medical specialties, ranking #1 (tied) for obstetrics and gynecology, #3 for internal medicine, #4 for both anesthesiology and psychiatry and tying for fourth place in radiology, #5 in both surgery and pediatrics and #6 in family medicine.

For the entering class of 2022, just 544 out of the 9,090 total applicants snagged an interview, and only 167 students ultimately enrolled in the MD program. The median GPA for entering students was 3.87, and the median MCAT score of accepted students was in the 90th percentile.

For in-state students of the University of California–San Francisco School of Medicine, the total cost of tuition and fees – including the $11,700 tuition amount and the professional degree supplemental tuition cost of $25,221 – is $45,131 for the first two years and $49,167 for the last two years, under the 2022 through 20230 cost of attendance. Non-residents pay a separate non-resident tuition cost of $12,245. All told, including the cost of living expenses and books and equipment, California residents who attend this institution can expect to spend $78,086 per year, and non-resident students are looking at $90,331. However, medical school students at the University of California–San Francisco borrowed an average of $140,293 – 30% less than the $207,003 average medical school loan debt reported for 2020.

View program details.

5. Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

The school of medicine at Columbia University in New York, NY, is called the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and has educated medical doctors for more than 250 years. This MD-granting institution is ranked tied for third place nationwide on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best medical schools for research and #75th in the nation in the major category of the best medical schools for primary care education.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons was also ranked second in the nation for the specialty of psychiatry, fifth for both anesthesiology and obstetrics and gynecology, sixth for internal medicine, seventh for surgery and tenth for radiology. In 2019, Forbes ranked Columbia University as tied for tenth place on its list of America’s Top STEM Schools for Women.

MD students participate in 18 months of preclinical coursework, with classes in clinical gross anatomy, molecular mechanisms and disease, histology and pathology, the foundations of clinical medicine, psychiatric medicine and health and disease in the body. After they complete their basic sciences coursework, students enter the Major Clinical Year phase of their education, during which they complete 12 months of clerkships in areas like primary care, surgery, orthopedics, internal medicine, neurology neurosurgery, psychiatry, urology, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics. A 14-month Differentiation and Integration phase of medical school education, in which students take clinical and research elective courses and work on a scholarly project, follows the clinical year.

If you’re particularly interested in rural medicine – and you’re a high achiever – an exclusive program within the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons may be of particular interest to you. Each year, 10 students receive the honor of being admitted to the Columbia-Bassett track. The school also offers numerous dual-degree programs that pair the MD program with coursework in areas like biomedical sciences, public health, business, biomedical engineering and biomedical informatics.

Columbia University received 8,080 MD program applications for the Class of 2025 and interviewed 852 applicants, ultimately admitting 140 new students. Among applicants who received admissions offers for the 2022 application cycle, undergraduate GPAs ranged from 3.44 to 4.0 and MCAT scores ranged from 508 to 528.
The school charges a flat tuition rate per year that, for the 2022 through 2023 year, amounted to $68,820 (plus fees). All told, first-year students paid $75,624, and second- through fourth-year students paid $75,374 in tuition and fees, not counting living expenses, books, equipment, exam fees and other educational expenses.

View program details.

6. Stanford University School of Medicine

The School of Medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, offers five distinct MD pathways under its Discovery Curriculum. The new and redesigned courses that populate the curriculum allow students to receive a higher-quality education that still continues in the tradition of the school’s established medical training curriculum. Under the Discovery Curriculum, students have more opportunities to pursue dual degrees in areas like public health, public policy, business and bioengineering and to gain scholarly research experience through two-year and three-year options for pre-clerkship coursework.

RELATED: Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Bioengineering a Good Direction to Go If I Want to Go to Medical School? 

Required clerkships for MD students at Stanford Medicine include general medicine, general surgery, family medicine, emergency medicine, ambulatory medicine, critical care, neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. Depending on which of the five pathways students take, their coursework can be completed in as little as four years (a traditional MD with a scholarly concentration) or take as long as seven to eight years (for an MD/PhD program).

The Stanford University School of Medicine was named eighth in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top medical schools for research and tied for 30th place among the best medical schools for primary care. The school also ranked highly for several medical specialties, including anesthesiology (sixth place), radiology (seventh place), surgery (eighth place), psychiatry (eighth place), pediatrics (tied for eighth place), internal medicine (ninth place) and obstetrics and gynecology (tied for ninth place). Stanford University was ranked in a tenth-place tie on Forbes’ list of America’s Top STEM Schools for Women in 2019.

Stanford University School of Medicine is, according to U.S. News & World Report, the second most selective medical school in America, with an acceptance rate of just 1.4%. The Stanford Medicine entering class of 2020 included just 90 students selected out of 6,800 applications. Just 470 applicants were even granted interviews, and 152 of them received admissions offers.

Stanford University isn’t a cheap medical school to attend. MD students paid a quarterly tuition rate of $21,249 for the 2020 through 2023 school year, which added up to $84,996 for just one year of medical school – not counting fees, living expenses or the cost of books and equipment.

View program details.

7. Duke University School of Medicine

At Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC, the four-year curriculum of the MD program is packed with more scholarly and clinical training than the typical medical school curriculum. The program reimagines the traditional medical school plan of study to condense it into three years, allowing students to also pursue biomedical research projects during their medical training and still graduate at the same time as their peers in conventional MD programs at other schools.

Duke University medical students cover their core basic science classes during their first year and jump right into clinical clerkships in general medicine, family medicine, radiology, surgery, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry in their second year of medical school. Their third year presents opportunities for extensive research, as well as clinical training through elective rotations. Students’ fourth year of study consists of clinical electives and a capstone course.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Duke University as tied for sixth place in the nation among the best medical schools for research and tied for 78th place among the top medical schools for primary care practice. The school ranked highly for several medical specialties, including anesthesiology (#3), surgery (#3), internal medicine (#5), radiology (#6), obstetrics and gynecology (#8), pediatrics (tied at #8) and psychiatry (tied at #9). Duke was also tied for fourth place in that nation on Forbes’ 2019 list of America’s Top STEM Schools for Women.

A minimum MCAT score of 500 is required to apply to the Duke University School of Medicine, and the median MCAT score of applicants who received admissions offers was 520. Among MD students who matriculated in 2022, the median undergraduate GPA range was from 3.7 to 3.9 and above. Of the 4,798 applicants who submitted completed applications that admissions cycle, 541 were interviewed and 105 were matriculated.

Tuition for the MD program at Duke University for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $65,526 for the year, which does include summer semesters when applicable. After fees, the first-year cost amounted to $69,756. Students in years two and three paid $69,376 for the year, and students in their final year of medical school paid $69,052. These figures don’t include housing, food, books or other living expenses or educational costs.

View program details.

8. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania was the first medical school established in the United States, way back in 1765. Today, the medical school, which is affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Health System, structures its MD program according to its IMPaCT curriculum. This curriculum emphasizes Integrating Medicine, Patient Care and Transitions.

Like other medical schools, the Perelman School of Medicine is a four-year program that combines basic science coursework with rotations devoted to developing clinical skills. The curriculum emphasizes three core themes: the science of medicine, the practice of medicine and the technology it entails and professionalism and humanism.

In Core 1, the pre-clerkship curriculum, students complete one semester of biomedical sciences coursework and two semesters of study in integrated systems and disease. The clerkship curriculum makes up the Core 2 portion of the MD program, during which students complete clinical rotations in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, neurology, psychiatry, emergency medicine and specialty services such as anesthesiology, orthopedics or ophthalmology.

The Core 3 portion of the program includes advanced electives that may be academic, clinical or research-focused, a 12-week scholarly research pursuit and an inpatient sub-internship in an area like internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine or pediatrics. Students are allotted 24 weeks of flexible/open time that they can use to customize their medical education through additional research pursuits, clinical experiences, coursework for academic concentrations or combined degree programs and projects pertaining to community health or public health.

In addition to the traditional MD program, the Perelman School of Medicine offers PhD programs and combined PhD and master’s degree programs in medicine and public health, clinical epidemiology, bioethics, medical ethics, health policy research, translational research, business administration and law. You can even pursue a Juris Doctor, the degree required to practice law, along with your medical doctorate degree.

U.S. News & World Report ranked this Philadelphia, PA, medical school as tied for sixth place among the best medical schools for research and tied for 20th place among the top medical schools for primary care. According to U.S. News, the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine was the best in the nation for the specialty of pediatrics. The medical school also scored high rankings in specialties of obstetrics and gynecology (#3), radiology (#3), internal medicine (#4), surgery (#4), psychiatry (#6), anesthesiology (tied for #7) and family medicine (tied for #12). Forbes ranked the University of Pennsylvania as tied for fourth place on its 2019 list of America’s Top STEM Schools for Women.

RELATED: What College Degree Is Needed to Be a Pediatrician?

The 2022 entering class reported a GPA range of 3.63 to 4.00 and an MCAT range of 511 to 528. Of the admitted MD students, 70% were science majors as undergraduates and 30% majored in other academic subjects. U.S. News & World Report put the medical school’s acceptance rate at 3.8% in 2022, when the school reported a matriculated class size of 149.

Tuition and fees for the 2022 through 2023 academic year amounted to $69,263 for MD students at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

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9. University of Minnesota Medical School

The University of Minnesota is one medical school with two campuses: the Duluth campus and the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. It’s also the only medical school in these cities.

Although the MD curriculum is the same for both campuses, there are slight differences. For example, only the Twin Cities campus offers the school’s dual-degree (MD/PhD) Medical Scientist Training Program. This campus, which was founded in 1851, is the flagship campus of the University of Minnesota System. It also makes the University of Minnesota one of only five universities nationwide that brings together a medical school, veterinary school, engineering school, law school and agricultural school on a single campus. The school is affiliated with the University of Minnesota Medical Center and the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital.

The University of Minnesota Medical School–Twin Cities campus is one of the few medical schools on our list to fare better in U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the best medical schools for primary care (on which it ranked third) rather than for research (on which it tied for 43rd place). The school also ranked fourth in the specialty of family medicine.

The flexible MD program at the University of Minnesota is particularly well-suited for aspiring health professionals who are more interested in the experience of medical education than in rushing through the curriculum to start practicing medicine as soon as possible. Under this program, students can pursue “experiences not available in the regular curriculum” – including research experiences, community-based service learning, dual-degree programs, certificate programs and advanced courses – and receive up to six years of total medical education for the same cost as if they had completed their MD in the traditional four-year timeframe. If, however, you want to follow a more conventional format to earn your medical degree, you can do that, too.

You must have a minimum MCAT score of 495 to apply to the medical programs at the University of Minnesota. At the Twin Cities (Minneapolis) campus, the 2021 incoming class of MD students reported an average MCAT score of 509.8 and an average GPA of 3.72. Of the 3,854 prospective students who applied, 165 ultimately enrolled. The incoming class at the Duluth campus reported an average MCAT score of 504 and an average GPA of 3.67. At this campus, 1,388 prospective students applied, and 65 students eventually enrolled.

The first year of the program is the most expensive, with each year getting marginally less expensive. For first-year resident MD students, the cost of tuition and fees for the 2022 through 2023 academic year amounted to $29,934, while non-resident students paid $43,378.

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10. Yale School of Medicine at Yale University

Yale School of Medicine at Yale University is ranked among the top 10 medical schools for research, according to U.S. News & World Report. The New Haven, Connecticut, medical college’s contributions to the evolution of medicine have a long history. The school, which dates back to 1810, has been the site of America’s first X-ray and use of penicillin and, in 1942, the first-ever use of chemotherapy as a cancer treatment, among other milestones. In addition to the MD program, Yale School of Medicine offers a physician assistant (PA) program, PhD and master’s programs and joint MD programs, including an MD/PhD program and combined programs in law, management and divinity.

Yale also tied for 68th place among the top medical schools for primary care. Among other major medical specialties, Yale ranked fifth for psychiatry, 9th for radiology, tied for 10th for internal medicine and 11th for obstetrics and gynecology.

The first year of the MD program at Yale School of Medicine covers an Integrated Course Curriculum. Students also begin an Interprofessional Longitudinal Clinical Experience and Medical Coaching Experiences through which they begin to build their clinical skills. Year two, which begins the summer after they start medical school, includes elective coursework and research opportunities, as well as the continuation of the Integrated Course Curriculum throughout the fall semester.

January marks the beginning of students’ clinical clerkships, which continue through December of their third year of study. Unlike other schools, Yale Medical School arranges its clinical clerkships thematically. The theme for the internal medicine and neurology clerkships is The Medical Approach to the Patient. Surgery and emergency medicine clerkships fit into the theme of The Surgical Approach to the Patient. Naturally, the clerkships involved in the Women and Children’s Health theme are obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics. Pediatrics clerkships also fit into the Biopsychosocial Approach to Health theme, along with clerkships in primary care and psychiatry. Next, students enter an Advanced Training Period that consists of sub-internships, research experiences and electives. Students who want more from their medical education may choose to complete an optional, tuition-free fifth year of study, research or clinical experience (or some combination).

Yale School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of 4.8%, according to U.S. News. Among the 100 first-year MD students entering the program in 2020, the median GPA was 3.85, and the median MCAT score was 519.

Tuition for all years of the MD program during the 2022 through 2023 academic year was $67,484, not counting fees, living expenses, books or equipment. Generous scholarships allow MD students to graduate with, on average, a total student loan debt of $60,000 – a much more manageable amount than the national median medical school debt amount, which exceeds $200,000.

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11. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

The University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA, dates back to 1787. Since then, the public research university’s reputation for excellence and innovation has included the development of the polio vaccine and breakthroughs in DNA study and organ transplantation. It’s no surprise that the School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh is one of the top-ranked medical schools in the country.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as tied for 10th in the nation among the best medical schools for primary care and tied for 14th among the top medical schools for research. The medical school also earned high rankings on the publication’s lists of the best schools for the specialty of psychiatry (seventh in the nation) and surgery (tied for tenth).

Throughout the five curriculum blocks – the Foundations of Medicine, Organ Systems Pathophysiology, Evidence and Discovery, Introduction to Patient Care and Patient, Physician and Society – MD students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine learn through problem-based approaches, participatory learning experiences and early opportunities for clinical experience. Students can also pursue areas of concentration in topics like infectious diseases, geriatric medicine, addiction medicine, public health, reconstructive and regenerative medicine and bioengineering, biotechnology and innovation. Students also participate in research through the Longitudinal Research Project aspect of the MD curriculum.

For the MD class admitted to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2022, the median GPA was 3.88, and the median MCAT score was 517. Of the 8,393 total applicants, 295 were accepted, and 153 were matriculated.

The good news, if you’re not from Pennsylvania, is that non-residents won’t pay much more for tuition than residents will at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The first-year resident tuition rate for the MD program during the 2022 through 2023 academic year was $61,194 per year, while the non-resident tuition rate was $63,576. Fees for both residents and non-resident students amounted to $1,222.

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12. Washington University School of Medicine

Don’t confuse the Washington University School of Medicine with the University of Washington or with other schools located in either Washington State or Washington, D.C. This nationally ranked medical school is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and offers not only an MD program but also combined degree program options in areas like population health sciences, public health, biomedical informatics, clinical investigation and business administration.

Washington University School of Medicine tied for 11th place on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top-ranked medical schools for research and ranked 56th on the publication’s list of the top-ranked medical schools for primary care. Among other specialties, the med school tied for fourth place in radiology, tied for seventh place in internal medicine, tied for ninth place in both anesthesiology and obstetrics and gynecology and was named ninth in the nation for surgery. Forbes ranked Washington University in St. Louis as tied for 16th place on its 2019 list of America’s Top STEM Schools for Women.

The MD program at Washington University School of Medicine follows the Gateway Curriculum, which divides the program into three phases. During the preclinical Gateway to the Foundations phase, students complete 16 months of basic science coursework, clinical immersions and other foundational educational experiences. Phase Two, Gateway to Clinical Medicine, is a 12-month period during which students complete eight-week clinical clerkships in the areas of surgery, internal medicine, neurology, psychology, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. For students interested in medical and biomedical research, an optional immersive research experience is available during Phase Two.

The third phase of the curriculum, Gateway to Specialization, stretches over 16 months and encompasses a required sub-internship in internal medicine, two advanced clinical rotations, two transdisciplinary Keystone Integrated Science Courses, elective courses, research opportunities and a Gateway to Residency capstone course.

For Washington University in St. Louis, U.S. News & World Report listed a medical school acceptance rate of 7.5%.The 2022 entering class reported an average GPA of 3.86, with a range between 2.77 and 4.00, and an average MCAT score of 520.2, with a range between 505 and 528.

How much will you pay to study medicine at Washington University? Tuition and fees for the 2022 through 2023 academic year equaled $69,250, not counting the cost of room and board, books, equipment and other living expenses and educational expenses.

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13. Baylor College of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, is affiliated with the Texas Medical Center, which is the world’s largest medical complex. The MD program at Baylor College of Medicine is small but well-regarded. The school boasts above-average scores on the USMLE Step 1 licensing exam and, in 2019, a 100% pass rate on this exam. Students at Baylor College of Medicine are consistently accepted to one of their top-choice residency opportunities.

During the first 18 months of the curriculum, MD students complete their Foundational Science coursework. They begin interacting with real patients just weeks into the program. January of students’ second year marks the start of their clinical sciences curriculum, during which they perform core clerkships in medicine, emergency medicine, family and community medicine, neurology, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry.

Baylor College of Medicine ranked well on U.S. News & World Report’s lists of the best medical schools for both research (for which it tied for 22nd in the nation) and primary care (for which it tied for 16th place), as well as placing the medical school as tied for eighth place in the specialty of pediatrics.

Of the 408 applications received, 90 applicants were interviewed, and just 14 ultimately matriculated as part of the entering class of 2022. The average GPA reported for students who matriculated during the 2022 through 2023 academic year was 3.81, and the average MCAT score was in the 95th percentile.

For tuition, fees and insurance, Texas residents studying medicine at Baylor College of Medicine paid $27,954.75 for the 2022 through 2023 school year, and non-resident students paid $41,054.75. Baylor College of Medicine students graduate with significantly less debt, on average, than students at other private medical schools and even other public medical schools, with an average debt amount of just $106,344.

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14. University of Colorado School of Medicine

The University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, CO, is affiliated with the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado. Faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine received more than $550 million in grant funding for their research in 2021.

Beginning with the Class of 2025, the University of Colorado School of Medicine is implementing a new curriculum, the Trek Curriculum. As they trek through their medical education, MD students will follow a path from the “Plains” (the foundational preclinical coursework) to the core clerkships that make up the “Foothills” and then the advanced clinical experience, basic science coursework and leadership training that comprise the “Alpine” stage of study. Students end their med school experience at the “Summit,” where they complete courses that focus on the transition to residency.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Colorado School of Medicine sixth in the nation among the best medical schools for primary care and 27th among the top medical schools for research. The institution landed spots in the top 10 for the medical specialties of pediatrics and family medicine.

Admission to the University of Colorado School of Medicine is competitive. Each year, the school receives more than 10,000 applications for just 184 spots.

For the 2022 through 2023 academic year, resident students paid $43,450 in tuition and fees for their first year of the MD program. The school charges non-resident students $83,290 in tuition and fees, but, per its policies, the Medical MD Non-Resident Rate “will only be charged if the non-resident student voluntarily chooses to withdraw from medical school after completing the first year for any reason other than medical disability.”

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15. University of Michigan Medical School

At the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI, you will encounter a competency-based curriculum, which is rare among top-ranked medical schools. Learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom help students develop competencies across four areas: foundational scientific and clinical knowledge, longitudinal learning in a small-group community, individualized directed professional development and applied leadership education for the clinical environment and beyond.

Rather than splitting the curriculum into two years of didactic coursework and two years of clinical rotations, as most medical schools do, the University of Michigan Medical School incorporates both scientific education and clinical training into all four years of study. The program consists of “trunks” that are more standardized and “branches” that are more individualized. The scientific trunk that makes up the first year of medical school is primarily preclinical in focus and is followed by the clinical trunk in year two. All students complete clinical clerkships in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, psychiatry and neurology. In years three and four, students choose from one of four branches to focus on: Patients and Populations, Procedure-Based Care, Diagnostics and Therapeutics and Systems and Hospital-Based Care.

In addition to the MD program, the University of Michigan Medical School offers PhDs in 13 disciplines and MD/PhD combined degree programs for students interested in both clinical practice of medicine and medical research.

The Leapfrog Group named the hospital affiliated with the University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan Health, one of its Top Teaching Hospitals in 2022. U.S. News & World Report ranked the school 17th among the best medical schools for research and 20th among the top medical schools for primary care.

Among medical specialties, the school ranked fourth in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology, sixth for surgery, tied for seventh for both anesthesiology and internal medicine, eighth for radiology, eleventh for both family medicine and psychiatry and 12th for pediatrics.

Of the 9,385 prospective medical students who applied to the University of Michigan MD program, only 168 ended up being part of the entering class of 2022. The class’s average GPA for all subjects was 3.8, and the average GPA for undergraduate science coursework, specifically, was 3.75. The average MCAT percentile of matriculated students was 91.12.

Under the 2022 through 2023 tuition rates, Michigan residents are looking at total tuition and fees costs of $50,763 for each of the first three 12-month sessions and $33,842 for the last 8-month branch of their studies. For non-resident students, these costs climb to $70,212 for each of the first three 12-month sessions and $46,808 for the last 8-month branch.

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16. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Like many other medical schools, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, has upgraded its curriculum to meet the ever-evolving needs of the field of medicine. The school has named its innovative curriculum “Curriculum 2.0.”

Year one of the MD curriculum at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine begins with 13 months of study in the Foundations of Medical Knowledge. During year two, which is dedicated to the Foundations of Clinical Care, students complete core clerkships in medicine, surgery, neurology, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics. The theme of years three and four is immersion. During these years, students use their electives to immerse themselves in clinical, academic and research-based learning experiences, including an internship, that allow them to develop a personalized pathway that reflects their clinical and research interests.

The school ranked 13th in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best medical schools for research and tied for 43rd place among the top medical schools for primary care. It also ranked well in the specialties of internal medicine, for which it tied for tenth place, and anesthesiology, for which it tied for twelfth place.

Of 7,410 applicants, only 96 ultimately enrolled as part of the incoming MD class of 2021. Among matriculated students, the undergraduate GPA range was 3.5 to 4.0 and MCAT scores fell between the 74th and 100 percentiles.

For the 2022 through 2023 school year, tuition for every year of the MD program amounted to $64,882, not counting fees, living expenses or other educational expenses.

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17. University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School is located in New England’s second-largest city, Worcester, MA. This institution is also the only public medical school in the state. Under the school’s “competency-driven” Learner-centered Integrated Curriculum (LInC), students develop an understanding of the physician in their numerous roles – as a professional, a scientist, a clinical problem solver, a patient and community advocate and a person.

The curriculum at UMass Chan Medical School begins with a Transition to Medical School orientation and students’ first year of preclinical Foundations of Medicine coursework, which continues through the second year of the program. The third year of medical school encompasses clinical experiences in surgery, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry and neurology. In their fourth year, students undertake an Advanced Studies Curriculum that includes a sub-internship in one of four areas of interest, elective coursework, a two-week Advanced Biomedical and Translational Sciences course and a four-week Emergency Clinical Problem Solver course. Students may apply to extend their studies for a fifth year to further their clinical experience, research experience or international experience.

On U.S. News & World Report’s rankings lists, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School tied for 10th place among the best medical schools for primary care and tied for 47th place among the top medical schools for research.

The Class of 2025 MD students at UMass Chan Medical School consisted of 120 Massachusetts residents and 47 out-of-state students selected out of 3,769 completed applications. Entering students reported an average GPA of 3.76 and an average MCAT score of 515, which corresponded with the 88th percentile of exam scores.

During the 2022 through 2023 academic year, in-state students at UMass Chan Medical School paid $37,120 in tuition plus fees. Out-of-state students paid $63,832 in tuition. For MD students whose education goes longer than eight full terms, a $7,106 “Extended Program Fee” is charged in lieu of tuition.

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18. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Clinical training within the first year of med school is a hallmark of MD education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. Throughout their MD training, students have the opportunity to gain clinical experience at state-of-the-art medical facilities at Parkland Memorial Hospital, William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Children’s Health Children’s Medical Center Dallas and the Zale Lipshy Pavilion at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital.

The first year and a half of the program is dedicated to pre-clerkship coursework that is offered on a pass/fail basis and delivered through team-based learning experiences. The second semester of students’ second year marks the beginning of clerkship clinical experiences, which encompass 48 weeks of training in the fields of internal medicine, surgery, family medicine, ambulatory care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, neurology and psychiatry. Year four is the post-clerkship year, which encompasses required sub-internship rotations in critical care and emergency care, 18 weeks of electives, a Frontiers in Medicine course, a Physicians and Society course and a Residency Essentials course.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center as tied for 16th place among the best medical schools for primary care and tied for 25th place among the best medical schools for research.

The average GPA of students who matriculated into the UT Southwestern Medical Class of 2025 was 3.88, and the average MCAT score was 516. U.S. News & World Report listed the medical school acceptance rate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center as 6% in 2022.

Tuition and fees for first-year MD students who are Texas residents amounted to $23,023 for the 2023 through 2024 academic year. This cost is noticeably more affordable than the $37,080 tuition and fees amount for the average public medical school and the $58,889 tuition and fees amount for the average private medical school. The average student debt for UT Southwestern Medical Center graduates, $131,699, was well below the average public medical school debt ($194,558) and private medical school debt ($222,899).

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19. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, NC, is an excellent option for aspiring MD students interested in primary care practice.

U.S. News & World Report ranked UNC School of Medicine fifth in the nation among the best medical schools for primary care, third for the specialty of family medicine and tied for 25th among the best medical schools for research.

Since August 2014, the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill School of Medicine has followed the Translational Education at Carolina (TEC) curriculum, which encompasses three phases. The Foundation Phase, which makes up the first three semesters of an MD student’s education, consists of integrated coursework in basic science that is delivered in organ-based blocks. In the Application Phase, students complete 12 months of clerkships at the clinical campus of Charlotte, Wilmington, Asheville or Central, which includes the Chapel Hill area.

During the Individualization Phase, students can customize their medical education and training with electives and research opportunities. Students also complete studies in social and health systems science, two internships, clinical experiences in critical care and the science of medicine, one advanced clinical experience and Transition to Residency coursework.

Out of the approximately 7,000 applicants to the medical school each year, around 190 matriculate into the entering class. The average MCAT score for matriculating students is 512. The average GPA for undergraduate science coursework is 3.79, and the average GPA for non-science coursework is 3.66.

Resident students in the medical doctorate program at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill School of Medicine paid $35,154 in tuition and fees for the 2021 through 2022 academic year. For out-of-state students, tuition and fees amounted to $63,114.

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20. University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

The Pritzker School of Medicine, part of the University of Chicago in Chicago, IL, appeals to students who are interested in scholarship as well as clinical practice. Scholarship & Discovery is part of the curriculum for three out of the four years of med school. Students interested in scholarship may pursue further exploration of scholarly tracks in the fields of medical education, community health, global health, clinical research, health services and data science, basic and translational science, health care improvement science or basic/translational sciences.

In their first semester, students complete basic science coursework and a Scholarship & Discovery elective in a subject like Improving Scientific Communication & Addressing Misinformation or oncology-associated research. Year two of medical school builds upon students’ foundation of preclinical coursework with classes in areas like pharmacology, medical neurobiology, clinical pathophysiology and therapeutics and clinical skills. The third year is the clerkship year, when students complete clinical experiences in medicine, surgery, psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. In their fourth year, students complete an Emergency Medicine senior rotation at the University of Chicago ER or at the NorthShore ER, as well as an inpatient sub-internship and elective learning experiences.

RELATED: Does an ER Doctor Receive Any Special Training in Medical School?

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Chicago as tied for 20th on its list of the best medical schools for research and tied for 30th among the best medical schools for primary care. The University of Chicago as a whole also claimed a spot (tied for 16th place) on the 2019 Forbes list of America’s Top STEM Schools for Women.

For the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago, U.S. News & World Report listed an acceptance rate of 3.2% in 2022. The most recent entering class reported a cumulative GPA range of 3.3 to 4.0 and a science GPA range of 3.2 to 4.0. The range of MCAT score percentiles for matriculated students encompassed the 68th to 100th percentile.

Under the 2022 through 2023 cost of attendance, MD students at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine paid $58,836 for their first and second years of medical school (each consisting of three quarters) and $78,063 for their four-quarter third and fourth years of study. Tuition costs increase by approximately 2%–4% each year, so don’t be surprised if your later years of schooling cost more than third- and fourth-year students are paying during the year you enroll in the program.

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21. University of Washington School of Medicine

The University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA, is a public medical school primarily for students in the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho region of the U.S. From U.S. News & World Report, the institution earned the ranking of the best medical school in the nation for primary care and the ninth best medical school for research. The publication also ranked the University of Washington School of Medicine #1 in the specialty of family medicine, #6 in the specialty of pediatrics, #10 among the schools with the most graduates practicing in primary care, #20 among schools with the most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas and #22 among schools with the most graduates practicing rural medicine.

The first phase of the MD program, the Foundations portion of the curriculum, consists of coursework in molecular and cellular biology, clinical invaders and defenders, circulatory systems, energetics and homeostasis, musculoskeletal systems and blood and cancer. This stage of the program takes up the first two years of the medical school curriculum. Students complete this coursework at locations in one of six regional sites: Seattle or Spokane in Washington, Laramie in Wyoming, Anchorage in Alaska, Bozeman in Montana or Moscow in Idaho.

During the patient care phase of the program in year three, students complete required clinical clerkships in specialties like family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, surgery, pediatrics and gynecology and obstetrics over the course of 42 weeks. Students’ fourth year of medical school instruction brings them to the third phase of the program, Explore and Focus, in which they complete required clinical clerkships in advanced patient care, emergency medicine and neurology and neurosurgery, as well as elective clerkships.

All practicing physicians in the United States are required to continue their medical training through residencies after they graduate medical school, but making this transition between med school and residency isn’t easy. One thing we like about the MD curriculum at the University of Washington School of Medicine is the Transition to Residency course students take in their fourth and final year of medical school.

The majority of accepted applicants had a GPA of 3.4 or higher and an MCAT score of 494 or higher. Of the 7,632 prospective students who applied in 2022, only 270 were accepted. Because the University of Washington School of Medicine was developed specifically to train physicians in the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho region, this medical education program strongly favors students from these states, with 96% of the entering class being residents of these states.

Tuition and fees data for the University of Washington School of Medicine is complicated, because the cost of attendance calculations differ not only by year of study but also between the different states represented in the region. Generally, the average tuition cost for the first, third and fourth years of study is slightly above $53,000. U.S. News & World Report lists an in-state full-time tuition rate of $39,906 and an out-of-state tuition rate of $70,569.

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22. Oregon Health and Science University

If you can’t wait to start your clinical training – and bring much-needed medical care to the people who need it most – Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR, might be for you. The school emphasizes early clinical experience and 18 “threads” of subject matter, ranging from cell biology and pharmacology to health policy, professionalism and communication, that are woven throughout the curriculum. One thing we love about Oregon Health and Science University is its emphasis on reaching underserved patients through the free, student-run Bridges Collaborative Care Clinic.

The MD curriculum at Oregon Health and Science University includes a Foundations of Medical Phase and a Clinical Experience Phase. Core clinical experiences in the program include internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, neurology, surgery and psychiatry. Students must also complete a rural rotation and satisfy a continuity clinical experience requirement.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Oregon Health and Science University fourth in the nation among the best medical schools for primary care, second for the specialty of family medicine and tied for 32nd among the best medical schools for research.

Of the 6,700+ applications the Oregon Health and Science University received for its MD program, 570 applicants were offered an interview. Admissions offers were extended to more than 230 applicants. The entering class reported an average GPA of 3.65 for all subjects and an average GPA of 3.58 for undergraduate science coursework. The average MCAT score for the entering class was 509. The school gives “strong preference” to MD applicants who are Oregon residents and non-residents with Oregon Heritage. Although Oregon residents made up just 7% of all applicants, they made up 84% of the entering class.

Oregon Health and Science University charged first-year MD students a resident tuition rate of $11,537.00 and a non-resident tuition rate of $17,734.00 per term for the 2022 through 2023 academic year. The school promises not to raise tuition for students enrolled in the MD program throughout their education, as long as they complete the curriculum in a “reasonable timeframe.”

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23. University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health

Students pursuing their MD at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, WI, learn to practice medicine according to the school’s ForWard Curriculum. The program brings together a collaborative competency-based curriculum, team-based learning experiences, early entry into clinical clerkships and longitudinal coaching and practice opportunities. After starting the program with three course-focused semesters, students dive into a year of clinical rotations divided into four themes: Care Across the Life Cycle, Chronic and Preventive Care, Acute Care and Surgical and Procedural Care. During Phase 3, MD students spend the last 16 months of their program exploring careers through basic science elective courses and advanced clinical experiences, including required inpatient and ambulatory care internships.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Wisconsin as tied for 20th in the nation among the best medical schools for primary care and tied for 37th among the best medical schools for research. The publication also ranked this medical school fifth in the nation for the specialty of family medicine.

A major focus of the program is developing a physician workforce to improve health care for Wisconsin residents. As a result, preference is given to applicants from Wisconsin – so much so that at least 70% of the matriculating class each year consists of in-state students.

Of the 5,625 total applications the medical school received for its most recent entering class – 714 of which were submitted by Wisconsin residents – just 176 applicants eventually became part of the entering class. Wisconsin residents accounted for 123 of these spots, with only 52 spots going to out-of-state students. Students in the entering class reported an average GPA of 3.69 and an average MCAT score of 511.

Tuition and fees for resident medical students amounted to $41,130.00 for the 2022 through 2023 academic year. Students applying from out of state must pay a non-resident tuition add-on amount of $16,176.00.

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24. University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

The New Horizons MD Curriculum that guides physician preparation at the University of Iowa Roy. J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, IA, emphasizes the three “I’s”: innovation, integration and individualization.

Throughout the program, students focus on the interwoven aspects of the Mechanisms of Health and Disease, Medicine and Society, and Clinical and Professional Skills. Carver College of Medicine students begin their clinical experiences during their very first week of medical school, during their preclinical coursework, and start core clerkships at the end of their third semester. Completing their core clerkships early allows students to dedicate the final three semesters of their medical education to advanced, individualized learning experiences that include interdisciplinary coursework, elective clerkships and advanced inpatient sub-internships.

Students can also get involved in the CCOM Rural Iowa Scholars Program, which aims to prepare new physicians to provide care for patients in the 360+ Health Professional Shortage Areas that are located primarily in the rural areas of the state.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Iowa as tied for 16th place among the best medical schools in the nation for primary care and tied for 41st place among the best medical schools for research.

For the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, U.S. News & World Report put the acceptance rate at around 7%. Among the entering class of 2022, the average GPA was 3.79, and the average MCAT score was 513. However, more than two-thirds of the entering class of MD students – 100 out of the 143 total students – were Iowa residents. Iowa residents are considered in a separate applicant pool from out-of-state applicants and are given preference, with approximately 70% of each entering class being resident students.

Iowa residents aren’t’ only more likely to get accepted to the Carver College of Medicine – they also pay less for a medical education here. Medical student tuition and fees for the 2022 through 2023 school year amounted to $37,863 for residents and $58,638 for out-of-state students.

View program details.

25. Wayne State University School of Medicine

A fear that often plagues aspiring physicians is getting all the way through medical school only to fail to secure a residency match – effectively preventing you from getting to practice medicine. If you worry about your future residency match, consider applying to Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, which boasts a 99% total success match rate that’s significantly better than the national average.

The urban medical school landed spots in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of medical schools for both research (tied for 68th place) and primary care (tied for 86th place).

The school’s traditional MD curriculum follows the Highways to Excellence curriculum, which includes organ systems-based coursework and clinical experiences throughout the curriculum and opportunities for service-learning, research, teaching and community engagement. The curriculum at Wayne State University School of Medicine emphasizes compassionate and high-quality patient care, professionalism and an obligation to work to decrease health disparities. Required clerkships include surgery, internal medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. The school also offers a three-year MD program.

Wayne State University School of Medicine received 8,017 applications to the MD program in 2022 and ultimately accepted 300 students, nearly two-thirds of whom were in-state students. MCAT scores for MD students entering as part of the Class of 2026 ranged from 504 to 518, and undergraduate GPAs of these students ranged from 3.51 to 3.98.

Tuition and fees for MD students in any year of study at Wayne State School of Medicine amounted to $39,502 for Michigan residents and $67,200 for non-resident students for the 2022 through 2023 school year.

View program details.

Related Resources:

Top 25 Physician Assistant (PA) Degree Programs

Top 50 Online Medical Degrees

What Degree Should I Get for Medical School?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Dermatologist?

What Is a Gastroenterologist?

The post Top 25 Medical Schools appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

As an extrovert, your outgoing nature and people skills will make you an excellent candidate for a wide range of career paths in sought-after industries like healthcare, finance, education, legal, communication and business. With our Top 10 Careers for Extroverts list, you can discover a profession that will be as personally fulfilling as it is financially and professionally rewarding, one that fits your personality as well as your goals.

Remember, though, that no one is a complete extrovert. If none of these options appeal to you, take a look at our Top 10 Careers for Introverts – you might not be as much of an extrovert as you think.

 1. Lawyer

Lawyers represent individuals, organizations, businesses and government agencies in legal matters that range from criminal trial proceedings to drawing up contracts and wills. They inform and guide their clients in legal matters ranging from business to personal. While television portrayals typically show attorneys at trials, lawyers don’t spend every moment of their time locked in real-life courtroom battles. They do a lot of their work behind-the-scenes, communicating with clients, investigating legal matters and collecting evidence, interpreting laws and drafting legal documents. They must communicate facts both in writing and verbally – and that’s where the career appeals to extroverts.

When a lawyer goes to trial, he or she must be comfortable speaking in front of an entire courtroom full of people. Lawyers need to have the confidence to argue legal matters in court, in front of judges and juries, and to question witnesses and defendants. They must make their arguments compelling. For an introvert, this could be a daunting task, but an extrovert like you might find this to be the most exciting and rewarding part of the job.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $113,530

Education Level: Law school degree (Doctoral degree)

Projected employment growth: 10 percent

2. Physical Therapist

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who work with patients to improve their mobility and decrease pain. When patients suffer an illness or injury that restricts their ability to move, it can affect every aspect of their lives. Physical therapists rehabilitate these patients through the use of exercise, hands-on therapy, stretches, heat and cold applications, electric stimulation, assistive devices for walking and other modalities and equipment. A physical therapist’s job is to help patients function better.

A wide variety of patients requires physical therapy. Young people and even babies must see a physical therapist for help with developmental delays. Among older patients, strokes are a common cause of mobility issues that call for physical therapy. Patients may also come to a physical therapist at any age to help with conditions caused by sports injuries or accidents. Sometimes patients need therapy for recovering from a one-time but acute injury, while other times they’re seeking solutions for coping with chronic conditions. A physical therapist must be comfortable interacting with a range of patients. Like other medical professionals, they need to be able to educate and explain treatment plans to patients. More so than many other healthcare workers, physical therapists must motivate and encourage patients, some of whom may feel depressed as a result of their injury and limitations or discouraged by progress that is slower than they would like. An outgoing, extroverted physical therapist can inspire these patients and help them make the best possible recovery for their condition.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $79,860

Education Level: Doctoral degree

Projected employment growth: 36 percent

 3. Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists are healthcare professionals who clean and examine patients’ teeth. They work in dentists’ offices, where they spend most of their workdays interacting directly with patients. When patients visit the office for a cleaning or for other preventive dental care, the dental hygienist is the one who actually cleans and polishes their teeth, using manual, power and ultrasonic equipment to eliminate stains, plaque and tartar. They are often responsible for taking x-rays of the mouth, administering fluorides, applying sealants to teeth and examining patients’ mouths to detect any signs of dental problems or oral diseases.

While patients are in the chair, they typically can’t do much talking themselves, since the dental hygienist is hard at work on cleaning their teeth. It takes an extrovert to feel comfortable doing most or all of the talking, helping to put the minds of sometimes nervous patients at ease. Dental hygienists also advise patients on ways to enhance their dental health, such as the right way to brush and floss and the impact of diet on their teeth and gums. For someone with a compassionate nature and an outgoing personality, the opportunity to interact frequently with patients and to educate them on improving their health can be energizing and fulfilling. 

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $70,210

Education Level: Associate’s degree

Projected employment growth: 33 percent

4. Financial Advisor

Financial advisors use their knowledge of the world of finance to guide clients in choosing the right investment opportunities, decreasing their tax burdens and making insurance decisions to protect their interests. Successful financial advisors are knowledgeable about a wide range of finance topics, from tax laws to stocks, bonds and other types of investments. However, they do more than offer general advice. They interact with clients directly and learn about their personal situations, including their goals and financial situations. Financial advisors then talk with their clients about the different options available to them and the financial risks involved. They research different investment opportunities to discuss with their clients, keep an eye on how clients’ investments are performing and answer any financial questions their clients have.

The people and speaking skills necessary to interact well with clients are among the most important qualities a financial advisor can have, which makes this career an excellent choice for extroverts. After all, financial advisors need to understand their clients’ goals and their current financial situations. They must establish a rapport with clients that will help them discuss important matters that are both financial and personal, such as when the client wants to retire and how to plan financially for life changes like having children. Financial advisors also need strong sales skills to market their own services, especially if they are self-employed.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $67,520

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 27 percent

5. Nurse

Nurses care for patients in a variety of settings, from hospitals and doctors’ offices to nursing home facilities, prisons and schools. Registered nurses fulfill many roles in patient care. They write down medical histories, symptoms and their own observations. Nurses work with other healthcare professionals to coordinate treatment plans, perform diagnostic tests, use medical equipment and interpret test results. Within the healthcare facility, nurses dispense treatments and medicines.

One thing nearly all of a nurse’s many job duties have in common is their interaction with others. Obviously, nurses interact with the patients with whom they work directly. They need to have good people and communication skills to connect with patients, some of whom may be nervous about test results or uncomfortable procedures, and to put their minds at ease. Good nurses draw upon these same skills to explain to patients what to expect and what they must do, including how to take medication. They must also have and express compassion for their patients. Since nurses often work with doctors and a variety of other healthcare professionals, they also use their strong communication and interpersonal skills collaborating with other members of their team.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $65,470

Education Level: Associate’s degree

Projected employment growth: 19 percent

6. Mediator

Mediators are legal professionals who work with the parties involved in a legal dispute to help them resolve the problem outside of the court system. They are neutral or impartial with regards to the case, meaning that they aren’t on the side of either the plaintiff or defendant. Instead, they meet with both parties simultaneously and work to help them communicate effectively to reach an agreement without having to go to trial. Though they do their work in private hearings rather than in the courtroom, mediators are an important part of the legal system. Resolving disputes outside of court means that the parties involved can avoid the cost, time and hassle of a trial and that fewer cases are clogging up an already overburdened court system.

While mediators must know and understand the laws that relate to the cases they mediate, much of their success is based upon skills that are common among extroverts. Mediators must be good listeners and communicators, and they must be able to interact well with others to help them communicate more effectively, too. They have to talk to plaintiffs, defendants and witnesses to learn the background of the case and the events that led to the legal dispute.  They must make sure that everyone involved understands the process and sort out each party’s interests and concerns. Mediators need excellent critical thinking and people skills to get parties on opposite sides of a dispute to put aside their differences and work toward resolving the issue without having to resort to a trial or further litigation. For extroverts who naturally enjoy being surrounded by and interacting with people, the challenge of getting parties on opposite sides to work together can be as exciting as it is rewarding.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $61,280

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 10 percent

7. Human Resources Specialist

In the business world, human resources professionals play an important role: helping companies and organizations hire their employees. Workers are an important asset in every industry, and it’s a human resources specialist’s job to screen and hire quality workers and to handle matters such as training and orientation, employment paperwork, payroll and benefits.

When dealing with new and prospective new employees, human resources specialists will spend a lot of time interacting with people they don’t yet know. They must be comfortable meeting and interviewing new people from a wide variety of backgrounds, and they need to communicate well by being both good listeners and good speakers. Human resources specialists need to be confident in their own decision-making skills when it comes to determining which candidate is the best fit for the position they are trying to fill. Even after the hiring process is complete, human resources specialists guide new employees in filling out paperwork and understanding their job duties and benefits as well as conducting employee orientations. For extroverts, the opportunity to meet and interact with new people isn’t just a necessary part of the job, but may very well be the best part of the job. With experience and ambition, human resources specialists can advance to human resources manager positions. Not only does a management job allow extroverts to put their considerable leadership skills to work, but it also comes with substantially higher pay – a median salary of $99,720 per year.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $55,640

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 8 percent

8. Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists are professionals in the field of media and communication who work toward a specific goal: managing the public image of an organization. Some public relations specialists, media specialists or communications specialists work in-house within a government entity, healthcare facility, educational institution or other organization, while others work in firms that handle public relations campaigns for a variety of external clients. Regardless of their work environment and situation, public relations specialists use the same strategies to create and perpetuate a positive image among consumers, investors and the media for the organizations they represent. They draft press releases announcing news concerning their organizations and distribute the information to a network of relevant contacts in the print and broadcast media. They field requests for information from media representatives and coordinate interviews with company spokespeople so that the information can be used in a newspaper or magazine article, a radio broadcast or a television news segment.

Strategy – and skilled implementation of that strategy – is an important part of success in public relations, but being a good problem-solver and writer isn’t enough. Public relations specialists must have excellent interpersonal skills to cultivate a network of relevant media contacts and maintain strong working relationships with those contacts. They must be comfortable not only initiating contact with reports, editors and other members of the media, but also speaking for the organization they represent. Where introverts might shudder at the thought of putting themselves and their company in the public eye and constantly courting the attention of the media, true extroverts will thrive in a busy, fast-paced career like public relations. Experienced public relations specialists can move into management positions, where they can earn a median annual salary of $95,450 and have the opportunity to lead teams and campaigns.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $54,170

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 12 percent

9. Teacher

Teachers are the professionals responsible for educating young people in a variety of subjects and grade levels. Whether teaching very young children at the preschool, kindergarten and elementary school level or teenagers and young adults at the middle school or high school level, teachers must be able to connect with their students and find ways to make learning interesting. They create and carry out lesson plans that illustrate course material. They may procure or develop worksheets and tests. Teachers assign and grade classwork, homework and projects that help students learn not only the material, like a history lesson or science lecture, but also help them develop skills such as critical thinking. They grade tests and assignments and work with struggling students to help them grasp lessons.

Teachers are often the only adult, or one of the only adults, in a classroom full of students. They must not only be comfortable with public speaking, but also getting to know and communicate with each individual student. Successful teachers have the interpersonal skills to interact and communicate with a variety of people, from their young students to fellow adults. Teachers have to discuss students’ progress, including their strengths and weaknesses, with parents and guardians during conferences or when an academic or behavioral issue arises. They also have to work with colleagues, including other teachers, school counselors and administrators. Whether a teacher is standing up in front of a class giving a presentation, facilitating a group discussion or assigning work, he or she must lead students and manage the classroom – tasks that extroverts, who thrive in environments full of people and interaction, will often be comfortable doing. 

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $53,090 – $55,050 per year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 6 to 12 percent

10. Event Planner

Event planners are the business professionals who organize a wide variety of events that range from weddings and parties to professional conferences, conventions and meetings. They work directly with both clients and professionals in the hospitality, transportation and professional services industries. Prior to the event, planners coordinate all of the details, including the date and time, the venue, transportation and catering or food service. They seek out locations and services that will fit the client’s needs, negotiate prices and coordinate all services required, making sure to keep the cost of the event under the agreed-upon budget. The job doesn’t end once the planning is complete. While the event is going on, planners are busy managing equipment, guest registration and other logistics and resolving any problems that emerge.

As an extrovert, you probably enjoy going out and experiencing events, from weddings to business conventions. What career could be more interesting than planning those events yourself? Event planners spend much of their time interacting with other people. They talk to clients to discover their needs and ideas. Then they work with the appropriate vendors and suppliers to fill those needs and negotiate contracts and prices. Because event planning is such a fast-paced industry, the professionals in it must be composed under pressure and comfortable thinking on their feet to solve problems.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $45,810

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 33 percent

Related Resources:

20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Lawyer?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Mediator?

How Many Jobs Are Available in Finance?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

The post Top 10 Careers for Extroverts appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Secrets to Getting Accepted Into Top Physician Assistant Schools

Gaining acceptance into top physician assistant programs requires understanding the competitive application process, crafting a compelling personal statement that reveals your passion, and pursuing meaningful experiences in healthcare. You’ll also need to secure letters of recommendation highlighting your strengths and prepare to ace the PA school interview.

Top PA programs seek candidates who exhibit a deep understanding of the PA role and possess a combination of academic excellence, healthcare exposure, and personal attributes that align with their institution’s values. Our insights with this process aim to highlight the pathways prospective students can follow to enhance their chances of acceptance.

Understand the PA School Application Process

To secure a spot in a top Physician Assistant (PA) school, it’s crucial to have a thorough understanding of the application process. Knowing the prerequisites, the timeline, and meeting deadlines are the cornerstones to crafting a successful application.

Prerequisites and Requirements

Research each program’s requirements well before applying to make sure your application showcases the necessary credentials.

• Healthcare experience: Most programs require healthcare experience with a minimum number of hours. It’s essential to accumulate this experience in various roles to display a well-rounded understanding of healthcare.
• Academic criteria: A strong academic background is non-negotiable. Programs typically look for a minimum overall GPA and science GPA, often around 3.0 or higher.
• GRE Scores: Many schools also require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and set specific target scores for applicants, usually a combined score of 300 or higher.

Timeline and Deadlines

Preparing a timeline helps to keep track throughout the application cycle. This ensures you don’t miss any crucial steps or deadlines.

• Application services: The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) usually opens in late April. Keep your application ready to submit as early as possible.
• Supplemental applications: Following the CASPA submission, schools may have additional requirements or supplemental applications with their own deadlines.
• Interviews: Interviews typically occur between August and November, so be prepared in advance.

Craft a Stand-Out Personal Statement

The personal statement is the heartbeat of your physician assistant school application. It’s where you become more than just numbers and academic records. Here’s what we normally recommend when crafting statements that can resonate with admissions committees and help secure a spot in your desired program.

Key Elements of a Persuasive Statement

Persuasive statements are critical for admissions personal statements because they convince reviewers that you have the passion, experiences, and goals that align with the program. Skillfully making a case for yourself will make your essay more compelling.

• Authenticity: According to an American Psychological Association study, persuasive messages that appeal to a person’s values and emotions can change behaviors and attitudes. Your statement should reflect a genuine passion for the medical field and illustrate your understanding of the PA profession.
• Relevant experiences: Showcase your experiences in healthcare that have prepared you for the rigors of PA school. Make sure they align with the values and specifics of the programs you’re applying to.
• Clarity of purpose: Articulate why you want to become a PA, drawing a clear line from your past experiences to your future ambitions. It’s crucial to demonstrate your clear and rational motivation for entering the profession.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing the common mistakes to avoid in personal statements is crucial for success. Thoughtful self-editing can help your essay avoid pitfalls like an impersonal tone, repetition, grammatical errors, and other weaknesses that undermine impact.

• Being vague: Avoiding general statements. Instead, provide specific examples to support claims about your skills and character.
• Cliches: Steering clear of cliches keeps your statement fresh and engaging. Admissions committees have read countless variations of the same statements.
• Ignoring the school’s vision: Every PA program has a unique set of values and mission. Your personal statement should mirror the specific ethos of the schools you’re applying to.

Communication Skills

Strong communication skills are vital for an effective personal statement. The ability to convey complex ideas clearly while telling your story in an authentic, succinct way is key to writing a memorable essay.

• Clarity and conciseness: Your writing should be clear and to the point. Brevity is the key. This helps convey your thoughts in an articulate manner.
• Engagement: Write in a way that engages readers, making your statement memorable. Strong communication skills here mean crafting an interesting narrative that evokes a positive response from the reader.

Gain Relevant Experience

Gaining relevant experience is essential. A real-world understanding of healthcare greatly improves a candidate’s quality.

• Healthcare experience: Most PA schools necessitate prospective students to have substantial hands-on experience. It often entails working in clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities. This involves accumulating a certain number of direct patient care hours, often around 1,000 to 4,000 hours.
• Shadow certified PAs: Shadowing certified physician assistants provide an insider’s view of the profession. It exposes you to the daily routines and responsibilities of PAs. It often leads to mentorship opportunities and professional references.
• Volunteer work and community service: Engaging in volunteer work and community service elucidates character traits that PA programs admire, such as empathy and altruism. Volunteering includes providing non-medical support in healthcare settings and participating in public health initiatives or health education programs.

Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation

Strong letters of recommendation are your advocates, painting a vivid picture of your unique qualities and aptitude for the PA program. To start, it’s beneficial to have a diverse set of endorsers. A healthcare provider, a professor, and a work supervisor can provide complementary perspectives on your skills and character.

• Select recommenders who know you well.
• Request letters early to give writers ample time.
• Provide a brief on your achievements and experiences for reference.

Schools look for students who excel academically while also demonstrating integrity, empathy, and resilience — traits essential for healthcare professionals.

Ace the PA School Interview

The key to acing your PA school interview lies in preparedness and presentation. Knowing the types of questions you’ll face and how to conduct yourself can set you apart from other applicants.

Common Questions

One of the best strategies is to familiarize yourself with the typical questions interviewers ask. Here are a few to consider:

• Why do you want to be a PA? They’re looking for genuine passion, not generic answers.
• Tell me about an ethical dilemma you’ve faced and how you handled it. This is to assess your moral reasoning and decision-making.
• Describe a situation where you displayed leadership. This indicates your potential to take initiative.

It’s also wise to review your application thoroughly. Questions often stem from the experiences you’ve listed.

Interview Etiquette and Tips

First impressions are vital, so here are some tips to consider:

• Maintain good eye contact to show confidence and interest.
• Offer a firm handshake. It speaks volumes about your personality.
• Be ready with thoughtful questions to ask the interview panel. It shows you’re proactive and engaged with the process.
• According to 55% of interviewers, applicants respecting dress codes create excellent first impressions.
• Keep the dialogue natural and exhibit qualities like empathy, integrity, and humility.

Related Questions

How Do You Get into a Top Physician Assistant School?

To secure a spot in a top PA school, candidates should have substantial healthcare experience, as most schools prefer applicants with around three years in the field. Aspiring PA students need to showcase a deep understanding of the PA role through personal statements and interviews, an aspect critical to top programs. 

How Do I Stand out on My Physician Assistant School Application?

Standing out means highlighting unique aspects of your healthcare journey while aligning with the values and expectations of the PA program. It also helps to construct a compelling narrative in their personal statements, reflecting your dedication to medicine and the specific attributes you can bring to the PA profession.

How Can I Be Successful in PA School?

One approach to succeeding in physician assistant school centers on developing a proactive study plan and embracing the collaborative culture typical of PA programs. Form study groups and seek mentorship, as mutual support and guidance from peers and professors can be pivotal in navigating the challenging journey through PA school.

Conclusion

By leveraging expert advice, highlighting your passion through your personal statement, pursuing meaningful healthcare experiences, acing the interview, and demonstrating emotional intelligence, you can unlock your potential for acceptance into leading PA degree programs. With grit and strategic preparation, you can join the ranks of successful students at renowned institutions.

The post Secrets to Getting Accepted Into Top Physician Assistant Schools appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

How much does a surgeon make a year? The highest-paid doctors – most of whom are surgeons – earn as much as $600,000 to $700,000 or more per year. Doctors’ earnings depend on the medical specialty they practice.

The Average Salary of a Doctor

No one ever said becoming a doctor was easy. Medical school is competitive, rigorous and expensive. The training takes persistence. Even well into your career as a doctor, the work continues to be strenuous and demanding. Physicians and surgeons often work schedules with long, unpredictable hours. They may also work on-call.

Of course, there are upsides, too. The hard work yields a high-paying career – and the opportunity to provide hope and healing to patients of all ages.

If you’re going to invest time, effort and money to earn your medical degree, then you want your medical career to be rewarding enough – financially and otherwise – to make your work worthwhile.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor?

For all types of physicians and surgeons, the median annual salary as of 2022 amounted to $229,300, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Many of the most popular and recognizable doctor specialties paid well above this amount, including:

• Anesthesiologists
• Neurologists
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Radiologists
• Cardiologists
• Dermatologists
• Emergency medicine physicians

For all of these medical specialties, the median wage reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics equaled or exceeded $239,200 in 2022.

Becoming a doctor requires going to medical school. In the United States, accredited medical schools award either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Although MD-granting schools are more common, graduates from DO-granting medical schools are equally qualified.

If you’re concerned about a possible difference in MD vs DO salary, you should know that the type of medical degree alone has little direct impact on earnings. Doctors with both qualifications earn comparable salaries when adjusted for specialty and geographic location. MDs are generally more likely to pursue medical specialties that pay higher salaries. On the other hand, DOs tend to gravitate more toward family medicine and primary care. However, an MD who goes into family medicine generally earns the same as a DO in this field. A DO who undergoes the extra training to work in a high-paying specialty can make just as much money as their peers with MDs.

Within the field of medicine, doctors’ earnings vary substantially from one specialty to the next. In its 2023 Physician Compensation Report, Medscape concluded that specialists earned more than $117,000 per year above what primary care physicians made. Primary physicians reported earnings of $265,000, Medscape reported. For specialists, the average earnings amounted to $382,000. Specialists’ current average earnings represent a significant increase from the $284,000 per year on average salary Medscape reported in 2015.

The Highest-Paid Medical Specialties

Beyond the distinction between primary physician and specialist earnings, the biggest factor in how much doctors make is what specialty they practice.

Which are the highest-paying medical specialties? Our list of the top 15 highest-paying medical specialties draws upon current physician compensation data. Below, we delve into the data to identify which specialties pay the most money – and what to expect working in them.

1. Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is the highest-paid specialty in the medical profession. Neurosurgeons aren’t just the highest-paid surgeons in the United States. They’re the highest-paid medical specialty, period. Their average earnings topped $700,000 per year in 2023.

Neurosurgeons diagnose and treat patients suffering from brain-related illness or injury. As such, neurosurgeons must have experience and expertise with the brain, spine, spinal cord and nervous system. Within this medical specialty, neurosurgeons can specialize in adult or infant and child treatment. 

The work neurosurgeons do includes:

• Performing spinal surgery and brain surgery
• Removing tumors
• Caring for brain and spine infections and injuries
• Treating strokes and degenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease
• Diagnosing and treating chronic pain, seizures and epilepsy 
• Interpreting radiological studies

So, how much does the highest-paid doctor make? In its 2023 Physician Compensation Report, the professional medical network Doximity reported an average annual compensation amount of $788,313 for the specialty of neurosurgery.

Salary.com listed the average salary for this specialty as $666,401 in September 2023. The salary range for the neurosurgeons, Salary.com reported, was between $501,801 and $843,301.

Neurosurgery impacts the life of a patient because the nervous system affects all areas of the body. Though the training is extensive, a neurosurgeon provides a significant contribution to the medical field. 

What they do: Brain, spine and nervous system surgery 

Annual earnings: $788,313

Training: 1 year internship in general surgery, 5-7 years in neurosurgery residency program

2. Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic surgeon is another of the highest-paying medical jobs. Thoracic surgeons perform chest surgery. Though both open and minimally invasive techniques, they perform procedures such as:

• Tracheal resection 
• Transthoracic esophagectomy
• Lung tumor removal
• Surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Heart valve repair

For the specialty of thoracic surgery, Doximity reported a 2022 average compensation amount of $706,775.

What they do: Chest surgery

Annual earnings: $706,775

Training: 5 years of general surgery, 2-3 years of specialized cardiothoracic surgery residency

3. Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgeons are another of the highest-paying doctors out there.

These surgeons treat injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Treating the musculoskeletal system means working on the spine, extremities and related structures.

Orthopedic surgeons treat:

• Patients who suffered injuries in a trauma
• Congenital (from birth) conditions
• Infections
• Cancer
• Degenerative (progressive) diseases

Even within the specialty of orthopedic surgery, there are numerous subspecialties. Some orthopedic surgeons work exclusively on procedures on the hand or foot and ankle. They may also focus on a particular type of condition, like cancer (oncology) or sports injuries (sports medicine).

Some of the specific work orthopedic surgeons perform includes:

• Setting broken bones
• Replacing damaged joints
• Repairing injured tendons
• Surgically removing tumors

Doximity’s report put the average annual compensation for orthopedic surgery at $624,043 for 2022. Salary.com reported a national average salary of $532,770 as of September 2023, listing a salary range between $418,850 and $689,230. Different sources cite different earnings for the specialty, but it consistently ranks high on the list.

What They Do: Surgical procedures on the musculoskeletal system

Annual Earnings: $624,043

Training: 5 years

4. Plastic/ Reconstructive Surgery

lastic surgeons are the physicians who devote their careers to medical aesthetics and reconstruction. These are also some of the highest-paying medical jobs.

Plastic surgeons may work on virtually any visual body part. The medical procedures they perform may seek to improve or alter aspects of a patient’s body like the following:

• The appearance of the skin
• The shape of the torso, breasts, and limbs
• External reproductive structures

The goal of cosmetic surgery is often to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the body. Some plastic surgery procedures are reconstructive. Through these procedures, plastic surgeons seek to repair damage done by an injury, congenital defects or disease. This damage may affects function as well as appearance. As such, plastic surgery may have functional as well as aesthetic effects on patients’ lives.

To achieve the appearance improvements desired by their patients, plastic surgeons use methods such as:

• Skin grafts
• Implants
• Liposuction techniques
• Tissue transfers

As with other specialties, plastic surgery includes subspecialties. Examples of plastic surgery subspecialties include surgery on the head and face (craniofacial surgery) and plastic surgery treatments for serious burns.

The average plastic surgeon salary Doximity reported for 2022 amounted to $571,373. Salary.com reported a national average of $430,139 in September 202. The salary range for plastic surgeons, Salary.com reported, was between $359,592 and $533,755.

 What They Do: Cosmetic procedures

Annual Earnings: $571,373

Training: 2 years

5. Vascular Surgery

Another of the best-paying specialty healthcare fields is vascular surgery. Vascular surgery is a specialty that encompasses surgery and other forms of treatment of disease of the veins and arteries. Vascular surgeons use minimally-invasive procedures and non-surgical methods of treating these disorders as well as more invasive methods of surgery. Types of procedures vascular surgeons perform include:

• Varicose vein treatment (surgical and non-surgical)
• Lower limb revascularization
• Carotid artery surgery
• Angioplasty and other stenting procedures

For the specialty of vascular surgery, Doximity reported a 2022 annual compensation amount of $557,632.

What they do: Treatment of and surgery on the veins

Annual earnings: $557,632

Training: 6-7 years of general surgery and vascular surgery training

6. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Another of the best-paying jobs in health care is oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgical procedures in the area of the jaw, mouth and face. Surgically removing impacted wisdom teeth is one routine procedure oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform. These medical doctors also perform oral reconstructive surgery for patients who have suffered facial trauma. They may insert dental implants, treat misaligned jaws and surgically repair cleft lip and cleft palate.

The average annual compensation for the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery was $556,642 in 2022, Doximity reported.

What they do: Dental surgery

Annual earnings: $556,642

Training: At least 4 years

7. Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is another of the best-paying health care jobs. Oncology is the field of medicine that refers to the treatment of cancer. Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that treats cancer through the use of ionizing radiation technology. Radiation oncologists play a part in creating treatment plans for cancer patients. They oversee the radiation treatments and assess the progress of radiation treatments on cancer.

Doximity reported an average annual compensation amount of $547,026 for the radiation oncology profession as of 2022.

What they do:  Treat cancer with radiation therapy

Annual earnings: $547,026

Training: 5 years, including 4 years of specialized training in radiation oncology

8. Cardiology

If you don’t mind the pressure of holding a patient’s heart in your hands, consider another of the highest-paying medical jobs: cardiology.

Cardiologists specialize in heart health. They assess heart function and cardiovascular health through blood flow, blood pressure and other health indicators. The work cardiologists do include:

• Ordering diagnostic tests
• Performing procedures
• Prescribing medication to improve suboptimal heart health

These doctors may work with patients who are in the advanced stages of heart failure. Some of their patients may need transplants. Invasive cardiologists are surgeons who carry out procedures such as repairing damaged heart valves, inserting pacemakers or defibrillators and performing heart bypass operations.

As a whole, the specialty of cardiology reported an average compensation amount of $544,201 in 2022, according to Doximity. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median earnings for cardiologists at $421,330 as of 2022.

Cardiology in general is a rewarding career choice, but one subspecialty is particularly lucrative. Invasive cardiologists earned $611,000 per year as of 2021, Becker’s ASC Review reported. Those earnings eclipsed the average salary for noninvasive cardiologists – $446,000 – by $165,000.

What They Do: Heart health and surgery

Annual Earnings: $544,201

Training: 1 year of subspecialty training on top of 3 years of general cardiology training

9. Urology

Next on our list of high-paying medical jobs is urologist. Urology is the medical specialty that focuses on the health of the urinary tract of any gender and the reproductive system of male patients.

Several organs and structures fall under the domain of urologists. These organs include the:

• Bladder
• Kidney
• Prostate
• Urethra
• Male genitals

Urologists diagnose and treat:

• Urinary tract and bladder infections
• Difficulty urinating
• Incontinence
• Kidney stones
• Enlarged prostate
• Male infertility

The field of urology paid an average annual compensation amount of $505,745, Doximity’s 2023 report concluded. Salary.com reported a national average salary of $413,880 for urologists, with a salary range between $363,220 and $482,710.

What They Do: Urinary tract

Annual Earnings: $505,745

Training: 5 years

10. Radiology

Radiology is another of the best-paying health care jobs. This medical specialty revolves around the use of nuclear radiation for medical purposes. Applications of radiology range from diagnostic tests to radiation treatments. Radiologists work in hospitals, imaging facilities and other healthcare settings. 

Diagnostic radiologists read and interpret diagnostic imaging tests such as:

• X-rays
• Ultrasounds
• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs)

Radiologists may also serve interventional roles. For example, they may facilitate image-guided therapy and administer radiation to cancer patients.

Often, radiologists specialize in imaging different regions of the body. Examples include specializing in chest and cardiac imaging, abdominal imaging and performing mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

For the medical specialty of radiology, Doximity reported an average compensation of $503,564 for 2022. The average salary for this medical doctor according to Salary.com was $452,890. The salary range stretched from $393,790 to $523,890.

What They Do: Diagnostic testing and radiation treatments

Annual Earnings: $503,564

Training: 5 years

11. Gastroenterology

Another of the highest-paying medical specialties in the healthcare industry is gastroenterology.

Gastroenterologists treat disorders that occur in every part of the digestive system. Their area of focus includes the:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Bowels
• Gallbladder
• Pancreas
• Liver
• Other organs in the abdominal cavity

As part of the specialty of internal medicine, gastroenterology focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions like:

• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Acid reflux
• Ulcers
• Pain

These specialists play a role in preventing and diagnosing cancers of the digestive organs, including esophageal and colon cancer. Gastroenterologists perform minimally invasive procedures and diagnostic tests like endoscopies, which allow doctors to see inside the gastrointestinal organs.

The average compensation for the gastroenterology medical specialty amounted to $496,667 in 2022, according to Doximity. From Salary.com, the average gastroenterologist salary was $414,300 in September 2023, with the larger salary range between $349,800 and $489,200.

What They Do: Digestive health

Annual Earnings: $496,667

Training: 3 years of subspecialty training on top of 3 years of internal medicine training

12. Otolaryngology (ENT)

Of all the well-paying medical jobs in the healthcare industry, otolaryngology may be among the biggest mouthfuls to say aloud. This medical specialtiy is better known by the abbreviation ENT, for ear, nose and throat. ENTs provide medical and surgical care of the head and neck. Medical conditions an ENT might address include:

• Hearing disorders
• Speech disorders
• Swallowing disorders
• Breathing disorders
• Sinus disorders

For the field of otolaryngology, Doximity reported a 2022 average compensation amount of $488,536 per year.

What they do:  Ear, nose and throat medicine and surgery

Annual earnings: $488,536

Training: 5 years, including 1 year of surgical training and 3 years of general otolaryngology training

13. Dermatology

One of the best-paying jobs in health care is dermatologist. A dermatologist is the medical doctor who diagnoses and treats skin disorders of all kinds, from acne to cancer. As the largest organ of the body, it’s no wonder skin gets its own specialist.

Dermatologists perform routine skin examinations to screen for signs of melanoma or other forms of skin cancer. During these exams, they track any changes in the appearance or location of moles.

Another job duty for dermatologists is performing diagnostic tests like biopsies on unusual skin conditions and changes. Dermatologists treat skin allergies, infections, eczema and other conditions. Many dermatologists also perform cosmetic procedures. These cosmetic procedures range from laser surgery and excisions of unwanted skin conditions and markings to liposuction, chemical peels and injections of dermal fillers like Botox.

The average compensation Doximity reported for the specialty of dermatology for 2022 was $468,509 per year. That’s well above the $327,650 average salary the BLS listed based on 2022 data.

What They Do: Skin health

Annual Earnings: $468,509

Training: 4 years

14.  Anesthesiology

Anesthesiologists are the doctors responsible for keeping patients pain-free, sedated or unconscious during surgical procedures. The important job comes with a great deal of responsibility and a high earning potential that makes anesthesiologist one of the highest-paying jobs in the health care industry.

Though not surgeons themselves, anesthesiologists work primarily with patients undergoing surgery. They prepare the patient for diagnostic procedures and operations that would be painful or uncomfortable by administering anesthetics. Anesthetics are pain relief medications.

During surgery, anesthesiologists observe the patient for any signs of pain or stress and adjust pain medications accordingly. They pay attention to indicators like the patient’s:

• Pulse
• Blood pressure
• Breathing
• Body temperature
• Other vital signs

Anesthesiologists also monitor patients after surgery and contribute to postoperative care.

Outside of surgical applications, anesthesiologists also use their expertise in pain medications to help patients find effective and safe pain relief. The patients to whom anesthesiologists provide services include:

• Patients suffering from chronic pain
• Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU)
• Mothers going through childbirth

According to Doximity, the anesthesiology profession reported an average compensation amount of $462,506 per year for 2022. Salary.com reported an average salary of $424,600 for the profession in September 2023, with a salary range between $367,900 and $481,400.

What They Do: Pain relief during surgery

Annual Earnings: $462,506

Training: 4 years

15. General Surgery

Many of the specialties on our list of high-paying medical jobs are, well, highly specialized. Prospective doctors may be wondering “How much does a general surgeon make?”

General surgery rounds out the top 15 highest-paying medical specialties. Many other specialties – including some among the highest-paying, like orthopedic surgery and invasive cardiology – practice surgery. These surgeons are not general surgeons, however.

A doctor who specializes in general surgery has a broad base of knowledge. This knowledge allows them to treat a wide range of medical conditions through operations with specialized tools.

Most general surgeons perform procedures that involve the skin, neck, breasts, abdomen and arteries. Typically, general surgeons refer patients with orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac and similar conditions to surgeons in the appropriate specialties. General surgeons work with their patients throughout the surgical process, from diagnosing the medical condition that requires surgery and prepping them for the procedure to providing postoperative care.

So, how much do general surgeons make? Doximity put their average compensation at $451,489 per year for 2022.

What They Do: Operations

Annual Earnings: $451,489

Training: 5 years

The Medical Specialty With the Highest Compensation Growth: Emergency Medicine Physician

For emergency medicine physicians, Doximity reported a 2022 average compensation amount of $385,554. Although this income isn’t enough to rank emergency medicine among the highest-paying specialties, it does represent a 6.2% growth in compensation compared to 2021, which marks it as the specialty with the greatest compensation growth.

Emergency medicine is what it sounds like – the specialty that focuses on caring for and stabilizing patients during medical emergencies.

In a medical emergency, doctors have to act fast. Making the wrong decision could endanger the patient’s life or leave them with permanent disabilities, but so could waiting too long to take action. Specialists in emergency medicine work in both emergency departments and pre-hospital settings to recognize and treat acute diseases and severe injuries. Quick and accurate decision-making is essential to saving the lives of emergency patients. These physicians need a strong background in clinical and technical skills and a breadth of medical knowledge to draw from when evaluating patients and planning patient care.

What They Do: Emergency care

Annual Earnings: $345,000

Training: 3 years

The Highest-Paying Jobs in Health Care Without a Medical Doctorate

Doctors are the health care professionals with the highest earnings. However, there are plenty of other high-paying jobs in the health care industry for those who don’t want to invest the time and money into medical school. Some of the best-paying health care jobs without an MD or DO degree include the following.

Advanced Practice Nurse

One of the best-paying health care jobs is advanced practice registered nurse. Advanced practice registered nurses have a master’s degree and advanced training. This education and clinical training qualifies advanced practice registered nurses to provide primary and specialty healthcare, prescribe medications and make diagnoses.

Types of advanced practice registered nurses include:

• Nurse practitioners in a variety of medical specialties
• Nurse midwives
• Nurse anesthetists

The median salary for an advanced practice registered nurse was $125,900 in 2022, the BLS reported. Nurse anesthetist was the highest-paid APRN role, with a median wage of $203,090. For nurse practitioner, the median salary was $121,610. Nurse midwives earned a median wage of $120,880.

RELATED: What is the Average Salary for a Nurse Practitioner?

Physician Assistant

Physician assistant is another of the best-paid jobs in health care. Physician assistants, or PAs, provide direct care to patients in clinical settings. They can prescribe medications, order tests and diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. Physician assistants work under the supervision of a fully credentialed and licensed doctor who has a doctorate in either allopathic or osteopathic medicine.

Like nurse practitioners, physician assistants can qualify for the position with only a master’s degree. A physician assistant can also choose to work in one of any number of medical specialties.

The median annual salary the BLS reported for physician assistant in 2022 was $126,010 

Physical Therapist

Another of the best-paying health care jobs is physical therapist. These health care professionals provide therapy to improve patients’ physical strength, range of mobility and function. Over time, physical therapy can also reduce or alleviate pain that accompanies movement.

RELATED: What Is the Salary Range for a PA?

Some of the methods physical therapists use include:

• Stretching
• Exercises
• Hands-on therapy
• Use of mobility aids and other equipment

A physical therapist needs a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, as well as a license to practice.

The median salary the BLS reported for the physical therapist occupation in 2022 was $97,720. Physical therapists in the home healthcare services industry made the most, with a median salary of $105,130. Nursing homes and hospitals are other environments where a physical therapy career paid a median wage above $100,000. The near six-figure median salary makes this one of the best-paid jobs in health care.

Occupational Therapist

Like physical therapists, occupational therapists are healthcare professionals whose work allows patients to live fuller and healthier lives. This is another of the medical jobs in the healthcare industry that you can earn with a master’s degree. An occupational therapist helps people with injuries, illnesses or disabilities develop the skills they need for day-to-day tasks of living and working.

Occupational therapy encompasses exercises through which patients can gain and strengthen skills. Occupational therapists also teach patients workarounds, like using eating and mobility aids and implementing labeling systems, that allow them to cope with physical or cognitive limitations. Some of the patient populations that can benefit from occupational therapy include:

• People with cognitive and developmental disabilities
• Survivors of traumatic brain injuries, strokes and spinal cord injuries
• People with chronic disabilities or medical conditions
• Elderly patients with dementia

The median wage for the occupational therapist as of 2022 was $93,180, the BLS reported.

RELATED: Recommended Accredited Online Medical Degrees

Editor’s Note: The earnings, training requirements and responsibilities listed in this article are meant as a guide only for aspiring doctors to do their own research into the medical specialties that interest them. As noted in the article, even credible publications may report vastly different wages for physicians of the same specialties. Training information presented in this article comes from the Association of American Medical Colleges, does not include time spent in medical earning an MD or DO and is subject to change.

More Rankings of Interest:

• Top 25 Medical Schools
• Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees
• 15 Top Degrees for the Highest-Paying Business Careers
• 24 Fastest Online Associate’s Degrees

Related Resources: 

• What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

The post The Best-Paying Jobs in Health Care: Top 15 Highest-Paying Medical Specialties appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What Are Physician Assistant Programs?

Physician assistant degrees are graduate degrees in medicine that prepare students for clinical practice under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Unlike the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree programs, physician assistant degrees aren’t doctorates but rather master’s degrees.

RELATED: Do PAs Go to Medical School?

PA master’s degree programs take considerably less time than medical school does. Physician assistant degrees typically take two to three years, while medical school takes four years to finish. Additionally, while newly trained physicians still have to go through years of internship and residency training, PAs are ready to get started in their career field shortly after graduating with their physician assistant degrees.

RELATED: Top 25 Medical Schools

In most accredited physician assistant programs, students complete at least one year of classroom study, called the didactic phase of their education, and at least one year of clinical training. During the clinical component of their studies, PA students in most physician assistant programs complete rotations in several areas of medicine.

Before you can apply to a PA master’s degree program, you generally need to earn a bachelor’s degree. Most students major in a science- or health-related program of study while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The courses you complete when pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a subject such as pre-PA studies, pre-medical studies, medical science, health sciences and other science-related areas prepare you for the science-heavy curriculum found in most accredited physician assistant programs.

The Work of Physician Assistants

Physician assistants perform many of the same tasks as doctors. They take patient histories, perform physical exams, order tests, make diagnoses and order, administer and prescribe treatments, including medication. However, PAs are not doctors. Rather, they are licensed medical professionals with an advanced education who must work under the eye of a supervising physician.

RELATED: Can a PA Prescribe Medication?

What to Look for in the Best Physician Assistant Schools

How do you decide which schools offer the best master’s degree programs for physician assistants? To come up with our list of the best physician assistant degrees, we looked at the following factors:

• Accreditation: Students should choose a physician assistant program that has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Choosing an accredited physician assistant studies program is essential when preparing for a career as a licensed PA. We included only ARC-PA accredited programs in our ranking of the best physician assistant degrees and programs.
• PANCE scores: Individual schools report their students’ performance on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), the licensing exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The national average pass rate for the PANCE is 93% for first-time test-takers and 91% for all test-takers.
• Graduation rate: Ideally, the vast majority of students accepted into a PA school’s cohort will successfully graduate on time. Most physician assistant programs on our list report a high graduation rate.
• Cost of attendance: PA school isn’t cheap, but we included in our ranking the cost of attendance. Students seeking physician assistant degrees should keep in mind that financial aid packages can make the cost of an education more affordable.
• Overall reputation and rankings: Schools’ reputations matter, and looking at rankings from other publications can provide a glimpse into how schools of medicine, health sciences and health professions are perceived. In particular, we considered the Best Physician Assistant Programs ranking U.S. News & World Report compiled in 2019.

Other factors to consider when evaluating the best physician assistant schools might include time to completion, specialization opportunities, flexibility and program options.

RELATED: When I Have Completed a PA Program, Can I Work in Any State?

The Best 25 PA Schools Ranked

1. University of Iowa

Students pursuing physician assistant degrees at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA, are high achievers – as you might expect from a program this competitive. On average, the University of Iowa interviews 120 applicants, all vying for one of only 25 open seats. By the time they finish their 28-month program, students are equipped with the skills to perform some of the health tasks normally undertaken by a primary care physician (in accordance with the scope of a PA’s work).

Graduates of this physician assistant program also achieve impressive PANCE scores. The PA Class of 2021 at the University of Iowa achieved a 100% pass rate on the certification exam. Additionally, the past five years of data show that over 99% of each year’s students graduate from the program. The school is also tied for first place on U.S. News & World Report’s list.

The total cost of this program for Iowa residents is $54,573,25 as of 2022, with tuition making up $47,427.50 of the cost. For non-residents, the tuition amounted to $96,084, with a total program cost of $103,329.75.

This physician assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

2. Yale University

Yale University in New Haven, CT, is more than an Ivy League research institution. The school is also one of the best physician assistant programs in the country.

In U.S. News & World Report’s ranking, Yale is ranked 26th. We ranked the institution much higher due to its exceptional PANCE pass rate and graduation rate. Except for one year, the first-time PANCE pass rate for Yale University physician assistant graduates has been 100% every year for the past half a decade. Even the exception to this 100% pass rate, the Class of 2019, still achieved a remarkable 95% pass rate. For both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021, the physician assistant program graduation rate was 100%.

Yale University’s ARC-PA-accredited physician assistant program curriculum spans 28 months, with a 12-month didactic phase and a 16-month clinical phase. During both phases, students seeking physician assistant degrees also have opportunities to be involved in research efforts.

You’ll get a quality physician assistant education at Yale, but you’ll pay a lot for it. For the 2022 through 2023 academic year, the tuition cost for the physician assistant master’s degree for all students (regardless of residency) was $111,167, and total program costs equaled $199,435.

View program details.

3. Baylor College of Medicine

Some of the best physician assistant programs are offered out of colleges of medicine. After all, physician assistants do practice medicine – they just do so under the guidance of a supervising physician. One such top-performing physician assistant program is offered at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.

Baylor College of Medicine’s PA program has it all. The program landed the #3 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s rankings. We were particularly impressed by the school’s long history of excellence in preparing students for the PANCE certification exam. The Class of 2021 reported a 97% pass rate for first-time test-takers, and the Class of 2020 achieved a 100% pass rate. This isn’t a new phenomenon; the school reports that its graduates have surpassed both first-time pass rates and national mean PANCE scores since 1973.

The maximum class size for the physician assistant program at Baylor College of Medicine is 40 students. The graduation rate among the Class of 2021 was 92.5%, while both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2019 saw a graduation rate of 97.5%

Over the course of this 30-month physician assistant program, students will complete a curriculum that encompasses interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experience through the Simulation Core. Unique offerings at the school include an emphasis on Lifestyle Medicine, in which future PAs learn to help patients with lifestyle changes to treat or prevent diseases, as well as enrichment pathways in medical ethics and tropical medicine. The physician assistant students at this institution of higher education learn in the same facilities and clinical sites within Texas Medical Center – which the school bills as “the world’s largest medical complex” – where the school’s medical students train.

The cost for physician assistant degrees at Baylor is the same for both residents and non-residents. As reported for the 2022 through 2023 school year, tuition for all three years of the program totaled $80,075, with the total costs amounting to $112,070.50.

This physician assistant master’s degree is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

4. Marquette University

Getting into the ARC-PA-accredited physician assistant studies program at Marquette University’s College of Health Sciences in Milwaukee, WI, isn’t easy. Between 850 and 1,000 prospective students submit an application each cycle, but the school only accepts 75 students per year.

Despite the program’s selectivity, Marquette University is tied for 26th place on U.S. News & World Report’s list. We thought the school’s high PANCE pass rates and graduation rate warranted a much higher spot on our physician assistant school rankings list. Marquette’s Class of 2021 reported a PANCE pass rate of 100%, in keeping with most of the graduating classes over the past five years. The Class of 2019, the exception to Marquette’s pattern of 100% pass rates, still achieved a pass rate of 98%. For the Class of 2021, the graduation rate was 97.34%.

In addition to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree, the institution offers a postgraduate physician assistant emergency medicine program for PAs looking to specialize in this branch of medicine.

The projected tuition cost for the entire 28-month program amounted to $110,250 for students who enrolled during the 2022 through 2023 school year.

View program details.

RELATED: Is Getting Into a PA Program More or Less Competitive Than a Med School?

5. Duke University School of Medicine

No ranking of the best physician assistant degrees is complete without mentioning the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC. The PA career path started at Duke in 1965, when the Department of Medicine chairman, Dr. Eugene A. Stead Jr., established the first two-year program to train “mid-level practitioners” of medicine whose work could expand access to much-needed medical care, especially in medically underserved areas.

At Duke, the goal of the physician assistant program is to help students get ready for a variety of medical settings. The school is impressive in many respects beyond its part in the founding of the PA profession. Duke’s Class of 2021 achieved an impressive 97% PANCE pass rate, and both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 reported a 98.9% graduation rate. These and other accomplishments led U.S. News & World Report to rank the school as tied for first place on its PA programs ranking list.

One area in particular in which the physician assistant program at Duke University School of Medicine shines is community service. Students spend at least 40 hours during their clinicals working with a health-based community agency. These community hours are tied into a final community service project.

For the 2022 through 2023 school year, the tuition cost for the entire program amounted to $92,102 regardless of residency, climbing to a total program cost of $164,723.

The master’s degree program at Duke University is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

6. George Washington University

The top-ranked physician assistant program at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., celebrated its 50th year in 2022. The Department of Physician Assistant Studies in George Washington University’s School of Medicine & Health Sciences offers two programs of interest to an aspiring physician assistant.

The traditional physician assistant program is a two-year physician assistant program that focuses on developing the competencies required for the practice of clinical medicine under a doctor’s supervision. Graduates of this program receive a Master of Science in Health Sciences degree. The PA/MPH program is a three-year, dual-degree program in which PA students complete the didactic and clinical studies of a conventional physician assistant program and a course of study in public health. Most PA/MPH students focus their MPH studies on the Community Oriented Primary Care track, but students may also choose to specialize in epidemiology, maternal and child health, health policy, global environmental health and environmental health science and policy.

George Washington University’s physician assistant program Class of 2021 achieved a 100% graduation rate. The school’s physician assistant graduates have achieved a consistently exceptional PANCE pass rate, with the Class of 2017 reporting a 100% pass rate and the Classes of 2018 and 2019 achieving a 98% pass rate. U.S. News & World Report ranked George Washington University as tied for 5th place on its list of the best physician assistant schools.

For all students enrolling in the two-year PA program in 2021 as part of the Class of 2023, the school reported a tuition rate of $96,960 and a total cost of $97,221.

The physician assistant degrees at George Washington University are offered out of programs that have earned accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

7. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

The Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, IL, is a 24-month physician assistant program that U.S. News & World Report has ranked among its top 15 physician assistant schools.

The ARC-PA accredited PA program follows the traditional curriculum of one year of didactic coursework followed by a year of clinical rotations. Students’ clinical medicine experience includes six core rotations in the specialties of internal medicine, family practice, emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics and Women’s Health. Students also choose two electives to customize their education to fit their clinical interests.

The high-achieving Class of 2021 reported a 97% PANCE pass rate and a 98.5% graduation rate.

The total cost of tuition and fees for the entire physician assistant program at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science was listed at $104,819 as of 2022.

View program details.

8. St. Louis University

St. Louis University was an early champion of physician assistant education. The school’s PA program launched in 1971 with just eight students, making the university not only one of the first in the country to offer this field of study but also the first such training program located in the Midwest.

Physician assistant students at St. Louis University graduate with a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree from the Doisy College of Health Sciences. Over the course of the 27-month curriculum, students complete an assortment of didactic coursework and clinical training in specialties like family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, psychiatry/behavioral medicine, women’s health and pediatrics.

Despite ranking 37th (tied) on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking list, St. Louis University boasts impressive exam pass rates and graduation rates. The Class of Class of 2021 reported a PANCE pass rate of 96%. The graduation rate for the Class of 2019 was 97.5%.

For the 2021 through 2022 academic year, the total tuition cost for the program was $92,860.

The PA master’s degree awarded by the Doisy College of Health Sciences at St. Louis University is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

9. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

One of two UT Health physician assistant programs to earn a spot on our school ranking list, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. Over the course of the 30-month program, students devote 14 months to didactic lecture coursework and 16 months to clinical training.

The ARC-PA-accredited physician assistant program Class of 2021 at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio achieved a graduation rate of 90% and a PANCE pass rate of 100%. On U.S. News & World Report’s list, the school tied for 33rd place.

As of 2022, the total cost of tuition and fees amounted to $40,431 for in-state students and $86,534 for out-of-state students.

View program details.

10. Emory University School of Medicine

At Emory University in Atlanta, GA, students in the School of Medicine can pursue a physician assistant degree. U.S. News & World Report ranks this outstanding program among the top five physician assistant programs in the nation, and for good reason. The Class of 2021 reported a 100% graduation rate.

Emory University’s physician assistant program spans 29 months, with clinical training beginning during students’ second spring semester and concluding in the third and final fall semester. For students interested in matters of public health administration as well as the practice of clinical medicine, the school also offers a PH/MPH dual-degree program.

Emory University’s cost is the same for Georgia residents and non-residents. For the 2021 through 2022 academic year, the total tuition cost for the program amounted to $109,594, and the total program cost was listed at $126,456.

The physician assistant degrees offered through Emory University are accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

11. Midwestern University

At Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL, students can pursue an ARC-PA-accredited Master of Medical Science (MMS) in Physician Assistant Program. This 27-month program begins with 12 months of basic science classes as part of the didactic phase of study, followed by 15 months of clinical rotations that students complete primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area.

The Class of 2021 reported a graduation rate of 94.3% and a PANCE pass rate of 96%. Midwestern University ranked 21st on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking.

As of 2022, the total tuition cost for all students was $120,542, and the total program cost was $134,659.

View program details.

12. Wake Forest University

At Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, physician assistant students can expect to spend two years pursuing their master’s degree in this field. The curriculum consists of 91 total credit hours, including 44 pre-clinical hours and 47 clinical hours.

The PA program, which tied for 7th place on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the best physician assistant schools, reported a graduation rate of 96% for the Class of 2020 and 94% for the Class of 2021. Graduates’ PANCE pass rates reached 98% for the Classes of 2019 and 2020 and 95% for the Class of 2021.

Regardless of residency, the total cost for the physician assistant program at Wake Forest University for the 2022 through 2023 academic year was $172,494, with tuition accounting for $87,540 of that amount.

The PA master’s degree at Wake Forest University is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

13. University of Colorado

Students pursuing a master’s degree in physician assistant studies at the University of Colorado in Aurora will spend three years building their knowledge in the practice of medicine. In this master’s degree program, which tied for 7th place on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking, students devote two years to didactic coursework, or classroom work that encompasses lectures, laboratory classes and small group experiences.

The ARC-PA-accredited program integrates some clinical experiences as early as year one of the two-year program. However, during students’ third year is when clinical rotations dominate the curriculum. Over the course of their final year of the program, students will complete 10 month-long rotations in specialties like primary care, inpatient medicine, surgery, and neonatology or adolescent medicine.

Both the Class of 2019 and the Class of 2021 reported a 100% graduation rate, and even the Class of 2020 managed to achieve a 93% graduation rate despite the challenges of going to school during a global pandemic.

Colorado residents save considerably on the cost of the PA master’s degree program. For the 2022 through 2023 academic year, resident students enrolling as part of the Class of 2025 could expect to pay $64,242 in total costs for the three-year physician assistant program, while non-residents would pay $139,086.

View program details.

14. University of Wisconsin

If you’re interested in having options for your education, one of the physician assistant programs you should consider is the University of Wisconsin’s physician assistant master’s degree. This program offers five program tracks that include in-person studies at different campus locations, part-time distance-learning options and a dual-degree program option. This program also earns the distinction of being unusually affordable – at least for in-state students.

The traditional 24-month in-person PA program at the University of Wisconsin is called the campus track, and it is offered on the school’s Madison, WI, campus. A second campus-based program is offered at UW-Stevens Point at Wausau.

Most accredited physician assistant programs are full-time programs, but the University of Wisconsin offers two part-time distance tracks for students who want to move forward with their PA education but can’t commit to it full-time. Students within driving distance of the Madison campus are considered part of the regional distance education track, while students living in medically underserved areas are part of the traditional distance education track. Either distance track will include 24 months of didactic learning completed on a part-time basis before a 12-month, full-time year of clinical rotations.

The MPH-MPAS track is a dual-degree master’s program for students interested in both the physician assistant career and studies in public health. Over the course of a 33-month curriculum, students complete the coursework required to graduate with both a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies degree and a Masters of Public Health degree.

The University of Wisconsin’s Class of 2021 reported a 100% graduation rate and a 92% PANCE pass rate. U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Wisconsin among the top 15 physician assistant programs in the nation.

For the 2021 through 2022 academic year, Wisconsin students on the campus track (studying at the Madison campus) paid a total program tuition cost of $39,469.10. Non-residents were charged a total program tuition rate of $80,197.94, but thanks to a tuition reciprocity agreement between the two states, Minnesota residents could pursue this degree for the discounted rate of $52,501.22.

The PA master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

15. Eastern Virginia Medical School

Another highly-ranked PA school to consider is Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA.

The Class of 2021 reported a PANCE pass rate of 95% and a graduation rate of 90.7%. U.S. News & World Report ranked the institution 33rd among the best physician assistant programs nationwide.

Over the course of 28 months, aspiring physician assistants at Eastern Virginia Medical School complete a 16-month sequence of pre-clinical coursework and eight clinical field experiences. Required clinical rotations in this ARC-PA-accredited physician assistant degree program include family medicine, general internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, pediatric medicine, women’s health and psychiatry and behavioral health.

For the 2021 through 2022 academic year, the school reported a total program cost of $177,554 for in-state students and $199,230 for out-of-state students. This amount included tuition costs of $87,865 for in-state students and $108,661 for out-of-state students.

View program details.

16. University of South Alabama

At the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL, aspiring physician assistants will complete a total of 121 credit hours over the course of a 27-month curriculum. The program includes 15 consecutive months of pre-clinical work and 12 months of clinical rotations. Two of these clinical rotations, primary care and pediatrics, include required clinical experiences in rural areas.

The Class of 2021 reported both a graduation rate and a PANCE pass rate of 95%. On U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of master’s degree programs for physician assistants, the University of South Alabama tied for 46th place.

In-state students at this institution get a significant discount compared to out-of-state students. For the 2021 through 2022 academic year, the total program cost for in-state students amounted to $114,986, with tuition contributing to $58,080 of that cost. Out-of-state students were charged $192,184, including $135,278 in tuition costs.

The physician assistant studies program at the University of South Alabama is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

17. University of Southern California

The practice of primary care medicine lends itself particularly well to the PA profession. If you’re interested in working in this area, the University of Sothern California has a fantastic program for that. Offered out of USC’s Keck School of Medicine, the Primary Care Physician Assistant Program awards a Master of Physician Assistant Practice (MPAP) degree.

The 33-month program covers a curriculum that consists of four semesters of didactic study and more than a year (54 weeks) of full-time clinical training. After the first year of this three-year program, students enjoy a respite from their hard work in the form of a summer break.

The Class of 2021 reported a graduation rate of 92% and a PANCE pass rate of 96%. U.S. News & World Report ranked this PA program as tied for 10th place on its school rankings list.

For the 2021 through 2022 school year, the institution reported a total program cost of $190,713, $177,892 of which consisted of tuition costs.

This PA master’s degree is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

18. Oregon Health and Science University

At Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR, physician assistant students complete a 27-month curriculum that, like most accredited physician assistant programs, includes both didactic instruction and clinical training. Students must complete core clinical rotations in emergency medicine, surgery, inpatient medicine, pediatrics and behavioral medicine, as well as three rotations in primary care. They can also choose elective rotations in areas like orthopedics, cardiology, neurosurgery and dermatology.

Since 2018, the maximum class size in the PA program has been 42 students. The Class of 2021 reported a PANCE pass rate of 93% and a graduation rate of 95.3%. On U. S. News & World Report’s ranking list, the university was ranked 14th in the nation.

Students at Oregon Health and Science University complete a community outreach project and have the option to pursue a rural track program that emphasizes the practice of medicine in rural and medically underserved areas.

As of 2022, the total program cost for all physician assistant students was $123,507, including $93,636 in tuition costs.

View program details.

19. Stony Brook School of Health Professions

At the Stony Brook School of Health Professions in southeastern New York, the physician assistant program follows a 24-month curriculum.

While the Class of 2021 reported a PANCE pass rate of 91%, this statistic is an outlier. The Class of 2018 reported a PANCE pass rate of 100%, and both the Classes of 2019 and 2020 reported an exam pass rate of 98%. Among the Class of 2020, the graduation rate was 98.5%. U.S. News & World Report ranked the program as tied for 15th place.

For residents of New York State, the total program cost as of 2021 amounted to $62,449.76, including $44,608 in tuition costs. Aspiring PA students from outside of New York were charged a total program cost of $100,851.01, including $82,442 in tuition costs.

The PA master’s degree at Stony Brook School of Health Professions is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

20. Quinnipiac University

The 27-month, 94-credit physician assistant Master of Health Science program at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT, has a similar curriculum to most PA programs. Students start with a year of didactic coursework before focusing on a series of clinical rotations. However, one unique aspect of this ARC-PA-accredited physician assistant program is that first-year students spend half a day each week working with licensed providers in clinical practice. Students at this university work with actual patients from the start.

Quinnipiac University’s physician assisting Class of 2021 reported a PANCE pass rate of 92% and a graduation rate of 92.6%. On U.S. News & World Report’s list, the institution was ranked 15th in the nation.

As of 2022, the total tuition and fees cost for all students regardless of residency was $105,810.

View program details.

21. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

A second University of Texas medical branch also deserves a spot on our top 25 physician assistant degrees list. The Dallas-based University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center offers an accredited Master of Physician Assistant Studies program that dates back to 1972.

The 30-month program starts in May of each year and wraps up in December. The didactic phase of the curriculum encompasses the summer, fall and spring semesters of the first year of study, as well as the summer of the second year. In the fall of the second year, students begin their clinical rotations. These clinical experiences account for 59 of the 112 total program hours and consist of four semesters of training, including rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, infectious disease, psychiatry, pediatrics and women’s health.

The Class of 2021 reported a graduation rate of 90.3% and a PANCE pass rate of 93%. However, this pass rate is something of an outlier for the program. The UT Southwestern Medical Center’s PA Classes of 2017, 2019 and 2020 all achieved a 100% pass rate on the PANCE. U.S. News ranked this program 7th in the nation.

As one of the more reasonably priced programs on our list, UT Southwestern Medical Center’s estimated cost, as of 2022, is $43,791 for Texas residents and $89,487 for non-resident students. This figure represents the total program cost for the 30-month degree program.

View program details.

22. Drexel University

In the physician assistant Master of Health Science degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, students complete a 27-month curriculum. This curriculum covers 12 months of didactic coursework and 15 months of clinical rotations.

Despite tying for 10th place on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking list, Drexel’s attrition rate is lower than other degree programs on our list. The Class of 2021 reported a graduation rate of just 86%. However, the school does report competitive PANCE pass rates. Among the Class of 2021, 96% of first-time test-takers passed the exam.

For the 2022 through 2023 academic year, Drexel University reported a tuition cost per credit hour of $843, which amounts to $98,631 in tuition alone for the whole 27-month program. Adding in other expenses, the total program cost climbed to $101,386.

Drexel University’s Master of Health Science program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

23. University of Utah Health

The seven-semester Masters in Physician Assistant Studies program at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, is a 27-moth commitment. The first four semesters of the curriculum are dedicated to didactic instruction, with the remaining three semesters comprising the clinical training portion of the program. Students in this program also complete a mandatory community-engagement research project in which they lead a small group that includes a faculty member and a community partner.

The institution landed the 4th place spot on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking list, but we ranked it lower due to the Class of 2021’s PANCE pass rate sitting slightly below the national average, at 91%.

The total program cost as of the 2021 through 2022 academic year amounted to $78,120.70 for Utah residents and $116,314.26 for non-resident students. Students who start out as non-residents but qualify for Utah residency after their first year could expect to pay $97,217.48.

The PA master’s degree at this institution of higher education is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

24. Medical University of South Carolina

At the Medical University of South Carolina in historic Charleston, SC, aspiring physician assistants can pursue an accredited Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree.

This program accepts a larger cohort of students, with a total of 97 student spots, but the school boasts that this larger cohort translates to “more resources.” With 12 dedicated faculty members, the program reported a student-to-faculty ratio of 8-to-1. Additionally, the program recently opened a state-of-the-art PA lab with patient exam rooms where students can perform simulated exams on patient-actors.

Over the course of the 27-month curriculum, students complete 15 months of didactic learning and a year of clinical rotations. Students have the opportunity to assist the underserved by working in St. Andrew’s Medical Clinic and the East Cooper Community Outreach program.

While the Class of 2021 reported a graduation rate of 93.5% and a PANCE pass rate of 84%, these statistics are outliers. The school’s reported attrition rate for 2019 was 98.3%, and for 2020, it was 95.1%. In most years, the program’s PANCE pass rate is considerably higher, at 98% for 2017 and 2018 and 95% for 2020. On U.S. News & World Report’s ranking list, the Medical University of South Caroline tied for 46th place.

This program is an especially affordable option for aspiring physician assistants in SC. The in-state total program tuition cost for the 2021 through 2022 academic year amounted to $57,918, while out-of-state students would have to pay $103,509.

View program details.

25. University of Washington

The University of Washington offers a 27-credit PA program out of its Seattle, Spokane, Acoma and Anchorage campus locations.

Graduation rates among PA students at the University of Washington are in the 90% range and above. The most recent statistics, for the Class of 2020, show an attrition rate of 92%, but for 2018 and 2019, the school reported a graduation rate of 98% and 94%, respectively.  The campus locations each report their own PANCE pass rate. Among the Classes of 2021, the Spokane campus reported the highest pass rate. U.S. News & World Report ranked the institution 14th in the nation among physician assistant programs.

For the PA student cohort that started in the summer of 2021, the University of Washington reported a total tuition cost of $85,365.

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

View program details.

The institutions listed above are among the best physician assistant schools in the country. Attending any of these institutions, or any other accredited PA program, can help you achieve your goal of becoming a physician assistant.

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The post Top 25 Physician Assistant (PA) Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

While online education was trending toward mainstream adoption, COVID-19 has bumped the timeline forward. And as a result, today many of the top public health programs are now offered entirely online. So whether by innovation or by necessity, many top-end universities now offer fully online graduate-level public health degrees. And as more programs enter the online education space, competition drives each program to improve their value propositions. 

As such, many online Master’s of Public Health programs offer surprisingly competitive tuitions or generous financial aid packages and in some cases, both. In order to help you identify the best opportunities available, our researchers have ranked online master’s of public health programs according to the metrics that matter most to prospective students: graduation rate, tuition costs, financial aid packages, and recognition in trusted publications. Read on to find out which 20 programs take the top spots. 

1 University of Florida

The University of Florida is an exemplar for a school that has effectively leveraged existing infrastructure and successful degree programs to expand into online education. Faculty who offer online courses are specially trained to work with online students and know how to make the most of digital learning technology. 

The University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions is helmed by world class faculty who hold the highest degree in their field, and have demonstrated success as both professionals and clinical researchers. In short, students at the College can enjoy the confidence that they are learning from the best of the best. 

The College of Public Health offers a fully online Master of Public Health program with a number options for students to tailor the program to match personal interests and career goals. Specifically, students can enroll in any of the six following concentration tracks (note: not all concentrations are offered online): 

• Biostatistics (On Campus Only)
• Environmental Health (On Campus Only)
• Epidemiology (On Campus Only)
• Population Health Management (On Campus Only)
• Public Health Practice (Campus and Online)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (Campus and Online)

Learn more about University of Florida’s Online Master’s of Public Health

2 University of Washington

The University of Washington School of Public Health is quickly becoming one of the world’s premier destinations for earning a public health degree–be it online or on-campus, or at the undergraduate or graduate level. The School of Public Health offers leverages over 50 centers and institutes to involve students in real-world experiential learning opportunities as well as paradigm-shifting research. The School of Public Health offers 5 academic departments that have been designed from the ground up to represent comprehensive study in the following areas: 

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Global Health
• Health Services
• Environ. & Occ. Health Sciences

The Health Services Department offers a fully online Master of Public Health that can be completed in just 18 months, making it one of the fastest programs listed in this ranking. Students of the program will delve into evidence-based curriculums based on cutting-edge research and modern business. Specifically, students can expect comprehensive study in the following subjects: 

• Population Health
• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health
• Health Management and Policy
• Social and Behavioral Health

Learn more about University of Washington’s Online Master’s of Public Health

3 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health has been consistently ranked as one of the best schools of its kind–having earned the #2 and #1 spot on rankings of public health schools in trusted publications. As the name suggests, the Gillings School of Global Public Health frames curriculums in global context, which is evidenced by the Schools outreach to over 100 counties in North Carolina and more than 60 countries around the world. 

The Gillings School of Global Public Health offers a fully online Master’s of Public Health provides students with a comprehensive multidisciplinary curriculum which emphasizes the importance of viewing health through a global perspective. Students are also encouraged to step outside their comfort zone in order to conduct research or work with communities out in the world. The program offers four excellent tracks to choose from that are designed to represent the most prominent areas of need in the job market and in terms of industry trends: 

• MPH Leadership
• MPH Nutrition
• Applied Epidemiology
• MPH/Registered Dietitian

Learn more about University of North Carolina’s Online Master’s of Public Health

4 University of South Florida

The University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health offers more than 100 fully online courses packaged in 6 distinct degree programs. The USF College of Public Health has earned national recognition for the impressive career outcomes among its program graduates, as well as for the highly competitive tuition costs. Specifically, the USF College of Public Health Online Master of Public Health ranks as the third most affordable program of its kind. 

The USF Online Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers students a selection of unique specialization track options, some of which seem to be totally unique to this program (meaning they are concentrations not offered in similar online MPH programs): 

• Epidemiology
• Public Health Practice
• Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief & Homeland Security
• Infection Control
• Social Marketing
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Health, Safety & Environment

Learn more about University of South Florida’s Online Master’s of Public Health

5 The University of West Florida

The University of West Florida specializes in providing adult learners and working students with affordable career-focused degree programs. In the case of the Online Master of Public Health program, it is the most affordable of all the programs listed in this ranking. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, which is the premier accrediting body for this type of program. 

The Online Master of Public Health program prepares students to build successful careers in a range of industries–at the local or even international level. To help students fine-tune their professional aspirations, the program offers three distinct concentration tracks: 

• Generalist MPH
• Global Health or Health Promotion
• Education and Behavior

Learn more about University of West Florida’s Online Master’s of Public Health

6 University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona (UA) Zuckerman College of Public Health offers a number of top-tier degree programs. Its programs have ranked among the best of the best for servicing minority populations, specifically ranking in the top 5 for American Indian and Hispanic graduates–according to data from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). The College of Public Health blends evidence-based practices and study with strong foundations in theoretical problem-solving and critical thinking. 

Students at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health can earn a fully Online Master of Public Health. The program can be completed in just two years, and is structured on a modular schedule with each course taking 7.5 weeks to complete. Students will choose from a selection of program concentrations, which will make up about 50% of the program’s curriculum. Students can choose any one of the three following specializations: 

• Applied Epidemiology
• Health Behavior Health Promotion
• Health Services Administration

Learn more about University of Arizona’s Online Master’s of Public Health

7 University of Maryland – College Park

The University of Maryland School of Public Health is located at one of the nation’s fastest growing universities, and offers online students a number of innovative degree programs. The School of Public Health program curriculums are designed to represent the real world needs of the industry, which students will become accustomed to through evidence-based inquiries into current research and normative models of public health. 

The School of Public Health faculty are industry experts who specialize in developing public health solutions at the state level and even the national level. Specifically, students at the School of Public Health can earn a unique graduate degree online–a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Practice and Policy. As the name of the program suggests, it distinguishes through an emphasis placed on public health policy at the state, federal, and national level. 

Students will also dive into a comprehensive exploration of foundational topics as well. The program’s curriculum is organized as follows:

• Public Health (6 courses, 14 credits)
• Public Health Practice and Policy (8 courses, 24 credits)
• Internship and Capstone (2 courses, 6 credits)

Learn more about University of Maryland’s Online Master’s of Public Health

8 Oklahoma State University

The Oklahoma State University Graduate College prepares students to pursue the upper echelon of their career–be that through a graduate level education, or even a doctorate level education. The College offers more than 200 master’s and doctorate programs as well as professional graduate certification tracks that position students to capitalize on high-value skill sets that are sought after in the job market. 

This career focus is further demonstrated in the College’s 360° Critical Skills for Career Success (CSCS) Program. This program looks to develop each student into a well-rounded professional who is able to demonstrate aptitude and mastery over the 6 skills that are fundamental in any profession: 

• Research Services
• Wellness
• Instruction
• Communication
• Leadership
• Management

Students at the College can earn a Master’s of Public Health online that carries forth the College’s career-focused mission in education. Students of the program will learn how to apply traditional and innovative models of thought and problem solving to public health issues at the national and even international level.

Learn more about Oklahoma State University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

9 University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the nation’s premier private research universities, and acts as an international hub for globally-conscious business, technology, and health programs. The USC Keck School of Medicine is the oldest medical school in California, and has modernized itself to cater to new kinds of students and learners. Today the Keck School of Medicine offers a number of world-class degree programs that can be completed entirely online through curriculums helmed by industry-leading faculty and researchers. 

The Keck School of Medicine offers an online Master’s of Public Health that distinguishes itself by offering a unique format that empowers students with choice. Specifically, students can choose from one of six specialized concentration tracks that represent the areas of most prominent need in the job market, as well as areas of prominent professional opportunity. 

The six different program paths are as follows: 

• Biostatistics and Epidemiology
• Community Health Promotion
• Global Health
• GeoHealth
• Health Services and Policy
• Generalist

Learn more about University of Southern California’s Online Master’s of Public Health

10 West Virginia University

The West Virginia University School of Public Health positions itself to intervene and to study the public health issues facing West Virginia and the larger Appalachian region. Its programs are designed with this mission in mind, and frame comprehensive degree programs in terms of grounded practical approaches to solving local and regional problems. These programs are ideal for public health students who wish to specialize in localized intervention. 

Specifically, students can earn a fully online Master of Public Health (MPH) that employs a multidisciplinary curriculum in order to prepare students for the dynamics of the real world. The program also employs a weighted emphasis on interpersonal collaboration, peer group research, and real world engagement and outreach. The base curriculum however, is built around the following five pillars: 

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy, Management and Leadership
• Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Learn more about West Virginia University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

11 University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) is a world class location for earning any number of degrees. Its programs are recognized around the world for innovation and academic excellence. USC faculty work at the forefront of their fields and often produce paradigm shifting research. As such, graduates from USC programs are primed to take on high-end and respected positions in their careers as well. 

Specifically, USC students can earn a Master of Public Health online. It is the only program of its kind to be offered by a top-ranked medical school. The program offers a number of choices to students, the most notable of which being a choice between an accelerated track and a specialization track. Students enrolling in the specialized track are able to choose between one of six concentrations. 

Learn more about University of Southern California’s Online Master’s of Public Health

12 University of California – Berkeley

University of California (UC) Berkeley is one of those universities whose name carries extraordinary weight and conferrs tremendous clout to graduates of its programs. The UC Berkeley faculty work at the cutting edge of their fields, particularly in the areas of engineering, computer science, social welfare, international development, business, public policy, journalism, and law. The Public Health program however, receives special recognition for its position in the industry. 

Specifically, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes the UC Berkeley Public Health program as one of the nation’s nine best health promotion and disease prevention research centers. The program is one of the few of its kind where students learn directly from industry leaders, who are their instructors. Despite the world-class quality on offer, the program is surprisingly affordable as well. 

And students can further specialize by pursuing one of the following degree specializations:

• Health Policy and Management
• Community Health Sciences
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Spatial Data Science and Global Health

Learn more about University of California’s Online Master’s of Public Health

13 Samford University

The Samford University School of Public Health offers a selection of high-end degree programs. The Wall street Journal recognized the School as the #2 in the nation for student engagement. So while the tuition costs are a bit more intimidating, this is balanced by the extensive resources invested into each student. The Samford School of Public Health is also continually recognized for the career outcomes among its graduates, who often go on to work at the top-end of their field. 

The Samford School of Public Health offers an Online Master of Public Health with program start times in summer and in the fall. The program also offers students the flexibility to tailor the curriculum to better match individual interest and career aspirations, which is an excellent selling point for students who may want to pursue an atypical subject of specialty. 

Learn more about Sameford University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

14 Johns Hopkins University

John Hopkins University is a name that represents decades of academic excellence and industry dominance in health and medical fields. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has been ranked as the #1 public health school in the nation by US News & World Report. The only reason this program is not ranked higher is because we know that the higher than average tuition represents a barrier of entry to many. 

For those who are willing to invest in a top-tier degree program however, the JHU Online Master’s of Public Health is one of the best options available. The program allows students up to four years to complete the program, providing students the freedom to enroll in the program while holding down a job. Typically though, students take around two to three years to complete the program. 

The program also offers the incredible selling point of allowing students to essentially build their own specialty. Faculty and advisors work closely with each student to tailor a curriculum plan that will maximize their chances for success. Students who choose this route will have more than 100 courses to choose from as well as flexible research options. 

Learn more about Johns Hopkins University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

15 Harvard University

The Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health is one of the world’s premier hubs for all things related to public health. The School’s faculty are both professionals and academics, who have demonstrated exemplary success in both dimensions of their careers. The Harvard School of Public Health has taken on an active role in intervening in the worldwide pandemic and its resulting consequences, using a catastrophe to train students to know how to better handle future catastrophes. 

The School of Public Health offers a Master of Public Health program that offers a number of entry-points for students as well as numerous opportunities for specialization. Specifically, students of the program can enroll in any of the following specialty tracks: 

• Clinical Effectiveness (CLE 45-credit academic year and summer-only options)
• Epidemiology – Online / On-Campus (EPI 45-credit)
• Global Health (GH 45-credit)
• Health and Social Behavior (HSB 45-credit)
• Health Management (HM 45-credit)
• Health Policy (HP 45-credit)
• Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH 45-credit)
• Quantitative Methods (QM 45-credit)
• Health and Social Behavior (HSB 65-credit)
• Health Management (HM 65-credit)
• Health Policy (HP 65-credit)
• Nutrition (NUT 65-credit)

Learn more about Harvard University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

16 New York University

The New York University School of Global Public Health offers a top notch degree program that presents perspectives in both the domestic and global context. The School of Global Public distinguishes itself through a commitment to building programs around three core tenets: health equity, ethics and social justice. 

The NYU Master of Public Health program can be completed entirely online. The program’s curriculum combines elements of comprehensive study in foundational subjects with innovative research into burgeoning areas of interest. Students of the program can choose to specialize by enrolling in any of the following concentration tracks: 

• Biostatistics
• Community Health Science and Practice 
• Environmental Public Health Sciences
• Epidemiology
• Global Health
• Public Health Nutrition
• Public Health Policy
• Public Health Management
• Social and Behavioral Sciences 
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

Learn more about New York University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

17 The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama’s “Bama by Distance” program offers online degree programs helmed by the same faculty who oversee on-campus programs. The University has worked hard to ensure that they can guarantee its online students the same quality that has become expected of its traditional programs on campus. Online students will have 24/7 access to advisors and academic counselors who are specially trained to work with online students. This is an excellent program that might curtail concerns that prospective students might have regarding online education. 

The University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies offers a fully online Master of Public Health with a focus in Health Education and Promotion. The program is designed from the ground-up to prepare students for success in the following careers paths: 

• Federal Agencies
• State or Community Public Health Agencies
• Consulting Firms
• Universities
• Hospitals
• Research
• Nonprofit Organizations

Learn more about University of Alabama’s Online Master’s of Public Health

18 Kent State University

Kent State University offers adult learners and working students a number of affordable and actionable degree programs that are fully accredited and are helmed by expert faculty. Kent State University distinguishes itself through a number of student-centric programs and philosophies that look to remove barriers of entry to degree programs for nontraditional students. As such, there are no GRE requirements for Kent State University graduate programs.

Kent State University offers an online Master’s of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management that is consistently ranked as one of the best programs of its kind. Students can also earn a Master’s of Science in Clinical Epidemiology. Both programs are designed to emphasize the following central subjects: 

• Health Services Planning and Management
• Health Policy and Analysis
• Population Health Enhancement
• Local and National Public Health Strategies 

Learn more about Kent State University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

19 Ohio University

Ohio University is one of the oldest public research universities in the country, but despite its rich history it has been quick to adapt to the needs and expectations of modern students. Today, Ohio University offers a great selection of career-facing degree programs that are designed to prepare students for success in a competitive job market. 

Ohio University offers an online Master of Public Health that is built around a curriculum that reflects the needs of the job market. Specifically, graduates of the program will be prepared to take on any of the following positions: 

• Community health coordinator
• Environmental scientist or specialist
• Epidemiologist
• Health administrator
• Health educator
• Medical and health service manager
• Nonprofit manager
• Public health nurse
• Public health specialist
• Social and community service manager

Learn more about Ohio University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

20 Emory University

The Emory University Rollins School of Public Health is located in Atlanta, Georgia–which is often referred to as the public health capital of the world. The Rollins School of Public Health leverages its network and proximity to world-class public health institutions to provide students with learning opportunities and career opportunities. In recent years, the Rollins School of Public Health has demonstrated tremendous success in porting its on-campus program to the online space. 

Specifically, online students can an Executive Master of Public Health program (EMPH) that is completed through 42 credit hours over two years. The program is specifically designed to train students for positions of leadership and management. Students can further specialize their program by enrolling in of two specialty tracks: 

• Applied Epidemiology
• Prevention Science

Learn more about Emory University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

Related Resources:

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

The post The 20 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Public Health appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. Doctor

If you have a knack for science and an interest in helping people as well as a preference for a nonstandard work schedule, consider becoming a doctor. Physicians and surgeons are some of the highest-payed professionals in the workforce, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In addition to the earning potential of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, the best doctors enjoy the fulfilling nature of helping patients get or stay well. Of course, they also make sacrifices. Physicians spend many years preparing for the career, earning a bachelor’s degree, attending medical school and completing residencies and internships to gain hands-on training. This preparation requires candidates to invest a lot of time, work and money into their future career.

Exactly how nonstandard a doctor’s work schedule is depends on his or her place of employment. Hospitals require staffing 24 hours a day, so physicians who work in these settings may be more likely to work early or late shifts (and often, long shifts). Even in private practices, though, many offices are increasingly offering evening and weekend appointments for the convenience of their patients who do work a regular schedule and can’t come in during the day.

Salary: $241,273 to $411,852 or more

Education: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO)

2. Dentist

Like doctors, dentists are increasingly working nonstandard hours to meet the needs of their patients. For many dentists, this means offering occasional or regular evening and weekend hours. While dentists may not have to worry about covering overnight shifts like an emergency room physician does, they may have to deal with dental emergencies that require urgent attention.

Of course, work schedule alone isn’t reason enough to pursue a career in dentistry. However, if you’re already interested in the field and you consider a nonstandard work schedule – one that you set yourself, if you own your own dental practice – to be a plus, that’s a good combination. Keep in mind that you will need to do a lot of preparation for your career. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree (typically in a science-related subject of study) and getting a competitive score on the Dental Admission Test, you will need to graduate from a dental school program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation, the BLS reported. Still, for the right candidate, the high earning potential, schedule and work itself are well worth the preparation.

Salary: $154,640

Education: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD)

3. Petroleum Engineer

While a lot of the best jobs with nonstandard schedules do happen to be in the healthcare field, not all of them are. Petroleum engineers are a great example. These engineering professionals – who have a six-figure median salary – develop new ways to extract oil and natural gas from existing wells and underground deposits, the BLS reported.

What kind of work schedule can you expect as a petroleum engineer? When traveling to a dig site, it’s not unusual for petroleum engineers to spend 84 hours on duty and then be off duty for another 84 hours, the BLS reported. While working for a full three and a half days might sound like a crazy schedule, the job has its perks, especially for adventure-seekers. Visiting drilling sites means that petroleum engineers have plenty of opportunity to travel the world during their careers.

Salary: $130,050

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering

4. Air Traffic Controller

At every hour of the day and night, someone somewhere is traveling by airplane. Keeping those in flight – and taking off or landing – safe means having a trained professional on the clock 24/7. Air traffic controllers fill this role, communicating instructions, weather pattern information and emergency information to pilots in the air and on the ground. They play a crucial role in getting planes full of passengers and airline workers safely and efficiently to their destinations. Being responsible for managing the safety of multiple planes at a single time can be stressful, but for those candidates who can cope well with the demands of the job, an early retirement is a major benefit of this career, the BLS reported. So is the six-figure salary.

RELATED: How to Become an Air Traffic Controller: What Degree Do I Need?

If you’re considering embarking on a career as an air traffic controller, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree unless you have years of relevant experience working in the aviation industry, according to the BLS. Look for a school that offers an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program intended to meet guidelines set by the FAA. These degree programs typically cover subjects like airspace, aviation weather, reading maps, clearances and federal aviation regulations. Candidates must also pass the eight-hour Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (AT-SAT) and a personality test before then can undergo air traffic controller training through the FAA academy. If you’re specifically looking for a job with a nonstandard schedule, then you will want to find employment at a large, busy airport that has flights going on all day and night, including on weekends and holidays.

Salary: $122,340

Education: Bachelor’s Degree, FAA Academy Training Course and a Passing Score on the AT-SAT

5. Pharmacist

The last six-figure salary career on our list of the top 20 jobs without a 9-to-5 schedule is, again, in the healthcare industry. Pharmacists are the highly educated professionals who fill and dispense the medications physicians and surgeons prescribe. They not only order and administer the medications, but they also make sure there will be no negative – and potentially dangerous – drug interactions among patients who have to take multiple medications. Pharmacists instruct patients on how to take their medications, answer questions about side effects and allergic reactions and handle the paperwork necessary to bill patients’ insurance companies, according to the BLS. In some states, they even administer vaccinations.

Today, many pharmacies – especially those that are part of major retail stores – offer extended hours to better serve customers and patients who work a 9-to-5 schedule. This means pharmacists increasingly need to work evening and weekend hours. The 19 percent of pharmacists who find employment in hospitals may also need to work nonstandard hours to keep pharmacy departments staffed at all times.

Salary: $120,950

Education: Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

6. Physical Therapist

Physical therapist is yet another healthcare job where a nonstandard work schedule is common. After earning a doctoral degree – which is no easy feat, requiring advanced studies in subjects like anatomy, physiology and biomechanics as well as months of clinical experience – physical therapists work directly with patients to help rehabilitate them after an injury or illness. Through methods such as exercises, hands-on therapy, stretching maneuvers and the use of equipment, physical therapists help patients achieve goals like pain reduction and increased mobility.

Many physical therapists do work during regular business hours, the BLS reported, but there are also plenty of opportunities to work outside the 9-to-5 schedule at facilities that offer evening or weekend appointments for the convenience of their patients. Besides the possibility of a flexible work schedule, there are plenty of other benefits to a career in physical therapy. A median salary well over twice that of all occupations, an expected job growth rate nearly five times that of all occupations, and of course, the rewarding nature of the work are just a few of the advantages.

Salary: $82,390

Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

7. Architect

If you’re more interested in developing building designs than treatment plans, architect is another great job with the potential for a flexible work schedule. Architects are the professionals who plan, design and sketch scaled drawings of indoor and outdoor building structures that range from single family homes to apartment complexes and massive office buildings. They need creative, technical, analytical and visualization skills to thoroughly plan and design a building or space that doesn’t yet exist. If you’re thinking about becoming an architect, expect to be in the career for the long haul. Not only does an undergraduate degree require five years of full-time study, but candidates must also spend years gaining job training through a paid internship and pass the Architect Registration Examination before they can finally attain a license.

Architects begin their days bright and early. In fact, more than a third of employees in the architecture industry are already at work before 7 a.m., according to the BLS. This makes the job a good choice for candidates who are natural early risers as well as good communicators, visualizers and creators. Keep in mind, though, that architects must also work longer hours if necessary to meet deadlines. Work schedules are most flexible among the 20 percent of architects who work for themselves, according to the BLS.

Salary: $74,520

Education: 5-year Bachelor of Architecture Degree or Master of Architecture Degree

8. Dental Hygienist

If a career in dental health interests you but the prospect of spending years upon years earning a doctoral degree doesn’t, consider a career as a dental hygienist. These professionals use hand, power and ultrasonic tools to clean patients’ teeth, the BLS reported. They take X-rays, administer treatments like sealants and fluoride and evaluate patients’ oral health before they see the dentist. They earn a median salary twice as high as that of all occupations – and they do it all with an associate’s degree.

Check out these 15 affordable degrees in dental hygiene (associate’s and beyond).

Dental hygienists work nonstandard schedules for the same reasons dentists do – to offer convenient appointment times to patients who need extended office hours. If you’re specifically looking for the opportunity to work a flexible schedule, seek employment at a dental office that doesn’t just operate 9-to-5.

Salary: $71,520

Education: Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene

9. Producer or Director

If you’ve got a passion for drama or filmmaking, a nonstandard work schedule is typical. Producers and directors are the professionals who create performing arts productions that range from onstage plays to movies and television shows, the BLS reported. While directors and producers start with a written script (which they often select themselves), they choose the cast and crew, manage design decisions, make sure the production stays within budget and supervise the entire preproduction, production and  postproduction process. Directors have a bigger role in the creative aspects of a production, while producers are more involved in the show’s finances, but both are critical to the success of a performing arts venture.

Most producers and directors find work in either the motion picture industry or the television and radio broadcast industry, but some work in performing arts creating live productions. In either case, expect to put in odd hours during your career as a director or producer. If you create live theater performances, you’re likely to find that many show times take place on evenings, weekends and even holidays. Even if you’re not working on a production that is broadcasted live, you may have to work long hours to meet deadlines. Many producers and directors also travel, either to film on location or take a performance on tour.

Salary: $69,100

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Film

10. Nurse

The last healthcare career to make our list of the best jobs with a nonstandard work schedule also happens to be the largest career in the entire healthcare industry, according to the BLS. Registered nurses, or RNs, care for patients under the supervision of doctors in a wide range of settings, from hospitals and doctors’ offices to nursing homes, home health services and even schools. With three different education paths into the career, aspiring nurses have plenty of options to get started.

Nonstandard work schedules are common for many nurses. Of course, hospitals and nursing homes require nurses on staff 24/7 to care for patients who are admitted to the facility overnight, or those who come into the hospital in need of treatment during the evening or early morning. At these facilities, it’s not unusual to work fewer days than a standard workweek, but significantly longer hours than a standard workday throughout. With many private practice medical offices extending their hours to better serve patients, even nurses who intend to work in physicians’ offices may need to work some night or weekend shifts.

Salary: $66,640

Education: Nursing Program Diploma, Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN)

11. Police Officer or Detective

If you have a drive to protect and serve your community as well as a preference for a schedule outside the typical 9-to-5, you’re in luck. The most fulfilling job you could have also happens to be one where odd hours are common. Crime never sleeps, so law enforcement departments need police officers and detectives on duty round-the-clock.

As a member of law enforcement, you’ll have many serious responsibilities. You will handle patrol and traffic stops, respond to emergencies, investigate crimes, gather evidence and make arrests, the BLS reported. Being a police officer or a detective isn’t easy. The job can be dangerous, and physically and emotionally difficult. For the right candidate, though, knowing that you are saving lives, catching criminals and making your community safer is more than rewarding enough to make up for the challenges of a life in law enforcement.

Salary: $58,630

Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice

12. Avionics Technician

If you’ve got an interest in aerospace and great mechanical skills, why not pursue a career as an avionics technician? These trained and FAA-certified technicians maintain and repair planes and other aircraft. Avionics technicians specifically are responsible for the safe functioning of a plane’s electronic instruments, like radar, communication and navigation systems, the BLS reported. To uncover any malfunctions, they review flight test data and use tools and equipment designed for testing electronic flight instruments. They work on and install instrument panels and software.

An associate’s degree in avionics – which includes the studies of computerized flight instruments and aircraft controls – is popular among candidates pursuing the career. Avionics technicians must also earn certification from the FAA.

Avionics technicians need to work nonstandard shifts for the same reasons air traffic controllers do. Travel by aircraft happens at all hours of the day, and it’s necessary to have a professional with the capability to find and repair problems available at all times.

Salary: $56,910

Education: Associate’s Degree in Avionics

13. Telecom Technicians

If you’ve got great mechanical and troubleshooting skills, a career as a telecom technician can offer you a nonstandard work schedule, the chance to put your skills to good use and a median salary well above that of all occupations. You don’t even need to spend several years earning a degree to get there.

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers – telecom technicians, for short – are the professionals who set up, maintain and fix the telecommunications lines used to transmit phone, Internet and cable signals. They work with components like wiring and phone jacks as well as computer hardware and diagnostic equipment, according to the BLS. To develop the mechanical skills and troubleshooting knowledge necessary for success, telecom technicians need an education – but they don’t necessarily need a traditional degree. Some candidates earn a certificate from a technical school, though the BLS reports that telecom technicians with associate’s degrees will have the best employment prospects in this competitive job market.

Not every telecom technician works nonstandard hours. Your work schedule will depend on your employer. If you’re looking for hours outside the 9-to-5 shift, you’ll want to find work with a carrier or contractor that offers 24-hour emergency repair service. You might also find yourself on call in case of equipment malfunctions and emergencies.

Salary: $55,190

Education: Associate’s Degree in Telecommunications

14. Civil Engineering Technician

Early risers with skills in mathematics, problem-solving and critical thinking can find a great fit in the form of a civil engineering technician career. The job is an especially good choice for candidates who have an interest in civil engineering work but aren’t willing or able to put in the time and money required to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher, complete years of training and attain a license. An associate’s degree is sufficient for aspiring civil engineering technicians to get started in their careers.

Civil engineering technicians work with licensed engineers, and they even handle some of the same tasks, like preparing plans and drawings, estimating costs, monitoring project sites, testing construction materials, analyzing data and using computer aided design (CAD) software, the BLS reported. The only things they specifically can’t do, according to the BLS, are supervising overall engineering projects and approving designs.

Civil engineering technicians tend to start their workdays before 7 a.m., which makes the job ideal for early birds who like to get up with – or even before – the sun.

Salary: $48,340

Education: Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering Technology

15. Real Estate Agent or Broker

If you work well with others and are good at solving problems, you could make a career out of helping people buy, sell and rent homes, business spaces and other real estate properties. Real estate agents and brokers work closely with clients to help them navigate the complex process of making real estate transactions. They show off real estate properties to potential buyers and renters and assist with setting and negotiating prices and preparing contracts, deeds and other essential real estate documents, the BLS reported.

When you’re selling as large a purchase as real estate, it’s essential that you’re available when your clients are. For many real estate brokers, this means working hours in the early evenings and on weekends. On the bright side, you’re not likely to need to work overnight shifts and will probably be done your workday by 10 p.m., if not hours earlier – which means you still have a chance to enjoy the night life or some quality time with loved ones.

Salary: $43,430

Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate

16. Chef or Head Cook

A preference for work hours outside the 9-to-5 schedule is ideal for aspiring chefs. After all, chefs and head cooks have to be available to work at the same times when customers are dining out – like early mornings for breakfast, into the evening and even late at night for dinners and snacks and, of course, on weekends.

Of course, chefs and head cooks prepare food. They create recipes, plan menus and design the presentation of a dish. Chefs also order and check ingredients for freshness and make sure equipment and workspaces are clean for food preparation. They are also often responsible for overseeing kitchen staff, from hiring them and training them to coordinating the various tasks necessary to keep a restaurant kitchen operational.

Some chefs attain their position – not to mention their cooking skills – purely through experience and on-the-job training. However, many aspiring chefs seek out formal training through culinary arts education programs at community colleges, technical schools and four-year colleges and universities, the BLS reported.

Salary: $41,610

Education: Culinary Arts Degree

17. Broadcast Technician

Modern television channels and radio stations offer round-the-clock programming. These constant entertainment options wouldn’t exist without trained professionals known as broadcast and sound engineering technicians.

Broadcast technicians handle the audio, video and broadcasting equipment necessary for communication over TV and radio as well as maximizing the sound quality in recorded and live music, the BLS reported. They handle everything from setting up sound and broadcasting equipment to running that equipment during a broadcast and even maintaining and repairing that equipment.

Depending on the medium they focus on and the station, channel, studio or company employing them, broadcast technicians can have very different job duties. Some record music in recording studios or at live performances. Others spend much of their time installing audio and visual equipment in settings like schools, offices and hotels. Those who work in television may be responsible for making sure the dialogue and sound effects used in a program match up correctly with the visual images on the screen.

To keep broadcasting 24/7, radio stations and television networks need to have broadcast and sound engineering technicians on the clock even during nonstandard hours, which is why these professionals tend to work early morning, late night, weekend and even holiday shifts.

Salary: $41,350

Education: Associate’s Degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology

18. Musician

Not every job is easily quantifiable by salary or other factors. Some professional musicians become world-famous stars or celebrities, while many more pursue music as a part-time gig, often while holding other jobs. Overall, the BLS reports that musicians earn a median wage of $24.16 per hour, but there’s plenty of variation in income from one musician to the next.

Likewise, there is also a great degree of difference in education level among musicians. Some musicians have no formal education beyond a high school diploma, while others spend years studying music at the college level to earn a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree. What musicians have in common is that they have to spend a lot of time training and practicing to develop their musical talents. They also spend time creating and recording new material and rehearsing for performances.

Live shows are precisely the reason so many musicians work odd hours. Concerts are commonly held on weekends, in the evenings or even late at night. Successful musicians must not only put up with occasional evening work, but deliver energetic and entertaining performances consistently during these nonstandard hours. For most musicians, though, it’s having a passion for their art that makes a career in music fulfilling.

Salary: $24.16 per Hour

Education: Long-Term Music Training, Often a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher in Music

19. Athlete

Given the massive contracts awarded to top athletes in the big leagues, would it surprise you to learn that the median annual salary for athletes according to the BLS is $43,350? Like musicians, professional athletes run the gamut from the rich and world-famous sports stars to more down-to-earth athletes who live normal lives and bring home more modest salaries. While a college degree isn’t a requirement for the career, many professional athletes sharpened their skills playing their sport at the college level.

Still, professional athletes have a couple of things in common. For one, they must work hard at excelling in their sport, which means spending many hours training and practicing. They also work odd and sometimes difficult schedules, often playing on weekends, evenings and holidays. Traveling to compete is typical for professional athletes, which means they may also spend long amounts of time on buses, planes and other forms of transportation, the BLS reported. Like musicians, though, professional athletes tend to dream of their careers for a long time. The best professional athletes play as much for the love of the game as they do for the salary and reputation.

Salary: $43,350

Education: College-Level Playing Experience

20. Actor

Show business is certainly no 9-to-5 job. Like directors, actors and actresses often work unusual hours, whether their performance is live onstage or whether they’re just working overtime to meet a filming deadline. Actors also travel frequently for work, either to take a show on tour or to film on location.

To develop their acting skills, many aspiring actors will take acting classes. Some take these courses as part of their college-level studies to earn a bachelor’s degree, while others take acting classes separately at community colleges or private acting conservatories or film schools, the BLS reported. Relatively few professional actors become world-renowned movie or television stars, but about two-thirds do find full-time acting work, according to the BLS. Others work part-time, often along with other jobs. As with musicians and athletes, actors often pursue the career for the love of the craft rather than an expectation of steady long-term work or consistent earning potential.

Salary: $19.82 per Hour

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre

Editor’s Note:

The salary, education, work environment and career preparation information presented in this article comes from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This article is just a partial list of the many existing careers without a 9-to-5 work schedule. For more information on jobs with nonstandard hours, consult the blog post Careers for night owls and early birds published by the BLS.

For Further Reading: 

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

What Are My Degree Choices to Be a Film/TV Producer?

Best Major for Dentist: What Major Do You Need to Be a Dentist?

Do You Need College to Be a Real Estate Agent?

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

Top 10 Paying Jobs That Involve Math

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

50 Highest Paying Associate Degree Jobs

Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

The post The 20 Best Jobs Without a 9-to-5 Work Schedule appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you’re an adrenaline seeker, there are plenty of exciting careers that can help you quench your thirst for adventure.

Some professional thrill seekers fuel their adrenaline rush by protecting the public. Others save the lives of people who are in danger. Still others work in fields where they encounter adventure – and even dangerous situations – on a regular basis.

There are fun jobs as well as serious, high-pressure jobs, and everything in between. Likewise, there are jobs that pay well and jobs where the pay rate is disappointingly low, even if these professionals report high job satisfaction.

If you want a career that promises excitement, take a walk on the wild side with one of our top 15 jobs for adrenaline seekers. 

1. Emergency Room Doctors and Surgeons

If you’re looking for the most exciting jobs that save lives, look no further than emergency department doctor. This isn’t only one of the best jobs for adrenaline junkies – its six-figure median salary also makes it one of the jobs that pay well.

Doctors and surgeons have a lot of responsibility, period. However, physicians who work in hospital emergency rooms are always under pressure. They see patients with serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

If emergency room doctors don’t act fast – and take the right actions – their patients could end up losing blood, limbs and even their lives.

Often, they don’t have access to the patient’s complete medical history the way a primary care doctor would. This means they have less information to go on when making a diagnosis, and the stakes are incredibly high.

Of course, being an ER doctor is fulfilling in many ways, too. Yes, there’s a lot of stress. There’s also the opportunity to save the lives of patients who could die without your help.

RELATED: Is a Typical ER Doctor Day Similar to What We See on TV Medical Dramas?

The high median annual salary reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – which, incidentally, landed the career its first-place spot on this list – is another benefit.

If emergency room doctor sounds like the right career to you, expect to spend close to a decade in training, between going to medical school and completing internships and residencies.

Since people get sick or hurt at all times of the day, ER doctors may have to work odd and often long hours.

Median Salary: $310,640

Education: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO)

Nature of the job: Saving lives

2. Critical Care Nurses

ER doctors and hospital surgeons don’t handle all of the patient care responsibilities themselves. They have help from specialized nurses trained in critical care, trauma and intensive care unit (ICU) nursing. These intense jobs in the health care field can really get your blood pumping.

The job of caring for patients in dire health is certainly enough to get your adrenaline going. In this nursing specialty, patients’ lives are on the line.

It’s a stressful job intervening when patients have gone into shock, keeping calm when your patients have suffered severe wounds and managing the life support systems, like ventilators, that are keeping your patients alive.

Critical care nurses also have the responsibility to educate and support the often distraught families of seriously ill or injured patients. This job duty can be stressful in and of itself.

Aspiring critical care nurses must first earn the registered nurse (RN) credential, which requires a formal nursing education at the diploma, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree level.

Through coursework, hospital fieldwork or a combination of the two, they develop the skills to work in a critical care setting. Then they can seek the Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) credential.

Like ER doctors, critical care nurses must often work unusual schedules. Skilled nurses are needed to provide care for people who are gravely ill, even during nonstandard hours. ICU patients need close monitoring 24 hours a day, so hospitals must have these specialized nurses on staff at all times.

Critical care nurses may earn substantially higher salaries than RNs in other specialties. While the BLS reports that registered nurses earned a median salary of $77,600 in 2021, Salary.com reported in 2023 that critical care nurses made $82,400 per year on average.

Although ICU nurses and nurses in other areas of critical care don’t earn nearly as much as doctors do, this is another of the jobs that pay well and will keep you on your toes.

Additionally, the demand for RNs is expected to be even higher than the demand for doctors in the near future. The BLS anticipates jobs for registered nurses to increase by 6% over a decade, compared to the slower-than-average 3% growth expected for physicians.

Median Salary: $66,640 – $82,400

Education: Nursing Program Diploma, Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN)

Nature of the Job: Saving lives

3. Detectives and Criminal investigators

If you’re looking for a cool job, detective surely deserves consideration. Detective work has long been a source of fascination in entertainment of various forms, from Sherlock Holmes to CSI. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, why not make a career doing a job that others only read about or watch on TV?

As a real-life detective, you’ll see actual, active crime scenes in person when you collect evidence. You will have the chance to interview real suspects, witnesses and victims as you investigate the crime. Talk about exciting jobs!

RELATED: Is Life as a CSI Like They Show on TV?

Different types of detectives work in different employment situations. Your employment situation plays a large part in determining what your day-to-day work responsibilities are and how much money you could make.

Police detectives, for example, earned a median salary of $83,640 per year in 2021, the BLS reported. In an exciting career as a police detective, you may be involved in law enforcement activities like arrests and raids.

On the other hand, private detectives earn lower salaries. The median salary for private investigators was around $59,380 per year in 2021, according to the BLS.

Although it may not rank highly on the list of jobs that pay well, the private detective has other qualities of a dream job. Many private detectives work for themselves in private practice.

RELATED: Is Being a Bounty Hunter Really How It Looks on TV?

Both private and police detectives often start out their careers in law enforcement or in the military. A college degree isn’t always necessary, but can certainly be helpful – especially since there’s plenty of competition for detective jobs.

Crime never sleeps, so both police detectives and private investigators may need to work unusual hours to get the job done. This reality can sometimes pose challenges in your personal life.

Median Salary: $59,380 (private detectives) – $83,640 (police detectives and criminal investigators)

Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or Police Science

Nature of the job: Protecting the public

4. Police Officers

When trouble erupts, it takes a brave person to run toward the danger rather than away from it. In their high-adrenaline jobs, police officers do just that.

As a police officer, it doesn’t matter whether you’re pulling over reckless drivers on the highway, responding to reports of a violent crime or arresting suspects who may not come quietly. You can never be sure what will happen next.

Police officer is a high-risk job. You put yourself at risk every day to protect and serve the public. Even if you’re not scared easily, there will likely be at least a few times in your career – and more likely, many times – that you feel a rush of adrenaline.

When you’re working to save the victim of a crime, it’s definitely exciting. So is working to diffuse a risky situation or going in to arrest a dangerous suspect.

Different precincts have different education and training requirements. In some districts, you may be able to apply to a police training academy with just a high school education, according to the BLS. However, many precincts seek candidates with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Having a college education is becoming more and more valuable due to the competition for the job. If you want to be a police officer, you will need a clean criminal record. You also must be able to meet strict physical fitness requirements.

Overnight and shift work is common for law enforcement officers, as is overtime.

Median Salary: $66,020

Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice

Nature of the Job: Protecting the public

5. Explosives Workers

Perhaps one of the most badass jobs is explosives worker.

It’s tough to think of any event that’s as dramatically dangerous as an explosion. For most of us, witnessing an explosion might be a once-in-a-lifetime event. For explosives workers, it’s all part of the daily routine.

These professionals handle, position and detonate explosives for a purpose. Explosive workers find jobs in industries like engineering, construction, mining and oil and gas extraction. It’s their responsibility to safely and effectively demolish buildings and move rocks and earth so new structures can be built or so existing resources can be reached.

It isn’t only the explosion itself that’s enough to get your adrenaline going. Explosive workers have the added stress of making sure the demolition goes safely.

Explosives worker is a relatively small occupation. The BLS reported that just 7,100 people worked in the profession in 2021. The BLS has predicted that the occupation will grow by just 100 jobs over a decade.

Most explosives workers enter the occupation with a high school education. Some professionals in this field get a certificate-level or undergraduate education in a related subject like engineering or construction.

Median Salary: $53,040

Education: Certificate or Undergraduate Degree in Engineering, Construction or Chemistry

Nature of the Job: Encountering adventure or danger

6. Firefighters

Could you imagine yourself running into a burning building? Braving the dangers of a home on fire to save lives isn’t just the ultimate adrenaline rush – it’s also extraordinarily heroic.

Maybe that’s why, despite the risks and the stress, the competition for full-time firefighter jobs is fierce.

Naturally, firefighters respond to emergencies involving burning buildings, forest fires and explosions. They use high-pressure hoses and other equipment to extinguish the flames. However, they are also called on for help in other emergency and disaster situations.

Firefighters use their training as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to save lives in search and rescue missions and provide basic life-saving care.

Firefighting is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting careers, but it isn’t always a fun job. Firefighters may work exceptionally long and unusual hours. Their shifts often last between 24 and 72 hours, the BLS reported. During this time, they work, sleep and eat at the fire station, constantly on call in case an emergency should arise.

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You don’t necessarily need a college degree to get your first firefighter job. You do, however, need at least some post-secondary education in subjects like airway management and trauma care to become an EMT.

If your goal is to eventually advance into a role like captain or chief, a college degree in fire science will be helpful, if not required.

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Median Salary: $50,700

Education: EMT Certification; Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science or Public Administration

Nature of the Job: Protecting the public

7. Correctional Officers

The next career on our list may not be one of the most thrilling jobs, but it has its share of excitement. Would being surrounded by criminals convicted of violent crimes be enough to activate your fight-or-flight response? For correctional officers, it’s a typical workday.

These protective service professionals work in prisons. Here, they supervise inmates and enforce rules.

Having to review the condition of jail cells, restrain inmates and conduct searches for contraband requires you to be alert and levelheaded under pressure. If correctional officers don’t effectively enforce the rules, they could find themselves caught up in a prison riot. That could be a very dangerous situation.

Shift work is common among correctional officers. This is because jails need to be staffed, supervised and kept in order 24/7. Overtime work is also common and can significantly increase correctional officers’ total wages.

Correctional officers are often part of a union, according to the BLS. This means they enjoy more employment protection than the typical at-will employee working in the private sector, for example. They also get benefits such as retirement plans and uniform allowances.

A high school diploma is sufficient education for working as a correctional officer in a number of local and state jails. However, there are some doors only a college education will open.

Even some local and state facilities that don’t require a college degree still require candidates to complete a minimum number of college credits. If you want to work in a federal prison, you will need a bachelor’s degree.

Even at facilities that don’t require a college education, having a degree can give you a boost over the competition – which there’s sure to be plenty of, since the BLS has predicted a 10% decline in job opportunities for this occupation between 2021 and 2031.

Median Salary: $47,920

Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or Corrections

Nature of the Job: Protecting the public

8. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Hazardous materials removal is a dangerous job – it says so right in the name – but someone’s got to do it. Would dressing head to toe in protective gear help you find the courage to approach some of the most toxic materials known to humankind?

Nearly two-thirds of all hazardous waste removal workers find employment with waste management services, according to the BLS. However, they may encounter different kinds of dangerous substances, ranging from nuclear waste to lead and asbestos.

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As if the hazardous materials themselves weren’t dangerous enough, these employees often work in dangerous environments, too. Common workspaces for hazardous materials removal workers include:

• Confined spaces
• Partially demolished buildings
• The scenes of accidents and disasters
• High heights

Most people wouldn’t add hazmat removal worker to a list of fun jobs. This is a high-pressure job in more ways than one.

These workers are responsible for protecting others by removing dangerous substances. They also need to follow safety protocols to the letter to protect themselves and their teams. Still, these exciting jobs are sure to keep things interesting.

Most hazardous materials removal workers don’t have a college education. However, a degree is essential for certain roles, such as those in nuclear plants.

Whether or not you earn a college degree, you should expect to spend time learning the profession through safety training both inside and outside the classroom.

You may need specific training and even a state license or federal permit to work with certain kinds of hazardous materials, such as nuclear waste, lead and asbestos.

Median Salary: $46,300

Education: Associate’s Degree in Radiation Protection

Nature of the Job: Encountering adventure or danger

9. Emergency Dispatchers

Can you keep your cool even when others around you are panicking? Emergency dispatcher might be the job for you.

While they don’t visit emergency scenes in person, police, fire and ambulance dispatchers are literally the first people to respond to a 911 call. The callers on the other end of the phone are often frightened and distraught. Sometimes they’re badly hurt or in danger themselves.

Emergency dispatchers need to listen carefully and communicate effectively to find out where the emergency is taking place and which authorities need to be alerted.

In this exciting job, you’re not just answering a phone. Dispatchers don’t only send the right agencies to the scene of the emergency but may also remain on the line with the distressed caller while police, fire and emergency medical personnel are on their way.

During the call, emergency dispatchers may guide callers in getting themselves out of danger, giving first aid to an injured person on the scene and preparing for the arrival of first responders.

Historically, most emergency dispatchers haven’t had college degrees. However, there are a number of academic subjects in which a college education could help an emergency dispatcher succeed, including:

• Communications
• Criminal Justice
• Emergency management
• Emergency services
• Public safety

The number of emergency dispatcher jobs is expected to increase by 4% over the next decade, the BLS reported.

Still, having an education or skills that set you apart from the competition can be important. In many states, having a certification like Emergency Medical Dispatcher is beneficial or even required.

Emergency dispatchers don’t work in a physically dangerous environment. They do, however, experience plenty of stress and pressure in their daily job responsibilities.

When they receive a call, lives are at stake. They need to be able to multitask and to quickly make the right decisions and provide the right instructions.

Both long shifts and overtime are common, the BLS reported. This means handling many troubling calls for help each workday.

Median Salary: $46,670

Education: Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification; College Degree in Emergency Services, Public Safety, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management or Communications

Nature of the Job: Saving lives

10. Self-Enrichment Education Teachers

Do you fuel your adrenaline rush with activities like skydiving, whitewater rafting and rock climbing? If fun jobs are more what you’re looking for, the self-enrichment education teacher career path may be for you.

Hundreds of thousands of extreme sports enthusiasts are making a living by teaching others “self-enrichment” activities like these – and so can you. It’s easy to be passionate about your job when adventure and fun are a big part of your work on a daily basis.

Most self-enrichment education teachers – at least, those teaching high-adrenaline extreme sports and activities like these – don’t need a college degree. They do, however, need a good deal of training and experience to do their job right.

After all, part of the reason these sports are so exciting is because they are dangerous. As a guide or instructor, you’re responsible for the safety of the participants you teach.

You may have to complete a minimum number of times participating in the activity, such as 200 skydiving jumps. Depending on the activity, you may need certain licenses, certifications or ratings from professional organizations like the United States Parachute Association (USPA) or the American Mountain Guides Association.

Through training – possibly in a classroom as well as in the field – you’ll learn the skills and safety procedures necessary to prevent accidents and injuries and to respond if an emergency does occur.

Of course, a career in self-enrichment teaching isn’t for everyone who enjoys skydiving, whitewater rafting and other extreme sports. If instructor is your full-time job, you’re going to spend every workday in that environment, engaging in and helping others engage in the activity.

You’re under a lot more pressure as an instructor than just a participant. In this role, you’re responsible for the safety of others as well as yourself.

However, if you would love to make a career out of your favorite thrill-seeking hobby, you’re in luck. The BLS predicted a “much faster than average” job growth rate of 18% over the decade from 2021 through 2031 for these professionals.

Median Salary: $43,580

Education: Extensive Training and Professional Certification in Your Activity

Nature of the Job: Encountering adventure or danger

11. Fishing Workers

Plenty of people go fishing or hunting for recreation, but you could make it your career. After all, people all over the world need to eat. The meat and fish they consume have to come from somewhere.

If you go fishing or hunting to relax, then a career in the fast-paced fishing industry is probably not right for you. As much fun as you might find recreational fishing, professional fishing worker roles aren’t among the most fun jobs.

However, if you don’t mind confronting adventure or even danger on the sea, then you will love that the job entails the thrill of bringing in a good catch.

You don’t need a college degree to become a professional in the fishing and hunting industry. On-the-job training is often sufficient to get started in this career.

However, with the BLS predicting a slower-than-average increase in fishing and hunting jobs over the next 10 years, attaining these roles might be harder than you would think.

A number of community colleges and vocational schools offer associate’s degree programs in fishery technology, aquaculture and similar subjects. These programs of study can improve your job prospects in professional fishing work and help you advance in your career.

These programs cover a range of topics, according to the BLS, including:

• Fishing gear technology
• Marine safety
• Navigation
• Seamanship
• Vessel operations and repair

Professional fishing workers don’t just bait their rods and sit back to wait for a catch. They use fish-finding equipment to locate fish from large or small boats.

When they make a catch – typically a large one, especially when using gear like nets – they must store the fish in ways that will keep them safe for food consumption or an alternative use.

Median Salary: $32,530

Education: Associate’s Degree in Fishery Technology

Nature of the Job: Encountering adventure or danger 

12. EMTs and Paramedics

Even before emergency room doctors and critical care nurses get to a patient in need, another medical professional is there to provide life-saving first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics travel to the scenes of accidents, disasters, crimes and medical emergencies. There, they provide initial treatment to patients who – in the most serious circumstances – might otherwise not live long enough to reach the hospital.

What makes EMTs and paramedics particularly exciting jobs is the need to provide immediate emergency care. They must be able to evaluate the condition of an injured or ill patient quickly and decide how to best treat that condition. They don’t have the luxury of numerous diagnostic testing facilities with which to do so.

While they do treat patients at the scene, they must also care for patients while an ambulance or medical helicopter transfers them to the hospital. EMTs and paramedics need to be able to handle the pressure and keep calm in an emergency situation.

You don’t need a college degree to become an EMT, but you do to become a paramedic. These are the most advanced of the emergency medical services professionals. Paramedics need more training, including a two-year college degree in a subject like emergency medical technology.

Both EMTs and paramedics save lives in emergency situations, but paramedics have more responsibilities. They can also provide more extensive care to patients.

EMTs and paramedics need to complete a training program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs to earn their certification. These programs include 150 to 1,200 hours of instruction, depending on the level of study, according to the BLS.

EMT and paramedic are high-pressure jobs, but they’re also rewarding career options. In this role, you have the opportunity to literally save lives on a daily basis.

The BLS expects opportunities for EMTs and paramedics to grow by a rate of 7% over the decade between 2021 and 2031. That projected growth rate is about on par with the average growth rate predicted for all occupations during this decade.

All told, this occupation should see 17,900 new job opportunities emerge between 2021 and 2031. Counting the vacancies left by workers retiring, advancing, changing careers and otherwise leaving their jobs, the BLS has predicted a total of 20,000 openings for EMTs and paramedics to be posted each year between 2021 and 2031.

Median Salary: $31,700

Education: Associate’s Degree in Emergency Medical Technology; EMT, Advanced EMT or Paramedic Certification from the NREMT

Nature of the Job: Saving lives

13. Security Guards

Anytime you’re responsible for protecting the public – whether at an office building, bank, school, hospital, mall, casino or entertainment venue – there’s the potential for danger. Instead of serving entire communities like police officers, security guards protect the property, workers and visitors of their specific employers.

Security guards conduct surveillance through in-person patrols and observing security cameras. When alarms on the property go off, security guards are responsible for responding to them. They oversee access to restricted areas, implement security checks and stop those suspected of breaking the law.

Security guards act to prevent crimes of all kinds, from theft and vandalism to violent crimes and terrorist acts. Of course, would-be criminals don’t appreciate security guards for making crimes more difficult to pull off. That’s where these exciting careers can get dangerous.

If you’re quick to notice suspicious behaviors or circumstances and brave enough to go investigate out-of-the-ordinary – and potentially dangerous – situations, a career as a security guard will provide the adrenaline rush you’re looking for.

You will need to stay alert even during night and odd-hour shifts. If an incident arises, you’ll have to think and act quickly.

A high school diploma is sufficient formal education for becoming a security guard. However, these protective services professionals typically must undergo training before starting the job and during their first few weeks on the job.

Through this training, they learn the correct way to handle emergency situations, administer first aid, detain suspects, report incidents and – if applicable – handle weapons like firearms.

In addition to undergoing training, security guards in most states must attain a state registration. Securing your registration typically includes passing a background check, the BLS reported.

Security guard is a very large occupation. The profession currently employs more than 1,100,000 workers. While the BLS predicts modest growth in opportunities for security guards over a decade, the expected 3% increase will translate to more than 37,200 new jobs between 2021 and 2031.

 Median Salary: $31,470

Education: High School Diploma; On-the-Job Training; State Registration

Nature of the Job: Protecting the public

14. Ambulance Drivers

Next on our list of jobs for thrill seekers is ambulance driver. If you’ve ever seen an ambulance speeding by with its sirens screeching and lights flashing, you can probably imagine that driving an ambulance could be a thrilling experience.

The career may not be one of the most fun jobs, but it combines high stakes (the health and lives of patients you’re transporting) with a need for speed and exposure to potentially dangerous environments.

Ambulance drivers must get critically ill and injured patients to medical facilities where they can get the treatment they need. Often, time isn’t on their side.

Between the pressure of having to save the life of the patient being transported and the exhilaration of driving quickly and evasively to accomplish it, it’s easy to see how the job can give you an adrenaline rush.

You don’t need a college degree to become an ambulance driver. Depending on where you intend to work, though, you may need to undergo basic EMT training and get certified.

EMT courses often include training and hands-on experience in driving an ambulance as well as performing CPR and first aid. In many locations, EMTs are responsible for operating emergency vehicles as well as for patient care.

You might also need to attain a special type of commercial driving license or a certificate permitting you to drive an ambulance.

Only about 11,900 Americans currently work as ambulance drivers but are not also EMTs, the BLS reported as of 2021. Unfortunately, the BLS expects opportunities for ambulance drivers to decline by 1% over the decade between 2021 and 2031. This decline is anticipated to reduce the occupation by 100 jobs.

Median Salary: $29,120

Education: High School Diploma; Possible EMT Certification; Commercial Driving License

Nature of the Job: Saving lives

15. Military Personnel

Many more high-adrenaline jobs are found in the United States military.

When you enlist in any branch of the U.S. military, you’re making a sacrifice for the good of your country. You may be deployed far from your loved ones. In the course of your service, you may face danger and stress in a number of forms.

However, you can also encounter adventure as you travel the world protecting your nation. Somewhere along the way, there’s a good chance you will come across an experience worthy of an adrenaline rush.

“Military personnel” isn’t one job so much as one classification of jobs. There are numerous roles you can hold in the various branches of the armed forces. These jobs have varying levels of responsibilities and pay grades. Some military personnel are entry-level enlisted members, while others are high-level officers with decades of experience.

Whether you enlist in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, you can find various work opportunities that will allow you to train in a career field. For some personnel, serving in the military is a long-term career. For others, it’s an opportunity to gain an education and job skills for a future career while serving your country.

To begin your career as an enlisted member of the United States military, you must have a high school education. For certain roles, or to advance to a position such as officer, you will need a college education.

You must also meet age, physical fitness, citizenship and other requirements and pass a background check.

Median Salary: $18,561 – $192,866

Education: High School Diploma; Possible Bachelor’s Degree

Nature of the Job: Encountering adventure or danger

Other Fun Jobs and High-Adrenaline Careers

This isn’t an exhaustive list of exciting careers. Many jobs across a variety of industries can qualify as exciting careers. What constitutes fun jobs also varies from person to person.

Below are a few more examples of cool jobs that can foster your adventurous spirit.

Video Game Designer

If you like to play video games, why not consider a career in video game design? Video game designers develop the concept, story, characters and gameplay mechanics of a game. A video game designer provides creative direction but may also be responsible for some programming duties, as well. For that reason, completing some coursework in computer science may be beneficial for aspiring video game designers.

Opportunities in video game design are hard to come by, but they have benefits beyond high job satisfaction. Overall, video game designer roles are fun jobs that pay well.

Purchasing Agent or Personal Shopper

If you find that “retail therapy” raises your spirits, how about making a career out of spending other people’s money?

Companies employ buyers and purchasing agents to acquire the raw materials, supplies and equipment they need to run their business. Personal shoppers may either work for retail chains, helping customers find the items they want or need, or as independent consultants that individuals can hire for their shopping services.

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As a buyer, purchasing agent or personal shopper, you’re putting your shopping expertise to work spending someone else’s money – and getting paid to do it. Shopping for a living can definitely be a fun job, if at times more challenging than you would expect.

Event Planner

Organizing events can be a stressful experience, but there’s no feeling quite like watching it all come together – and knowing that you made it happen. Event planner is another exciting job to consider.

Event planners work for hotels and venues as well as companies, colleges and nonprofit organizations. Some event planners offer their services to clients on a consulting basis, helping them find the right location for their event as well as coordinating all the logistics. In many ways, event planning is a fun job as well as an exciting one.

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Cruise Director

Another fun, if stressful, job is cruise director. On a cruise ship, the cruise director serves as the senior crew member and is responsible for all hospitality activities on board the cruise ship. If you enjoy the work of event planning along with the experience of being out on the water, planning entertainment and recreation activities onboard a cruise ship may be the right fit for you.

Air Traffic Controller

Safely taking off and landing a commercial airplane takes a lot of coordination and communication. Pilots can’t just make a spur-of-the-moment decision to ascend or descend. If they did, they would risk colliding with other planes.

That’s where air traffic controllers come in. Air traffic controllers work in airports, communicating with pilots of numerous planes to ensure that everyone maintains a safe distance and avoids accidents.

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Air traffic control isn’t necessarily a fun job. This is an exciting career in large part because there is so much pressure. Still, if you can handle the stress, air traffic controller roles are jobs that pay well, with an average salary well into the six-figure range.

Editor’s Note: All salary, job outlook, work environment, education and training and license and certification data contained in this article comes from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salary and job outlook data was last updated in 2023 using the most recent BLS data from 2021.

You can learn more about career paths for adrenaline seekers from the BLS’s blog post Adrenaline jobs: High-intensity careers.

Related Resources:

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20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

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What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

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