Many pre-med students begin to consider alternatives to medical school as they move through their college courses. Generally, only a small number of pre-med undergrads actually end up applying to medical school (read more here). And that’s okay.
Some discover new interests or career paths as they progress through their classes. Some discover they simply don’t like the field once they get their first experience working in a clinical environment. Highlighted below are several other career options in healthcare. If you’re not interested in healthcare, here’s a list of non-healthcare career opportunities for biology majors- 5 Things You Can Do With a Biology Major (That Aren’t Medical School).
Alternatives to Medical School
1. Pharmacy
For the strange and few students who actually enjoyed college chemistry, pharmacy school may be a good fit. You can learn more about medical school vs. pharmacy school here.
Like medical school, PharmD programs usually do not require a specific college major. But applicants are generally required to have taken many of the same courses pre-med students may have already taken:
| Pre-Requisite courses |
| – General Chemistry (2 semesters) |
| – Organic Chemistry (2 semesters) |
| – General Biology (2 semesters) |
| – Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters) |
| – Microbiology |
| – Physics (2 semesters) |
| – Calculus and Statistics |
Pre-meds reconsidering medical school likely already meet some or all of the requirements to apply for a PharmD program. Next steps to consider may be speaking with an undergraduate advisor or reaching out about shadowing opportunities in a local pharmacy.
Post-Graduate Study: 4 years (doctorate program)
Average Salary: $126,000
2. Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling is a relatively new but growing area of medicine. Students that particularly enjoy genetics and want to work face-to-face with patients would likely enjoy a career in genetic counseling.
Per the National Society for Genetic Counseling, “Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and review available options with the family.”
Prerequisites for application vary by school but usually include:
| Pre-requisite courses |
| – General Chemistry (2 semesters) |
| – General Biology (2 semesters) |
| – Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry |
| – Introductory Genetics |
| – Advanced Genetics |
| – Statistics |
| – Psychology or Sociology |
Again, many pre-med students may find they have already taken the required courses to apply to a genetic counseling program. A next step may be speaking with an undergraduate advisor or reaching out about local shadowing opportunities.
Post-Graduate Study: 2 years (masters program)
Average Salary: $87,000
3. Dietitian
As our approach to medicine becomes more holistic, many clinics now have registered dietitians (RD’s) on staff to counsel patients on their nutrition. There is a growing need for registered dietitians in the US and many pre-med students likely already qualify to apply for a graduate program in dietetics and nutrition.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) outlines the required courses to qualify for the official RD exam, and these courses are included in dietetics and nutrition masters programs. Currently, nutrition major bachelor’s students who have completed these requirements at the undergraduate level are also eligible to take the RD exam. But starting in 2024, ACEND will require students to have a graduate degree to qualify for the RD exam.
Prerequisites for these Dietetics and Nutrition masters programs vary, but often include:
| Pre-requisite Courses |
| – General Chemistry (2 semesters) |
| – General Biology (2 semesters) |
| – Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry |
| – Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters) |
| – Introductory Nutrition |
| – Advanced Nutrition |
Most medical school admissions do not require nutrition courses (though they’re often recommended). So many pre-med students have already taken elective nutrition courses. Those credits can be put to good use on the path to becoming a registered dietitian. Next steps to consider would be meeting with an undergraduate advisor.
Post-Graduate Study: 2 years (masters program)
Average Salary: $66,000
4. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is another growing field in an increasingly holistic approach to medicine. Students who enjoy working face-to-face with patients may also consider a career in physical therapy.
Most Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program admissions require almost the exact same courses as medical schools, except advanced chemistry. The most commonly required courses include:
| Pre-requisite courses |
| – General Chemistry (2 semesters) |
| – General Biology (2 semesters) |
| – Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters) |
| – Physics (2 semesters) |
| – Introductory Psychology |
For students interested in sports medicine or physical rehabilitation, physical therapy is a rewarding field of practice. Physical therapists have the opportunity to work in a range of clinical environments including sports training clinics, rehab facilities, nursing homes, and private practice. Next steps may include speaking with an undergraduate advisor or reaching out about shadowing opportunities.
Post-Graduate Study: 3 years (doctorate program)
Average Salary: $93,000
5. Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering is essential to modern medicine, and there are many positions within this field in which engineers work face-to-face with patients. Clinical engineers see patients in hospital and clinic to ensure their medical devices function properly (pacemakers, implantable insulin pumps, etc.).
For students who excel in math and physics, biomedical engineering can be a lucrative and promising field. With the right grades and undergraduate networking, it is possible to enter the field with only a bachelor’s degree. But opportunities for growth are generally greater with a masters. Prerequisite undergraduate courses vary greatly from school to school, but generally include:
| Pre-requisite courses |
| – General Biology (2 semesters) |
| – Physics (2 semesters) |
| – Calculus (2 semesters) |
Again, most pre-med students would likely find they already meet admissions requirements for most biomedical engineering masters programs. Next steps may include speaking with an undergraduate advisor.
Post-Graduate Study: 2 years (masters programs)
Average Salary: $101,000 (drug research)
Final Thoughts
For those who are passionate about healthcare and want to work directly with patients, there are countless professions to choose from aside from doctor or nurse. Many of these are promising programs that pre-med students likely already qualify for. (Learn more about the pre-med timeline here)
Always research admissions requirements for individual programs. And if you can, reach out for a meeting or tour with departments or programs you may be interested in to learn more. Again, if you’re not sure if you’re interested in healthcare, here’s a list of non-healthcare career opportunities for biology majors- 5 Things You Can Do With a Biology Major (That Aren’t Medical School).
