Athletic trainers examine, diagnose, treat and provide rehabilitative care for persons with acute or chronic injuries and other medical conditions. They also provide preventive care. Athletic trainers work with physicians and other healthcare providers in caring for people of all ages. The job outlook for athletic trainers is good, and the average salary is $45,630, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some athletic trainers are self-employed, while others work in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, sports centers, offices of physicians, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, professional sports teams, the military, law enforcement and with performing arts organizations.

Common Academic Majors

• Athletic training and rehabilitation sciences (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Degree Pathway to Become an Athletic Trainer

Kansas State University offers a Bachelor of Science in athletic training and rehabilitation sciences and a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Students enrolled in the bachelor's program will have the option to puruse the 5-year professional program, allowing them to complete their educational training at K-State in 5-years, or students can complete their bachelor's degree and pursue a master's degree from another institution.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Athletic Training
• National Athletic Trainers' Association - About Athletic Training
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
• Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer

Speech-language pathologists (SLP), sometimes called speech and language therapists, evaluate, diagnose and treat people with disorders of communication, cognitive-communication, voice and swallowing. SLPs help people of all ages and abilities and are important members of healthcare teams that include physicians, nurses, audiologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for SLPs is excellent and expected to grow. The average annual salary is $74,680. SLPs work in schools, hospitals, private practice and other medical and educational settings.

Common Academic Majors

• Communication Sciences and Disorders (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Speech-Language Pathologists

A master's degree is required for entry into the profession, which means the completion of a bachelor's degree that provides the framework for admission into a master's program is also necessary. A student may complete a bachelor's degree in any area as long as the framework is established for the graduate program. K-State offers a bachelor's degree in family studies and human services as preparation for admission to the graduate program for communication sciences and disorders. A degree in communication sciences and disorders is also an excellent way to prepare for admission to doctoral programs in audiology.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers in Speech-Language Pathology
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Chiropractors work to restore full functionality to their patients' muscular, nervous and skeletal systems using hands-on techniques such as spinal adjustments and manipulations. Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery. The primary focuses of chiropractic care include nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons and how the connections among them relate to preserving and restoring health. Chiropractors work in cooperation with other healthcare providers when appropriate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for chiropractors is growing faster than average compared to most jobs, and the average annual pay is $67,520. Most chiropractors are self employed and work in either a group or solo practice.

Common Academic Majors

Students who choose to complete a degree may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Psychology (College of Arts and Sciences)

Degree Pathway to Become a Chiropractor

Current Doctor of Chiropractic program (DCP) entrance requirements include the following:

• Completion of at least three academic years of undergraduate study (90 semester hours) at an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent foreign agency.
• A GPA of no less than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for those 90 hours.
• Completion of at least 24 semester hours of life and physical sciences courses with at least half including a substantive laboratory component. These courses will provide an adequate background for success in the DCP; completion of courses leading to a well-rounded general education program in the humanities and social sciences, and other coursework deemed relevant by the DCP for students to successfully complete the DCP curriculum.

An increasing number of chiropractic schools require completion of a bachelor's degree because that is required for licensure in many states.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Chiropractic
• American Chiropractic Association
• Accredited Doctor of Chiropractic Colleges
• Association of Chiropractic Colleges
• Council on Chiropractic Education
• Discover Chiropractic
• International Chiropractors' Association

Dentists contribute to the general health and quality of patients' lives by relieving pain and providing oral care that is both preventive and restorative. Dentistry is primarily focused on maintaining proper oral health, but it also focuses on improving appearance, which can have an enormous, positive influence on people's lives. Dentists work with people of all ages and enjoy independence, good salaries and a flexible lifestyle. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for dentists is increasing, and the median annual income is $159,770. Many dentists work in private practices either alone or in partnership with other dentists and own their own businesses. Some dentists work as faculty members in academia combining teaching, research, community service and patient care. Others work in public health, research, international healthcare organizations and hospitals. No matter the setting, dentists work in a team environment.

Common Academic Majors

Students may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Biology (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Biomedical engineering (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering)
• Chemistry (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Food science (College of Agriculture)
• Integrative physiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Nutritional sciences (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Dentists

A bachelor's degree prior to dental school admission is highly recommended. Dental schools are four-year programs leading to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) degree. Some dentists begin practicing immediately after completing a DDS or DMD degree. Others choose to complete a dental residency, either to gain advanced training as a general dentist or to become a specialist.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Dentistry
• American Dental Association
• American Dental Education Association

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are trained in both clinical nutrition and food service management. Depending on their work setting, they may have clinical nutrition or food service management responsibilities and in some circumstances, both. They work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health organizations and programs, senior centers, food stamp programs, food service operations, food corporations, wellness programs for business and industry, and as consultants in private practices, including specialization in sports nutrition. Depending on the work setting, dietitians may provide individual patient care, nutrition education for individuals and groups, teach and do research at universities, manage food service operations and personnel in hospitals, K-12 schools, universities, restaurants, or correctional facilities, or provide consulting services in either the clinical or food production and management arenas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for clinical RDNs is growing, and the average annual salary is about $60,000.

Common Academic Majors

• Dietetics (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Sports nutrition (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Registered Dietitians

Entry into the Dietetics profession requires a master's degree. The College of Health and Human Sciences outlines the requirements in more detail.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Dietetics and Nutrition
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

Health information management (HIM) professionals gather, analyze, protect, maintain and manage both the electronic and traditional medical data needed to ensure quality patient care for individuals and groups. Although they do not work directly with patients, HIM professionals are vital members of the healthcare team who connect clinical, operational and administrative healthcare functions. They manage patient care data, create systems that streamline data sharing among healthcare providers, ensure appropriate reimbursement for healthcare services, evaluate the consistency and quality of patient care and ensure the privacy and accuracy of patient records. HIM careers are extremely versatile. Members of this profession hold positions in more than 40 job categories that include more than 200 job titles. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private and group healthcare practices, insurance companies, law firms, educational institutions and organizations involved with healthcare research and policy development. The need for HIM professionals is growing. Because job titles and responsibilities vary widely, so do salaries. Check the American Health Information Management Association salary survey for more information.

Common Academic Majors

At K-State, students may choose to complete two years of prerequisite work and then apply to bachelor level programs, or they may choose to complete a bachelor's degree at K-State and then apply to bachelor or master level programs. Those who choose to complete a bachelor's degree at K-State may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred.

Degree Pathway for Health Information Management Professionals

There are a variety of health information management education options students may pursue, ranging from certifications to associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. Prerequisites vary widely among programs. A bachelor's degree is the preferred education for entry into the profession.

Additional Resources

• Explore Health Careers
• American Health Information Management Association

There are two types of physicians in the United States: Allopathic physicians (MDs) and Osteopathic physicians (DOs). Both types of physicians are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients based on physical examinations and the results of a wide array of tests and other assessments. Physicians provide routine, preventive care and treat people who have sustained injuries or who have medical conditions that range from minor problems to severe, acute and chronic diseases. Both MDs and DOs order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, perform surgery and practice in a variety of specialty areas. Most physicians work as employees of hospitals, community health centers, or multidisciplinary group practices or in privately owned solo or group practices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for physicians is high and expected to continue to grow; the median salary is $208,000.

Common Academic Majors

Students may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Biochemistry (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Biological systems engineering (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering)
• Biology (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Biomedical engineering (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering)
• Chemical engineering (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering)
• Food science (College of Agriculture)
• Integrative physiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Nutritional sciences (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Medical Doctors

Students must earn a bachelor's degree prior to admission to medical school. In addition to a bachelor's degree, students must also complete the core courses required by the medical schools to which they apply and score competitively on the MCAT. Strong applicants also shadow physicians in a variety of settings and are involved in community service.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Allopathic Medicine
• Explore Health Careers- Osteopathic Medicine
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
• Association of American Medical Colleges

Nursing is a very flexible health career offering employment opportunities in a wide range of work settings. Examples include hospitals, physician offices, long-term care facilities, community healthcare organizations, educational organizations, correctional facilities and homecare and hospice organizations. Nurses work in cooperation with all members of a healthcare team. They care for people of all ages, providing direct patient care such as observing, monitoring, and recording patients' conditions, administering medications, providing wound care, giving educational information and instruction, communicating with physicians and other care providers, directing and supervising nurse aides and providing general physical and emotional support to patients and their families and friends. They also work as educators, managers, researchers and administrators in non-clinical environments. There are numerous nursing specialties. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for nurses is very good, and the need for nurses is expected to continue to grow. The average annual salary is $68,450.

Common Academic Majors

Students who choose to complete a K-State degree may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Human development and family science (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Human ecology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Nutrition and health (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Nursing Degrees

Becoming a registered nurse (RN) requires completion of either an associate degree (ADN) or a bachelor's degree (BSN). The preferred entry level into the profession is the BSN.

• complete only the prerequisites (about 65 semester hours) for application to a traditional two-year BSN program
• complete a bachelor's degree at K-State and then apply to either a traditional or accelerated BSN program.
  • The Pathway to Nursing Program offers this option, with students earning a bachelor's degree from K-State and BSN from Wichita State University.

Those who choose to complete a bachelor's degree at K-State are often better prepared for the rigor of nursing school.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Nursing
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Pathway to Nursing Program through K-State and Wichita State University

The American Occupational Therapy Association describes the work of occupational therapists (OTs) as "helping people do activities they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations)". Occupational therapists:

• Help clients and their families set personal goals by conducting individualized evaluations.
• Customize therapeutic interventions to help improve their clients' abilities to do daily activities that will help them reach their goals.
• Evaluate their clients' progress, adjusting the interventions as needed.

OTs evaluate clients within their homes, schools and workplaces so they can make the most appropriate suggestions for using adaptive equipment and provide guidance and education for their clients' families, teachers and caregivers. OTs work with people of all ages and abilities. Work settings for OTs include hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools and home health agencies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for occupational therapists is very good, and the need for OTs is expected to increase much faster than most occupations. The median annual pay for OTs is $81,910.

Common Academic Majors

• Human development and family science (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Psychology (College of Arts and Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Occupational Therapists

A bachelor's degree is required prior to entering a professional OT education program. Students may choose any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Entry into the OT profession requires at least a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree, and some practitioners have earned a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DOT) degree.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Occupational Therapy
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy
• World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Optometrists examine the eyes, perform vision tests and diagnose sight problems like nearsightedness and farsightedness. They also diagnose conditions and diseases that affect the eyes, like cataracts, retinopathy, eye infections, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Optometrists prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, other visual aids and medications in the states where laws allow it. Some examples of optometric specializations include pediatrics, geriatrics, low vision, rehabilitation, contact lenses and ocular diseases. Optometrists may work as solo practitioners or in a group practice; some are self-employed and some work for corporations or in a physician's office. There are opportunities for optometrists to work in education and research at optometry colleges and as consultants in the eye care industry. The job outlook for optometrists is good, and the need for optometrists is expected to grow, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Optometrists earn an average annual salary of $106,140.

Common Academic Majors

Students may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Biology (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Nutrition and health/Nutritional sciences (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Optometrists

A bachelor's degree is not required for admission into optometry school. However, nearly all accepted applicants have earned an undergraduate degree prior to entering optometry school. As such, earning a bachelor's degree is highly encouraged.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Optometry
• Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

Pharmacists dispense medications to patients as prescribed by physicians and other healthcare providers. They communicate directly with healthcare providers who prescribe medications, work with them to ensure medications are correctly delivered and advise them about medication therapy. Pharmacists educate and advise patients about the appropriate use of prescription and over-the-counter medications to help them get the most benefit from the drugs they take and to avoid complications that might arise from drug or food interactions or improper storage or administration of medications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs prospects in pharmacy are good and expected to grow at about the same rate as the average for most professions. The average annual salary for pharmacists is $122,230.

Common Academic Majors

Students who choose to complete a degree may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Biology (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Biochemistry (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Chemical engineering (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering)
• Chemistry (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Food science (College of Agriculture)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Microbiology (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Nutrition and health/Nutritional Sciences (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Pharmacists

Entry into the Pharmacy profession requires completion of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Admission requirements vary among Pharm.D. programs; some require completion of a bachelor's degree and some do not. Completing a bachelor's degree is recommended for pre-pharmacy students because they are better prepared for the academic rigor of pharmacy school, and some Pharm.D. programs give preference to applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Pharmacy
• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
• Is Pharmacy Right For Me
• Board of Pharmacy Specialties
• American Pharmacists Association

Physical therapists (PTs) work with people of all ages, from infants to the very elderly. They diagnose and treat people with medical problems and physical conditions that prevent them from moving and doing activities they want and need to do. PTs examine patients and establish individualized treatment plans that focus on maintaining and restoring mobility, relieving pain and avoiding disability. PTs also promote fitness and wellness to help people live active, healthful lifestyles. They also work with people to prevent the onset or progression of symptoms, impairments and physical limitations that may result from a variety of diseases or conditions. Typical work settings for PTs include schools, hospitals, nursing homes, fitness facilities and outpatient clinics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for PTs is very good, and the need for PTs is expected to grow. The average yearly salary for PTs is $85,400.

Common Academic Majors

Students may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Athletic training and rehabilitation sciences (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Integrative physiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Physical Therapists

Entry into the PT profession requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. A bachelor's degree is required for admission to DPT programs.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Physical Therapy
• American Physical Therapy Association

Physician Assistants (PAs) work on health care teams with physicians and other providers. They are qualified to provide a broad range of health care services including performing medical interviews and physical examinations, screening and interpreting results of diagnostic studies, diagnosing patients, implementing treatment plans, counseling patients regarding illness and preventative medicine, monitoring patients, and facilitating access to appropriate health care resources. Students may provide these services to individuals of any age in various settings. PAs work in:

• a variety of clinical practice settings with physicians.
• any environment, from large academic institutions to remote rural areas.
• hospitals, single and multi-specialty practice groups, public and private clinics, armed services, and many other settings.
• every area of medicine, including primary care, specialty, and subspecialty practice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for PAs is excellent and expected to grow more than the average for all jobs. The average salary for PAs is $101,480.

Common Academic Majors

Students may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Athletic training and rehabilitation sciences (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Biology (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Food science (College of Agriculture)
• Integrative physiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Nutrition and health (College of Health and Human Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Physician Assistants

The minimum education required to enter the PA profession is the master's degree and, with a few exceptions, a bachelor's degree is required before entering a PA program.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Physician Assistant
• American Academy of Physician Assistants
• Physician Assistant Education Association

Respiratory therapists (RTs) work with people across the lifespan, from premature infants to the elderly. They specialize in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of people who have breathing problems. Their patients may suffer from chronic diseases like cystic fibrosis, asthma or emphysema. RTs also provide care to patients whose ability to breath is compromised by a heart attack, stroke, shock, drowning or other emergency events. They interview and examine patients, consult with physicians and other healthcare providers, develop respiratory care plans for individual patients, determine levels of oxygen and other gases in patients' breath, blood and other tissues, and manage breathing devices like ventilators and artificial airways. RTs also educate patients and families about how to manage lung diseases and conditions, and they may supervise respiratory therapy assistants. Hospitals are the most common job setting for RTs, but they also work in doctor's offices, patients' homes and long-term care facilities. There are opportunities to earn specialty credentials in respiratory care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for RTs is good, and the number of jobs is expected to grow faster than average. RTs earn an annual salary of $58,670.

Common Academic Majors

Students who choose to complete a bachelor's degree may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred.

Degree Pathway for Respiratory Therapists

Either a two-year associate's degree or a four-year bachelor's degree is required to become a registered RT. Master's degrees in respiratory care are available at some schools. Many employers prefer completion of a bachelor's degree, which may enhance opportunities for career advancement. K-State's pre-RT students may choose to complete two years of undergraduate work, which includes prerequisites for admission to a bachelor's degree program, or they may decide to complete a degree at K-State before applying to professional school.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers in Respiratory Therapy
• American Association for Respiratory Care

Veterinarians provide healthcare for pets, livestock, zoo animals, sporting animals and laboratory animals. Some veterinary specialists work to protect people against animal-borne diseases, others help restore health to sick or injured animals, some conduct research to increase knowledge about animal health and disease, and others are involved in food production, safety and inspection. The veterinary profession is also involved in aquaculture, comparative medical research and international disease control. In addition to private clinics and hospitals, some veterinarians provide educational services through state, local and private agencies, and some are employed by the government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for veterinarians is good and expected to grow. The average yearly salary for veterinarians is $88,770. Many veterinarians are self-employed owners of their own businesses and work in either solo practices or in partnership with other veterinarians.

Common Academic Majors

Students who choose to complete a bachelor's degree may select any academic major of interest to them; no major is preferred. Typical majors include:

• Animal sciences and industry (College of Agriculture)
• Agricultural economics (College of Agriculture)
• Biological systems engineering (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering)
• Biomedical engineering (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering)
• Biology (College of Arts and Sciences)
• Life science (College of Arts and Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Veterinarians

Completion of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) is required to become a veterinarian. K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine offers the DVM degree, which is a four-year program. An early admission program is available to exceptional high school students. Although a bachelor's degree is not required for admission to veterinary school, 70% of applicants who are accepted have completed one.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Explore Health Careers - Veterinary Medicine
• Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
• K-State College of Veterinary Medicine Admissions

Biomedical engineers work at the intersection of engineering, the life sciences and healthcare. These engineers take principles from applied science (including mechanical, electrical, chemical and computer engineering) and physical sciences (including physics, chemistry and mathematics) and apply them to biology and medicine. Although the human body is a more complex system than even the most sophisticated machine, many of the same concepts that go into building and programming a machine can be applied to biological structures and diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The goal is to better understand, replace or fix a target system to ultimately improve the quality of healthcare. Biomedical engineers design instruments, devices and software used in healthcare; develop new procedures using knowledge from many technical sources; or conduct research needed to solve clinical problems. They frequently work in research and development or quality assurance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for biomedical engineers in line with other engineering fields and is expected to continue to grow; the median salary is $85,620.

Common Academic Majors

• Biomedical engineering (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering)

Degree Pathway for Biomedical Engineering

Students with an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering usually take one of three career paths. Many will pursue jobs in the industry at companies that produce medical devices, software or related technologies. Some will pursue graduate degrees in biomedical engineering or related disciplines, while others will pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, etc.

Additional Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS)
• Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)

Medical laboratory science (MLS) professionals work behind the scenes as healthcare detectives, uncovering and providing accurate lab data from the analysis of tissue, blood, urine and other body fluid samples. Their work helps identify drug abuse, bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, and other abnormalities that indicate the presence of disease. The results of their work are essential in helping healthcare providers diagnose, monitor and manage diseases and other health conditions, and prescribe appropriate treatment. Their work is important in medical research leading to new developments in detection and treatment of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, infectious diseases and many other conditions. According to the American Medical Technologists association, the employment outlook for this profession is good, and jobs in this field are expected to grow faster than average, with a recent graduate starting salary of $50,000.

Common Academic Majors

• Medical Laboratory Science (College of Arts and Sciences)

Degree Pathway for Medical Laboratory Science Professionals

The Medical Laboratory Science curriculum requires the completion of 94 credit hours (basic requirements and major requirements) at K-State and then the completion of 30 hours of clinical training at one of two affiliated hospitals in Kansas City: North Kansas City Hospital or Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City. Both sites are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). Admission into the clinical portion of the training is competitive, and acceptance is not guaranteed. Students are expected to have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in both overall coursework and the required science courses. After completion of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree in MLS, students are eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC).

Additional Resources

• American Medical Technologists
• Explore Health Careers - Clinical Laboratory Science
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
• ASCP Board of Certification

This unique dual degree program will give students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from K-State and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) from the College of Health Professions at Wichita State University.

Upon completion of the program, graduates earn two bachelor’s degrees; one from each institution. Students will spend the first three years in their K-State program and earn a BS degree from K-State. Students will then submit an application for WSU’s Traditional BSN program. Accepted students will spend the next two years in the Traditional BSN program, and earn a BSN degree from WSU. Both degree programs will be based in Manhattan, Kansas.

Learn more about the KSU and WSU Pathway to Nursing Program

Kansas State University physician assistant program leads to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) degree. The program follows the traditional medical model of training, providing in-depth analysis of disease processes, diagnosis and treatment, and prepares students to serve as primary health care providers who practice medicine with physician supervision.

The 27-month physician assistant program will admit 44 students once a year and is designed to prepare graduates to provide medical care as part of an interprofessional health care team. The curriculum consists of three semesters of classroom training (didactic), followed by four semesters of clinical rotations (clinical). All students enter as a single cohort in early January, complete seven continuous full-time semesters, and graduate in May with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) degree.

Learn more about the graduate-level Physician Assistant Program

• Your academic major advisor will help you plan the sequencing of courses required to meet your degree requirements for your academic major.
• Your health professions advisor will help you establish long-term academic plans that combine the prerequisites for application to professional schools with the requirements of the major you choose. Health professions advisors also help you navigate the professional school application process to ensure your application is as competitive as possible.

While most students will have two individual advisors serving in these unique roles, pre-veterinary medicine students in the College of Agriculture will have one advisor who serves both as your academic major advisor and your health professions advisor.

In addition to your coursework, K-State offers undergraduates the opportunity to get out from behind a desk to work in research laboratories or units.

• Undergraduate research opportunities offer real world, hands-on experiences and create pathways to connect directly with K-State researchers who are doing groundbreaking, scientific work.
• Research allows you to study topics of interest in greater depth and sharpen your analytical skills.
• These experiences will enable you to develop solid, long-standing relationships with research faculty.

Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research is a centralized resource to learn more about undergraduate research opportunities at K-State.

• Local professionals welcome our students for shadowing and volunteer experiences in Manhattan's local hospital, private practices, clinics and retirement communities.
• Students who volunteer at the Flint Hills Community Health Clinic have the opportunity to get shadowing experience and earn college credit.
• Additionally, K-State's Lafene Health Center and Veterinary Health Center both foster rich pre-professional experiences for dedicated students.
• KU Medical School students, many of whom completed undergraduate degrees at K-State, do clinical rotations at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.

There are various ways to explore your future healthcare profession while at K-State, including:

• Mentorship programs in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Health and Human Sciences.
• Student organizations across all academic colleges.
• Residential and non-residential health professions communities (CAT Communities).

Regardless of what path you choose, you'll have the opportunity to stay connected and build strong networks.