Allied Health Pathways
Additional healthcare pathways students might consider.
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.
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.
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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.
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).
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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, 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.
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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. 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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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