The Health Sciences Major may be used as a pre-professional curriculum for students wishing to apply to M.D. or D.O. programs. The OU Health Sciences Center College of Medicine offers the M.D. and the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathy offers the Doctor of Osteopathy.
The College of Medicine considers applicants with a previous bachelors degree in an appropriate field of study or those with 90 or more hours of college work. and a competitive score on the Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT). The majority of those admitted already have a bachelor’s degree.
SWOSU students may choose the Health Sciences Major to complete these 90 hours at SWOSU or obtain their degree in Health Sciences at SWOSU before applying to the medical college of choice.
Profession
Physicians perform medical examination, diagnose illnesses, and treat people who are suffering from injury or disease., They also advise patients on maintaining good health. They are classified by type of practice or specific area of specialization. They must be familiar with all types of instruments, medical tests, and medical equipment. They are able to perform surgery and prescribe or give medication.
Employment
Physicians may practice alone, in small and large group practices or work under a contractual arrangement for a variety of health care organizations. Physicians have among the highest average annual earnings of any occupational group. According to the AMA, average earnings after expenses for all physicians were $106,300. Earnings vary according to specialty, the number of years in practice, geographic region, hours worked, and the physicians’ skill, personality, and professional reputation. Newly qualified physicians who establish their own practice must make a sizable financial investment to equip a modern office. During the first years of independent practice, physicians probably earn little more than the minimum needed to pay expenses.
Curriculum
The minimum education requirement for entry to a medical or osteopathic school is normally three years of college; some schools require four years. Most applicants have a bachelor’s degree and many have advanced degrees. Typical medical school programs are four years. After graduation almost all M.D.’s complete three or four years of graduate medical education (residency). Physicians seeking certification in a specialty spend from three to six years in advanced residency training followed by two years or more of practice in the specialty.