Volunteering & Internships
It is highly recommended for students to gain volunteer experience relating to their career path. Some graduate programs require clinical volunteer work in preparation for their program. This type of experience is invaluable for all students to gain exposure to various work environments and identify the most suitable career. There are numerous opportunities to volunteer at hospitals, clinics, and public health organizations in the bay area.
On-campus volunteer opportunities:
Peer Advocacy Towards Campus Health
Peer Health Exchange For involvement at SMC, email: [email protected]
Off-campus volunteer opportunities:
International Volunteer Opportunities
Career Planning
To choose a career path, review the graduate degree options below and discuss these options with your academic advisor to decide on the best direction. Take advantage of the many resources on campus including the Career and Professional Development Services, which can connect you with the alumni database.
Graduate Degrees Options for Science Majors (no organic chemistry requirement)
Physical Therapy
Degree: Masters of Science, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Exam: GRE
Websites: www.apta.org, http://www.ptcas.org
Prerequisites:
A. Biology: biology, anatomy and physiology
B. Chemistry: general chemistry
C. Math: statistics
D. Physics: general physics
E. Psychology: psychology, social/behavioral psychology
F. Experience: ~150 hours of clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient physical therapy clinics.
Occupational Therapy
Degree: Masters of Science, Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Exam: GRE
Websites: www.aota.org
Prerequisites:
A. Biology: biology, anatomy, physiology
B. Math: statistics
C. Psychology: psychology, abnormal psychology (Psych 148), developmental psychology
D. Sociology: introductory sociology
Nurse Practitioner
Degree: Bachelors of Nursing for Registered Nurse, Masters in Nursing for Nurse Practitioner
Exam: GRE
Association: www.aacn.nche.edu www.aanp.org
Recommended Programs: Masters Entry Programs in Nursing http://www.bestnursingdegree.com/programs/direct-entry-msn/
Prerequisites (vary by program):
A. Biology: biology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology
B. Chemistry: general chemistry
C. Math: statistics
D. Psychology: introductory psychology
E. Sociology: introductory sociology
F. Kinesiology: nutrition
G. Communication: oral communication (Com 2, 112)
Registered Nurse
Degree: Bachelors of Nursing for Registered Nurse
Association: http://www.anacalifornia.org/
Test: Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Prerequisites (vary by program):
A. Biology: biology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology
B. Chemistry: general chemistry
C. Math: statistics
D. Psychology: human development
E. Kinesiology: nutrition
F. Communicaiton: oral comm (Com 2, 112)
Chiropractic Medicine
Degree: Doctor of Chiropractic
Exam: GRE
Website: www.chiros.org
Prerequisites: Science: 24 semester credits of science, with half of those credits with corresponding labs
Health Administration
Degree: Masters in Health Administration
Exam: GRE
Website: www.aupha.org
Prerequisites: statistics
Public Health
Degree: Masters in Public Health, Doctor of Public Health
Exam: GRE
GPA: ≥3.0
Association: www.aspph.org, http://www.sophas.org/
Prerequisites: 1-2 years of community health/laboratory/health research experience
Phlebotomy
Certification: Phlebotomist
Website: http://www.kpsahs.org/
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
Certification: Paramedic
Exam: California Emergency Medical Services Authority Exam
Website: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/occguides/Detail.aspx?Soccode=292041&geography=0601000000
Graduate degrees for Science Majors (organic chemistry required)
Physician Assistant
Degree: Masters of Physician Assistant
Exam: MCAT or GRE
Websites: www.paeaonline.org https://portal.caspaonline.org/ www.apap.org
Prerequisites:
A. Biology: biology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology
B. Chemistry: general chemistry, org chemistry (1 sem)
C. Sciences: 24 semester hours
D. Math: calculus and statistics
E. Physics: general physics
F. Experience: One year of healthcare experience through the following (not an exhaustive list):
Medical assistant
Emergency medical technician
Peace Corps volunteer
Lab assistant/phlebotomist
Registered Nurse or Certified Nursing Assistant
Emergency room technician
Surgical tech
Genetic Counseling
Degree: Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling
Exam: GRE
Website: www.nsgc.org
Prerequisites:
A. Biology: biology, genetics
B. Chemistry: general chemistry, organic chemistry (2 semesters), biochemistry
Nutrition
Degree: Registered Dietician, Masters in Nutrition, Doctorate of Philosophy in Nutrition
Exam: GRE
GPA: ≥3.0
Association: www.nutrition.org
Prerequisites (vary by program):
A. Biology: biology, anatomy, physiology, genetics
B. Chemistry: general chemistry, organic chemistry (2 semesters), biochemistry
C. Math: Statistics
D. Physics: general physics
Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Sonography
Certification: Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Sonographer
Website: http://www.kpsahs.org/
Prerequisites:
A. Biology: biology, anatomy, physiology
B. Chemistry: general chemistry, organic chemistry
C. English: english
D. Physics: general physics
E. Math: calculus, statistics
F. Communication: oral communication (Com 2), computers and information technology (Com 125)
G. Other: Medical Terminology
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technology
Certification: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Exam: California Department of Health Clinical Laboratory Technologist Exam
Website: http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/mdclinlb.pdf
Prerequisites:
A. Biology: biology, anatomy, physiology, two UD biology courses
B. Chemistry: general chemistry, organic chemistry (2 semesters)
C. Physics: introductory physics
E. Math: calculus, statistics
D. Training: 12 months in laboratory listed by California Association for Medical Laboratory Technology