What do physicians do?
Physicians care for patients across the lifespan and address acute illness, chronic disease, injury, prevention, and overall health. Some practice broadly in areas such as family medicine or internal medicine, while others pursue specialties including surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, emergency medicine, cardiology, dermatology, and many more.

Where do physicians work?
Physicians practice in hospitals, outpatient offices and clinics, academic medical centers, community health organizations, government agencies, research settings, and other areas of healthcare.

Degree earned: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Education & training: Medical school generally takes four years after completion of a bachelor’s degree. Graduates then complete residency training, which typically lasts about 3–7 years depending on specialty. Some physicians continue into fellowship training.

MD and DO education: Both degrees prepare physicians for medical and surgical specialties and lead to the same physician licensure pathway. Osteopathic medical education also includes osteopathic principles and practices, including training in osteopathic manipulative treatment.

What do dentists do?
Dentists care for the teeth, gums, mouth, and related structures. Their work includes preventive care, diagnosis, restorative treatment, pain management, and procedures that support oral health. Dentists may remain in general practice or pursue specialty training in areas such as orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics, endodontics, or prosthodontics.

Where do dentists work?
Many dentists work in private or group practices. Others practice in hospitals, community health centers, academic institutions, government agencies, research settings, and other healthcare organizations.

Degree earned: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Education & training: Dental school typically takes four years after undergraduate preparation. General dentists can enter practice after meeting licensure requirements in most states. Dental specialties require additional postgraduate training, with length varying by specialty.

DDS and DMD: The two degree titles represent equivalent professional dental education. Schools choose which title they award.

What do PAs do?
Physician assistants are licensed medical professionals who evaluate patients, diagnose illness, prescribe medications, order and interpret tests, develop treatment plans, and provide preventive care. Their responsibilities depend on specialty, practice setting, and state law.

Where do PAs work?
PAs practice throughout healthcare, including hospitals, physician offices, outpatient clinics, surgical services, urgent care, community health settings, and specialty practices.

Degree earned: Master’s degree from an accredited PA program; degree titles vary by institution.

Education & training: Most PA programs take approximately 2–3 years after completion of a bachelor’s degree and required prerequisites. Training includes classroom instruction followed by supervised clinical rotations.

Career flexibility: PAs may work in many medical and surgical specialties during their careers. Optional postgraduate PA residencies and fellowships are available for clinicians seeking additional specialty training.

What do veterinarians do?
Veterinarians provide medical and surgical care for animals and contribute to animal welfare, disease prevention, public health, and research. Clinical practice may involve companion animals, livestock, horses, wildlife, exotic species, or laboratory animals.

Where do veterinarians work?
Veterinarians work in private practices, animal hospitals, farms, laboratories, universities, government agencies, zoos, wildlife organizations, public health programs, and other settings involving animal and human health.

Degree earned: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) at the University of Pennsylvania

Education & training: Veterinary school generally takes four years. Graduates may enter practice after meeting licensure requirements or continue into internship, residency, research, or specialty training.

Specialty practice: Veterinarians can pursue advanced training in surgery, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, pathology, radiology, zoological medicine, and many other areas.

What do physical therapists do?
Physical therapists help patients improve movement, recover from injury or surgery, manage pain, and maintain physical function. They evaluate mobility and movement, create treatment plans, and use exercise, hands-on care, education, and other interventions during rehabilitation.

Where do PTs work?
Physical therapists work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, home healthcare, skilled nursing facilities, schools, sports settings, and other environments focused on mobility and recovery.

Degree earned: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Education & training: DPT programs generally take about three years after completion of a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework. Programs combine academic study, laboratory work, and supervised clinical education.

Advanced training: Physical therapists may enter practice after graduation and licensure. Optional residencies and fellowships are available in areas such as orthopedics, sports, neurology, pediatrics, and other specialties.

What do occupational therapists do?
Occupational therapists help people participate more fully in daily activities that are important to their health, independence, education, work, and quality of life. They may work with patients recovering from illness or injury, adapting to disability, or managing developmental, physical, cognitive, or mental health needs.

Where do OTs work?
Occupational therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, schools, home healthcare, skilled nursing facilities, mental health programs, and community settings.

Degree earned: Entry-level master’s degree in Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Education & training: Both master’s and doctoral programs prepare graduates for entry-level occupational therapy practice. Programs include academic coursework and supervised fieldwork. OTD programs also include a doctoral capstone experience.

Graduate degree options: Students can currently enter the profession through either an accredited master’s or entry-level doctoral program. Graduates must meet certification and state licensure requirements.

What do speech-language pathologists do?
Speech-language pathologists work with children and adults who have communication, feeding, or swallowing disorders. Their practice may involve speech production, language, voice, fluency, cognitive communication, augmentative communication, or swallowing.

Where do SLPs work?
SLPs practice in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, early intervention programs, private practices, universities, and patients’ homes.

Degree earned: Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology or a related communication sciences field; degree titles vary.

Education & training: Graduate education generally takes about two years and includes academic coursework and supervised clinical experiences. Graduates pursuing ASHA certification complete a supervised Clinical Fellowship and must meet applicable state licensure requirements.

Areas of practice: SLPs can work with a wide range of ages and needs, including childhood language development, speech sound disorders, stuttering, voice, neurological communication disorders, and feeding or swallowing.

What do audiologists do?
Audiologists evaluate and manage hearing, balance, and related disorders in patients of all ages. Their work may include hearing and vestibular testing, hearing aids, cochlear implant services, tinnitus care, hearing conservation, and auditory rehabilitation.

Where do audiologists work?
Audiologists work in hospitals, outpatient practices, schools, universities, rehabilitation settings, government agencies, hearing centers, and other clinical or educational environments.

Degree earned: Doctor of Audiology (AuD)

Education & training: AuD programs typically take four years after a bachelor’s degree and combine academic coursework with extensive clinical education.

Areas of practice: Audiologists may focus on pediatric care, cochlear implants, vestibular disorders, tinnitus, auditory processing, hearing technology, or other areas within hearing and balance care.

What do optometrists do?
Optometrists provide primary care for the eyes and visual system. They perform comprehensive eye examinations, prescribe corrective lenses, identify and manage eye disease, prescribe medications within their scope of practice, and monitor ocular signs associated with broader health conditions.

Where do optometrists work?
Optometrists practice in private and group offices, multidisciplinary healthcare practices, hospitals and clinics, community health centers, universities, government settings, and the military.

Degree earned: Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Education & training: Optometry school generally takes four years following undergraduate preparation. Programs combine biomedical and vision sciences with clinical education.

Postgraduate training: Optometrists may enter practice after graduation and licensure. Optional one-year residencies provide additional training in areas such as ocular disease, pediatrics, cornea and contact lenses, vision rehabilitation, or primary care.

What do pharmacists do?
Pharmacists specialize in medication use and safety. Depending on their practice setting, they may review medication therapy, counsel patients, administer vaccines, collaborate on treatment decisions, monitor drug effectiveness, support clinical research, or contribute to drug development and healthcare operations.

Where do pharmacists work?
Pharmacists work in community pharmacies, hospitals and health systems, outpatient clinics, long-term care, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, managed care organizations, government agencies, and research settings.

Degree earned: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

Education & training: PharmD program structures vary. Professional education may take three or four years after completion of the program’s required prerequisite coursework. Some students enter after several years of undergraduate study, while others complete a bachelor’s degree first.

Postgraduate training: Many pharmacists enter practice after graduation and licensure. Residencies and fellowships are available for graduates pursuing hospital, health-system, specialized clinical, industry, research, or other advanced roles.

What do podiatric physicians do?
Podiatric physicians provide medical and surgical care for the foot, ankle, and related structures of the lower extremity. They treat injuries, deformities, chronic conditions, and complications of diseases such as diabetes.

Where do podiatrists work?
Podiatric physicians work in private and group practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, multidisciplinary medical practices, academic health centers, and other clinical settings.

Degree earned: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

Education & training: Podiatric medical school takes four years following undergraduate preparation. Graduates then complete a three-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency.

Additional training: Fellowship opportunities are available in areas such as reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine, limb preservation, and other focused areas of practice.

What do chiropractors do?
Chiropractors focus on conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine and joints. Care commonly includes spinal manipulation and other manual therapies, along with exercise, rehabilitation, ergonomics, and lifestyle guidance.

Where do chiropractors work?
Most chiropractors practice in outpatient offices or private and group practices. Some work in multidisciplinary settings with other healthcare professionals, and many own their practices.

Degree earned: Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

Education & training: Chiropractic programs generally take about four years after undergraduate preparation. Students study foundational sciences, diagnosis, imaging, chiropractic techniques, and supervised clinical care.

Additional training: Chiropractors may pursue postgraduate education or certifications in areas such as sports medicine, rehabilitation, pediatrics, and radiology.

What do naturopathic physicians do?
Naturopathic physicians emphasize prevention and health promotion and may use nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and other complementary approaches. In jurisdictions that license naturopathic physicians, permitted clinical responsibilities depend on state law.

Where do naturopathic physicians work?
Naturopathic physicians commonly work in private practices, integrative health clinics, and other outpatient settings. Their ability to provide licensed healthcare services depends on the laws of the jurisdiction where they practice.

Degree earned: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND or NMD)

Education & training: Accredited naturopathic medical programs generally require four years of professional education after undergraduate preparation and prerequisite coursework. Programs include biomedical sciences, clinical education, and naturopathic approaches to care.

Licensure: Regulation and scope of practice differ considerably across the United States. Students considering this profession should review where naturopathic physicians are licensed and what activities are permitted in each jurisdiction.