Medical Specialties Degree Programs in California

Medical Specialties Graduate Degrees offer the education and preparation that could be required for continued education or to practice as a professional of alternative medicine, dentistry or other healthcare related medical role. You may be interested in preparing for medical school and practice as a medical specialist or working towards a Doctor of Chiropractic. Find out more about some of the different masters degrees in medical specialties that might set you up for continued success in a variety of potential healthcare oriented career paths.

Medical Specialties Graduate Degrees in California

Medical specialties masters degree programs may be suitable for students aspiring to work towards a potential career in medicine, dentistry, acupuncture or other programs where knowledge of human physiology and anatomy is vital. Each medical specialties masters program and graduate school may have their own prerequisites, such as an Associates Degree or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, and prerequisite course requirements. If you are currently working as a licensed technician, and thinking about going back to school for a masters degree, there are options that might warrant your consideration.

FACT: In 2021, 23.5% of people working in health occupations reported having Masters degrees”^[i]

Why Choose a Medical Specialties Masters Degree Program? in California

Medical Specialties Masters programs may be the next step towards a professional career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “the fast-growing fields of healthcare and social service were common for master’s degree awarded in 2012-2021, and many of these fields had wage premiums for a master’s degree.”^[ii] That said, a masters level program might equip its graduate students with the research, management and technical skills that might be required of a high-level clinical practitioner in their field. For instance, 23.5% of the degrees awarded to respiratory care therapists were master’s degrees in 2021^[iii].

Types of Medical Specialties Graduate Degrees

Some of the categories that you might find medical specialties masters programs in are listed under:

• Masters in Alternative Medicine degree programs
• Masters in Chiropractic degree programs
• Masters in Dental Medicine degree programs
• Masters Medicine and Pre-Med programs
• Masters in Optometry degree programs
• Masters in Physician Assistant degree programs
• Masters in Respiratory Therapy degree programs

Masters in Alternative Medicine Degree Programs

Masters in alternative medicine degree programs could include Masters in Acupuncture, and Masters in Chinese Medicine. These are graduate programs which might be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a ‘specialized professional’ accrediting agency.^[iv] While state licensure requirements vary, earning a masters degree might prepare you to take National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine exams.^[v]Alternative medicine programs might also include wellness focused coaching programs and Masters in Orthotics and Prosthetics programs. The latter could prepare graduates to take state exams and earn certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, which is required for professional practice^[vi]. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) might accredit these programs.^[vii]

Masters in Chiropractic Degree Programs

Masters in Chiropractic degree programs may be designed for individuals with knowledge of chiropractic principles who are interested in patient centered clinical research. If your goal is to practice as a chiropractor, the academic path requires you to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, passing the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam and obtaining state licensure.^[viii] Programmatic accreditation may be available from the Council on Chiropractic Education.^[ix]

Masters in Dental Medicine Degree Programs

Master of Science in Dental Medicine programs may be designed for individuals such as dental technicians who are seeking advanced knowledge through research and technical training. A masters degree is sometimes required for dental hygienists who are interested in research, teaching or clinical practice in public or school health programs^[x]. The Commission on Dental Accreditation might provide programmatic accreditation for dental hygiene programs^[xi].

Masters Medicine and Pre-Med Programs

Master of science in Medicine and pre-med programs might offer an exposure to a range of medical fields or offer pre-clinical medical school courses. These Medical Masters programs may take one year to complete and might help students to prepare themselves academically for application to medical programs.^[xii]

Masters in Optometry Degree Programs

Masters in Optometry degree programs might offer individuals the opportunity to research vision science for a thesis. Some students may enroll in a Master of Science simultaneously with a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. Optometrists are required to have earned an O.D. degree, pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam and be licensed^[xiii].

Masters in Physician Assistant Degree Programs

Physician Assistant Masters degree programs are expected to replace bachelors programs by the year 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics^[xiv]. Programs may be accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (NCCPA).^[xv]

Masters in Respiratory Therapy Degree Programs

Masters in Respiratory Therapy degree programs might prepare students with the research, management and coursework necessary to take advanced certification exams. While first-level certification typically requires an Associates degree, the second level, called RRT certification requires prospective candidates to have earned the CRT, meet other education or experience requirements and pass an exam by the National Board for Respiratory Care^[xvi].

Find a Medical Specialties Masters Degree Program: Campus, Online, Hybrid

Medical Specialties Masters degree programs may be available in different learning formats, depending on what you are looking for. Use the ‘campus’, ‘online’ or ‘hybrid’ program formats to refine your search preferences in the above categories. You might also initiate a location search to find graduate programs by city, state or country.

Continued Education

For the most part, medical specialties masters programs may be only one part of an academic path to a specific career goal. As we have seen, many of the health and medical fields involved require some from of licensure and certification. Furthermore, Master of Science degrees in some of the medical specialties disciplines presented here might prepare students for continued education, whether in the form of a research Ph.D. or a professional doctorate.

Take the Next Step

If you are excited to dive more deeply into research, learn advanced technical skills and take your education to potentially new heights, look through our sponsored program listings. Each one has a ‘request info’ tab which allows you to conveniently contact prospective graduate schools, find out about their individual features and, of course, learn about admission process and application deadlines.

DID YOU KNOW? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Physician assistants held about 148,000 jobs in 2022.Working with patients can be both physically and emotionally demanding. Physician assistants spend much of their time standing or walking to make rounds and evaluate patients. Physician assistants who work in operating rooms often stand for extended periods.

GradSchools.com offers 26 Graduate Schools with Medical Specialties Graduate Degrees in California

Sources: [i] https://datausa.io/profile/cip/513303/#intro |[ii] bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-degree.htm#Business |[iii] https://datausa.io/profile/cip/510908/ |[iv] https://acaom.org/about-us/ |[v] nccaom.org/regulatory-affairs/state-licensure-map/ |[vi] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/orthotists-and-prosthetists.htm |[vii] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/orthotists-and-prosthetists.htm| [viii] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/chiropractors.htm |[ix] https://www.cce-usa.org/ |[x] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm |[xi] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm |[xii] gradschools.com/graduate-schools-in-united-states/virginia/eastern-virginia-medical-school-norfolk/medical-masters-program-232831[xiii] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm#tab-4 [xiv] bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-degree.htm#Business [xv] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm#tab-4|[xvi] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm