Your pathway library
Your routes into medicine, untangled.
Find the entry point that fits your stage. Compare the preparation, application process and training ahead of you, across medicine and seven more ways to care for patients.
Medicine is wider than MD and DO. Seven more doctoral and advanced-practice routes, each with its own exam, application service and training length, and several with no required residency.
Physician-scientist
MD years + funded PhD → research-track residency
Physician-scientist (MD-PhD, MSTP)
Students who want research to drive a medical career and already work in a lab.
- Training
- 7 to 8 funded years, then residency
- Entry
- Undergraduate preparation with sustained research
Podiatric medicine
Four years → three-year surgical residency
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
College students who want surgical, musculoskeletal practice with a fixed three-year residency.
- Training
- 4 years of school, then 3 years residency
- Entry
- Undergraduate preparation
Optometry
OAT → four years → practice; residency optional
Doctor of Optometry
College students drawn to eye care who want a four-year doctorate with no required residency.
- Training
- 4 years; residency optional
- Entry
- Undergraduate preparation
Dentistry
DAT → four years → practice or specialty match
Dentistry
College students with good hands and spatial sense who want procedural, independent practice.
- Training
- 4 years; residency optional
- Entry
- Undergraduate preparation
Pharmacy
Three to four years → NAPLEX; residency optional
Doctor of Pharmacy
Students who like chemistry and medicines; some programs admit after two to three years of college.
- Training
- 3 to 4 years; residency optional
- Entry
- Two to three years of college, or a bachelor's
Physician assistant
Patient-care hours → two years → PANCE
Physician Assistant
Students who want to practise medicine within about two years of college and can build paid patient-care hours first.
- Training
- 2 to 2.5 years; residency optional
- Entry
- Bachelor's plus paid patient-care hours
Physical therapy
Observation hours → three years → NPTE
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Students drawn to movement and rehabilitation who want a three-year clinical doctorate.
- Training
- 3 years; residency optional
- Entry
- Undergraduate preparation
Combined programs have school-specific continuation conditions. PCAP accelerates the MD phase, not undergraduate study. International eligibility depends on the destination and the specific school.