Health Care | Department of Psychology

Health care requires the understanding of how people work physically and emotionally.

A trip to a health care provider can often leads to fear, anger, and confusion. A background in psychology will prepare you to deal with your patients' concerns, and it will provide the scientific foundation to excel in all aspects of the job.

Watch the video to find out more, or check out the alumni profiles below.

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Learn about successful psychology graduates working in health care by clicking the links below.

Marissa Ciaramitaro, PA
Physician Assistant
Arizona Allergy Associates
How she became a Physician Assistant

Nicole Turcotte, MPH
Clinical Research Manager
Barrow Neurological Institute
How she became a Research Manager

Michelle May, MD
Physician/Owner
Am I Hungry?
How she became a Physician

Stefany Shaibi, PT
Physical Therapist/
Associate Professor
Northern Arizona University
How she became a Physical Therapist

Andrew Schatzki, MD
Physician
Mountain Park Health Center
How he became a Physician

Interested in a career in health care? Check out the resources below.

	Registered Nurse As a registered nurse, you will be responsible for observing and recording both patients’ medical histories and symptoms as well as administering medications or treatments. Recommended classes: BIO 160 - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology PSY 325 - Physiological Psychology PSY 375 - Psychology of Addictive Behavior PSY 462 - Health Psychology Typical salary: $60,000 - $76,000 per year Requirements: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing Pass the nursing licensure exam
	Clinical Research As a clinical researcher, you will help develop and implement research studies for various topics affecting people’s health and well-being. Recommended classes: PSY 290 - Research Methods HCR 350 - Introduction to Clinical Research PSY 462 - Health Psychology Typical salary: $82,000 per year Job Outlook: Expected to increase by 13% by 2026 Requirements: Requirements vary per employer and field of work. Most positions as a researcher or research manager only require a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
	Nurse Practitioner As a nurse practitioner, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), you are able to perform exams, order and analyze diagnostic testing and diagnose illnesses.They can also prescribe medications. Recommended classes: PSY 224 - Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience PSY 290 - Research Methods PSY 470 - Psychopharmacology Typical salary: $100,000 - $118,000 a year Requirements: Become a registered nurse Bachelor’s in nursing or other health science Take the GRE Master’s degree in nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree Pass the nursing licensure exam Click here to learn more about the different types of degrees you can get to become a registered nurse
	Physical Therapist As a physical therapist, you will diagnose problems with patients’ movement and function abilities and develop personalized plans to help them improve. Recommended classes: KIN 101 - Introduction to Kinesiology BIO 160 - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology PSY 323 - Sensation and Perception PSY 341 - Developmental Psychology PSY 443 - Abnormal Child Psychology PSY 462 - Health Psychology Typical salary: $82,000 - $93,000 per year Requirements: Bachelor’s degree Take the GRE 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam Click here to learn more about ASU’s Pre-Physical Therapy pathway
	Physician Assistant As a physician assistant, you will work under the supervision of a physician or surgeon to examine and treat patients. Physician assistants can work in all areas of medicine, including primary care, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. Recommended classes: BIO 160 - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology PSY 375 - Psychology of Addictive Behavior PSY 462 - Health Psychology PSY 470 - Psychopharmacology Typical salary: $102,000 - 115,000 per year Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a focus in science Take the GRE or the MCAT 2-year master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam
	Physician As a physician, you will be responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses or injuries, and you have the option to open your own private practice. Recommended classes: PSY 224 - Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience PSY 325 - Physiological Psychology PSY 462 - Health Psychology PSY 470 - Psychopharmacology Typical salary: $188,000 - $266,000 per year Requirements: Bachelor's degree with a focus on science Take the MCAT 4-year medical degree 3-7 year residency program Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examinations Click here to check out ASU’s Pre-health program Click here to see Arizona Medical School’s Prerequisite Chart

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Health Care Careers

Health care requires the understanding of how people work physically and emotionally.

Learn about successful psychology graduates working in health care by clicking the links below.

Marissa Ciaramitaro, PA

Nicole Turcotte, MPH

Michelle May, MD

Stefany Shaibi, PT

Andrew Schatzki, MD

Interested in a career in health care? Check out the resources below.

Registered Nurse

Clinical Research

Nurse Practitioner

Physical Therapist

Physician Assistant

Physician

Interested in finding an internship or mentor in health care? Fill out the form below.

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