Major Types of Professional Programs

Please note: Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) does not offer any of the professional programs listed below except for an Environmental Health Specialist minor program - the programs are listed here merely for the purpose of providing general information in regards to each program to interested CPP students.

Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental Health Specialists are concerned with the environmental quality of a community and the health and safety of the workers in that community. They are responsible for enforcing local, state, and federal regulations that pertain to the sanitation of food and water, handling of hazardous and infectious wastes, and cleanliness and safety of housing and institutional environments. They may also be in charge of collecting and analyzing samples to determine if a hazard to public health exists. Learn more about becoming an Environmental Health Specialist.

Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist

A medical technologist (MT) is a healthcare professional who performs diagnostic analytic tests on body fluids such as blood, urine, sputum, stool, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, and synovial fluid, as well as other specimens. Medical technologists work in clinical laboratories at hospitals, doctor's offices, reference labs, and within the biotechnology industry. Learn more about how to Prepare for Clinical Laboratory Science Program admission.

Dentistry

Dentists play a significant role in our oral health care throughout our lives. Whether it's maintenance in our early years, braces in our adolescent years, or treatment for gum disease or teeth extractions in our senior years, successful dentists are capable and compassionate practitioners. Learn more about how to Prepare for Dental School Admission.

Medicine

A medical doctor or physician is a qualified individual who could practices medicine with the goal of restoring, maintaining or promoting health, through the process of diagnosing and treating any type of disease, injury or functional decline of the human body. Learn more about how to Prepare for Medical School Admission.

Optometry

Optometrists are trained to provide eye-care for people who have vision problems or develop them as a result of reduced ability to adjust their eyes to changing light and distance, a problem that often appears as we age. Optometrists spend much of their time assessing the vision status of each patient to provide individualized lenses, in the form of contact lenses or glasses. Recently, optometrists have also begun to perform laser surgeries on the eye and to specialize in low-vision care. Learn more about how to Prepare for Optometry Program Admission.

Pharmacy

Pharmacists are health care professionals who dispense medications prescribed by physicians. They also counsel patients on proper drug use. Pharmacists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, retail businesses, long-term care facilities, internet pharmacies, and public health services. Learn more about how to Prepare for Pharmacy Program Admission.

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs provide physical exams, order and administer tests, make diagnoses, and treat illnesses. PAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and surgical centers. They are qualified to practice in over 60 specialty areas. Learn more about how to Prepare for Physician Assistant Program Admission.

Veterinary

Veterinarians specialize in providing medical care for domestic food animals, pets, zoo animals and those of the wild. Part of their activities are also providing for the health of the human population by controlling animal diseases such as rabies and mad cow disease. In addition they inspect our meats, fish and milk to keep these foods safe for us. Learn more about how to Prepare for Veterinary School Admission.