Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences

1750 Independence Boulevard, Kansas City, MO, 64106

816-654-7000

We are working toward making KCU the most student-centered university in the nation. We are private university comprised of a College of Osteopathic Medicine and a College of Biosciences. The College of Dental Medicine opened in 2023 in Joplin, Missouri. Kansas City has been home to KCU for more than 100 years. Now, KCU is proud to call Joplin, Missouri a second home. We’re constantly creating new programs such as the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program, an MS in biomedical science, specialized dual degrees and a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.

http://www.kcumb.edu/

Degree Programs Offered

  • Mental and Social Health
  • Physicians and Surgeons

Careers

Mental and Social Health
Physicians and Surgeons

Child Life Specialists

Child life specialists are trained to provide care to children and adolescents who may be facing issues such as medical procedures or illness. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or doctor’s offices. These professionals are trained to identify children with needs and help address those needs through play or counseling. Child life specialists may also provide support to the families of children who are facing illness or injury and require medical care.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

7.89%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Clinical Psychologists

A clinical psychologist’s primary tasks are the assessment and treatment of mental health issues, including emotional or social disorders. A clinical psychologist’s job responsibilities may include development and supervision of mental health programs. Clinical psychologists can work in private practices, mental health organizations and hospitals with individuals, families, couples or groups of all ages.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

11.12%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers play a vital role in improving a patient’s health by providing a connection between health systems and community resources, as well as education on how to reduce behavioral health risk factors. They provide encouragement and social support to assist individuals with goal setting and barrier identification. CHWs assist in coordinating care by linking people to appropriate information and services, serve as a liaison between individuals and community healthcare systems, provide appropriate health education to individuals, organizations and/or communities, in an effort to reduce modifiable risk factors and encourage healthy behaviors. They also recognize gaps and advocate for individual and community health needs.

Salary

$25—40K

Job Growth

5.00%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Health Care Social Workers

Health care social workers provide individuals, families and groups with the support they need to cope with serious illnesses. They advise and support family care givers, provide patient education and counseling, and make referrals when needed. They may also provide care and manage treatment plans designed to promote health, prevent disease and address barriers to access to health care.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

10.47%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Mental Health Counselors

Mental health counselors work as primary mental health caregivers. They conduct mental health assessments, develop individualized treatment plans and lead therapy sessions. They may make treatment referrals as needed.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

18.13%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are physicians who diagnose, analyze and treat mental health disorders.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

9.32%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Rehabilitation Counselors

Rehabilitation Counselors help disabled people who may have physical, mental or social disabilities. The goal is to help them get back to satisfying and productive lives. They might counsel patients about job training and help them find a job. They also may counsel them in adjusting to their new work environment.

Salary

$25—40K

Job Growth

6.42%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Counselors provide all-around counseling and treatment. They work under the direction of a patient’s doctor as they provide counseling and treatment to those with mental health or substance abuse issues. They may work with people who have alcohol, tobacco, drug or other problems, such as gambling or eating disorders. Counselors may work with individuals, families or groups.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

18.13%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Allergists and Immunologists

Immunologists are physicians who study the functions and disorders of the immune system. Disorders include asthma, allergies, arthritis, lupus and Crohn’s disease. Career paths include direct patient care or research of diagnoses and treatment options.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

10.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Anesthesiologists

Anesthesiologists are physicians who deliver pain-relieving medications during surgical procedures and monitor patients’ vital signs. In addition to working with patients in the operating room, anesthesiologists also provide pain relief services to people who suffer from chronic pain, during labor and delivery, and to patients in the intensive care unit. They work closely with surgeons and other physicians to formulate a treatment plan before, during and after a surgical procedure.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

-0.78%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Chiropractor

Chiropractors are alternative health care practitioners who diagnose and treat health problems associated with the muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems. Chiropractors treat patients primarily by manipulating parts of the body, especially the spinal column. By means of this manipulation, chiropractors try to correct any disorders of the skeleton or spine that may interrupt the flow of nerve impulses to various parts of the body.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

5.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Dermatologists

Dermatologists are physicians that specialize in the treatment and care of the skin. They diagnose and treat skin conditions related to the scalp, hair and nails.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

-2.04%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Family and General Practitioners

Family and general practitioners are often called primary care physicians. They diagnose, treat and help prevent disease and injuries. Family practitioners may refer patients to doctors who are experts in certain diseases, called specialists, when further treatment is needed.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

1.15%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Gerontologist

A gerontologist studies the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, psychological, and societal effects of the aging process on the human body. Gerontologists are health care professionals who specialize in working with elderly patients. They provide their services to people in nursing homes, senior citizen centers, and other similar facilities.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

5.00%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Hospitalists

Hospitalists provide inpatient care in settings such as medical wards, acute care units, intensive care units, rehabilitation centers or emergency rooms. They manage and coordinate patient care throughout treatment.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

5.37%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Immunologists

Immunologists are physicians who study the functions and disorders of the immune system. Disorders include asthma, allergies, arthritis, lupus and Crohn’s disease. Career paths include direct patient care or research of diagnoses and treatment options.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

11.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Immunologists

Immunologists are physicians who study the functions and disorders of the immune system. Disorders include asthma, allergies, arthritis, lupus and Crohn’s disease. Career paths include direct patient care or research of diagnoses and treatment options.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

11.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Internists

Internists are physicians who diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of disease and injuries of internal organ systems. They provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

3.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Obstetricians and Gynecologists

An OB/GYN, or obstetrician and gynecologist, is a type of doctor that specializes in treating female patients. OB/GYNs can act as a woman’s primary doctor, but they also specialize in care related to pregnancies and the reproductive system. OB/GYNs also identify, treat and monitor ailments related to the female anatomy, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, pelvic disorders, urinary tract infections and hormonal disorders.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

2.04%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in treating and diagnosing ailments of the eye.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

5.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Optometrist

Optometrists, or Doctors of optometry, examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. Optometrists prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, and contact lenses and perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists counsel their patients regarding surgical and nonsurgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyles.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

4.90%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Orthotists and Prosthetists

Orthotists and prosthetists make and fit devices that help people move. A certified prosthetists makes and fits devices that replace the arms or legs of patients who lost them through injury or disease. A certified orthotists designs and fits braces like surgical supports and corrective shoes. Both may use computers to create the devices and tools, like hammers, drills and saws, to manufacture prosthetics.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

5.99%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Pediatricians

Pediatricians diagnose, treat and help prevent children’s diseases and injuries. When children become sick, you diagnose the child and may recommend a treatment plan. Many pediatricians first visit a newborn after he or she is born.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

2.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Physiatrists or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians

Physiatrists are medical doctors (M.D.) or doctors of osteopathy (D.O.), certified as a specialist in physical and rehabilitation medicine. Physiatrists are certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

4.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Podiatrists

Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in treatment of the feet and ankles. They work with patients to prevent injuries and diagnose and heal existing injuries. Podiatry involves taking x-rays, setting fractures and treating other injuries, as well as prescribing physical therapy and medication.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

1.67%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Prosthodontists

Prosthodontist specialize in crowns, bridges and dentures and other methods to replace missing teeth.  They construct oral prostheses to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to improve appearance.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

1.53%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Sports Medicine Physicians

Sports medicine physicians prescribe treatments for professional and amateur athletes who have become injured. These doctors may work in hospitals and clinics, or with high school, collegiate or professional sports organizations. Specialized training in a sports medicine fellowship program is required.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

5.37%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Surgeons

Surgeons are physicians who treat diseases and injuries by performing surgery. Some surgeries are invasive, and others are minimally-invasive or non-invasive. They examine patients to get information on medical history and surgical risk. They operate on patients to repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases or restore patient’s abilities.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

4.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Urologists

Urologists diagnose, treat and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

4.00%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

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