How do you find out if a specific University specialize in Peds/geriatrics...?

[Karine]

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I am not sure any school has a specialization but I remember seeing something about USC or CSU being known for their Peds program (don't quote me on it- I could have mired the school name). If each school has a specialization- how do I find out?

 

[RabbitRun]

I'm not completely sure, although my impression is that most schools try to produce general practitioners. If there's a particular population you're interested in, I would recommend looking through the research produced by the faculty members in the department to see what their emphasis is on, as well as talking to some students about their experience in the program. You could also ask about elective opportunities, or ask to see a list of the fieldwork sites at which students have been placed in the past.

 

[DiggaDigga]

Some schools run special programs, and it might be interesting to keep an eye out for them.

Downstate for example, used to offer a special focus on Early Intervention for students (they still trained a majority of general practitioners, just offered special electives to like 10 of their students). The program ran out (it was a grant) but there may be similar programs at other universities.

Look at the curriculums (most schools have it posted on their website) and look to see if they offer anything that looks unusual (Columbia has a major focus on mental health) as these will be the classes you take in grad school.

Lastly, ask around. If a university is known for something, people will know about it.

Do you have a specific specialty in mind? Or are you just trying to avoid an overly specialized school?

 

[Karine]

Some schools run special programs, and it might be interesting to keep an eye out for them.

Downstate for example, used to offer a special focus on Early Intervention for students (they still trained a majority of general practitioners, just offered special electives to like 10 of their students). The program ran out (it was a grant) but there may be similar programs at other universities.

Look at the curriculums (most schools have it posted on their website) and look to see if they offer anything that looks unusual (Columbia has a major focus on mental health) as these will be the classes you take in grad school.

Lastly, ask around. If a university is known for something, people will know about it.

Do you have a specific specialty in mind? Or are you just trying to avoid an overly specialized school?

Thanks. I definitely want to do general but I might lean towards Pediatrics. Not sure yet though.

 

[gymnastau]

At Western Michigan the students have access to WMU Hospital's Center for Gerontology. I'd assume if a student went in with knowledge that they'd like to specialize in that area the professors would assist the student get more access. No doubt there are a lot of programs that are connected to specialized medical/rehab centers. Of course like the person above said, the schools prepare you to be a general practitioner.
I think USC allows you to pick a specialty if I recall their program correctly. I think you may be right about their focus on peds.

 

[cvy123]

I know csudh in ca will include everything from children,adolescent,adult,and elderly.Because it is an entry level of master ,so it will be general.
but you will get some more training with a certain population that u want to work with at the end of the program.

 

[frootloops]

I know USC has a curriculum more focused on Peds because I work at a Peds clinic in LA. The therapists pretty much all went to USC or CSUDH and discuss their different curriculum. It sounds like with USC you have the option to become SIPT certified by the end (cert. in sensory integration for kids). The program also has a lot of focus on adult rehab as they have a small unit attached to their building that researches how to help older adults with severe bed sores/bed sores.

 

[Karine]

Thank you all for the info 🙂