What does a Physician do?
Physicians may specialize in areas such as pediatrics, family medicine, neurology, or psychiatry. For Berklee students, this career highlights how a degree rooted in the arts provides unique preparation for medicine. Training in music and the arts develops deep listening, empathy, creativity, cultural awareness, and communication—all essential skills for patient care. In addition, Berklee’s focus on music therapy, psychology, and health innovation equips students with a holistic understanding of how creative practices support well-being, positioning them as future physicians who bring a distinctive human-centered perspective to healthcare.
At a Glance
Physicians complete a medical degree (MD or DO), followed by residency training and licensure. Career progression can include specialization, leadership in clinical programs, teaching in academic medicine, or roles in research and policy. Berklee graduates who pursue additional pre-med coursework and advanced study can leverage their arts-based foundation to stand out in medical school applications and later in their practice.
A Berklee education can set the stage for medical careers by combining arts and health with foundational preparation. Students interested in medicine can take courses in anatomy, psychology, neuroscience, music therapy, music and health innovation, grant writing, and arts and health practicums. These courses build knowledge of the human body, brain, and behavior, while reinforcing skills in program development, research, and patient-centered communication—all of which prepare students for success in pre-medical studies and medical school.
Physicians are employed in hospitals, outpatient clinics, academic medical centers, private practices, and community health organizations.
Medical expertise; research; communication.
Empathy; leadership; adaptability.
Physicians often maintain demanding schedules, balancing patient care with administrative tasks, continuing education, and in many cases on-call responsibilities. Depending on specialty, work may range from fast-paced hospital environments to long-term, relationship-based care in clinics or private practice.
