Final answer:
One of the tracts that physicians can pursue to earn licensing to practice medicine is a DO or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Other degrees like DDS, DMD, and PhD represent different professional paths in the fields of dentistry and academia respectively. A physician, including a dermatologist, may have an MD or DO degree, whereas epidemiologists often have an MPH along with either an MD, DO, or a PhD in a related field.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physicians can pursue one of two main tracts as they complete their education program to earn licensing to practice medicine. The abbreviation that represents one of those tracts is c) DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). A DO or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a professional doctoral degree for physicians and surgeons. In contrast, a DDS pertains to dental surgery, a DMD refers to dental medicine, and a PhD is a doctoral degree representing a doctor of philosophy in various disciplines. Physicians, including dermatologists, typically earn a medical degree (MD or DO) and complete residency training. They must pass the USMLE, obtain licensure, and for dermatologists, be certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Epidemiologists, who may also be physicians, often have an MPH in addition to a bachelor's degree, and sometimes they also hold an MD or DO degree, or a PhD in a related field such as biology or microbiology. Physicians can pursue either an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. Both degrees lead to licensure to practice medicine, but DOs often receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine, which involves using hands-on techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.