@donnaleighg
" it essentially requires a standard 4 year LA curriculum (BS or BA) before the “hands on” training. Much like an MD I will note. But is that really necessary? (Is it really necessary for an MD either)?"
No, it’s not necessary. In most (if not all) western countries students go into medicine when they enter the university. Our LAC tradition makes medicine a post-grad field. One European doctor – a surgeon – told me he thought that was to the detriment of American doctors. When I asked why, he said that compared to his American peers, he has several years’ more of practice and hands-on experience.