What Can You Do With a Health Science Degree?
A health science degree can open the door to an exciting and fulfilling career. Continue reading to discover the various career paths available to health science graduates and find out which program can help you achieve your dream job.
What Is Health Science?
Health science is a field that focuses on issues related to health and well-being. It draws upon knowledge from the natural and behavioral sciences to enhance healthcare and improve the quality of patient care.
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Is a Health Science Degree Worth It?
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the demand for healthcare professionals and the need for innovation in the healthcare sector. As Dr. Laura Hagan, an associate director at Touro College, emphasizes, healthcare professionals must be lifelong learners, adapting to new and unforeseen challenges in healthcare.
Health science programs prepare future healthcare professionals by teaching them current practices and equipping them to handle unexpected situations in the healthcare field.
Types of Health Science Degrees
Associate in Health Science
An associate degree in health science typically takes about two years to complete and prepares students for entry-level roles in healthcare. These programs often offer specializations like pre-nursing, pre-medical lab technician, pre-pharmacy, pre-paramedic, or pre-radiography.
Graduates with an associate degree can find employment as medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, or health information technologists. Many choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health science to advance their careers.
Bachelor’s in Health Science
A bachelor’s degree in health science is a four-year program that readies students for nonclinical positions in healthcare. It covers subjects such as the U.S. healthcare system, human anatomy, and healthcare management. While some programs provide a general curriculum, others allow students to specialize in areas like global health, biomedical sciences, or health education.
Students interested in a health science degree can earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. The former takes a broader approach to human service systems, while the latter delves into technical and scientific aspects, making it suitable for clinical roles.
Master’s in Health Science
A master’s degree in health science is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and career prospects. These programs typically include courses on topics such as epidemiological methods, ethical issues in healthcare, and healthcare management principles.
Students pursuing a master’s in health science can specialize in areas like sports medicine, healthcare law, risk management, nutrition, and mental health.
Doctorate in Health Science
Doctoral-level health science programs train students to apply theoretical and practical principles in real-world healthcare settings. Students study theories and practices to drive technological advancements, enhance health equity, and improve patient outcomes.
Graduates with a doctorate in health science work in various roles, such as medical service managers, scientists, researchers, educator specialists, community health workers, and informatics specialists.
D.H.Sc. vs. Ph.D. in Health Science
The primary difference between a Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc.) and a Ph.D. in health science is that Ph.D. candidates complete a dissertation and engage in original research, while D.H.Sc. candidates do not. Ph.D. programs are suitable for those interested in research-based careers, while D.H.Sc. programs prepare students for leadership positions in the healthcare industry.
Can You Get a Health Science Degree Online?
Prospective students can pursue a health science degree through on-campus, online, or hybrid programs. Some online programs may include in-person components or require learners to complete a practical experience near their school. Before enrolling, it’s essential to carefully review the curriculum and graduation requirements.
Career Opportunities With a Health Science Degree
“A degree in health sciences allows individuals numerous lucrative career routes while also making a positive impact on society,” says Summer McGee, Ph.D. Is a Health Science Degree Worth It?
Different types of health science degrees lead to various career opportunities:
Associate Degree:
An associate degree provides the foundation for entry-level roles in healthcare, such as medical assistants and pharmacy technicians. It serves as a stepping stone to more advanced degrees.
Bachelor’s Degree:
A bachelor’s degree in health science can lead to nonclinical positions in healthcare, potentially opening doors to leadership positions and higher salaries. Students can also choose specializations like education or global health.
Graduate Degree:
A master’s or doctoral degree in health science can unlock diverse and rewarding career paths, especially in hospitals, educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits. Here are a few examples:
Dietitian and Nutritionist:
These professionals assess clients’ dietary needs to promote good health or manage health conditions. They may specialize in clinical, community, or management roles.
Epidemiologist:
Epidemiologists study diseases and public health trends to prevent and manage outbreaks.
Occupational Therapist:
Occupational therapists help people recover and improve their ability to perform daily activities.
Clinical Research Scientist:
These scientists conduct research in clinical settings to develop new treatments and drugs.
Common Questions About Health Science Degrees
Is a Health Science Degree a Good Choice?:
Whether a health science degree is a good choice depends on your personal and professional goals. It offers a wide range of career options in a field with growing demand. Salaries vary based on the position and education level.
Is Health Science a Difficult Major?:
The difficulty of a health science major depends on the individual. It’s suitable for motivated learners with analytical skills who want to improve healthcare access.
Difference Between Health Science and Public Health:
Health science focuses on patient care, administrative skills, and scientific research. Public health explores how factors like the environment, social factors, and human behavior affect health.
In-Demand Health Science Jobs:
Due to the aging population and the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare jobs are in high demand. Some sought-after positions include occupational therapy assistants, home health aides, and physical therapists.
hat can you do with a health science degree? Read on to learn more about career opportunities for graduates and find out what kind of program can help you land your dream job.
What Is Health Science?
Focusing primarily on health problems and outcomes, this multidisciplinary field also encompasses the natural and behavioral sciences. Health science professionals strive to promote individual and public health by improving the healthcare industry and increasing the quality of care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the demand for both public health workers and innovation in the healthcare industry.
According to Dr. Laura Hagan, associate director of Touro College’s doctoral program in physical therapy, the pandemic has highlighted the fact that healthcare professionals must be lifelong learners.
“There are situations you’re going to face that you would have never dreamed of, and you’re going to have to learn how to manage those cases and those patients and the evolving environment of healthcare,” Hagan says.
Health science programs let prospective medical professionals explore current practices and transform the healthcare system in preparation for the unknown.
Featured Online Health Services Bachelor Programs
What Can You Do With a Health Science Degree?
A health science degree can open the door to an exciting and fulfilling career. Continue reading to discover the various career paths available to health science graduates and find out which program can help you achieve your dream job.
What Are the Different Types of Health Science Degrees?
Associate in Health Science
An associate degree in health science usually takes two years to complete and prepares students for entry-level roles in the field. Programs often feature specializations like pre-nursing, pre-medical lab technician, pre-pharmacy, pre-paramedic, or pre-radiography.
While graduates can find work as medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and health information technologists, many go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health science.
Bachelor’s in Health Science
A bachelor’s degree in health science prepares students for nonclinical roles in the healthcare industry. Most programs last four years and typically include courses on the U.S. healthcare system, human anatomy, and healthcare management. While some programs feature a generalized curriculum, others let candidates specialize in an area like global health, biomedical sciences, or health education.
Students interested in a health science degree can pursue a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science. The latter takes a technical and scientific approach to the discipline, making it ideal for candidates who want to pursue clinical positions, while the former explores general human service systems.
Master’s in Health Science
A master of health science can help clinicians, medical administrators, and other healthcare professionals enhance their knowledge and professional prospects. Master’s programs often include courses on epidemiological methods, ethical issues in healthcare, and management principles in healthcare.
Candidates pursuing a master’s degree in health science can specialize in areas like:
Doctorate in Health Science
Doctoral-level health science programs teach candidates to implement applied and theoretical principles in real-world healthcare settings. Students examine theories and practices in an effort to drive technological advancements, increase health equity, and improve patient outcomes.
Individuals with a doctorate in health science work as:
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What is the difference between a D.H.Sc. and a Ph.D. in health science?
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in health science complete a dissertation and conduct original research, while D.H.Sc. candidates do not. Ph.D. programs are intended for learners interested in research-based careers, while D.H.Sc. programs prepare students for leadership positions in the healthcare industry.
Can You Get a Health Science Degree Online?
Prospective students can pursue a health science degree on campus, online, or through a hybrid format. Some online programs include an in-person component, or require learners to complete a practicum near their school. Before committing to a program, candidates should carefully review the curriculum and graduation requirements.
What Can You Do With a Health Science Degree?
“A degree in health sciences allows individuals numerous lucrative career routes while also making a positive impact on society.” — Summer McGee, Ph.D., Is a Health Science Degree Worth It?
Each type of health science degree presents graduates with slightly different opportunities.
An associate degree provides the necessary background for entry-level healthcare employees like medical assistants and pharmacy technicians, while a bachelor’s degree may lead to leadership opportunities and higher salaries.
Bachelor’s-level programs also let students choose a specialization, allowing them to focus their studies on an area like education or global health.
Individuals with a doctoral degree in the field typically find roles in academia or research, or hold advanced leadership positions in the healthcare industry.
Careers With an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science
Individuals with an associate or bachelor’s degree in health science enjoy a multitude of entry-level opportunities in hospitals, health organizations, nonprofits, and communities, where they take on roles like the following.
Medical Assistant
- Minimum degree required: Associate degree
- Certification: While medical assistants are not required to be certified, many employers prefer to hire those with certification. Certification is offered through the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.
- Salary: $35,850
Health Information Technician
Health Educator and Community Health Worker
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist and Technician
Medical and Health Services Manager
Careers With a Graduate Degree in Health Science
A graduate-level health science degree can lead to a variety of fulfilling careers and increased earning potential. Graduates work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Dietitian and Nutritionist
While dietitians and nutritionists perform similar tasks, some pursue the following specialties:
Clinical: Providing medical nutrition guidance
Community: Developing programs and advising the public
Management: Planning food programs for organizations/facilities
- Minimum degree required: Bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree increases hiring and salary potential
- Certification: State licensure or certification depending on the state
- Salary: $63,090
Epidemiologist
Occupational Therapist
Clinical Research Scientist
Common Questions About Health Science Degrees
Is health science a good degree?
Ultimately, this depends on the student’s personal and professional goals. A health science degree can lead to many different roles, making it a good choice for prospective healthcare professionals who want to examine their career options.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, healthcare occupations are projected to grow by 15% from 2019-29. Thanks to an increased demand for medical services, health science majors can look forward to a positive job market. Annual average salaries in the field range from $30,000 to more than $100,000, depending on position and education level.
Is health science a difficult major?
That depends on the student. Ambitious learners with solid analytical skills and natural leadership abilities tend to excel in health science programs. Successful candidates are motivated to improve access to quality healthcare.
What’s the difference between a health science degree and a public health degree?
The main difference between a degree in health science and a degree in public health revolves around the focal point. Health science programs emphasize patient care, administrative skills, and scientific research on health-related topics. Students pursuing a public health degree explore how factors like environment, social factors, and human behavior impact health.
What health science jobs are in demand?
As a result of an aging population and the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for healthcare professionals has grown exponentially. Some health science jobs in high demand include occupational therapy assistants, home health aides, and physical therapists.
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