Online Health Science Bachelor’s Degree
An accredited health science bachelor's degree generally requires four years of full-time study. Because of this, students must ensure a program meets their goals before enrolling. This guide provides information about health science, the skills and knowledge you can expect to gain in a program, the potential careers you qualify for after graduation, and how much these roles typically pay.
What is Health Science?
The field of health science spans multiple subdisciplines and provides graduates of the best online bachelor degree programs in health science with a wide spectrum of knowledge. This degree qualifies graduates for clinical roles in which they work directly with clients and for more administrative office roles. According to the University of Wisconsin, graduates of online health science degree programs find work as dental hygienists, cardiovascular technicians, paramedics, medical assistants, and occupational therapy assistants. Individuals interested in nonclinical roles can work as medical and health services managers, health education specialists, medical equipment salespeople, and community health coordinators.
Students who have completed a health science degree at the associate level can use a bachelor's program to advance their careers. Those with no prior degree may also use a bachelor's degree as the first step toward an advanced degree in health science or related subject. Those with advanced degrees can work as occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, audiologists, physician assistants, and pharmacists. Because the field is so broad, learners should not worry about pigeonholing themselves in one career. They can work for insurance companies and nonprofit organizations, in medical laboratories, for manufacturing companies, or within a federal or state government agency.
What Can I Do with an Online Health Science Bachelor's Degree?
Graduates of a health science degree online program can follow many different paths, so choosing one may feel overwhelming. The following sections provide information on what students gain by completing this program so they better understand their marketable skills. Students also learn about the careers and average salaries available.
Skills and Knowledge Gained
Completing a top online bachelor's degree in health science ensures learners gain the knowledge and skills needed for numerous healthcare positions. Whether they hope to work in a community health arena, teach others how to best care for themselves, or work as a paramedic, students will find their studies prepare them for these positions and more.
A health science degree online offers many transferable skills that can be used in both healthcare and related industries. Students learn how to use their analytical skills to solve problems, a valuable tool when working in fast-paced environments. They also learn what it means to work as a team by completing group projects, a skill that serves them well when working in hospital settings. The leadership skills they learn will be helpful if they progress to managerial positions. Health science program administrators understand graduates work with many types of individuals, so emphasis is placed on helping them appreciate diverse groups and teaching them to interact with patients, colleagues, and supervisors.
Given the medical emphasis of the discipline, degree seekers gain foundational knowledge in anatomy and physiology. Students also learn to use the latest technologies with patients. Last, learners get a sense of the business end of the field. Because many graduates focus on administrative roles, degree seekers review concepts related to governance, funding, policy, legal and ethical considerations, and staffing.
Careers and Salary Potential
Because health science degree online paths vary, the types of careers available, as well as the salaries graduates can earn, differ substantially. In addition to reviewing possible industries for graduates of online health science degree paths and reading about common jobs available, degree seekers should complete additional research to find a career that fits their interests.
- Hospitals: Health science professionals working in hospitals may choose roles as surgical technicians, anesthesia technicians, or cardiovascular technicians, working alongside doctors and other medical professionals to provide support.
- Physicians' Offices: Whether working as a respiratory therapist, occupational therapy assistant, or radiation therapist, health science graduates in physicians' offices enjoy more structured hours than those working in hospitals.
- Government: Many health science graduates work within the government in administrative and programmatic positions, such as managing health services for branches of the military or building community health programs at the local or state level.
- Outpatient Care Centers: Positions in these facilities include dental hygienists, health information technicians, and cancer registrars. Examples of care centers include dentist offices, physician offices, and radiation centers.
Medical and Health Services Managers
Annual Median Salary: $98,350
These individuals oversee the medical and health services provided by hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician offices, and other clinical service areas. They set departmental goals, train and oversee staff, maintain budgets, and manage organizational records.
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Annual Median Salary: $59,410
Dieticians and nutritionists work with clients to assess health needs, develop healthy food habits, create meal plans, educate individuals about proper nutrition, and review new data surrounding nutritional science.
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