What Can You Do with a Health Science Degree?

We’ll guide you through what you can do with a health science degree, including unique career paths and degrees.

Requirements for post-BHS careers can vary by location and institution, so research the qualifications requirements for your area and the job you’re interested in.

What Is Health Science?

Health science is the study of nutrition, medicine and other health-related issues, focused on improving human and animal health through scientific research.¹

A BHS can provide the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a healthcare career. The degree program can include laboratory and lecture courses to thoroughly prepare students for their career or an advanced degree.

Careers with a Bachelor’s in Health Science

Are you interested in what you can do with a BHS? Below are careers you can pursue after earning a degree in health sciences.

1. Health Services Manager

2022 median pay: $104,830 per year²

A health services manager can strategize and oversee healthcare and medical services in a medical practice, department or facility. They may also be in charge of budgeting, recruiting and scheduling.³

To become a health services manager, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree. You can also pursue higher education and earn a Master of Health Administration (MHA). USAHS’ MHA program offers an Executive Leadership specialization, which can better prepare you for a health services manager role.

2. Community Health Worker

2022 median pay: $46,190 per year⁴

Community health workers contribute their services as paid professionals or volunteers in urban and rural settings. They help bridge the gap between their community and health and social services.⁵

Community health workers may foster trusting relationships with their community and help provide necessary resources and care. They may also collaborate with healthcare providers and educators to share valuable information and help develop community-specific programs.⁵

To become a community health worker, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree. You can also pursue an advanced degree and specialize in school health or health promotion.⁵

3. Dietitian

2022 median pay: $66,450 per year⁶

Dietitians assess individuals’ dietary habits and offer recommendations on food choices to maintain a healthier lifestyle. They may also engage in public health education and make research contributions.⁷

Dietitians can also⁸:

• Determine client’s dietary and health requirements
• Create meal plans based on the client’s preference and financial constraints
• Support clients with adopting healthy food habits
• Assess and observe the impacts of the meal plans and adjust as necessary

To become a dietitian, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree or higher and complete supervised training through an internship. Moreover, many states mandate licensure for dietitians to practice.⁹

4. Healthcare Social Worker

2022 median pay: $60,280 per year¹⁰

Healthcare social workers, also known as medical social workers, offer psychosocial assistance to patients and their families dealing with chronic, acute or terminal illnesses.¹¹ They may offer services such as counseling, coordination, working with medical staff and communicating important information with the patient and their family members.¹²

To become a healthcare social worker, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree. You can also earn your Master of Social Work (MSW). With an MSW, you can become a licensed clinical social worker and provide professional services. You may also need an MSW if you wish to pursue medical social work.¹²

BHS Careers with a Graduate Degree

Are you interested in pursuing higher education after earning your BHS? Below are careers that require advanced degrees along with a BHS.

5. Occupational Therapist

2022 median pay: $93,180 per year¹³

An occupational therapist (OT) assists individuals with disabilities, injuries, illnesses and other conditions that hinder their capacity to engage in essential daily activities. OTs work with patients of all ages and may provide solutions for post-injury recovery or aid those dealing with changes in physical and cognitive aspects.¹⁴

They may also¹⁵:

• Examine a patient’s medical history and observe their performance of task completions
• Create unique treatment plans and goals with their patients
• Guide patients through home-based exercises
• Record and document a patient’s progress

To become an OT, earn a Master of Occupational Therapy(MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). Those earning their MOT can continue to a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy(PPOTD) program.

6. Physical Therapist

2022 median pay: $97,720 per year¹⁶

A physical therapist (PT) helps patients enhance their range of motion and effectively manage pain. They collaborate with individuals dealing with injuries and chronic health conditions.¹⁷

They also typically¹⁸:

• Examine a patient’s medical history and observe their body movements and functions for diagnosis
• Create treatment plans and goals with their patients
• Utilize stretches, exercises and hands-on therapy to help with movement, improve pain management and prevent further injury

To become a PT, complete an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

7. Speech-Language Pathologist

2022 median pay: $84,140 per year¹⁹

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) helps patients with various communication and swallowing difficulties. SLPs work with patients of all ages and may treat physical and cognitive issues involving²⁰:

• Language
• Feeding and swallowing
• Articulation and phonological disorders
• Fluency
• Communicative behavior

To become an SLP, complete a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program.

8. Physician Assistant

2022 median pay: $126,010 per year²¹

A physician assistant (PA) is a licensed healthcare professional who provides medical care with education in chronic care management, preventive health and patient instruction.²²

PAs can also provide clinical services, including²³:

• Collecting medical histories
• Conducting physical examinations
• Issuing prescriptions
• Diagnosing and treating diseases and illnesses
• Requesting and analyzing laboratory tests

9. Nurse Practitioner

2022 median pay: $121,610 per year²⁴

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a licensed clinician who offers advanced nursing care to patients and their families. Their duties may include patient assessment, collaborating on how to treat the patient and providing health promotion practices for the patient to integrate into their daily routine.²⁵

To become an NP, complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), you can choose from several role specialties, including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner* (PMHNP).

MSN, BSN-entry DNP and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate students can choose to pursue the FNP specialty at USAHS. MSN and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate students can also pursue the PMHNP role specialty.

10. Mental Health Counselor

2022 median pay: $49,710 per year²⁶

Mental health counselors are licensed professionals specializing in mental and emotional health disorders. They assess behaviors and emotions, pinpoint stress triggers and recommend coping and solution-oriented strategies.²⁷

They may work with those dealing with²⁷

• Depression
• Substance abuse
• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Dementia
• Adjustment disorders
• Personality disorders

To become a mental health counselor, you’ll typically earn a master’s degree in counseling and be licensed in your state to practice.²⁷

Pursue Higher Education at a University Focused on Health Sciences

USAHS offers graduate degrees in the rehabilitative sciences, as well as graduate nursing,health administration and health education programs.

A health sciences-focused university, USAHS offers students a uniquely advanced education, including interprofessional collaboration across disciplines. Within our innovative learning model, we pride ourselves on providing advanced clinical simulation activities and leading EdTech tools across programs.

Contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about USAHS graduate programs or explore our various degree programs.

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas, campus has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a pre accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Sources:

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