According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare occupations are well on the rise across the United States, with employment projected to grow 19 percent by the year 2024, must faster than the average of all other industries. Health science is among this growing field, with environmental health, healthcare administration, and other rewarding positions opening up to graduates holding a health science degree.
For years, you may have dreamed up a career in health and wellness. You may have taken nutrition classes in high school that sparked a passion for the field. You may have had hands-on experiences in laboratory settings that truly ignited your interest in the sciences altogether. Or, maybe you have worked in healthcare for some time, but are now looking to advance or change up your position in the field. No matter what brought you here, Goodwin College has a health science program for you. Our interdisciplinary program is designed to provide advancement opportunities to entry-level health practitioners as well as to individuals just beginning their medical careers.
Before enrolling into a health science college, however, you will want to ensure that the degree offerings truly align with your educational and career goals. You will want to confirm that the program’s outcome will truly settle the lingering “what do you want to be when you grow up?” question in your mind: Will a health science degree help you land your dream job? Will you have several career options with this education under your belt? What can you do with a health science degree?
The jobs you can do with a health science degree are in fact vast, and the ones that you will qualify for will depend on the type of degree you pursue. As a leader in healthcare education in Connecticut, Goodwin has provided a breakdown of the types of careers you can achieve with an Associate or Bachelor’s health science degree.
What You Can Do with a Health Science Bachelor’s Degree
Goodwin’s Bachelor’s degree in health science embraces students of different backgrounds and interests. Here, you can choose between four different tracks in health science: Environmental Health (studying environmental conditions and human health), Health Care Administration (preparing for a managerial, business-focused healthcare role), Bachelor Degree Completion (for those that already possess a certification, licensure, or professional experience), and Health Care Career Exploration (for those that have not yet decided on a specific healthcare profession). No matter which degree path you choose, you will gain a strong foundation in health science and will be prepared for career opportunities as a:
- Nutritionist: Nutritionists are health science professionals who help others make better decisions regarding their diet. They work directly with patients or clients to determine their nutritional needs (for health conditions or for dietary needs like weight loss) and develop plans to help improve their overall health and lifestyle. Nutritionists may work in clinical settings such as a hospital, managerial settings such as schools, or community organizations such as public health agencies.
- Health Educator: Health educators promote wellness to the greater good, teaching individuals and communities about various health topics, including how to manage health conditions and how to find proper healthcare. Health educators also assist doctors in educating patients about medical conditions, treatments, and procedures.
- Medical Technologist: Medical technologists (MTs), also known as clinical laboratory scientists (CLSs), are the true leaders of the laboratory team. On one end, they oversee use of the laboratory: standardizing, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment. MTs also organize, supervise, and perform qualitative and quantitative diagnostic analyses on laboratory specimens, to identify patient conditions and determine proper treatments.
Graduates holding Bachelor’s health science degrees may also be qualified for positions in registered nursing, medical assisting, dental hygiene, and occupational therapy.
What You Can Do with a Health Science Associate’s Degree
Goodwin’s associate degree in health science is also designed with options and flexibility in mind. With on-campus and online classes, this course of study is great for those just starting out in the health field. In this program, there are five tracks students can pursue: Billing and Coding (for those interested in the administrative side of the job), Health Care Career Exploration (for those who want to explore various career options in healthcare), Pre-Professional, Associate Degree Completion (for those who have already obtained certification), and Transfer options for students looking to continue their education in a related field. Upon completion of our Associate program, you will be prepared for entry-level health science positions such as a:
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer: Medical sonographers, also known as ultrasonographers, use advanced imaging technologies to test patients or capture specific body parts (broken limbs, brain scans, etc.) for medical diagnosis. These professionals are dedicated to the preservation of health by diagnosing and preventing disease. They analyze the captured images for any abnormalities and decide if further imaging is needed before delivering to a primary doctor.
- Emergency Medical Technician: EMTs are trained ambulatory professionals that respond to emergency 911 calls. They rush to medical emergencies, diagnose patients on-scene, and provide basic life support services such as CPR, all while transporting them to the hospital. EMTs are trained in a range of emergency skills, from treating shock to controlling bleeding, administering oxygen to stabilizing patients, assisting in child birth to reviving drug overdose patients.
- Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacy technicians prepare and distribute medications under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. They can work in a pharmacy or in patient care settings, stocking prescription drugs and pharmaceutical supplies, pricing and ordering inventory, and maintaining records.
Whether an associate or bachelor’s, a health science degree can prepare you to take on a range of positions in the healthcare field. And the job opportunities are growing. With many of the fastest-growing jobs currently being in healthcare, there is no doubt that now is the time to take your step forward and earn the education you deserve.
To learn about all the health majors available at Goodwin College, please visit us online or call 800-889-3282 today.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.