10 Health Science Career Opportunities

Published on: December 4, 2023

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Do you have a passion for promoting public health and wellness? You may want to explore the many potential careers in health science. From working as a health educator to advocating for patients' needs, there is always a need for health science professionals committed to making a difference.

With a bachelor's degree in applied health science, you can open the doors of opportunity to a wide range of rewarding and fulfilling career paths. With a better understanding of what an applied health science degree entails and the work you can do with this type of degree, you can more confidently decide whether this path is right for you.

Get Your Applied Health Sciences Degree

What Is an Applied Health Science Degree?

An applied health science degree is a bachelor's degree focused on promoting overall health and disease prevention through education, policymaking and research. A bachelor’s in applied health science generally takes about four years to complete.

Some schools also offer graduate programs in applied health science. If you already have an undergraduate degree and are looking to take your work in healthcare to the next level, then a master's in applied health science may be a logical next step.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Health Science Degree?

One of the best things about earning a degree in applied health science is that this field is broad enough to qualify you for any number of health science career opportunities. With this type of degree, your options aren't just limited to working as a physician assistant. No matter where your interests lie in the healthcare field, there is sure to be an exciting career path for you.

1. Health Educator

Health educators play a vital role in providing classes and other training in hospitals, government agencies, schools and other settings. These professionals are responsible for developing and teaching health education programs to make a difference in patients' lives. Topics of these health education initiatives can include topics such as vaccination initiatives, how to manage chronic health conditions and informing the public about how to access medical resources.

2. Clinical Research Coordinator

Medical research and studies play an important role in clinical trials and other breakthroughs that can shape the future of healthcare globally. As a clinic research coordinator, you can be directly responsible for shaping research teams and ensuring research studies are carried out ethically and to the highest quality standards.

3. Mental Health Counselor

Mental health is yet another area of healthcare with a growing demand for experienced and skilled professionals. As a mental health counselor, you can provide counseling and therapy services to patients struggling with mental health disorders, ranging from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health counselors play a critical role in helping patients manage and treat their mental health conditions.

4. Health Policy Analyst

If you're more interested in a healthcare role that involves policymaking, a career as a health policy analyst may be up your alley. This type of work involves looking closely at public and private healthcare policies and making recommendations for improvement where needed. These professionals work to ensure that policies are best serving patients in a number of settings, from healthcare facilities and non-profits to government institutions.

5. Health Science Writer

If you have a passion for writing and are looking to combine those talents with your healthcare knowledge, consider working as a health science writer. Health science writers work for print and web publications or as freelancers, writing on health-related topics for brochures, educational and promotional materials and medical journals.

6. Patient Care Advocate

Patients and their families can benefit greatly from having patient care advocates to assist them with everything from communicating with doctors to working with insurance companies. As a patient care advocate, you can work with patients to take some of the logistical burden of healthcare off their shoulders. Patient advocacy can be a very rewarding job for those who enjoy helping others.

7. Dietitian or Nutritionist

Dietitians and nutritionists help clients make better informed dietary choices. They may help patients create nutrition and diet plans to achieve their goals or even create meal plans for patients struggling with certain medical conditions (like type 2 diabetes or gluten intolerance).

Although dietitians and nutritionists do similar work, it is worth noting that becoming a registered dietitian will require special licensing in most states, as well as the passing of a national licensure exam. Nutritionists, on the other hand, do not have any national licensing or certification requirements—though most employers (such as hospitals and government agencies) often prefer applicants with a minimum of a bachelor's degree in applied health science or a related field.

8. Epidemiologist

If you're passionate about protecting and promoting public health, you may want to consider a career as an epidemiologist. These healthcare professionals study and investigate patterns of disease and injury, aiming to reduce risk and transmission across populations. Those looking for a career with strong growth potential will be happy to know that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for epidemiologists is expected to grow 27 percent between 2022 and 2032.

9. Health Services Manager

Working as a health services manager may be right for you if you’re more interested in the administrative side of healthcare. As a health services manager, you'll be responsible for overseeing the operations of a healthcare facility (such as a hospital or doctor's office) while coordinating services and supervising groups of healthcare providers. Health services managers don't work much with patients directly, but they do keep healthcare facilities running smoothly so that patients receive the best quality of care possible.

10. Health Care Social Worker

Many people who study applied health science go on to work as healthcare social workers. These professionals are responsible for providing support to patients and their families, particularly when it comes to coping with medical diagnoses (including terminal illnesses). These workers play an important role in helping patients and families receive the support and resources they need to navigate what are often some of the most trying times of their lives.

Is Health Science a Good Major?

If you're interested in a healthcare career, you may be overwhelmed by the number of degree options available to you. How can you know which degree is best for your goals and aspirations?

For those interested in a healthcare career but want to keep their options open, a more general degree (such as a health science or applied health science degree) makes sense because there are so many things you can do with this type of credential. Rather than focusing your studies on a specific area of healthcare, an applied health science degree allows you to work in any number of exciting and rewarding healthcare roles that range from education and clinical practice to administration and beyond.

Why Consider an Applied Health Science Degree From Husson University?

Whether you envision yourself working as a dietitian, epidemiologist, health services manager or any other healthcare role covered here, an applied health science degree could help you start your career with a solid foundation.

At Husson University Online, we're proud to offer a new applied health science program that will provide you with the key skills and knowledge you need to pursue a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. Get in touch to learn more about this program or any of the other programs we offer or start your online application today!