A Brief History of the Health Science Major
Pursing an online degree in health science is an excellent way to launch a career into the diverse medical field. Medicine is constantly changing and provides an incredible amount of job opportunities and income potential. While the work can be demanding it is also very rewarding by providing an opportunity to improve the lives of others by directly working with a patient or working to advance treatments, medicine or procedures. A degree in health science is a great way for an individual to launch a career in medicine by providing access to a multitude of entry level positions. For others, health science can be a piece needed to continue medical education in specialized areas like health informatics, nursing, health administration, complementary and alternative medicine and pharmacology to name a few. Online degrees in health science range anywhere from certificate’s and associate’s programs for medical assistants all the way to obtaining post-graduate’s degrees in nursing. A bachelor’s or master’s in health science can also springboard someone into a multitude of doctorates programs for various physicians, surgeons, dentists and medical doctors. While in the past, health science degrees were mostly pursued by doctors and medical assistants, the field has seen a recent shift to more assistants and specialty care. Advancements in both medicine and online and correspondence courses have opened the field up to a new type of health professional such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, health scientists and administrators.
Delving Into the Health Science Major
One of the most intriguing parts of pursing an education in health science is the wide variety and levels of education to choose from. Ranging from basic associates degrees to master’s programs there is an online health science program for just about anyone looking to pursue a medical career. Associate’s programs are designed to build a foundation for understanding modern medicine and healthcare systems. Students who begin education with a certificate, associate’s or bachelor’s program with begin with anatomy, physiology and medical terminology courses to establish a basic foundation of medical knowledge. Once students have developed their basics in science, classes will begin to branch out into more specific training.
Depending on the type of profession one may be seeking, such as nursing or healthcare management, students can expect courses in keyboarding, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. Students who will be doing hands-on patient care in the field will perform coursework in laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. Bachelor’s programs and beyond will also include courses on management techniques, public policy and a basic understanding of health law. Most classes in an associate’s and bachelor’s program will rely heavily on the use of text books. Advanced degrees will tend to move away from text books as they will shift further from science courses and into the study of modern instances and specifics based from the field.
Degree Levels:
Associate
While pursing an online associate’s degree in health science, students can expect an initial course load of standard basics such as composition and mathematics. From there courses will shift to establish a solid understanding of medical science to build knowledge of the human anatomy and physiology as well as pathophysiology, the study of the disease process in humans. Students will also take courses in microbiology, nutrition and health development. It is also very important for any kind of health care employee to have a firm knowledge of working medical terminology, so expect to see courses loaded with medical terminology to prepare the student for the workforce. Expect references for most health science programs to be almost entirely made up of text books.
Bachelor’s
Similar to an associate’s health science program, bachelor’s level students will see a curriculum with a heavy emphasis on science and medical procedure courses. As with any bachelor’s program expect there to be a generalized group of basics to be completed as well as several major oriented basics such as microbiology, physiology and anatomy. Bachelor’s will pull from a more diversified blend of reference materials that will include text books, medical journals and depending on the direction and program chosen, will also include other materials.
Master’s
Once a health science student has reached a master’s or any post bachelor’s program, the programs offered become much more specific. Once a student has completed a bachelor’s level health science major, the most common path taken afterwards is to become a registered nurse. Masters level health science programs will distance themselves from the typical text book based learning, and will shift towards a focus on more specific aspects and careers of health science such as nursing, public health, health administration, occupational or physical therapy or health education.
Supplementing Your Health Science Major
Because health science features such a broad range of programs and directions one can take, there are a multitude of different options for those looking to build on any kind degree or certificate within the field. In order to be a success in any kind of medical practice, one must first have a solid understanding of the science behind the medicine. As a result, pursing any form of medical science will always help. Many pre-med students pursue a background in microbiology in order to gain a better understanding of how the human body works. Additionally chemistry courses can help an individual gain a better understanding of how certain chemicals and medicines react with the body.
Another good option to consider is to take courses that can improve a student’s understanding of the rapid changes taking place in the medical industry with the increased role of computers and technology used in daily operations at hospitals and private practices. While most health science courses will offer some sort of introduction to computer based medical filing, computers and technology will only further the necessity of a strong knowledge of computers and software used in modern health care. If you are seeking a career as a medical assistant, taking courses designed to help students understand how hospitals and private practices alike work with insurance companies and Medicare for seeking reimbursement for services performed is a plus. Depending on how far you want to take your education and what your career aspirations are, supplemental options are almost limitless.
Learn More About the Health Science Major
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Healthcare
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Therapists Assitants and Aides
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nursing and Psychiatric Aids
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical Assistangs
The Health Science Major in the Job Market
One of the most exciting aspects for those pursuing any kind of health science degree is that there is a vast and diversified job market waiting. The healthcare field is expected to increase by more than 20 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by the year 2018. Another intriguing aspect of becoming a health care professional is that 47 percent of the jobs held in the industry are held by those who have no specialized training beyond high school outside of a two year course or certificate, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Positions that can be obtained by those with no post-bachelor’s training include: nursing aides, orderlies and attendants, psychiatric aides, home health aides, physical and occupational therapist aides and EKG technicians.
Beyond that group however, most positions held by healthcare professionals require at least a graduate’s degree. Income for those with and education in health science can range anywhere from $30,000 annually for entry-level positions to more than $100,000 annually for top-level employees. As with any position, income will vary greatly based on duties, level of education and training, and the amount of responsibility required by the occupation. Median hourly wages ranged anywhere from $11-$15 an hour for orderlies, nursing aides, office and information clerks and medical and dental assistants, while vocational nurses earned $18 an hour and registered nurses earned $30 an hour.
Another career path for those seeking a health science degree is in occupational or physical therapy. Employment of occupational aides and therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008-2018. One of the reasons for such rapid growth is due to the growing elderly population which is more vulnerable to debilitating conditions that require some sort of aid. The large population of the baby-boom generation is entering prime age for heart attacks and strokes which increases need for rehabilitation. One of the key elements of the increased demand on therapists is as a result of the advancement of modern medicine and its ability to save more severe trauma patients. This creates a need for rehabilitation. While a post-bachelor’s degree is usually required to become an occupational therapist, the need for occupational and physical therapy assistants is expected to increase rapidly to reduce the cost of treatment. A person interested in becoming an occupational therapist assistant would require significantly less education such as a certificate or associate’s degree. Median wages for occupational therapy assistants was $48,230 in 2008, according to the BLS.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
