Exploring the World of Health Sciences: A Guide to Different Specializations 

People who choose to study health sciences typically want a career dedicated to helping people live their healthiest, happiest lives. You have a range of health science degree specializations to choose from if you want to pursue either a Bachelor of Health Sciences or a Health Services Administration Master’s Program. Health science students should carefully consider their own strengths and career goals before deciding on a path toward medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, or another health-adjacent specialty.  

Undergraduate and graduate students who know they want careers in healthcare but are still unsure of a specialty may choose to earn a health science degree. A health science degree is an academic program focused on the study of various aspects of health, healthcare, and wellness. Health science students will be able to study topics such as biology, physiology, public health, and healthcare management while deciding on the right health science degree specialization for them. 

Highly paid and well-respected, doctors are at the pinnacle of dream jobs for many health science majors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for all doctors in the United States is more than $239,200 per year.  

Doctors in the U.S. must complete medical school. Most doctors earn an undergraduate degree, take the MCAT, and go on to complete medical school along with required residency programs. A New York Bachelor of Health Science program can help prepare students for applying to medical school, as long as they complete the necessary medical school prerequisites along with their major requirements. During and after medical school, doctors can specialize further in anything from dermatology to plastic surgery to anesthesiology, depending on individual interests.  

A health sciences degree may help future doctors, surgeons, and internists to better understand the workings of the healthcare system, including the jobs of other healthcare workers and administrators who they will work alongside.  

Nursing is also a popular choice among health sciences degree careers. Nurses provide direct patient care and support all types of patients with medical and emotional interventions. They often work in clinical settings but may also provide in-home care. Although some nurses complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and go on to earn their nursing credentials, those who graduate with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can apply for accelerated BSN programs that take less time to complete than a full bachelor’s degree.  

According to the BLS, the demand for nurses in the U.S. is expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average for all professions. The median pay for all registered nurses is $86,070 per year, and more than 184,000 registered nurses are employed in the New York metro area alone. Registered nurses can also go on to complete graduate level work and become nurse practitioners or nurse educators, making this a flexible and intriguing career path.  

Pharmacists dispense medication, provide patient counseling, and ensure the safe and effective use of pharmaceuticals. Pharmacists may work in consumer-facing pharmacies as well as hospitals and clinics. As with physicians and other specializations for a health science degree, pharmacists must complete a doctoral-level degree (Doctor of Pharmacy) to start their careers. Health science graduates can apply to Pharm. D. programs, which are typically completed in four years, not including internships or residencies that may follow the degree. The median pay for pharmacists in the U.S. is $136,030 per year, according to the BLS.  

Graduates with a Bachelor of Health Science may also choose to become pharmacy technicians and assist pharmacists in dispensing medications. There is no graduate degree requirement for pharmacy technicians, and most training is completed on the job. The demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, and the median pay for the career is $40,300 annually. 

Dentistry can be an overlooked field of healthcare, but oral health is integral to overall health. A dentist diagnoses and treats oral health issues, performs dental procedures, and promotes preventative care to maintain oral health.  

After earning a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and completing the prerequisite courses, students can choose to go on to dental school and earn the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. DDS programs typically take four years to complete. According to the BLS, demand for dentists is expected to grow by 4% between 2022 and 2032, which is as fast as average for all professions. The median income for all dentists in the U.S. is $170,910 per year. Aspiring dentists may also choose to specialize in orthodontics, oral surgery, or other areas that can change the demand and earning potential for the career.

Physical therapists help patients improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore function through specialized exercises, manual therapy, and patient education. After completing their undergraduate prerequisites and degrees, physical therapists must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which typically takes three years to complete. DPT programs include clinical rotations to learn hands-on patient care.  

Physical therapists are in high demand, with the profession expected to grow by 15% between 2022 and 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. For those who do not wish to pursue a doctoral degree, physical therapists also work with aides and assistants who do not have graduate-level training. The demand for physical therapist aides and assistants is expected to grow by 19% between 2022 and 2032.  

Public health workers promote community health and safety by implementing health education programs, conducting research, and advocating for policies that improve public health outcomes. There are several ways to break into the public health space, although many people choose to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. An MPH degree typically takes two years to complete.  

Possible public health jobs for health science majors include:  

Epidemiologists study the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions to inform and influence public health policies and practices. Epidemiology is a field under the public health umbrella and may require an MPH degree or a doctoral degree.  

The field of epidemiology is exploding, particularly in the U.S., where the demand for epidemiologists is expected to grow by 27% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The median pay for an epidemiologist is $81,390 per year, with most working for state and local governments.  

A health informatics professional manages and analyzes healthcare data and ensures efficient use of technology to improve patient care and organizational outcomes. Graduates from a Bachelor of Health Sciences Troy, NY, program may be able to specialize in health informatics without further schooling, although master’s level programs are available.  

The BLS categorizes health informatics professionals under Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars. The demand for this profession is expected to grow by 16% between 2022 and 2032.  

Professionals who work in nutrition and dietetics help individuals assess their nutritional needs, develop personalized meal plans, and provide education and support to promote healthy eating habits and manage medical conditions. Nutritionists and dieticians may work for health organizations, hospitals, clinics, or themselves.  

Health sciences students may choose to specialize as a nutritionist or a dietician. Registered dieticians need at least a master’s degree to sit for the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credentialing exam, while nutritionists do not have specific credentialing or educational requirements.  

The demand for dieticians and nutritionists is expected to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average for all professions.  

An occupational therapist helps individuals practice and improve their abilities to perform everyday tasks by developing treatment plans, demonstrating exercises, and offering adaptive equipment. Occupational therapists may work with many different patient populations, including children, older adults, cancer patients, and those recovering from serious injuries or illnesses.  

Students who complete undergraduate degrees in health sciences may earn a master’s degree in occupational therapy, which typically takes two to three years to complete. As with many healthcare specializations, occupational therapists must complete clinical rotations as well as a licensure exam in addition to classroom work. The demand for occupational therapists in the U.S. is exceptionally high, according to the BLS, with demand expected to grow 12% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the average for all professions.  

Occupational therapist assistants and aides are also in high demand, with that profession expected to grow by a whopping 23% between 2022 and 2032. OT assistants work alongside occupational therapists, and the position does not require a graduate-level education.  

At Russell Sage, we offer accelerated pathways for students in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, as well as comprehensive master’s programs in OT, PT, and Nutrition, and an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Learn more about these exciting opportunities to advance your career in health sciences by requesting more information from Russell Sage today.