Health Sciences — Build the Foundation for Diverse Healthcare Careers
What Is Health Sciences?
Health sciences is a broad, interdisciplinary major that prepares students for a wide range of healthcare careers. Unlike nursing or pre-med, which follow specific clinical pathways, health sciences provides a flexible foundation that can lead to careers in public health, health administration, healthcare technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other allied health professions. The curriculum typically includes anatomy, physiology, epidemiology, health policy, and biostatistics, along with courses specific to your chosen concentration. Health sciences is an excellent choice for students who know they want to work in healthcare but have not yet decided on a specific clinical path, or for those interested in the administrative and public health sides of the industry.
Why Study Health Sciences?
Healthcare is the largest and fastest-growing employment sector in the United States, adding hundreds of thousands of jobs annually. A health sciences degree provides the flexibility to explore multiple career paths within this enormous industry. Whether you decide to pursue clinical training (PA school, OT school, PT school), go into health administration, or work in public health, this major provides the foundational coursework you need. The degree is also valuable for healthcare-adjacent careers in health technology, pharmaceutical sales, and health education.
Skills You Will Develop
Common Classes in Health Sciences
Here are the 10 core courses you can expect in a typical Health Sciences program:
Introduction to Health Sciences
Overview of the U.S. healthcare system, health professions, healthcare delivery models, and current issues in public health and healthcare policy.
Anatomy & Physiology I & II
Comprehensive study of the human body: all major organ systems, their structure, function, and interrelationships.
Medical Terminology
The language of healthcare: root words, prefixes, suffixes, and abbreviations used in clinical documentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Epidemiology
The study of disease patterns in populations: outbreak investigation, risk factors, study design, and the data-driven methods used to track and prevent disease.
Biostatistics
Statistical methods applied to health data: descriptive statistics, probability, hypothesis testing, and interpreting clinical research findings.
Health Policy & Management
Healthcare financing, insurance systems (Medicare, Medicaid, ACA), hospital administration, quality improvement, and health policy analysis.
Community & Public Health
Health promotion, disease prevention, environmental health, social determinants of health, and community health assessment methods.
Pathophysiology
How diseases alter normal body function: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, respiratory disorders, and infectious diseases.
Research Methods in Health Sciences
Designing and evaluating health research: clinical trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and evidence-based practice.
Health Sciences Internship
Supervised fieldwork in a healthcare setting: hospital, clinic, public health department, or health-related organization.
Career Paths in Health Sciences
Salary ranges are approximate national averages. Growth projections are from BLS through 2032 and will vary by location and experience.
Degree Pathways for Health Sciences
Associate (A.S.)
Two-year program covering health science fundamentals. Qualifies for medical office, health information, and community health worker roles.
Bachelor's (B.S.)
The foundation for most health science careers and the prerequisite for graduate health professional programs (PA, OT, PT, public health).
Master's (M.P.H. / M.H.A.)
Master of Public Health for epidemiology and population health. Master of Health Administration for hospital and health system management.
Doctoral (Dr.P.H. / Ph.D.)
For public health leadership, health policy research, and academic positions in schools of public health.
Industry Outlook
Healthcare employment is projected to grow 13% through 2032, adding over 1.8 million new jobs — more than any other sector. Healthcare administration alone is projected to grow 28%. The aging population, expansion of healthcare access, and growing emphasis on preventive care are driving this unprecedented growth. Health sciences graduates have the flexibility to enter this booming sector through multiple pathways, from clinical practice to administration to public health.
Expert Tips for Health Sciences Students
- 1
Decide on your career direction by sophomore year so you can take the right prerequisites. PA school, OT school, PT school, and public health programs all have slightly different prerequisite requirements.
- 2
Get clinical experience through volunteering at hospitals, shadowing healthcare professionals, and working as a medical scribe or patient care technician. Graduate programs expect significant healthcare exposure.
- 3
If you want to become a PA, know that patient care hours are critical. Work as an EMT, CNA, or medical assistant while completing your degree to accumulate the hours PA schools require.
- 4
Consider the MPH (Master of Public Health) if you are interested in population-level health, epidemiology, or health policy. It is one of the most versatile and in-demand graduate degrees in healthcare.
- 5
Health sciences is an excellent backup plan if pre-med does not work out. The degree prepares you for dozens of alternative healthcare careers that are growing faster than physician roles.