Online Health Science Degrees

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Online Health Science Degree

Many online colleges have started to offer health science degrees. These programs not only provide a flexible option to the campus formats. They may also prepare you to go for a wide array of clinical and non clinical jobs. If you want to enter or take the next step in the fast growing field of health care, why not earn a degree online?

What is an Online Health Science Degree Program?

An online degree in health science studies the delivery of health and services. Then applies these areas to care for people and their health in dozens of different ways. Often, these programs touch on many different areas as a result. Health communication, medical ethics, science and more.

When looking to earn a health science degree online, there may be options at all levels. Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhDs. Many of these programs offer 100% online learning. So, you may be able to study where and when able.

An online bachelor’s degree in health sciences tends to be a dynamic major that touches on many areas. Because of this, it may provide flexible option that preps for all kinds of health careers.

Master’s may attract professionals from within science and medicine. Some who want to grow solid business skills with a clear health focus. And others who want to research and refine clinical expertise.

PhDs are research focused. Because of this, programs may appeal to professionals with medical degrees. As well as those who want to discover and share new knowledge in allied health sciences. Grads may use their degree to teach, research and advance the science and practice of health care.

At any of these levels, it may be worth checking into school accreditation. Accredited colleges often take part in federal and state financial aid programs. Many also have robust transfer credit policies in place. These features have the potential to make a degree more affordable for those who qualify.

Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science

An online bachelor of science in health sciences (BS) is an intro level degree. Many programs entail 120 credit hours which may take four years to complete full time. Prospective students may match results with career goals and interests. There are at least three types of programs and each comes with specific courses. 

Health care studies. This option tends to be a non clinical degree. One that may help grads prepare for an entry level career in a field related to health. As such, the courses may touch on math, science and delivery of services. 

Degree completion studies. This option tends to be for allied health care workers. so, if you hold an associate’s degree and seek to advance in a current role, it may be ideal. In completing a bachelor’s program, you might be able to pursue a graduate degree in a medical area later. 

Pre professional studies. This option may enable you to fulfill prerequisite course work. As such, expect a very science focused course plan. These may prep for graduate programs leading to clinical fields. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, dentistry etc.

To gain admission into any of these programs, a high school diploma or its equal is mandatory. One must also meet the online college’s standards. These likely set a range for GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT scores. You may also need to have certain science and lab courses in your repertoire. According to the NCES,tuition rates for public and private online colleges vary in the United States. Public college tuition averaged $17,797 per year in 2017/18. That compares with $46,014 (private nonprofit) or $26,261 (private for profit) per year.

Master’s Degree in Health Science

An online master of science (MS) in health science is a graduate degree. To gain admission, you need a bachelor’s from an accredited school. Some schools also ask for resume, references, essay and current license, if applicable. Many MS programs entail around 36 credit hours and take about 2 years to complete. Fellow students may come from the health care field wanting to grow business skills.

To help with these goals, courses often touch on ways to promote health from all sides. From program planning, funding and health education. To behavior change, data analysis, public and global health. These areas may improve one’s ability to make decisions. Whether as a supervisor, executive or policy maker. While others may help you grow skills to work with a specific population. The elderly, workplace safety, trauma, or research in the human body.

Tuition rates for all these programs varies. Using NCES data, if you attend a public graduate school, tuition and fees may average about $11,617. Some schools may be more affordable or expensive than the norm.

PhD in Health Science

An online PhD in health science is the highest award and a research degree. Applicants tend to need a master’s, school specific GPA, references and a statement. It may also help to have similar research issues to the school’s ongoing projects. 

Many programs aim to prepare practicing health care professionals to assume leadership roles. Whether in academia, research, and/or health and human services practice settings. You may thus study issues and discuss key works of theory, policy and empirical data. These areas tend to cover four content themes though specifics vary. Teaching, leadership, allied health practice and scholarship/research. 

Once you’ve completed all your courses, you are likely to take an exam. Passing it, you tend to move onto your own project. This may add new insights that improve health equity, access and cost of care and services. After finishing, you write and present findings in a publishable dissertation.

What can I do with an Online Health Science Degree?

A health science degree may be an entry point to health care industry jobs of all kinds. People use this degree to enter, advance or shift careers. As a result, there may be a wide range of career opportunities for all levels of education. As a rule, a bachelor’s is the standard for non clinical roles that promote health. Health care professionals who research, teach or in patient care may need a higher degree.

1. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER

A community health worker collects data and has a finger on the pulse of the group they serve. These skills often serve as a link between a group and health providers or educators. So in their daily role they may help residents (let’s say in a nursing facility) navigate the health system. Or, conduct outreach to engage people in the health focused programs available.

2. HEALTH EDUCATOR 

A health educator teaches people how to be and stay healthy. Many work in work health care settings and help patients, tapping into medical skills. Others work in nonprofits, business, colleges and government. Here they may advocate, secure grant funding, create programs and materials. All with an eye to promote healthy actions. As a result, some employers may look for education beyond the bachelor’s level.

3. HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER

A medical (health) services manager may run a clinical department, facility or medical practice. In any of these settings, they may oversee staff, policy, budget and care of residents or patients. Since job titles vary, some senior roles may entail a master’s.

4. HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGER

A health information manager is in charge of patient records and data. This takes a finger on the pulse of security software, current and proposed laws. Also skills with data bases, networks and medical terminology.

5. MEDICAL SCIENTIST

A medical scientist studies the causes of disease and ways to improve human health. They often do this through clinical trials, drug sample testing and innovation. Their work brings medical devices safely to market. And may help a vaccine get approval for wide scale use. Many hold medical degrees and may have a PhD as well. 

6. EPIDEMIOLOGIST

An epidemiologist works in offices and laboratories. Here, they focus on research into the patterns and causes of disease and injury. Many are especially concerned with infectious disease and watch data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a major employer. And the typical entry point to a career is a master’s degree.

7. ATHLETIC TRAINER

An athletic trainer strives to prevent, diagnose and treat muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. They may work with people of all ages and skill levels. From the gym goer to the professional athlete. In many states, having a license is mandatory. Some employers also prefer trainers with a master’s.

Is an Online Degree in Health Science worth it?

Health science programs may yield usable skills, prospects and above average earning potential. Jobs in health care are growing much faster than average. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics that should amount to 2.4 million new jobs by 2029. This may be due to an aging population, changes in health care laws and the need for preventive care.

One of the things to know is that health care jobs touch on many industries. There are providers of care and people who assist them. Also, policy makers, managers, educators, advocates and researchers. If you enjoy the corporate world, one field to consider is health services management. Per the BLS, this field expects 32% growth by 2029. The median annual wage for these managers was $100,980 in May 2019 and some earned above $189K.

Others may want to look for jobs in community and human service fields. Workers in these areas promote health. Through counseling, programs or educational material. These fields should see about 12% growth to 2029 says the BLS. Salaries vary but some health ed specialists reported median annual wages of more than $68,350.

Let’s say you want to prefer a practitioner, research or science focused role. Many of these areas have high demand and salaries too. But, you tend to need a master’s or PhD to enter or advance in these career paths. 

Take away? Check the required education for your field and scan schools to find one that lines up. Then, whatever your methodology, check to see if you are eligible for financial aid.  

Online Health Science Degree Jobs & Salary

Top States for Jobs as a Health Science

BACHELOR’S DEGREE CLASSES

This level tends to include a few sections. General education, core classes, electives and a capstone and maybe, internship. Some of the common classes might include,

• Psychology
• Human Growth
• Nutrition 
• Anatomy / Physiology
• Medical Terminology

Together, these areas may give you a sense of how the body works, the mind thinks, illness and health form. You may also learn how to structure messages that factor these things in.Along with these, there is likely a class on medical ethics. This aims to teach the relevant areas that help people in medical settings make decisions. That is a big part of health care management. 

Some of the other topics you may study when going for your degree online are:

GRADUATE DEGREE CLASSES

Classes at the master’s and PhD levels may be very science and research focused. Core topics tend to use ‘evidence based practice’. That may mean reading current literature and theories in your field. From there, many students have to take a handful of classes in a concentration area. Some of the ones we found in partner programs included:

• Athletic Training
• Health Care Leadership / Administration
• Biomedical Research
• Health Promotion and Wellness
• Injury Prevention (Humans and Sports)

How long does it take to get a Health Science Degree online?

The time it takes to earn a degree in health science varies by level and course load. As a rule, a bachelor’s takes four years full time. But many students attend community college to complete an associate’s degree. Doing so may allow you to enter a bachelor’s degree completion program which may be shorter. Those who go for a master’s may need from one to two years, depending on the program. From there, many PhDs take four to five years but there are part time options for those who need more time.

15 Schools with Online Health Science Degrees

Many online schools offer health science degree programs. We have ranked our top 15 schools based on the number of graduates from the program in 2019. Our process looks at 2019 data from the NCES. And, it may help you narrow your search down.

1. Bellevue University
2. University of Missouri
3. Ohio State University Online
4. Southern New Hampshire University
5. Arizona State University
6. University of South Florida
7. Tufts University
8. George Washington University
9. Rutgers University
10. Touro University
11. Rush University
12. University of South Dakota
13. Northern Illinois University
14. Trident University
15. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

FIND AN ONLINE HEALTH SCIENCE DEGREE

Let’s take a take a closer look at the online degrees in health science these 15 schools have to offer.