What Can You Do With a Health Science Degree?
Health science is a remarkably diverse field, with career opportunities in clinical, nonclinical and administrative roles. As a multidisciplinary field, health sciences brings together business, biology, chemistry, psychology and technology with the goal of improving human health.
A bachelor’s degree in health science may also provide a foundation for pursuing graduate-level education in a more specialized area of healthcare. For example, some students might major in health science with the goal of applying to medical school after graduation.1
In This Article:
- Possible Settings for Health Science Employment
- Careers in Health Science To Consider
- Earn Your Health Science Degree at GCU
Possible Settings for Health Science Employment
Just as there are diverse career opportunities within this field, there is also a wide range of potential work settings. As a future health science professional, you may find yourself applying to jobs in any of the following settings:2
- Federal government agencies
- Medical laboratories
- Hospitals and clinics
- Outpatient care facilities and physicians’ offices
- Nonprofit organizations
- Pharmaceutical companies
Careers in Health Science To Consider
Now that you have a general understanding of the health science field, there are numerous health science career opportunities to consider as you plan your career pathway.
Health Education Specialist
A health education specialist is a professional who helps others learn about wellness and health promotion. Some health educators work one-on-one with patients and their families, teaching them about diagnoses, treatment options and preventive health. Others focus on creating programs and materials about health matters so that community members have access to health information.
Other health education specialists may work with employees of various organizations. They may encourage employees to adopt healthy habits, or they may recommend health-related changes to the workplace. Fundraising is another potential aspect of this job.
Although specific job responsibilities can vary, health educators may do any of the following:
- Assess health deficits on an individual and community-wide level
- Develop educational health-related materials, programs and events
- Connect people to health resources and information
- Collect and evaluate health-related data and use the findings to improve health services
- Serve as a health advocate for underserved communities and individuals
An aspiring health educator typically needs a bachelor’s degree. There are a variety of bachelor’s degrees that may be acceptable for this role, including a public health degree. Some employers may prefer or require that health education specialists also hold a professional certification and a master’s or doctoral degree.3
A future health educator can benefit from actively cultivating some of the following skills, which are helpful in this line of work:3
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving
- Instructional skills
- Analytical reasoning
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health education specialists earned a median annual salary of $62,860 as of May 2023.4
Clinical Laboratory Technician or Technologist
If you’re interested in clinical careers in health science but would prefer a role that doesn't involve much, if any, interaction with patients, then a job as a clinical laboratory technician or technologist may suit you. These professionals play a vital role in performing the medical laboratory tests necessary to diagnose illnesses.
Clinical lab technician and technologist are similar professions, although technologists have more advanced job responsibilities. Technologists can perform more complex laboratory tests and procedures, as well as prepare specimens and handle manual tests. By contrast, technicians largely perform routine lab tests, some of which may be automated.
Clinical laboratory technicians and technologists may perform any of the following specific job tasks:
- Operate laboratory equipment
- Set up, calibrate and maintain all laboratory equipment
- Test samples, such as blood, tissue and urine
- Update patient records with test findings
- Discuss test findings with ordering physicians
It’s typical for both clinical lab technicians and technologists to need a bachelor’s degree, such as a degree in life sciences5 (which includes health science). To further their credentials, these professionals may seek certification from an organization such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Some states require technicians and technologists to be licensed, although licensing requirements can vary from one state to the next.5
Some important skills and attributes of lab technicians include the following:5
- Attention to detail
- Manual dexterity
- Interpersonal skills
- Physical stamina
- Analytical reasoning
According to the BLS, clinical laboratory technicians and technologists earned a median annual salary of $60,780 as of May 2023.6
Medical and Health Services Managers
If you think you might prefer nonclinical health science employment opportunities, you could pursue a career in health administration or management. Medical and health services managers are responsible for planning, directing and overseeing the activities and operation of a department, clinical area or entire facility.
Job responsibilities vary, but may include:
- Establishing the objectives for quality healthcare delivery
- Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, which are subject to change over time
- Managing departmental or facility budgeting and finances
- Developing work schedules for employees
- Maintaining records on facility services
There is no universal career pathway for an aspiring healthcare manager or administrator. However, it’s typical for these professionals to need at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as business or a healthcare field. GCU offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration. In addition, some employers may require entry-level work experience in a related role, such as administrative assistant, medical records specialist or financial clerk.7
To further their credentials, some medical managers may obtain a professional certification, such as a credential from the American Health Information Management Association. In some states, a license may be required.7
Some of the important skills and attributes for this occupation include:7
- Analytical reasoning
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Technical skills
- Leadership ability
According to the BLS, medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $110,680 as of May 2023.8 This role is not considered an entry-level position.
Earn Your Health Science Degree at GCU
Grand Canyon University strives to support our students’ career aspirations by offering industry-aligned degree programs in health science. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree is designed for working allied health professionals, with a curriculum that covers everything from healthcare delivery and systems to healthcare regulations and compliance.
In addition to the BS in Health Sciences degree, GCU is pleased to offer related options. These include the Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science degree and the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program.
1 Coursera Staff. (2023, Nov. 29). 9 Health Science Jobs for Health Science Degree Holders. Coursera. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2024.
2 Birt, J. (2024, July 29). 16 Jobs You Can Get With a Health Science Degree. Indeed. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2024.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become a Health Education Specialist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2024.
4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Health Education Specialist as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 26, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as health education specialists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become a Clinical Laboratory Technologist or Technician. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2024.
6 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians as of May 2023, retrieved on Dec. 26, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
7 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become a Medical or Health Services Manager. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2024.
8 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Medical and Health Services Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on December 26, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as medical and health services managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Approved and verified accurate by the associate dean of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions on April 7, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
