April 23, 2025 If you're interested in learning about healthcare but prefer to take a more interdisciplinary approach, then a Bachelor of Health Science degree may be right for you. With the foundational skills and knowledge acquired in a BS in Health Science program, you could go on to pursue roles in public health, administration, healthcare, or even education. Plus, a BS in Health Science can serve as an excellent steppingstone to a graduate program or specialized certifications.
What Can You Do with a BS in Health Sciences?
Because of its versatility and interdisciplinary nature, a BS in Health Sciences degree can open up the doors for careers in direct patient care, public health, research, and healthcare administration. Meanwhile, those with Health Science degrees can also go on to work for government agencies, as healthcare educators, and even in health-adjacent business settings.
Whether you're looking to complete a standalone degree that will help you kickstart your career or are interested in a program that will prepare you for more advanced study in the medical field, a Bachelor of Health Science could be a practical choice.
Why Employers Value Health Science Graduates
So, what makes a health sciences graduate to a potential employer? First, these graduates tend to have broader and more multidisciplinary knowledge that can be readily applied on the job. As part of a Bachelor of Health Science degree program, you'll learn about a wide range of important healthcare topics, including anatomy, physiology, healthcare policy, and ethics.
Likewise, those who graduate from this type of program tend to build strong problem-solving, communication, and research skills, all of which are critical in any health-adjacent role. Combine all of this with the ability to adapt to clinical and non-clinical roles in healthcare, and it's easy to see why job applicants with a BS in Health Science have a competitive edge in the job market.
Clinical Health Science Careers
What careers can you get with a health science degree, anyway? Whether you're interested in providing direct patient care, working in public health, or taking on more of a research-based role, there are out there to explore.
Patient Care & Allied Health Roles
Graduates who want to work directly with patients but do not have a nursing or medical degree can explore roles in patient care and allied health. To qualify for this type of role, applicants must have strong communication skills, patient care abilities, and an extensive understanding of healthcare procedures and medical terminology. Because this line of work tends to be fast-paced, applicants must also be able to adapt and keep up with the dynamic nature of the work.
Clinical Health Careers
- Medical Assistant - Performs basic patient care (such as taking vital signs) and handling administrative tasks (like scheduling appointments and updating patient records).
- Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) - Helps patients with exercises and basic patient care under the supervision of a physical therapist.
- Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) - Works under the supervision of an occupational therapist to carry out patients' treatment plans and keep documentation for each patient.
- Surgical Technician - Provides assistance in the operating room by sterilizing equipment, passing instruments to surgeons, and maintaining supplies.
Public Health & Community Wellness
Another area of clinical health science to explore is that of and community wellness, especially for those who may be interested in health advocacy, disease prevention, and wellness promotion throughout their local communities.
Working in this area of healthcare requires strong data analysis and communication skills, as well as the ability to translate medical research into information relatable to the general public. Professionals working in this area of the field must also be passionate about preventative healthcare and community engagement.
Public Health and Community Roles
- Public Health Educator - Creates and presents educational materials on health and wellness topics, including dedicated courses and workshops held in a variety of settings.
- Health Promotion Specialist - Designs and implements dedicated health programs on critical topics that support healthy choices within communities.
- Epidemiology Assistant - Works under the supervision of an epidemiologist to collect and organize data, identify potential trends, and work to better understand the spread of diseases.
Research & Laboratory Roles
If you enjoy scientific research, data analysis, and lab work, then you may be suited for in healthcare. To succeed in these roles, you'll need to have a strong attention to detail, superb analytical skills, and a solid understanding of such sciences as biology and chemistry. In a lab setting, you'll need to be able to follow strict safety protocols and best practices for research.
Research & Lab Careers in Health Science
- Clinical Research Coordinator - Oversees operations in clinical research studies, such as recruiting participants and keeping data properly organized/stored.
- Lab Technician - Performs tests on bodily fluids (such as blood and tissue) either as part of a research study or in a more clinical setting.
- Biotechnology Associate - Works to research, test, and create technologies (including medications and vaccines) to improve population health.
Administrative & Non-Clinical Careers in Health Science
What if you're less interested in the clinical side of healthcare? The good news is that a BS in Health Science can still open up the doors of opportunity for a number of administrative and non-clinical roles in healthcare management, communications, education, and beyond.
Healthcare Administration & Management
For those interested in healthcare leadership, policy, and business operations, roles could offer a promising career path. To succeed in these types of roles, you'll need to have a solid understanding of ever-changing healthcare laws, as well as ethics and compliance issues. Meanwhile, proficiency in organizational leadership, medical coding and billing, and informatics systems is a must.
Administrative and Managerial Healthcare Roles
- Healthcare Administrator - Works on the administrative side to handle everyday healthcare facility tasks that may include budgeting, scheduling, and maintaining compliance with changing regulations.
- Medical Office Manager - Assists in keeping medical facilities running smoothly and efficiently by keeping supplies stocked, maintaining patient records, and coordinating appointments as needed.
- Health Informatics Specialist - Uses healthcare data to gain valuable insights that can improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery.
Health Communications & Education
For those passionate about health literacy, media, and education, roles in health communications could be a suitable choice. Working in these kinds of roles requires strong writing and interpersonal skills and the ability to translate complex health topics into language accessible to the general public. Previous experience in media, public speaking, or corporate wellness can also be a plus in this line of work.
Education and Communication Careers in Healthcare
- Health Writer or Journalist - Writes and publishes articles about healthcare-related topics for journals, magazines, and other publications.
- Corporate Wellness Coordinator - Works with businesses and corporations to recommend health education materials and other strategies to improve overall employee wellness.
- Patient Advocate - Works in hospitals and other healthcare facilities to represent patients who may have a hard time understanding their treatment, bills, and other aspects of their care.
Preparing for Graduate School & Advanced Career Paths
Some graduates of BS in Health Science programs may also choose to advance their education in healthcare or healthcare administration. The good news? A Bachelor of Health Science program can prepare students for the following programs by helping them build foundational skills and understanding:
- Master’s in Public Health (MPH) - Can lead to careers in epidemiology, health policy, and global health.
- Healthcare Administration (MHA or MBA in Healthcare Management) - Ideal for those interested in executive leadership roles.
- Pre-Med or Pre-PA Pathway - Involves completing prerequisites for medical or physician assistant school.
- Physical Therapy (DPT) or Occupational Therapy (OTD) - Suitable for those pursuing specialized therapy careers.
Why Choose an Online Health Science Degree at SSU?
As you can see, there are a lot of things you can do with a health science bachelor degree. The key, of course, is finding the program that will best serve your needs while setting you up to meet your professional goals.
At AIɫɫ, we're proud to offer a career-focused Bachelor's in Health Science program that covers the and skills that can empower students to enter any number of health-related fields. Plus, with its online format, students can enjoy the flexibility and versatility they need to pursue a higher education without putting their lives on hold. This format is ideal for working professionals who want to enjoy the same quality as an on-campus program without the scheduling challenges associated with attending in-person classes.
Reach out to about this program offered at AIɫɫ. You can also take the next step today by completing your online for admission.