Prospective students looking to earn their health science degrees online have more opportunities for higher education now more than ever. Graduates from online health science degree programs have access to several entry-level career opportunities. However, these opportunities are not for clinical setting responsibilities. Subsidiary occupations within the healthcare field are important to the productivity of healthcare organizations. Now, students can complete health science degree programs online for introduction into these types of careers.
Benefits of Earning an Online Health Science Degree
Contrary to popular belief, students are able to complete health science degree programs 100% online. Even though these degree programs may not support clinical career opportunities, graduates will be eligible for other fields within healthcare. Additionally, these degree programs are an excellent pathway to eligibility for graduate degree programs. For example, an online health science degree can prepare students for medical school, dental school, and other professional programs. Students attending an online degree program are able to work while earning their degrees. Accordingly, earning an online health science degree is a convenient way to break into the medical field.
When looking for an online degree program, the first priority is to research prospective institutions. Online institutions and degree programs should hold regional or national accreditations. Additionally, these accreditations must be recognized by the US Department of Education.
Careers Available For Online Degree Holders
When you think of health science, you may imagine nurses, doctors, and other types of medical professionals. However, there are subsidiary career fields inside this line of work that do not involve working as a clinical professional. Like clinical professionals, employees in non-clinical settings still earn a healthy salary. Below, you will find three of the top-paying, non-clinical health science occupations.
- Medical and health services manager- These professionals are responsible for the planning, direction, and coordination of medical and health services in clinical organizations. This field typically requires a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, but employees earn an average salary of over $100,000 per year.
- Pharmaceutical sales representative- These professionals generally work for wholesalers and manufacturers selling medical equipment and pharmaceuticals to healthcare organizations. Generally requiring a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, professionals in this field earn an average salary of about $88,000 per year.
- Health education specialist- Education specialists in this field educate individuals about health and wellness while promoting healthy lifestyle changes. Professionals in this field earn an average salary of around $55,000 per year. Entry-level career opportunities generally require a bachelor’s degree.
These roles fit into classifications of leadership and administration. Additionally, professionals in this field may be responsible for coordinating, supervising, or training other employees. Even though most of these fields generally require at least a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, graduates can undoubtedly earn a healthy salary in non-clinical settings.
There are many career opportunities available in the health science industry that graduates will be eligible for. Completion of an online health science degree program will provide entry into numerous healthcare fields. However, many entry-level positions require at least a bachelor’s degree for consideration and job placement.