Health and well-being are so important; being unhealthy makes all other aspects of our lives suffer. Thanks to scientific advancements, the health of the overall population has greatly improved in even the last half-century.
When people think about health and medicine, what usually comes to mind are doctors and surgeons who work in a typical doctor's office or hospital. However, there is so much more to the field of healthcare than just that. There are all the "behind the scenes" people who work on health policy, promotion, and education. One field that often overlaps with the others is the Health Sciences.
Health Science is the study of human health using various scientific approaches. Health Scientists look at policy, healthcare systems, and other subfields of health such as fitness and diet. This multidisciplinary field is complex. Health Sciences involves working with people and institutions, so students get the best of both worlds in this major. Curriculums will provide graduates with enough knowledge to obtain a mid-level position in a health institution.
What master's in health sciences should you get?
The most common degree for this major is a master's of science in health sciences. Other similar degrees will include healthcare administration, public health, or health promotion. While all degrees will cover similar skills and topics such as epidemiology or biostatistics, other majors are often considered sub-fields of Health Sciences. As many schools will offer multiple health-related majors, students should speak with a counselor before choosing which one is right for them.
As most master's students are experienced professionals, an online program may be a better option for those with a busy schedule. While most of these programs here are on-campus, some are offered completely online or in a hybrid manner. Others, if not online, can be taken part-time. Sometimes classes may even be held in the evenings.
Interested in pursuing an online program? Check out our ranking of the 35 Best Online Health Sciences Degrees.
How much do people with a master's in health sciences make?
PayScale says that the average salary of this degree holder is $77,000.The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that as of 2017, the median pay of health service managers is $98,350. It should be noted that although females make up the majority of this field, males typically have a higher earning potential over time.
Considering that the majority of jobs within the health sciences require a master's degree, it can be said that this advanced degree definitely pays off. Jobs such as biostatisticians, senior administrators, or epidemiologists can all make six figures after several years of experience. Some factors to salary other than experience include location and type of institution.
What can you do with a master's in health sciences?
Because the field of health sciences is so broad, there is no single career path. Jobs can be anywhere from working in a lab, to doing more scholarly research, to executing health awareness programs in the community. In general, someone with a master's degree will be eligible for mid-level positions, oftentimes in management.
Some common paths include working in healthcare administration, epidemiology, pharmacy, occupational therapy, or biomedical engineering. Because there are some jobs that require working with patients versus others that work more "behind the scenes" with doctors, policymakers, and other professionals, people can really choose which job suits their personality. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that health service manager jobs will increase 20 percent from 2016 to 2026.
What are the requirements for a master's in health sciences?
Applicants will want to have a bachelor's in a related health or science field, with a strong GPA of at least 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale. Many master's degrees also want adults with at least a few years of work experience in a health field. A resume will often be required for submission along with the rest of the application materials. Those who have not had enough experience may be required to take a few extra courses. Submission of any Graduate Record Examination scores are also required.
During the program, students will be required to take several core courses along with electives. If students choose a specialization, those electives will be related to that. Students may also be able to take an internship for credit at a reputable institution. Lastly, to graduate many programs require a thesis or capstone project.
Top 10 Best Master's in Health Sciences Degrees
See our rankings methodology page.
