How to Choose a Concentration for Your BS in Health Studies

Follow these four steps to find a concentration that aligns with your career goals.

The demand for healthcare services is greater than ever, with jobs in the field projected to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029—much faster than the average for all other occupations.¹

One of the ways you can prepare for a healthcare career is by earning a bachelor’s degree in health studies.

In the BS in Health Studies program at Walden University, you will explore a range of health studies topics, including global and public health, health promotion, and interdisciplinary perspectives on healthcare delivery. You can also choose a concentration in one of three areas to personalize your career path in allied health.If you’re unsure of which direction you want to take, here are four steps for how to choose a concentration for your bachelor’s degree in health studies.

Step 1: Consider what interests you. Think about the parts of healthcare you’re drawn to, and then find a concentration that matches. Are you the friend people turn to when they want to make healthier choices? Do you have health education articles bookmarked on your phone or computer for late-night reading? Then a concentration in health promotion and wellness may be the right fit for you.

Step 2: Do your homework. Explore each concentration your college or university offers by reviewing required courses and their descriptions. What skills will you learn in each concentration? Do they align with your professional or career goals? Check out job listings in your future field. How do the knowledge and skills required for these jobs compare to what you will learn in your concentration?

Step 3: Talk to the experts. University enrollment specialists and academic advisors can help refine your focus and answer program-specific questions to make your decision easier. They can also share examples of what worked well for other students pursuing careers in health studies.

Step 4: Remember, you have a choice even if you’re undecided. If you’re still unsure about which concentration to choose, many colleges and universities offer a general program for the bachelor’s degree in health studies. In Walden University’s General Program, you’ll learn about core concepts of health studies, including health promotion, healthcare delivery, health behavior, principles of epidemiology, and how to evaluate public health programs.

Choosing a Health Studies Concentration at Walden University

Along with the General Program, Walden University offers three concentrations for students pursuing a BS in Health Studies:

• Healthcare Management – Ideal if you’re pursing a management career, this concentration explores the principles of health informatics, finances, and organizational theory. The Healthcare Management concentration is also a good fit for students who wish to begin their own consulting practice.
• Health Promotion and Wellness – Students in the Health Promotion and Wellness concentration explore pressing health issues and the latest findings on disease prevention and wellness. Coursework is specially developed to prepare you for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
• Health Psychology and Behavior – In this concentration, students learn the social, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive factors that influence people to change their behaviors and adopt healthier lifestyles.

Start your health studies journey at Walden University, an accredited online university offering a BS in Health Studies and a wide range of support services to help you achieve success. With our online classes, you have the freedom to take classes whenever—and wherever—you choose. All you need is internet access to develop the tools you need to advance your career and make a difference in community health and health services.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a BS in Health Studies degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

¹Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Healthcare Occupations. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change.

Note on certification: The BS in Public Health program with a concentration in Health Promotion and Wellness has been designed to reflect the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Educators outlined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and to prepare students to sit for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exams. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she intends to practice. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information about the CHES and MCHES exams, students should visit www.nchec.org.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.