Bachelor's Degrees That Can Help You Get Into the Health Field

When you tell people you want to work in the health field, do they say, ”Oh, do you want to be a doctor?” If you do want to be a doctor, that’s great. But rather than spending 10 to 14 years going to college, then attending medical school, and then completing a residency to become a doctor, you can begin a great career in health with only a bachelor’s degree. Learn about three bachelor’s degrees that can help you get into the health field fast so you can start a career that you’ll love.

Starting a Career in Public Health

What is public health?

Public health protects and promotes the health of people and communities through disease prevention, disaster relief, and efforts to improve longevity.

What will I learn in a BS in Public Health degree program?

A bachelor’s degree in public health is your first step toward creating healthier communities. In your studies, you’ll learn about the history of public health and how public health systems are organized; social, political, and economical issues that impact public health; principles used to study patterns of injury and disease; the factors that impact behavior change; and how to create effective public health services and programs. Some degree programs offer concentrations that allow you to take courses in a specific area of interest, such as health promotion and wellness, health psychology and behavior, or healthcare management.

What public health careers can I work in with a bachelor’s degree?

When you have a career in public health, you could work for a government health department, for a nonprofit organization, or in a hospital. Your career options can include such roles as:

• Research assistant
• Healthcare administrator
• Health educator
• Community health worker

Starting a Career in Healthcare Management

What is healthcare management?

Healthcare management focuses on the business aspect of healthcare. Delve into important topics that impact healthcare today, including health insurance, reimbursement, and healthcare finance.

What will I learn in a BS in Healthcare Management degree program?

When you study healthcare management, you’ll learn to manage, evaluate, and direct health services, programs, and organizations. You’ll gain skills to improve the safety, quality, and delivery of health services. Foundational healthcare financial management skills, human resource management strategies, and strategic leadership concepts for decision making will help prepare you for a career in the in-demand healthcare management field.

What healthcare management careers can I pursue with a bachelor’s degree?

With a degree in healthcare management, you could work for healthcare associations, mental health organizations, universities and research institutions, wellness centers, group homes, consulting firms, health insurance organizations, hospitals, and more. You could work as a:

• Health services manager
• Medical manager
• Healthcare administrator

Starting a Career in Health Studies

What is health studies?

Health studies is focused on health services, health science, and health education. In your studies, you’ll gain a greater understanding of America’s complex healthcare system and how to create behavior changes that positively impact the health of an individual, family, or community.

What will I learn in a BS in Health Studies degree program?

When you earn a bachelor’s in health studies, you’ll learn about the organization, policies, financing, and dynamics of the U.S. healthcare system. You’ll explore how to appraise the quality of healthcare delivery, evaluate health-related research, assess public and global health issues, determine how to create effective health services and programs, and evaluate health and wellness initiatives. Some degree programs offer concentrations that allow you to take courses in a specific area of interest, such as health psychology and behavior, healthcare management, or health promotion and wellness.

What health studies careers can I work in with a bachelor’s degree?

In your health studies career, you can work in hospitals and clinics, in outpatient care centers, for recreation or therapeutic facilities, in nursing or residential care facilities, in medical diagnostic laboratories, or for nonprofit or government organizations. You could work as a:

• Lifestyle coach
• Health promoter
• Pharmaceutical or medical salesperson
• Worksite wellness coordinator

With Walden University’s BS in Public Health, BS in Healthcare Management, or BS in Health Studies online degree program, you can pursue a degree online and learn how to improve health issues or healthcare systems. You’ll help people enjoy better health in a career in the healthcare field. If you want to start working in the field of health fast, a bachelor’s degree from Walden can give you the knowledge you need to start a career helping others be healthy.

Walden University is an accredited university offering a selection of online health degrees, including bachelor’s degrees in public health, healthcare management, and health studies. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

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