The healthcare field is growing quickly, and it is anticipated that all healthcare occupations will see a 19% increase in growth by 2024. This is much faster than other American industries, and will add approximately 2.3 million jobs.
This job growth is going to happen because the US population is living longer and more active lives; also, federal health insurance reform is providing people with the ability to see a doctor. All of these factors are contributing to more demand for health services.
To take advantage of this situation, many professionals are earning a master’s degree in health sciences. A degree in health sciences is an excellent choice for health care professionals, administrators and clinicians to expand their health science skills in many areas. The number of positions you can work in with this type of degree is almost endless.
Some professionals choose to focus their health sciences studies on health policy, environmental health, public health, or health promotion. Some of the positions that you can work in with this master’s degree includes:
- Health educator: These healthcare workers educate the public about types of behaviors that promote health and wellness. They are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve health for communities and individuals. Health educators use their health sciences background to better assess the needs of the communities and people in the area, and develop new events and programs to educate people about important health topics.
- Medical and health services manager: This position may also be called healthcare executive or healthcare administrator. They are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating many types of health and medical services. Healthcare administrators may be in charge of the entire medical facility, a certain clinical department or possibly a large group of doctors. It is very important for medical and health services managers to adapt to the latest healthcare laws, technology and regulations. These administrators can work in nursing homes, clinical departments and health information roles where security of patient data is of paramount importance.
- Audiologist: Some health sciences professionals work in a clinical role, such as audiologist. They are responsible for diagnosing, managing and treating hearing disorders for patients. These professionals must use audiometers, computers and other devices to test the hearing ability and balance for each patient. They also try to determine how much hearing damage the person has and to determine the cause.
However, the health sciences field is so broad that the above just touches upon some of the options available to you. The National Consortium for Health Science Education has an extensive list of potential health sciences specialties you can focus on in your master’s studies.
Why Earn a Master’s in Health Sciences?
The field of healthcare is expanding very rapidly, and there are many clinical and administrative positions for which a health sciences degree can be very important. With the US population living longer and wanting access to better healthcare services, it makes sense that there will be a strong demand for many different health care-related jobs and fields.
A health sciences master’s degree is unusual in that it can be focused on many different subject areas, depending upon your interests and what the university offers.
You can earn a health sciences master’s degree in many different areas:
- Administration
- Clerical and health
- Audiology
- Clinical laboratory sciences
- Communication and information systems
- Counseling
- Dietetics
- Education
- EMT
- Nursing
- Mortuary science
If you have a specific type of health sciences degree focus you want to study, you just need to be sure that the university you are choosing offers that specialty. Different universities will usually focus on difference health science specialties. See How to Choose a Graduate Degree Online.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted into a master’s in health sciences and medical sciences program, you will need to meet these standards:
- 0 GPA or higher
- GRE scores in the top 20 percentile
- Resume that reflects experience in the health sciences
- Bachelor’s degree in the life sciences
- Writing samples
- Transcripts
Curriculum and Courses
You can earn your master’s in health sciences at George Washington University, and this elite university has many specialties from which you can choose. All of the options are offered through GWU’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The university offers guaranteed admission policies with community colleges in the Washington DC area, for those students who have earned an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in health sciences.
Some of the specialties in health sciences you can focus on in this two year program are:
- Bioinformatics
- Medical informations
- Clinical research administration
- Physical therapy
- Health sciences
- Occupational therapy
- Healthcare quality
- Healthcare quality
- Regulatory affairs
- Medical laboratory sciences
Core health sciences classes include:
- Psychosocial Aspects of Health and Illness
- Pathophysiology
- Health Policy and the Health Care System
- Current Issues in Bioethics
Career Outcomes and Job Titles
Given that the health sciences field is so broad, your job title depends upon the focus area you choose.
- Healthcare consultant
- Healthcare administrator
- Practice manager
- Clinical research specialist
- Director of nursing
- Facility manager
- Health and social service manager
- Regulatory affairs manager
- Audiologist
Job and Salary Outlook
- Audiologist — Employment in this field will increase by an impressive 29% by 2024, which is much faster than average. It should be noted that this is a small profession, but it is expanding rapidly, so you should see plenty of jobs in the coming years. With people getting older and living into their 80s and beyond, it is likely that more audiologists will be needed. Median salary is $74,000.
- Medical and Health Services Manager — This field will see rapid growth with 17% demand increase anticipated by 2024, which is much faster than average. The greater demand for healthcare services by our aging population will certainly create more need for healthcare workers, new facilities, and administrators to keep health care facilities running smoothly. Median pay is $94,500.
- Health Educator — Employment in this field will grow by 13% by 2023, which is faster than average. Growth is being driven by a desire among healthcare companies and employers to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce costs. By teaching people to take better care of themselves, many healthcare problems can be avoided. Median pay in this field is $51,900.
Scholarships and Grants
Strong demand for health care services means there are many options for educational funding in the health sciences. Here are two options:
- Institute of Health Sciences: This organization dedicated to the promotion of the health sciences offers a number of scholarships in many health science fields each year.
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: This university offers many scholarships in many health sciences fields, including biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and more.
Resources
- Health Sciences Association: This association represents more than 18,000 health sciences professionals in more than 275 hospitals around the country. Members work in acute care, long term care, and community health. Members across the country strive to advance modern medical care by using the most innovative tools and techniques.
- Union of Healthcare Professionals: This Canadian health care professional organization is an excellent resource of more than 24,000 health sciences professionals. This is a great way to connect with other professionals in your area of health sciences, and to continue with your education and career growth.
