Designed with experienced healthcare professionals in mind, the health studies degree program allows students to expand their foundation in healthcare and develop the actionable skills required for a wide range of health studies careers. From clinical support positions to public health roles, discover the various healthcare professions you could pursue when you earn a health studies degree.
A health studies degree is an undergraduate program designed for professionals who work in the healthcare industry or those who want to establish a solid foundation in the field. This innovative academic program enables students to leverage their previous professional or clinical experience and gain specialized knowledge in niche areas of health studies.
Health studies is distinct from other areas of study in that it is designed for students who have prior healthcare experience — and a minimum of one clinical certificate is required for this program. On the other hand, other health majors provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical learning experiences in a specific area of health. In most cases, these do not require prior clinical experience.
The core competencies developed throughout a health studies program include:
Health studies programs build upon prior clinical experience, yet they open the doors to a number of clinical and non-clinical health studies careers. Through its holistic, interdisciplinary curriculum, the health studies program allows students to explore a variety of career pathways.
With an emphasis on holism skills to assess healthcare issues, health studies programs uniquely prepare students for careers in public health and population wellness.
Community health workers and public health educators work to provide people with accurate health information and improve access to health resources. According to the BLS, health education specialists often develop specialized programs to elevate the quality of life for people within a specific community.
Epidemiology assistants and other health program coordinators often assist scientists and researchers who work in the healthcare field. By collecting data, working to uncover patterns and creating reports, these program coordinators can have a significant impact on public health initiatives.
The field of public health expands beyond healthcare and includes environmental health. Health professionals in disease prevention roles may be responsible for collecting and monitoring community data as well as working in the field to enhance environmental health within a community.
Those who are passionate about reducing the health equity gap and improving healthcare policy within a community may be interested in advocacy pathways.
Health policy analysts and legislative assistants work for government agencies and organizations in order to evaluate existing health policy and offer ideas for improvements. These roles require individuals to have a strong foundation in health studies and a passion for boosting community health as a whole.
Depending on their focus area, nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) may employ health advocates who collaborate with government leaders and legislative aides in order to raise awareness about the importance of healthcare access and availability of resources within a community.
Those with clinical experience in healthcare may have the opportunity to explore administrative and management roles in which they can have a direct impact on organizational culture at the facility as well as the patient experience.
Medical and health services managers oversee operations at healthcare facilities, including clinics, hospitals or agencies. Responsible for implementing the budget, managing staff and improving the patient experience, healthcare administrators play a vital role in the modern healthcare landscape.
Patient experience specialists and care coordinators are responsible for connecting patients with the personalized services and resources they need in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. These roles can be particularly rewarding, as they allow health professionals to connect with the patients that they serve.
Operations and compliance specialists are employed by health systems to ensure that all the healthcare facilities they encompass remain in compliance with industry regulations and guidelines. Due to the ever-changing nature of these regulations, operations and compliance specialists must be organized and detail-oriented.
With an emphasis on health promotion and holistic wellness, health education and outreach careers offer healthcare professionals an opportunity to share their passion for well-being with those around them.
Responsible for creating and implementing programs that boost mental and physical well-being, corporate wellness and health promotion specialists are able to leverage their health studies knowledge in creative and compelling ways.
Health communications specialists and outreach coordinators work to create accurate and digestible content that improves access to health information within a specific community. With the goal of raising awareness and reducing the health equity gap, outreach coordinators use both traditional media and digital communication tools to share information.
Knowing that people need access to accurate information about their health and well-being throughout their lives, K-12 and college health educators work to develop curriculum programming that delivers an engaging and interactive learning experience for students.
The health studies curriculum builds upon clinical experience so that students can develop the advanced skills necessary to pursue specialized clinical support roles and other allied health pathways.
Throughout the health studies program, students can begin preparing for advanced roles in the healthcare field — such as physician's assistant (PA) positions, occupational therapy (OT) roles or nursing jobs. These advanced healthcare roles typically require additional education, professional experience and certification, but a health studies program can provide a foundation to build upon.
These professionals work to assist healthcare providers and enhance the patient experience overall. Medical scribes use advanced technology to transcribe voice recordings from healthcare professionals and generate formal reports.
Due to the broad scope of a health studies program, this degree can serve as an educational basis for students who want to continue on to graduate school. Most graduate degree programs for health professions require students to have an undergraduate degree in a related field (like health studies).
Designed for healthcare professionals seeking career growth opportunities, health studies programs feature a skills-based curriculum — enabling graduates to develop a range of transferable skills, such as:
The interdisciplinary coursework for this program instills a solid understanding of the healthcare field and the complex challenges facing the modern healthcare industry. Throughout their courses, students apply critical thinking skills as they assess today's leading healthcare issues.
With an emphasis on intercultural responsiveness, this program allows students to build a strong sense of cultural awareness. Honing techniques for how to communicate and interact with people of all backgrounds, graduates are equipped to make an impact in the communities they serve.
Throughout the program, students begin to naturally develop their leadership skills as they engage in hands-on learning experiences. The coursework highlights the importance of ethical decision-making within health contexts, helping students recognize their own role as a change agent in healthcare.
A health studies program can help kickstart what becomes a lasting career in healthcare. By assessing your goals and evaluating your personal interests in the health field, you can carve out your own path forward.
Within a health studies program like the one offered at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), you have the opportunity to select among multiple pathways: Health and Wellness, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Language and Health Profession Studies. These areas of focus help you tailor your education to align with your career goals.
Professional internships and volunteer experiences can complement your educational experience as you engage in hands-on learning during which you can see the impact of health studies careers in real-world environments. Through internships and volunteer efforts, you can also discover which areas of the healthcare field interest you most.
A health studies program provides you with a strong foundation in healthcare. However, you might consider further specializing through certification or graduate degree programs for advanced healthcare professions.
While many degree programs equip students with the specific skills required for a singular field or professional position, the health studies degree sets itself apart from most traditional undergraduate programs. This flexible and versatile program helps you build upon your existing clinical experience and develop the skills transferable to many health studies careers.
At NMC, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies designed for healthcare professionals entering the field and striving to achieve their career goals. Preparing you with the competencies needed for a diverse range of health studies careers, this flexible and versatile degree program offers four distinct pathways — so you can tailor your educational experience to meet your career goals. Apply now to our health studies program.
Sources
https://www.methodistcollege.edu/health-professions/bachelor-degree/health-studies
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-transcriptionists.htm