For many undergraduate students, a degree in science has appeal, as it can be a great jumping-off point for students interested in pursuing any number of careers. However, for those contemplating a career in health and wellness, the best choice is undoubtedly a Health Science degree.

If you are wondering, “Is a Health Science degree worth it?”, read on. Here are four advantages you should know about if you’re considering a future in health.

1. A Focus on Health Outcomes

A Health Science degree is uniquely different from other science degrees such as biology, physics, or chemistry. Those degrees are highly specific in their scope. By contrast, a degree in Health Science focuses on all topics related to health. This type of science degree concentrates on health problems and outcomes. It encompasses both natural and behavioral sciences.

A Health Science degree program builds upon a foundation of courses in general education, biology, and chemistry, as well as major-specific courses like medical terminology, biostatistics, research, and epidemiology. Students in a Health Science degree program can typically select an area of concentration. At University of Bridgeport, these concentration areas include:

• Community Health Education: Students in this area of concentration are prepared to enter a career path benefitting the health of members of their communities. Students learn ways to protect and promote the health of the public. Graduates of this program are eligible to earn a Community Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
• Exercise and Fitness: Graduates of this concentration area are qualified to work in wellness centers or physical rehabilitation centers. Students are trained to understand the basics of kinesiology, body mechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, and overall fitness. Classes in this concentration area include Biomechanics, Strength and Conditioning, Kinesiology, Human Nutrition, and more.
• Nutrition: The Health Science degree with a concentration in Nutrition gives students an understanding of metabolism, nutrition, and a healthy diet. Graduates of this program will be skilled in promoting overall wellness for both individual clients and groups.
• Pre-Professional Healthcare: This degree track allows students to diversify their credits from among various Health Sciences courses. Students in this track will complete the Health Sciences program core and general education credits. They’ll be able to prepare for admission to a Health Sciences graduate program upon completion of this program.

2. A Strong Foundation in Science

If you harbor curiosity around the human body and human health, then the pursuit of a narrowly focused degree such as biology or chemistry won’t serve you well. By earning a degree in Health Science, you’ll gain a strong understanding of all the scientific disciplines, as well as research skills. Regardless of their area of concentration, all Health Science students must take classes in biostatistics, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, research methods, and math. These courses adequately prepare students for a variety of careers and academic outcomes.

3. Versatility

As the Health Science degree provides, at the minimum, a broad understanding of science and research, graduates are highly versatile and well-prepared for a number of exciting careers. By choosing a concentration, of course, students can stand apart from their colleagues as they will have attained a high level of expertise. Here are just a few of the careers graduates of a Health Science program can explore:

Health Educator

Health education specialists work to develop programs, events, and materials to teach people about health. They may be called upon to evaluate the effectiveness of existing health education programs and to provide training to community health workers. They may also collect and analyze data regarding a specific community’s health outcomes. The median annual wage for community health workers and educators was $42,000 in 2020. Government health educators earned $59,070, on average, in 2020. Salary can depend on the employer, level of experience, and location.

Patient Care Advocate

Patient advocates serve as a liaison between patients and their healthcare providers. They visit patients in clinical facilities or in their homes to discuss current treatment plans. Patient advocates must take into consideration their patients’ economic status and negotiate with doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies to set reasonable care prices for their clients. They may also review their clients’ patient paperwork to make sure that all details wherein are accurate and complete. On average, patient advocates are paid an hourly rate, however, that pay rate can depend on location, experience level, and type of employer.

Pharmacy Sales Representative

Pharmacy sales representatives work for pharmaceutical manufacturers to educate doctors about their products. Representatives must have excellent interpersonal skills and a strong knowledge of their products in order to sell and distribute their products to physicians. The salary of a pharmaceutical sales representative is frequently reliant on how successful they are in their sales endeavors. However, the median annual salary of a pharmaceutical sales representative is $81,500.

4. Preparation for Graduate School

For those considering a long-term career in healthcare,   is likely to be in the future. Whether you’re interested in becoming a health educator or a healthcare administrator, public health officer or even a nurse, a Health Science degree is wonderful preparation for advanced studies. With a strong basis in human biology, nutrition, and anatomy, a Health Science degree prepares students for graduate research, graduate assistantships, and graduate-level coursework.

Is a Health Science degree worth it? If a career in healthcare or graduate studies appeals to you, the answer is an undoubted “yes.” Health Science provides students with a strong foundation in general science, human health, and statistics, preparing graduates for a variety of exciting careers in healthcare as well as eventual graduate study, should that interest them. Should healthcare interest you, it’s an ideal time to explore the possibilities a Health Science degree can afford you.

Is a degree in Health Science right for you? Learn more about University of Bridgeport’s bachelor’s in Health Science, here!