Looking for a career in health science, but not interested in becoming a medical doctor? Consider a Doctor of Health Science degree (DHSc). This degree refines your interests and skills as a healthcare professional, and a Doctor of Health Science program is not limited to supporting your professional growth.
Plus, a Doctor of Health Science program can also be a great way to drive meaningful change in healthcare delivery through specialization in specific areas. Understanding the various DHSc careers can help you refine your academic and professional goals.
Top Doctor of Health Science careers
DHSc careers are diverse, offering opportunities across many healthcare settings. Graduates find fulfilling careers in clinical administration, conduct research, or specialize in health policy development. Through the DHSc program’s learning outcomes, students advance their skills and specialization using evidence-based practice, up-to-date healthcare policy, leadership lessons, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
As a student in a Doctor of Health Science program, you will prepare to not only manage complex healthcare approaches but also make meaningful changes through your niche.
Programs need people who have experience in the field who can bridge clinical expertise with strategic leadership. This has expanded opportunities for DHSc degree holders in both traditional healthcare settings and emerging fields. Take a look at the following Doctor of Health Science careers.
University professor
One of the most prominent and prospective careers with an online Doctor of Health Science degree is teaching as a university professor. These roles go beyond traditional classroom teaching to include mentoring students, developing and refining curricula or programs, conducting research, and contributing to academic publishing.
Health science professionals often teach future healthcare providers and design educational programs, while others focus on broader social and community health issues. Many also bring experience from related fields, such as counseling, social work, or public health services, which enriches their approach to teaching and program development.
These roles allow DHSc graduates to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals while influencing the standards and practices of their field. The median salary from 2024 is $105,620, but top earners made $199,520.
Clinical practice leader
Another DHSc-related role is being a clinical practice leader. These professionals oversee different healthcare operations in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and specialized medical organizations. They also play a key role in maintaining compliance with healthcare laws and regulations, overseeing budgets, and implementing policies that keep facilities running smoothly.
Additionally, they coordinate patient care delivery, manage staff and departments, and develop policies and procedures to improve service quality. In this way, they bridge the gap between healthcare providers, patients, and the larger organizational system.
Furthermore, the career outlook for this field is exceptionally strong. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 29%, which is much faster than average. The median salary for health services managers was $117,960 in 2024, but top earners made over $219,080 in 2024.
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Academic researcher
Another exciting opportunity within DHSc careers is that you can specialize in certain topics and become an academic researcher. In this type of career, your primary role would involve advancing medicine, critically analyzing complex data, and translating those findings into practice, which requires balancing scientific inquiry with practical application.
Beyond running studies, you’d also evaluate the quality of evidence and identify gaps in current medical knowledge, making you responsible for communicating with clinical teams toward adopting interventions that are both effective and sustainable.
Employment in this field is projected to grow 11% over the next decade, substantially faster than the average for all occupations. Plus, the median annual wage for medical scientists in 2024 was $100,590, while top earners made around $168,210.
Public health leader
A public health leader who’s completed a Doctor of Health Science program is essentially a professional educator for the general public. The main responsibilities include influencing community health outcomes and shaping policies to address public health challenges, such as substance abuse, disease prevention, and family planning.
Public health leaders often work across government agencies, healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and private-sector companies. The healthcare industry needs people who understand current policy and practice in healthcare.
The occupation’s growth is projected to grow 9%, faster than the average for all occupations, with a median annual salary of $49,370 for those just starting out, and the top 10% of earners making $112,900.
Nonprofit health director
A nonprofit health director leads organizations focused on health services, community outreach, and advocacy. Key responsibilities include strategic planning, fundraising and grant writing, program oversight, staff management, and ensuring organizational alignment with the mission. Directors use their clinical knowledge with business strategy.
Professionals in this role help expand access to healthcare and public health resources, often serving underserved populations. The occupation’s growth is expected to increase by 8%. Salaries vary by sector, but program directors earn around $78,240 annually, whereas higher-end earners make $129,820.
Health Policy Advisor
Health policy advisors are analysts of healthcare systems. Using their findings, they develop policy recommendations and help government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms make informed decisions. DHSc graduates who specialize in health policy need to have perspective, clinical understanding, and analytical skills as they often specialize in specific areas such as public health policy, healthcare finance, quality improvement, or regulatory affairs.
Health policy advisors’ work directly influences how healthcare is delivered, regulated, and funded at institutional and governmental levels. Salaries in healthcare consulting vary widely depending on specialization, employer, and experience level, but they are often highly competitive.
Employment is projected to grow 8.8% through 2033, driven by increasing regulatory complexity and demand for data-driven policy solutions. Salaries in healthcare consulting vary widely depending on specialization, employer, and experience, but they are often highly competitive and can be quite lucrative. For instance, the median annual salary is $91,660.
Doctor of Health Science careers: shape your future with UB
UB’s 61-credit Doctor of Health Science degree includes flexible weekend and online formats, designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers without putting anything on pause. With a long tradition of innovation in Health Sciences education and a supportive community of expert faculty and peers, UB prepares you to expand your professional influence and make a lasting impact on the future of healthcare.