Online Health Science
Degree Programs

A degree in health science can lead to a rewarding career in the healthcare industry, or to more advanced studies in the field. Review top schools and learn the ins and outs of this popular degree option.

Today’s Best Online Degree Programs in Health Science

It can be difficult to find the school for you, whether you plan to study the health sciences or something else entirely. But if a degree in HS is on your radar, identifying the program that fits your needs is key. But what do you look for and why? The team at EduMed has researched and analyzed accreditation, cost, curricula, flexibility, and student and career services at health science programs across the country to see which offer the best opportunities online. See which schools and programs made the grade for 2020.

Arizona State University – ASU Online

Arizona State University takes pride in its wide selection of flexible online learning programs available. In fact, ASU Online offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs fully through distance learning. One such program is the Online Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Science.

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the program requires 19 total classes, with each class lasting approximately 7.5 weeks. What makes this program unique is that it can be completed very quickly; it’s designed for students who already have an associate of applied science degree and wish to earn their bachelor’s degree. Health science coursework will build off of the 60 credit hours already obtained from the student’s prior associate degree coursework. It includes courses such as:

  • Fundamentals of Wellness
  • Health Communication
  • Global Health Care Systems
  • Complementary Health Care
  • Legal Issues in Health Care

All these classes must be completed with at least a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and a student’s overall GPA must be at least a 2.0 to graduate. Arizona residents can expect to save approximately $2,000 per year in tuition and fees, assuming they’re taking a 12 credit hour course load.

Indiana University

Walden University

Choosing Your Online Health Science Degree Program

Picking the right program is different for everyone. Where one student’s needs more affordable tuition, another may be more focused on flexibility. Despite the personal nature of this decision, there are certain factors that every student should think about before applying to online health science programs. Make sure each program you’re vetting does the following:

Fits your budget

There’s no point in enrolling in a program you can’t afford or will leave you with a debt following graduation that you will be unable to pay back. Don’t just focus on tuition, but other things can affect cost of attendance, such as fees and the availability of financial aid.

Has proper accreditation

Accreditation is the process by which an independent body confirms that a school or program meets basic educational quality standards. At a minimum, prospective students should confirm that their chosen school has at least regional or institutional accreditation. Without accreditation, the degree earned may be almost worthless.

Fits your schedule and career timeline

Online programs are known for their flexibility, but some programs make it easier to fit learning into a work or life schedule. Some programs make it easier to graduate at a faster or slower pace. Before enrolling, ensure a particular program’s online format will fit your schedule and professional goals.

Matches your interests and desired career outcomes

Health science is a fairly specialized degree, but there are variables within the degree program designed to tailor it to your unique professional or academic interests. For example, one program might offer a specialization that another does not. Or, it might make sense to earn a health science degree at the graduate level as opposed to the undergraduate level.

Qualifies you for professional certification

If you hope to earn a special certification or license, there might be specific education requirements. Be sure the school you’re interested in will prepare you to obtain that professional qualification or certification. Otherwise, you may find yourself back in school, delaying you professional advancement or missing out on certain opportunities.

Offers a strong student support system

Distance learning requires a significant amount of self-discipline. However, it’s very beneficial to have easy access to academic and professional support. Questions come up and problems arise; when they do, you want to be sure you’ll have someone easily accessible to help you figure things out.

Earning Your Health Science Degree Online

When enrolled in an online health science program, experiences can vary. For instance, some programs will be 100% online while others will be mostly or partially online. The exact amount of online classes will depend not only on the particular program, but on area of specialization.

Additionally, there will be varying degrees of flexibility. Some students will have almost complete control in how and when they take their classes, while others will have more structure in completing their academic requirements. Some things will be universal, however: for instance, one common feature among many health science programs can be found at the master’s level, with the capstone project. Students can expect to complete this project and demonstrate their understanding of the health science field by applying their knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Online Health Science Degrees by Level

Health science is a popular area of study, so it’s no wonder there are various degrees available for both graduate and undergraduate students. The three most popular health science degrees can be found at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Let’s take a closer look.

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Online Associate Degree in Health Science

An online associate degree in health science is a great opportunity to gain a solid foundation in the field while still exploring more specific educational paths. The curriculum often focuses on providing a foundational level of knowledge that can be applied to a variety of medical and health settings. Many programs also provide opportunities for specialization for support, administrative, or technical roles in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. Upon completion, graduates should have the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a healthcare team and move on to a more advanced degree later if they so choose.

Best for … anyone looking to gain a basic understanding of the health care field, yet wants to keep the option of earning a bachelor’s degree later on.

Program Requirements

Total Credits:
60 or 90

Other Common Requirements:
In addition to core or major related courses, students will take general education classes that comprise of roughly half of their total credits needed for graduation.

Time to Complete

Part-Time Program: 2-3 Years

Full-Time Program: 1.5-2 Years

Popular Career Options

Medical Assistant

National Median Salary (2018):
$33,610

National Job Growth (2018 to 2028):
23%

Job Level:
Entry-Level

Pharmacy Technician

National Median Salary (2018):
$32,700

National Job Growth (2018 to 2028):
7%

Job Level:
Entry-Level

Learn more about online associate degree programs in health science
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Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Health Science

The online bachelor’s is one of the most popular health sciences degree tracks. The four-year degree allows graduates to meet the basic education eligibility requirements for many healthcare positions. It also delivers a well-rounded general education to accompany the more specialized coursework. And finally, it sets the stage for further learning later on, such as with a master’s degree. The core curriculum provides an extensive amount of healthcare training, with students learning basic knowledge from microbiology to health informatics to public health. When done with their degree, students should be prepared for taking on a number of roles in teaching, administration, management, and healthcare delivery.

Best for … someone who wishes to begin their career at more advanced levels, including teaching and management.

Program Requirements

Total Credits:
120 or 180

Other Common Requirements:
Students will encounter an extensive general education curriculum. Some programs may require a final capstone project that applies classroom knowledge to a real-world situation.

Time to Complete

Part-Time Program: 5-6 Years

Full-Time Program: 2-4 Years

(Note that the time to completion depends upon whether the student already has an associate degree)

Popular Career Options

Community Health Worker

National Median Salary (2018):
$39,540

National Job Growth (2018 to 2028):
13%

Job Level:
Entry-Level

Health Services Manager

National Median Salary (2018):
$99,730

National Job Growth (2018 to 2028):
18%

Job Level:
Mid-Level

Get more info about online bachelor’s degree programs in health science
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Online Master’s Degrees in Health Science

Online health science master’s programs cover theoretical and strategic topics, such as leadership, policy and ethics. They also help to cultivate advanced skills, such as writing, research, and statistical analysis. Students also have the opportunity to specialize during their master’s program, diving deeper into areas such as environmental analysis, biostatistics, and ethics of healthcare.

Best for … established professionals who want to take the next step in their professional development in a health science field.

Program Requirements

Total Credits:
30 to 36

Other Common Requirements:
Many programs require students to complete a capstone project that contains a practicum element. This may require students to work under the supervision of a faculty member while working within an organizational environment to address a particular issue for a specific community.

Time to Complete

Part-Time Program: 2-3 Years

Full-Time Program: 1.5-2 Years

Popular Career Options

Social and Community Service Manager

National Median Salary (2018):
$65,320

National Job Growth (2018 to 2028):
13%

Job Level:
Mid-Level

Health Educator

National Median Salary (2018):
$54,220

National Job Growth (2018 to 2028):
10%

Job Level:
Mid-Level

Find online health science master’s programs and get degree information

Financial Aid for Your Online Health Science Degree

Earning a health science degree is a significant investment. In addition to tuition, there can be fees, room and board, parking, books, and more. Fortunately, there are ways to help drive these costs down so you don’t need to reach into your savings to pay for them. If you’re ready to apply for an online health science degree, explore scholarships and research financial aid before you get started.

Health Science Degree & Career Resources

To make the most of your health science degree, it helps to know the right people and have access to helpful resources. Establishing connections in school can provide a valuable head start for professional development.

Professional Health Science Organizations

Connecting with the right professional organization can provide guidance on not just choosing the most appropriate academic path while in school, but can also make it easier to achieve your professional goals. These organizations can introduce you to areas of practice you never considered or open doors to job prospects you wouldn’t otherwise have.

Resources for Health Science Students & Professionals

Whether you’re looking to succeed in school or in your chosen field of work, having access to information and individuals who know something you don’t is priceless. Numerous websites and organizations have a wealth of information to help you ace that next exam, understand course material, learn about a potential career or provide a few ideas on making the most of your upcoming networking event.