{"id":5338,"date":"2025-07-18T11:45:55","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T18:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/?p=5338"},"modified":"2025-07-23T12:16:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T19:16:17","slug":"what-can-you-do-with-a-health-science-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/2025\/07\/18\/what-can-you-do-with-a-health-science-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"What can you do with a health science degree?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Health science is a broad and rapidly growing field that encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including community wellness, exercise physiology, audiology and clinical nutrition. It offers many opportunities for students interested in improving lives through health care, especially when undergraduate and graduate pathways are thoughtfully connected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Students who pursue health science degrees or follow a pre-health pathway are afforded opportunities to prepare for graduate education through participation in on-campus clinics, pre-health advising and job shadowing,” said Kelly Lootz, Pacific’s director of graduate enrollment. “These opportunities open the door for students to explore graduate and professional education options early, giving them time to ensure they apply to the right program and fit the prerequisite requirements into their undergraduate studies.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some universities offer structured pre-health pathways to guide students through their undergraduate degrees and into graduate-level training in fields such as physical therapy, dentistry, pharmacy or other health sciences. Students can even accelerate their programs of study, allowing them to graduate early and begin professional school sooner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The biggest mistake I see students make is not working with the on-campus pre-health adviser or academic counselor,” Lootz said. “These professionals will work to ensure you meet the prerequisite requirements for your chosen graduate or professional program. By meeting with them early in your undergraduate career, you can plan your program of study to fit in the prerequisites needed for your intended program.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undergraduate degrees\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Undergraduate health science programs tailored to specific areas of interest in health, wellness and medicine include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health and exercise sciences:<\/strong> This program combines biology, physiology and kinesiology to prepare students for careers in physical therapy, athletic training and medical school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human performance:<\/strong> Focused on optimizing movement and health, this major explores exercise science, performance coaching and rehabilitation science. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public health and community wellness:<\/strong> Students learn how to design and promote health programs for diverse communities, providing ideal preparation for work in public health, nonprofits and social services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speech-language pathology:<\/strong> This bachelor’s degree is the foundation for becoming a speech-language pathologist. Students are introduced to communication sciences and disorders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entry-level jobs for a bachelor’s degree in health science\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Health science majors who enter the workforce directly after their undergraduate degree can find meaningful work in clinical, community and business settings. Typical entry-level roles include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n