Online Health Services Degree Programs

Online Health Services Degree Programs

Health services are a large and very important field. Online health services degree programs provide students with a solid educational foundation on the general concepts of health and applied science. Students can choose from many different specialties to pursue a lucrative career in many different areas. Students are prepared to deal with health service personnel, management state and federal departments that cover health services, and handle finances of health organizations. Read more about online health services degree programs.

Some Stats

In 2006, there were 2,707 bachelor degrees, 176 master degrees, and 7 doctorate degrees conferred in general health services/allied health/health sciences (1). In 2006, there were 14 million jobs in the health services industry (2). Medical and health services managers held 262,000 jobs (3). According to Payscale.com, health care services professionals earned average annual salaries from about $41,000 to $80,000 depending on degree, position, and field (4).

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook for health services jobs varies greatly on degree, field and position. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow faster than average for all professions from 2006 to 2016, increasing 16% and adding 43,000 new jobs (3). Medical and health services managers with 1 to 4 years experience earned average annual salaries between $46,452 and $70,310 (5).

Specialties

Health services are vast areas that include many different fields. Students can choose from many different specialties including health services administration, mental health services, nursing, health services management, public policy and administration, health services administration, community health, health and human behavior, health promotion and education, counseling, emergency services, and health services systems. There are a variety of choices and students who are interested in a particular specialty should choose schools that offer a strong program in the particular area of interest.

What to Expect

Health services degree programs provide students with a solid educational background on health services. Undergraduate health services degree programs require general education courses in English, mathematics, history, science, composition, and electives. Core coursework varies by program and specialization, but most programs require courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, health ethics, sociology, economics, accounting, public health, health policy, health law, health policy, and health administration. Many programs also require laboratory and clinical experience. Graduate degree programs focus on more in-depth study and prepare students for higher level positions in many different areas such as teaching and research.

The End Result

Health services degree provides students with a wide variety of career opportunities in many different areas. Health services graduates typically pursue positions in hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing care facilities, dentists’ offices, outpatient care centers, home healthcare facilities, and diagnostic laboratories. Careers for health services degree graduates include:

A career in health services will be rewarding for individuals who have a strong interest in the health field and wish to maintain the wellness of communities. Health services professionals combine human compassion and some of the most highly developed and innovative medical technologies that are currently available. They use their educational background and expertise to make an effective difference to the health care field.

(1) SOURCE: U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics
(2) SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career Guide to Industries
(3) SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition
(4) SOURCE: Payscale.com, Salary Survey for Industry: Health Care Services
(5) SOURCE: Payscale.com, Salary Survey Report