by our College Data Analytics TeamThe Health Professions field is a large field with many different occupations available to students. If you are interested in pursing a career where you can work with other patients, assist medical professionals, or provide unique medical services, consider majoring in one of this field's areas of specialization.
Students in the Health Professions field will take a variety of classes that focus on their area of study. In addition, almost any major in this field can expect to take classes in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, psychology, medical terminology, health care systems, public health, and medical law and ethics.
Within the Health Professions field are many unique specialties. One of the most popular fields is that of Nursing, a program where students are prepared to assist doctors in the diagnosis, treatment and healing of patients.
Students interested in assisting a dentist in dental work or oral surgery may major in Dental Support Services, while those more interested in the health of animals and pets can major in Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Services.
A major in the Allied Health Professions prepares students for a variety of careers in everything from cardiovascular technology, to physician assistant or athletic trainer.
Students who want a good preparation for further education can major in Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences in order to become a pharmacist. Or, if your dream is to become a medical doctor, you can major in Health/Medical Prep which prepares students for medical school.
For students interested in alternative health, there are plenty of programs available in this field. Some of these include Alternative Medicine and Systems, Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services and others. Explore all the majors available to find the one that is of most interest to you.
In 2020-2021, health professions was the 2nd most popular major nationwide with 977,800 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 43,712 over the prior year, a growth of 4.5%.
Our 2023 Best Health Professions Schools ranking analyzes 2136 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for health professions students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of health professions programs later in this article.
Students who pursue a degree in Health Professions should have strong interpersonal and communication skills. You will be working closely with patients and must keep them relaxed and comfortable of your skills. Students who are successful in this field also have strong critical and analytical skills. As a medical professional, you must observe patients' symptoms and decide how to best treat them. Attention to detail will ensure you properly note all observations and help patients who are in pain or ill.
Depending on the career path you would like to pursue, you may have to receive an advanced education, certification, or licensing in your field. Students who intern, work summer jobs, or participate in summer field programs will be able to work closely with health professionals and learn what is required for a successful career in that field.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional health professions certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Health Professions degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in health professions to something that takes less time like a . Health Professions programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to health professions, with approximately 21.7% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for health professions workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 21.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.5% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 16.6% |
| High School Diploma | 10.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 8.9% |
Most workers in health professions have at least a bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in health professions have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the health professions career you are seeking.
Health Professions graduates work in a variety of health related occupations. Many are employed at hospitals, while other work in clinics, medical centers, physicians' offices, nursing homes, schools, veterinary clinics, and in the armed forces. A degree in this field prepares students to aid the public and provide medical services to those who need it.
Want a job when you graduate with your health professions degree? Health Professions careers are expected to grow 17.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to health professions.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 3,393,200 | 14.8% |
| Personal Care Aides | 2,793,800 | 38.6% |
| Nursing Assistants | 1,683,700 | 11.5% |
| Office and Administrative Support Worker Supervisors | 1,557,400 | 3.4% |
| Home Health Aides | 1,342,700 | 47.3% |
Recently graduated health professions students earned an average of $47,839 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $4,880 to as high as $248,696. As you might expect, salaries for health professions graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for health professions graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers health professions grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $242,370 |
| Orthodontists | $225,760 |
| Family and General Practitioners | $211,780 |
| Physicians and Surgeons | $203,880 |
| Prosthodontists | $191,400 |
With over 36,606 different health professions degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased health professions school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 322,592 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 89,359 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 84,492 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 84,274 |
| Allied Health Professions | 82,308 |
