Would I Benefit from a Master’s in Health Science If I Already have a Bachelor’s in Health Science?

If you have a bachelor’s degree in health science, you should have no problem securing an entry-level position found in the healthcare industry. With this type of degree, you are also well-prepared to earn your master’s degree. You may be wondering if there are any advantages gained from earning your master’s. The answer is, yes. From a pay increase to the opening of many career doors, you should definitely pursue your master’s if you have the time and monetary funds to do so. Let’s take a close look at two different professions you can enter into with a graduate degree as well as their accompanying salary levels.

Biostatistician

If you are wanting to become a biostatistician, you will definitely need to earn a master’s degree in health science. In this line of work, you will spend your time analyzing statistical data that relates to various health-related issues. You will likely find employment through a state health department, the federal government or at some type of research company. If you choose to earn a master’s degree in health science that specializes in this profession, you will take courses that focus on the following topics:

– Ethics
– Epidemiology
– Social sciences
– Advanced statistics
– Public health protection
– Health technology evaluation
– Public health
– Probability
– Social research methods
– Academic research

Your pay level as a biostatistician will be based upon your employer; however, you will likely make somewhere around $79,570 a year. If you secure a position working for a medical equipment manufacturer, you may find yourself making upwards of $90,000 a year.

Environmental Health Scientist

Another great reason that you will want to earn your master’s in health science is to pursue the career of an environmental health scientist. As this type of professional, you will spend your time creating interventions that can be carried out to help protect the earth from a wide range of contaminants. As you earn your master’s degree, you can choose to specialize in a number of concentrations, including food protection or pesticide management. Either one of these concentrations will help you as you follow the career path of an environmental health scientist. The coursework that you will complete during your master’s program will focus on:

– Microbiology
– Environmental health sciences
– Public health
– Statistics
– Physics
– Toxicology
– Industrial hygiene

Your pay level as an environmental health scientist will likely be somewhere around $62,000 a year; this is much higher than the amount of money that you can make with a bachelor’s degree in health science.

With a bachelor’s degree in health science, you have a great chance at obtaining an entry-level job in the health science industry. On the other hand, with a master’s degree, your employment opportunities will be expanded. Furthermore, your income level will likely be increased compared to what you make with your bachelor’s degree.