Health Majors in College You Probably Didn’t Know About
The healthcare sector is vast and constantly evolving, and it offers a multitude of health majors in college to suit a variety of interests.
While the familiar paths of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists come to mind first, there’s a whole world of unpopular majors and specializations waiting to be explored.
These lesser-known health majors delve into fascinating niches within the healthcare industry, offering exciting opportunities and a chance to truly make a difference.
Exploring Unique Health Majors
While some may think of healthcare careers as strictly clinical, the reality is there’s health majors in college that bridge the gap between science, technology, and human well-being.
Here’s a list of some exciting health majors in college you might not have considered:
1. Medicine, Science, and the Humanities
This major focuses on the intersection of medicine, scientific thought, and the human experience. Core curriculum might include courses in medical ethics, philosophy of healthcare, and literature and medicine. Career paths for this major could include healthcare policy, medical writing, or bioethics.
2. Natural Sciences
Many natural science majors, like biology or chemistry, can prepare you for health-related careers. But there are also specific programs in fields like environmental science or marine biology that can be a stepping stone to public health or environmental health research.
3. Nutrition
This major dives deep into the science of food and its impact on health. You’ll take courses in food chemistry, human nutrition, and dietary analysis. With a nutrition degree, you could become a registered dietitian, work in the food industry, or pursue research in nutrition science.
4. Climate Science
Climate change has a significant impact on global health. This major equips you to understand the science behind climate change and its effects on human health. You could pursue careers in environmental policy, climate change mitigation, or public health research focused on climate-related health issues.
5. Health Informatics
This rapidly growing field combines healthcare with information technology. Core courses might cover health data management, medical coding, and electronic health records. Health informatics graduates are in high demand, with career paths in healthcare data analysis, IT support for healthcare facilities, or health information systems management.
6. Plant Sciences
Plants play a vital role in medicine and health. This major delves into the world of plant biology and its applications to human well-being. You could study medicinal plants, explore plant-based nutrition, or even research the development of new plant-derived pharmaceuticals.
7. Rehabilitation Sciences/Psychology
This major explores how physical and mental health are interconnected. Core coursework could cover areas like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sports psychology. Career paths for graduates include becoming a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or rehabilitation counselor.
8. Integrated Health Studies
This holistic approach to health explores various healthcare disciplines. You might take courses in traditional medicine, alternative medicine, and health promotion. Integrated health studies graduates can pursue careers in wellness coaching, health education, or integrative medicine practices.
9. Speech, Language and Hearing Science
This major focuses on communication disorders and how to treat them. You’ll learn about speech development, swallowing disorders, and hearing loss. Career options include becoming a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or working in assistive technology for people with communication challenges.
10. Communicative Sciences and Disorders
Similar to speech-language and hearing science, this major looks at communication disorders. However, it may have a broader scope, encompassing areas like language processing and social communication. Career paths include becoming a speech-language pathologist, working in educational settings with children with communication disorders, or research in communication sciences.
11. Animal and Veterinary Biosciences
This major combines animal science with a strong foundation in biology. You’ll learn about animal anatomy, physiology, and disease. Career paths could include working in veterinary medicine, animal research, or the animal pharmaceutical industry.
12. Biological Systems Engineering
This major applies engineering principles to biological systems. Core courses might cover areas like biomechanics, biomaterials, and artificial organs. With a degree in biological systems engineering, you could work on developing medical devices, prosthetics, or other healthcare technologies.
13. Food Science
Food science is all about the science behind food production and safety. You’ll learn about food chemistry, food microbiology, and food processing. This major can lead to careers in food product development, food safety inspection, or food quality control.
This is just a taste of the many exciting health majors in college available. So, if you’re interested in a healthcare career that’s different from the traditional path, explore these options and do your own research!
Value in these Unique Health Majors in College
While a traditional doctor or nurse path is a noble pursuit, unique health majors in college offer a distinct advantage: adaptability and diverse skillsets. These unique programs equip you not only with healthcare knowledge, but also with skills that are valuable across different industries.
Imagine having a background in health informatics that allows you to analyze data not just in healthcare, but in other sectors as well. Or, consider how a degree in Climate Science combined with public health could position you for a fulfilling career tackling environmental challenges that impact global health. Many of these majors even offer opportunities for specialization, allowing you to tailor your education to your specific interests.
The value of these unique skillsets is skyrocketing in the healthcare industry. As the field becomes more data-driven and technology-focused, there’s a growing demand for professionals with expertise in health informatics, biological systems engineering, and other specialized areas. The emphasis on preventive and holistic healthcare also means graduates from programs like Nutrition or Integrated Health Studies are highly sought-after.
So if you’re interested in healthcare, just know there’s a lot more careers and opportunities than the traditional clinical paths!
