What Is the Best Major in Health Science

   Health science is a broad, growing major that

 applies science, technology, and health to ensure

 optimal health outcomes. 

If you are interested in working as a health care

 professional but have no clue where to start,

 you can ask:

*What is the best health science major?*

The short answer: **it depends on what you want to do.** Don't worry—we're here to help

 you sort that out.

### What is Health Science as a Discipline?

Health science encompasses a wide range of

 disciplines focused on improving human health.

 Whether you’re interested in working in a

 hospital, a lab, a classroom, or even behind a

 computer, there’s likely a major that suits your

 interests and strengths.

### Top Health Science Majors (and Who They’re

 Best For)

#### 1. **Biology / Pre-Medicine**

- **Best for:** Aspiring doctors, dentists, or

 medical researchers.

- **Key subjects:** Anatomy, cell biology,

 genetics, organic chemistry.

- **Why it's great:** Sets students up for

 competitive medical degrees.

- **Challenges:** Demanding work and typically

 followed by postgraduate study.

#### 2. **Nursing**

- **Best for:** Students looking for a stable,

 hands-on profession dealing with patients.

- **Key subjects:** Patient care, pharmacology,

 clinical skills, ethics.

- **Why it's great:** Reasonable demand, good

 pay, and flexible career options.

- **Bonus:** Can result in nurse practitioner,

 midwife, or teacher positions.

#### 3. **Public Health**

- **Best for:** Students who are interested in

 community health, disease prevention, and

 policy.

- **Key topics:** Epidemiology, health

 communication, global health, statistics.

- **Why it's great:** Career possibilities with

 government, NGOs, and international

 organizations.

####

- **Best for:** Aspiring healthcare leaders and

 business students.

- **Key topics:** Healthcare systems,

 management, finance, health policy.

- **Why it's great:** You can make a significant

 difference working behind the scenes, making

 care more effective.

#### 5. **Kinesiology / Exercise Science**

- **Perfect for:** Students interested in sports,

 fitness, or rehab.

- **Major topics:** Biomechanics, sport

 psychology, physiology, nutrition.

- **Why it's great:** Can open up careers in

 physical therapy, athletic training, or wellness

 coaching.

#### 6. **Health Informatics / Health

 Information Management**

- **Perfect for:** Students who are passionate

 about technology and wish to work at the nexus

 of data and healthcare.

- **Key subjects:** Electronic health records,

 data analytics, medical coding.

- **Why it's great:** Amazing demand in

 telemedicine and digital health.

#### 7. **Evaluation for Occupational Therapy or

 Physical Therapy**

- **Ideal for:** Students with a desire to help

 patients overcome disability or injury.

- **Key subjects:** Anatomy, human

 development, rehabilitation sciences.

- **Why it's great:** Job satisfaction and

 improved career opportunities.

#### 8. **Nutrition / Dietetics

- **Best for:** Students with an interest in food,

 health, and wellness.

- **Major subjects:** Human nutrition,

 metabolism, diet planning.

- **Why it's great:** Preventive care is a key

 component of the registered dietician's role.

### New Health Science Majors

When it comes to the future of healthcare, the

 following new majors become more and more

 applicable:

- **Genetic Counseling:** Perfect for students

 who like DNA, genetic disease, and personalized

 medicine.

- **Global Health:** For students who will be

 working abroad.

- **Behavioral Science / Mental Health:**

 Increasingly significant as know-how and

 demand increase.

### What to Look For When Choosing

1. **Your Interests:** Tech-savvy vs. people-

savvy vs. science-savvy.

2. **Career Goals:** Clinical, research,

 administration, or policy?

3. **Path of Study:** Advanced degrees

 necessary in certain areas.

4. **Job Outlook:** Identify areas with strong

 growth potential (e.g., health IT and nursing).

5. **Work Setting:** Hospital, clinic, office, lab,

 or fieldwork?

### Final Words: What's *Best* Is What's Best for

 *You***

The best health science major is one that

 matches your interest, skill, and career goal.

 Some students excel in clinics where they can

 get their hands dirty, and some students are at

 their best working with data in public health or

 informatics. There are lots of opportunities in

 health science—see them, discuss with advisors

 or professionals, and pick a career that excites

 you.

Would you prefer that I do this in downloadable

 PDF, infographic, or blog post form? Or would

 you rather have me compare two particular

 majors that you are looking to compare?