If you want to make a difference in the rewarding field of healthcare, then you might consider pursuing a certificate in health science.
A certificate program could be beneficial if you want to continue your education but don’t want to commit to an on campus or online health science degree program.
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Healthcare is a rapidly expanding field, and more healthcare workers will be needed in the near term. A certificate in health science can give you the skills and training to begin or advance your career in this flourishing field.
Online Certificate in Health Science Programs
Certificate programs in health science are designed for individuals looking to prepare for a career in the healthcare sector. In general, because healthcare as a field is very broad, health science certificate programs can prepare students for a wide variety of careers.
These programs may be the first step to nursing, pharmacy, hospital administration, health education, and medical technology careers. Especially for students in health science graduate certificate programs, they may become better prepared for the rigors of medical school or other graduate education options.
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A health science certificate may also open other options for jobs in healthcare that do not work directly with patients. This could include positions in health and nutrition policy and advocacy, medical billing, health awareness, healthcare information, or journalism.
Health science certificate programs can also help you develop key skills needed for careers in healthcare, including critical thinking skills and administrative skills. The coursework required to complete health science certificate programs is broad and might include topics such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Nutrition
- Biochemistry
- Health program planning
- Neuroscience
Due to the growing demand in healthcare, the need for trained professionals continues to grow. A certificate in health science may give you the knowledge necessary to navigate this complex but thriving field.
Common Online Health Science Certificate Programs
Health science certificates are granted at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The difference lies in the amount of specialization offered by the program as well as the admission requirements.
Graduate-level health science certificates might offer a degree of specialization in a certain aspect of the field. In contrast, undergraduate certifications are typically more general in their curriculum.
Undergraduate Certificate in Health Science Programs
Undergraduate health science certificate programs are designed for students either looking to enter into an undergraduate degree program in a healthcare field or for entry-level positions in healthcare.
These programs tend to educate you on the basic functions of the human body as well as the current state of the healthcare field from different perspectives. You may be required to study basic biology and chemistry, anatomy of the human body, nutrition, physiology, and social topics in healthcare.
An undergraduate certificate could be a first step into the healthcare field. Due to its generality, it might help you qualify for a wide variety of lower-tier positions. Some common occupations include medical recordkeeper, medical technician, and medical assistant.
Graduate Certificate in Health Science Programs
Compared to undergraduate certificates in health science, graduate certificates generally offer the opportunity to specialize in a certain aspect of the health science field.
Depending on the program, you may choose to concentrate your studies in certain areas, including:
- Global health
- Nutrition
- Health promotion
- Epidemiology
- Health administration
- Healthcare informatics
Graduate certificates are for students who have already completed undergraduate education and are seeking to continue studying at the graduate level without committing to a masters degree.
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A graduate health science certificate may also be an option if you already hold a graduate degree but are looking to change careers. Possible occupations for health sciences professionals with specialized, graduate-level training include hospital administrator, clinical laboratory technician, medical sonographer, and epidemiologist.
Health Science Careers & Salaries
A certificate program in health sciences could help you expand your professional development and credentials. As a result, new opportunities in healthcare may open up to you.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the healthcare professions is predicted to grow by 13% over the next ten years, which is faster than average.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $77,740 |
| Health Education Specialists | $60,600 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $60,570 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $57,800 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $55,560 |
| Medical Records Specialists | $46,660 |
| Community Health Workers | $46,590 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $37,450 |
| Medical Assistants | $37,190 |
A number of these occupations are predicted to have strong job growth over the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The type of jobs available to you will depend on a number of factors, such as your level of education, your prior experience, and your area of study. Coursework for health science certificate programs may cover different specializations. Whether you hold an undergraduate or graduate certificate could also affect your qualifications.
Certificate in Health Science Curriculum & Courses
One of the advantages of a health science certificate program is the wide and diverse set of classes that may be available.
In one of these programs, you may take some courses that are similar to the following:
- Health Professions Introduction: This course is designed for you to learn the basics of healthcare and healthcare infrastructure and employment.
- Human Anatomy: This course provides an overview of the anatomy of the human body.
- Global Health: This course introduces you to prominent global health issues to expand your understanding of infectious diseases on the world population.
- Biochemistry: This course surveys the field of biochemistry and its intersection with the medical field.
- Neuroscience: This course delves into the human nervous system, nerve cells, and the structure of different cell functions.
- Nutrition: This course is an overview of the basic nutrition fundamentals and the overall role food plays in a person’s health.
- Health Analytics: This course considers topics in health information technology and analytics and how healthcare data can be analyzed and communicated.
- Healthcare Organization Management: This course teaches you the basics of how healthcare organizations are run to ensure successful operations.
- Epidemiology: This course serves as an introduction to the theories, practices, and methods of the field of epidemiology.
- Health Program Planning: This course covers how public health planning and communication work as well as the best ways to design public health programs.
Available courses can vary from program to program, but they’ll typically focus on aspects of healthcare.
Admissions Requirements
The requirements for admission to certificate programs in health science differ from university to university.
Some common application elements include:
- Official high school or college transcripts
- Standardized test scores (if required)
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
Admissions requirements can also vary between undergraduate certificate programs and graduate certificate programs. For instance, while undergrad programs require high school transcripts, grad programs often require college transcripts that show proof of an undergraduate degree.
Accreditation
Regional accreditation ensures that a school adheres to certain standardized educational practices. Earning a certificate from an accredited school goes a long way to showing you received a quality education.
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It’s strategic to ensure that the school you attend for your health science certificate is accredited by a reputable accrediting agency. You can consult the US Department of Education’s website to see if your school is accredited. Earning a certificate from a non-accredited school may affect your employment opportunities or membership opportunities in professional or academic societies.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many forms of financial assistance available to help qualifying students pay for college. One of the most common forms of help is government aid. Both the federal government and the various state governments may offer grants, low-interest loans, or work-study programs.
You can visit the Federal Student Aid website to create an account, fill out the FAFSA, and find out if you are eligible for federal student aid. States have their own websites for student aid. In addition, schools or private organizations may offer academic scholarships with monetary prizes. Employers may also be willing to offer assistance to their workers through professional development programs or other initiatives.
What Can You Do with a Certificate in Health Science?
A certificate in health science may open the door to many job opportunities and career paths in healthcare. After earning a certificate in health sciences, you could be qualified for entry-level roles, such as medical records specialist, community health worker, or medical assistant.
You may also be qualified for more technology-based work as a medical sonographer or a clinical laboratory technician, depending on your specialty. Those who want to follow a more public role may advocate for better eating as a nutritionist or better health habits as a health communicator or educator. The type of jobs you can qualify for will depend on your level of education, experience, and specialization.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certificate in Health Sciences Online?
The length of time it will take to complete a certificate in health science can vary on the program you attend and whether you are completing an undergraduate or graduate certificate. Undergraduate certificates of health science may take as little as 6 months to 1 year of study to complete, depending on the number of required courses.
On the other hand, graduate certificates might take upwards of 1 to 2 years of study, depending on the program requirements. Whether you can study full-time or part-time could also affect how long it takes to complete a certificate program.
What’s the Difference Between a Health Science Certificate vs. Certification in Healthcare?
There is a difference between earning a health science certificate from a university and earning a professional certification in healthcare.
The table below outlines some of the key differences.
| Academic Certificate | Professional Certification |
|
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Some certificate programs aim to help you prepare for health science certifications.
Is a Health Sciences Certificate Worth It?
Yes, a health sciences certificate is worth it for many students. Healthcare is a field experiencing a rapid increase in demand for services. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13% job growth for healthcare occupations over the next ten years, which is much faster than average.
Earning a health science certificate may be the first step toward a new and rewarding career helping others meet their health needs. Because of the wide variety of courses that a health science certificate program may include, graduates may pursue a wide range of positions, depending on their qualifications.
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Private healthcare institutions and government health agencies all around the country are in need of trained individuals who are ready to take on the challenges of the industry.
Universities Offering Online Graduate Certificate in Health Science Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Capella University offers a Graduate Certificate in Health Sciences. Its 5 course curriculum covers essential concepts in the field, like biostatistics, public health, and epidemiology. All classes utilize a flexible and interactive online learning format. Upon completion, students may have the option to apply their certificate credits toward Capella’s Master of Public Health.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
George Washington offers a fully online program for a Graduate Certificate in Health Sciences. This program may be an excellent next step for healthcare professionals pursuing advanced leadership, administrative, and research-driven roles in the field. The curriculum consists of 15 credit hours of courses such as Clinical Management and Leadership, Global Regulatory Affairs, and Healthcare Quality.
George Washington University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Louisiana State University offers an Environmental Health Sciences Graduate Certificate. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills to manage environmental health standards and organizational safety compliance. This program is housed entirely online. Courses cover topics like environmental toxicology, pollutants, chemistry, and marine ecotoxicology.
Louisiana State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas Woman’s University offers a Graduate Certificate in Evidence-Based Health Science Librarianship. Graduates of the program often pursue careers as health science librarians, healthcare managers, evidence-based clinicians, or faculty librarians. All classes meet 100% online. Students holding a master’s in library science must complete 12 credits, while those without a previous master’s must complete 21 credits.
Texas Woman’s University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Central Missouri offers a Health Science Graduate Certificate in Simulation Education. The program seeks to prepare students to serve as simulation educators in healthcare and academic settings. The program uses flexible online learning and accelerated, 8 week courses to accommodate busy schedules. To earn the certificate, students must complete 9 credit hours total.
The University of Central Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Georgia offers a Graduate Certificate in Public Health. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based strategies in community health promotion and the prevention of disease spread. All 15 required credit hours can be completed conveniently online. Upon completion of the certificate, many students pursue careers as epidemiologists, health educators, patient advocates, or public health officers.
The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Indianapolis offers a Health Professions Education Graduate Certificate. The curriculum aims to provide students with the skills to effectively educate their own students across a variety of healthcare disciplines. The program requires the completion of 15 credits and is held online. Courses cover fundamental concepts in adult learning, curriculum development, instructional design, and online learning.
The University of Indianapolis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of New Hampshire offers a Graduate Certificate in Health Data Science. This program may be an ideal fit for students pursuing informaticist, data analyst, and quality assurance roles in healthcare. The program’s requirements can be completed entirely online. The curriculum consists of 15 total credit hours.
The University of New Hampshire is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher
The University of Vermont offers a Graduate Certificate in Health Sciences. Students can choose a concentration in Epidemiology, Public Health, Global and Environmental Health, or Healthcare Management and Policy. Students can tailor their education to their own needs with flexible online learning options and the ability to adjust their course loads around their schedules.
The University of Vermont is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Virginia offers a Health Sciences Management Graduate Certificate. This program is designed for individuals seeking advanced roles as leaders, administrators, or clinicians in the field of healthcare. The program admits new students three times each year. On average, students can complete the program’s 18 required credits in just 18 months.
The University of Virginia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Getting Your Certificate in Health Science Online
Earning a certificate in health science online may be the beginning of a new career path in this growing sector. The flexibility of online programs has made it so that you can access quality education wherever and whenever you’d like.
Depending on your background, a health sciences certificate could also help you advance in your current work. The field of healthcare is expected to keep growing faster than average, and the need for health science professionals continues to grow as well.
It’s beneficial to assess your professional and educational goals as you consider if a certificate in health science is right for you. You can explore accredited colleges and universities to learn more about available health science certificate programs.
