How hard is it to gain admission to brick-and-mortar or online graduate programs in health science?

Acceptance rates for health science degrees vary depending on the specialty and the program. Naturally, the best health science graduate programs have lower acceptance rates. A good place to start is to research programs that interest you on the U.S. News & World Report‘s education page.

There are many different specialties within the health science field. Admissions rates vary for each of these specialties depending on demand and prerequisites. The American Society for Public Health has a very detailed report that shows the acceptance rates for a variety of programs. In general, you will find that any of the various MHS degree programs have higher acceptance rates than doctoral programs.

One key to gaining admission is having good test scores. Being well prepared for your GRE will help you get a higher score, which makes it easier to enter the health science graduate program of your choice. The Princeton Review offers some good information to help you prepare for your GRE.

The top health science online graduate programs have acceptance levels that are very similar to brick-and-mortar programs. Acceptance rates to all programs generally range from about 40% to just over 65%. Most of the top online programs are offered by universities that have both online and on-campus options with similar requirements. To ensure post-graduation success, you should look for an accredited health science online graduate program or a similar program at a traditional campus.

What are the average salaries for health science degree graduates?

As with most professions, earning potential for health science graduates will vary based on your specialty and where you live. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), average salaries for health science professions run from about $30,000 to over $100,000. Jobs that require a graduate degree will have significantly higher salaries.

Getting your degree from a top heath science online graduate program will improve your starting salary and a traditional or DHS online will boost your earning potential even further than a masters degree. If you would like to make a higher salary, be sure you enroll in an accredited health science online graduate program. The National Association of Colleges and Employers has a very useful tool for estimating salaries based on a number of factors.

Having a graduate degree is the first major step you can take to increase your potential salary. People working in the health sciences field who have a masters degree earn 25% to 30% more than others who only have a bachelors degree.

If I am interested in pursuing a graduate degree in health science, what related graduate programs should I consider?

You may find that your job prospects for certain career choices in health science improve if you pursue another graduate program in addition to health science. Three areas that are very useful to combine with a degree from a top health science online graduate program are law, social work and public administration.

Health science is a diverse field that often overlaps with the law. With the ongoing changes in health care law at the federal and state level, combining a law degree with a graduate degree in health science could be very useful in pursuing a specialized career in health care policy. Drug and pharmaceutical patents also require an understanding of health science and the law. University of Minnesota offers a joint program and has a good overview of how these degrees work together.

Social work is another natural fit for a health science career. A masters in social work will prepare you to understand the social context of health issues. This is particularly useful if it is combined with a degree in public health. Social Work Today discusses how these degrees work together.

A masters in public administration is also a useful addition to a graduate degree in health science. An administrative degree can provide you with people and program management skills that you can combine with the knowledge you acquire from a health science degree. No matter which program you are considering, make sure you find an accredited health science online graduate program and that your second program is also accredited appropriately.

Are there any iPhone or iPad apps that would benefit me while I am completing my on-campus or online health science graduate degree?

There are many apps that are used by health science professionals that are useful in health science graduate programs. Epocrates Rx provides a good overview of brand-name, generic and over the counter drugs. It provides basic drug information as well as drug interactions. You will find this information useful when dealing with patients, clients or case studies during your coursework.

Another great app is Mobile PubMed. It provides free access to Medline, which is a database filled with citations and abstracts from medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, health care and preclinical sciences journal articles. You can use it like a mobile library to find the most relevant materials to your health science program.

With over 150 essential tools, Archimedes Medical Calculator will allow you to calculate formulas and statistics easily. Like most science programs, health science involves many specialized calculations and you can use this app to simplify and speed up your data analysis.

You might also find Health Hotlines useful for doing research. It is a detailed, up-to-date directory of health organizations all over the country. You will find this helpful for assignments that ask you to work with professionals already working in health science fields.