Your path to a career in health care

Health care professionals have successful careers in a variety of areas. They may work in health care administration, provide patient care, or sell medical equipment and supplies. If you have an interest in health care, Ohio State offers you many degree options. Medical school is not the only path to a career in health care! As you browse the following majors, you will find many paths at Ohio State that can lead to a successful career in the health field.

Majors in the health care pathway

Major	Career possibilities
Dental Hygiene	Administration Advocacy Dental clinics Education Research
Exercise Science Education	Cardiac rehabilitation Employee fitness Exercise physiology Personal training Physical therapy / sports medicine (requires graduate school) Strength and conditioning coaching
Food Science and Technology	Food safety microbiologist Graduate study in functional foods or nutrition Professional study in medicine and dentistry
Health Information Management and Systems	Consulting and data analytics Electronic health records, pharmaceuticals or medical device companies Government agencies Law firms and insurance companies Health data management HIMS department administration and revenue Quality management Research and development Teaching in HIMS educational programs
Health Sciences	Acute-care centers Education Graduate/professional school Health care corporations Medical sales Non-profit organizations Public health Research labs Work-site health promotion
Human Nutrition	Dietetics track Nutrition counseling and therapy Nutrition education Sports nutrition Nutrition in Industry specialization Business organizations that focus on foods, nutrition and nutraceuticals Government policy/regulation/lobbying Nutritional marketing Public relations Sales for nutritional, pharmaceutical and other health care products Nutrition Sciences specialization Biological technology Fitness training Food science Health education Medicine and other allied medical professions (requires graduate school)
Medical Laboratory Science	Clinical laboratories (e.g. fertility clinics, forensic labs, physician offices) Forensics Laboratory information systems (computers) Public health and infection control Quality assurance and administration Research and development Sales and equipment service Teaching in MLS educational programs
Nursing	Clinics for special populations Community health centers and hospitals Health care research Home health care Hospice Long-term care centers and outpatient clinics Public and private health promotion centers Sub-acute and rehabilitation centers
Pharmaceutical Sciences	Clinical research Drug discovery and development Insurance companies Pharmaceutical administration Post-graduate study in professional fields such as dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy and veterinary medicine Public health Quality assurance Sales and marketing
Psychology	Administration and management Business and industry Casework Graduate study in fields such as psychology, counseling, medicine, social work, human resources, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, health administration, public policy and public health Health services Marketing and public relations Psychiatric assistant Research or laboratory assistant Social services
Public Health	Community health clinics Environmental specialists and scientists Global health Graduate study in public health and health-related fields such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, social work and law Health departments Health, prevention, wellness education Health-related non-profit organizations Health services administration Public health social services Wellness programs for private corporations
Radiologic Sciences and Therapy	Hospitals, clinics, physician offices Imaging centers Industrial firms Manufacturers of imaging/therapeutic equipment and supplies Research and development Teaching in radiologic sciences and therapy educational programs
Respiratory Therapy	Home health care Hospitals, clinics and out-patient offices National and regional lung associations Pharmaceutical companies Research and development Respiratory equipment manufacturers Teaching in respiratory therapy educational programs
Social Work	Aging and health Chemical dependency counseling Community health clinics Global health, immigration and refugee rights Health care advocacy HIV/AIDS counseling and education Hospice and palliative care Medical social work Mental health care Nursing care facilities Prevention and wellness education Rehabilitation centers
Speech and Hearing Science	Centers for the developmentally disabled Community and university clinics Health departments Hospitals Nursing care and private practice facilities Public and private schools Rehabilitation centers Research laboratories

Residential communities

Students pursuing a health-related degree at Ohio State have many learning and social opportunities beyond the classroom.

Living-learning communities are residential experiences in which students of the same academic program or interest reside in the same residence hall. These communities feature faculty interaction, special programming and community service. Ohio State offers the following health-related learning communities:

The Ohio State Scholars Program brings together high ability students in academically stimulating, close-knit communities. Each program emphasizes its own specific academic program, career or special interest. Scholars programs designed for students interested in health care professions include Health Sciences Scholars and Sport and Wellness Scholars.

Degrees available at regional campuses

At Ohio State's regional campuses, students receive the same comprehensive education that they would receive on the Columbus campus. Courses at regional campuses are offered to meet the needs of traditional and nontraditional students, and students can begin any Ohio State degree at any campus. Some programs can even be completed at a regional campus.

Health-related degrees that can be completed at a regional campus include:

Dental Hygiene (BS completion program)
Health Sciences Program
Nursing (RN to BSN program)
Psychology
Social Work

Learn more about academic programs at your regional campus of interest.

Pursuing pre-health

You may already have goals for a career in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, occupational therapy or physical therapy—all of which require education beyond the four-year degree. Undergraduates who plan to pursue advanced health-related degrees follow a pre-health academic program while completing an undergraduate degree. The pre-health program includes necessary courses required for admission to medical school or other professional programs.

Ohio State offers a wide variety of undergraduate majors that can prepare students for medical or professional school at Ohio State or elsewhere. Students who are interested in the pre-health program should contact a pre-health advisor as early as possible for help choosing an appropriate undergraduate major. Pre-health advisors can also assist throughout the undergraduate program as students prepare for the rigorous exams and competitive courses of post-baccalaureate study.

In addition to prerequisite courses, medical and professional schools will also consider relevant co-curricular activities, so it is important for students to take advantage of the many opportunities Ohio State offers: volunteer programs at the University Medical Center, research activities and pre-health student organizations.