What can you do with a biology degree? You might imagine that if you major in biology, your career path will involve working in a laboratory. Don’t break out the test tubes just yet; there are several biology major jobs you might not have considered.
Biology majors are excellent candidates for many health science professions, and we recommend a biology undergraduate program to anyone considering one of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ (USAHS) graduate health sciences programs. A background in biology prepares you for careers that involve working with the human body.
Allied Health Jobs with a Biology Degree
Allied health professionals are medical professionals who are not doctors or nurses but who provide health services to patients. These careers make up 60% of all healthcare providers in the United States.1
Biology majors are great candidates for allied health professions, especially the ones listed below.
1. Physical Therapist
Physical therapists (PTs) support patients with injuries or chronic conditions that impede their range of motion, cause pain or negatively impact their quality of life. Through prescribed movement exercises and patient education, professionals with these biology major jobs help individuals regain range of motion, decrease pain and reduce future injury to improve their quality of life.
In allied health careers, you can work in various settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Schools
- Private practices
- Sports and fitness facilities
A physical therapist’s daily workload consists of diagnosing and treating patients, crafting individual treatment plans, recording patient progress and educating patients and their families on recovery.
To pursue these careers, earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).2
*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
Good physical therapists understand how the body works at the cellular, genetic and physical levels to evaluate injuries and treatments. Biology major coursework includes common prerequisites for physical therapy, including:3
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Genetics
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Physics
2. Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists (OTs) help patients improve their fine motor skills, limited by injury, illness, disability or other conditions. For example, a person who experiences a stroke may see an occupational therapist to help them re-learn how to do daily tasks. Alternatively, a child with a condition like apraxia may work with an occupational therapist to learn how to walk with flat feet instead of on their toes.
If you decide to pursue a career in occupational therapy, you can work in several non-hospital settings. Professionals in allied health careers can work virtually or in schools, rehab centers and nursing care facilities.
A Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree will allow you to practice as an occupational therapist, but if you decide to pursue a leadership, advocacy or research role, earn your Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD).4
Occupational therapists spend significant hours working with the human body, so earning a biology undergraduate degree will help prepare you for an OT career. You may also have many of the required prerequisites for occupational therapy programs completed, including:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Sociology or anthropology
- Psychology
- Statistics
- Medical terminology
3. Speech-Language Pathologist
You can apply to a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program (MS-SLP) after earning a biology degree. SLPs help patients with physical and cognitive communication disorders improve their fluency, voice, articulation skills and other conditions related to speech and language.
SLPs often work with a team of physical and occupational therapists, audiologists and psychologists to treat many different disorders with a multi-faceted approach. Earn a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)to practice as an SLP.5
Understanding anatomy is helpful in these jobs, especially the structure of the face and throat. For this reason, biology is a recommended undergraduate major for those considering becoming a speech-language pathologist.
4. Clinical Nutritionist
A clinical nutritionist reviews a patient’s eating habits and medical history to evaluate their dietary and nutritional needs.6 Unlike other allied health workers, this job isn’t necessarily focused on treating a disease.
Instead, clinical nutritionists focus on overall patient health and wellness through nutrition. Individuals who pursue this allied health job work with a care team of doctors and therapists who may treat a patient for disease. A clinical nutritionist can work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.7Dietitians and nutritionists typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in dietetics, food and nutrition, or another related field – and have supervised training through an internship. Many states also require licensure to practice.8(Requirements vary by state.)
5. Respiratory Therapist
A respiratory therapist works primarily with a patient’s lungs. Professionals in these allied health jobs diagnose lung disorders like emphysema and lung cancer and recommend treatment plans to a patient’s doctor. As part of their work, they can oversee the placement, operation and removal of ventilators and other artificial airways to help patients unable to breathe independently.9
These practitioners work in clinics, private practices or hospitals and educate patients and their families about their respiratory diagnosis and treatment options. Complete at least your Associate of Science in Respiratory Care (ASRC) or a Bachelor of Health Science in Respiratory Care (BHSRC) and pass your state’s credentialing exam.10
Clinical and Medical Biology-Related Careers
Clinical and medical biology careers are what you envision when you imagine working in medicine. They work directly with patients in hospitals and doctor’s offices.
6. Physician
A physician is licensed to practice medicine. They may specialize in family medicine, sports medicine, oncology or obstetrics, and can diagnose and treat patient injuries and illnesses. This job requires conducting patient physical exams, revising medical histories and prescribing medications. To practice, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree as well as a medical degree.1
Physicians often work with a care team that includes registered nurses and allied health workers to provide the best care possible for their patients. Many physicians also advise patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare.12
7. Physician Assistant
As a physician assistant (PA), you can work across diverse practice settings, from emergent care to surgery to family practice. In this role, you’ll assume high-level medical responsibilities, such as ordering and interpreting tests, diagnosing illnesses, developing and managing treatment plans, prescribing medications, performing surgical procedures and more.
Many people decide to become physician assistants because they typically have similar job duties as a doctor without the time and financial investment of medical school since you need your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) instead of an MD or DO.12 A physician assistant program usually lasts a little more than two years, while medical school takes about four. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
8. Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse with advanced training, whether it’s a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a post-graduate nursing certificate.14 Like physicians, nurse practitioners can specialize in specific areas of medicine, such as psychiatry, family or pediatrics.
With advanced training, many nurse practitioners conduct physical exams, study medical histories and order tests to diagnose patients. Many states allow nurse practitioners to prescribe medication and treat illnesses and injuries, while some states require them to work under a physician’s supervision, similar to a physician assistant.
9. Genetic Counselor
Genetic counselors specialize in genetic diseases and can focus on specific areas, such as prenatal, pediatric, neurology, oncology and more.15 While they do not treat genetic diseases like a physician, individuals in these positions may be on a team of specialists who work together to treat and educate patients with genetic disorders. A Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) is required to practice.16
A genetic counselor counsels patients about genetic diseases and testing. For example, if you have a parent who had breast cancer, a genetic counselor could walk you through your testing options to determine if you have BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes and are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.17 They can also help you understand the likelihood of passing a genetic condition on to a biological child.13
They work to educate patients and their families and advocate on their behalf with insurance companies and other medical providers.
Research and Biotechnology Careers
Research and biotechnology is a branch of medicine that focuses on learning about medical conditions and relevant treatments. Individuals in these positions don’t usually work directly with patients. Instead, they often work in laboratories.
10. Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Also called medical technologists, clinical laboratory scientists conduct tests on samples sent to them by clinical and medical workers.18 For example, when a doctor performs a biopsy, they send biopsy tissue to a clinical laboratory where a clinical laboratory scientist tests the tissue. They write up a report and send it to the doctor.
Scientists may work in a hospital or clinic in an on-site laboratory, and they may also work in pharmaceutical, biotechnology or research institutions. You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited association in clinical laboratory science or a related field and the national or state certification required in your state.19
11. Biomedical Scientist
Biomedical scientists work in laboratories, but unlike clinical laboratory scientists, they aren’t running tests for specific patients. Instead, these scientists are monitoring the effects of new medical tests and treatments.20
Biomedical scientists design and run experiments and analyze and report data. Many scientists pursuing these roles specialize in specific research areas, such as infection science, blood science or molecular pathology. Biomedical scientists need a master’s in biomedical science or a related field, but to independently design experiments, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is required.21
12. Clinical Trial Coordinator
A clinical trial coordinator oversees clinical trials, which are research studies evaluating the effectiveness of new medical interventions.22,23 After developing a new treatment or medication, researchers conduct a clinical trial with human subjects to study how the treatment or medication works.
The clinical trial coordinator runs the clinical trial from start to finish. Their duties include:
- Recruit and pre-screen participants24
- Schedule participant visits
- Monitor participants
- Maintain trial records
- Ensure the trial adheres to all ethical and regulatory standards
- Share findings with stakeholders
No advanced degree is required provided that you have a bachelor’s degree and work experience.25
13. Pharmaceutical Scientist
Pharmaceutical scientists develop and test new medications.26 More specifically, they study how existing drugs might treat other diseases or molecular compounds to develop new medications. They work in laboratories and may test new medications on animals and humans to evaluate their safety and effectiveness.
Some pharmaceutical scientists may also work outside the lab to advocate for pharmaceutical developments with corporations and government agencies. No advanced degree is required to pursue this job, although a Master of Science (MS), Master of Public Health (MPH), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is recommended.27
Public Health and Epidemiology
Public health is a field of medicine that studies and seeks to improve human health in a community.28 Much of the work in these roles focuses on preventing the spread of disease.
14. Epidemiologist
To become an epidemiologist, you should pursue an undergrad biology degree, then earn a Master of Public Health or a degree in a related field.29 In this job, individuals analyze data and share findings and recommendations with stakeholders, usually government agencies and healthcare providers. For example, when COVID-19 first emerged, epidemiologists studied its spread to make recommendations such as standing six feet from another person.
Many epidemiologists work in a government setting, such as for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They may choose to specialize in an area of epidemiology, such as infection control or bioterrorism. Fieldwork may be required to study a disease where it is appearing.
15. Public Health Specialist
A public health specialist works with doctors and epidemiologists to mitigate the spread of infectious disease.30 They work in a community to promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors, such as vaccination, that prevent the spread of diseases. Some public health specialists enforce state health and safety laws and conduct community surveys to learn more about health-related behaviors. No advanced degree is required to pursue this job unless you want a leadership role, in which case you’ll need an MPH.31
16. Health Policy Analyst
A health policy analyst crafts and enforces public health policies. Professionals in this role work with legislators to draft and pass public health legislation and advocate for healthcare reform. They also create and oversee community public health programs.
Most health policy analysts work for government entities, nonprofit organizations, political action committees (PACs), professional associations and community organizations.32
You’ll need one of the following degrees for this position:33
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Healthcare Administration and Management
Healthcare administration and management roles focus on running a hospital or healthcare organization. People in these jobs blend medicine with business management.
17. Healthcare Administrator
A healthcare administrator manages a hospital or health system.34 They are responsible for the day-to-day management of the facility and do not interact with patients. Their roles in these biology major jobs range from middle management to CEOs, and they can oversee a department within the system or the entire organization.35
Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
In their leadership position, a healthcare administrator may be responsible for any of the following:
- Maintaining facilities
- Organizing and overseeing services and programs
- Staffing the facility
- Creating and adhering to a budget
- Managing public relations
Due to the leadership nature of this role, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree as well as work experience in an administrative or clinical role in a healthcare facility.36
18. Healthcare Consultant
Hospitals and healthcare organizations hire healthcare consultants to help them run more effectively and efficiently. These positions require consultants to find problems and present solutions, especially regarding reducing costs and increasing revenue without sacrificing the quality of care. Earn a Master of Health Administration (MHA) or a master’s degree in healthcare management.37
19. Health Services Manager
A health services manager is in charge of improving the quality of patient care within a hospital or healthcare system.38 They enforce healthcare laws and regulations, create schedules for employees and develop healthcare policies for the organization. While not required, a Master of Health Administration (MHA) or Master of Public Health (MPH) is preferred by some hospitals as it can help you hone relevant skills for the role.
Health Sciences Education and Outreach Careers
The health sciences education and outreach field educate people about health-related topics. Professionals with these roles may educate the public or teach future and current healthcare specialists.
20. Medical Science Writer
Medical science writers are technical writers who specialize in medical topics. They may write for medical practitioners, medical insurance providers, users of medical products or patients.39
They can write any of the following:
- Educational materials
- Proposals for grants
- Documents related to healthcare policies
- Instructions for medical products
- Magazine articles
- Marketing materials for medical products
- Reports
- Textbooks
No advanced degree is required to pursue this role, but an advanced degree in a related field is recommended.39,40
21. Community Health Worker
A community health worker is similar to a social worker in that they work primarily to educate and advocate on behalf of community members.41 Professionals in this type of job often work with underserved or high-risk communities to ensure they get the necessary healthcare.
Community health worker duties include:
- Conducting health screenings
- Providing basic first aid and health services (vaccines, blood pressure screenings, etc.)
- Offering referrals
- Assisting people with getting the healthcare they need
- Helping people fill out insurance applications
- Interpreting healthcare services to patients
- Driving patients to medical appointments
If you want to pursue a more specialized community health role, an advanced degree in a related field is recommended.41
Continue Your Journey to a Biology-Related Career with USAHS
What can you do with a biology degree? There’s a lot of opportunity. A biology major is a great way to gain the foundational knowledge you’ll need to be successful in many rewarding health science careers. In addition to learning essential information about biology to set you up for success, a biology major will include coursework that meets most prerequisites for your health sciences career.
Apply now to one of USAHS’ health sciences graduate programs to continue your biology-related career today.
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas campus has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Salary data may not reflect starting pay for recent graduates.
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