4 Degrees to Focus on Health for a Living

As people are living longer and our knowledge of health and wellness is increasing, now is an exciting time to plan a career in a health-related field. Here are four degree programs to consider if you want to focus on health for a living.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a broad field that focuses on helping patients achieve optimal use of their muscles and joints. Physical therapists work with individuals with injuries, recovering from surgeries, or who suffer from diseases and conditions that impact the musculoskeletal system.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, most programs in the United States offer a doctor of physical therapy degree that a student can choose following their bachelor’s degree. On average, these programs take three years to complete.

Nutrition

Becoming a nutritionist or dietician is another exciting career option focused on health. With the growing obesity epidemic in our country, nutritionists are needed now more than ever to help people manage their diet, deal with diseases or digestive conditions, and achieve optimal health.

Many schools offer bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition, food service systems management, dietetics, foods and nutrition, and other related fields. Depending on the state in which you wish to practice, you will need to complete licensure and internship requirements following graduation in order to become certified.

Coaching

Several universities are now offering a master’s in sports coaching degree to assist those who wish to become sports coaches. This is the perfect field for those who wish to focus on health and also enjoy sports and working with others.

These programs focus on injury prevention, best athletic training practices, leadership, team building, and psychology. You can generally enter these programs with a bachelor’s degree in any field, making this a great option for career changers or those without a health background.

Personal Training

Those who are interested in personal training can receive a degree in exercise science. Many schools offer associate and bachelor’s degree programs, and some offer advanced degrees in related fields such as medical exercise and sports medicine. This degree allows students to become certified personal trainers for a wide variety of clients and generally provide the framework for managing your own training business.

Heath professionals are currently in high demand, and there are a variety of degree programs for individuals interested in joining this exciting and growing career field. Options range from associate’s to advanced degrees in a wide range of specialties.