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Archives for June 2024

Frequently Asked Questions About a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences

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If you’ve completed an associate degree and are looking to get your four-year degree in a healthcare field, consider the 100% online Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science: Health Sciences from UW Flexible Option.

This degree program is designed for adult learners with an associate degree who have either been working in the healthcare field or would like to break into a new healthcare role. The bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences offers students the opportunity to build on an associate degree-level education and develop or strengthen skills in critical thinking, problem solving, information literacy, informatics, management, and education in the health professions. 

There’s no time like the present to transition into the healthcare field. Healthcare occupations are projected to see above-average growth over the next 10 years, with an estimated 1.8 million new jobs each year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Given these positive growth projections, it’s no surprise that several healthcare careers have earned a spot on the annual U.S. News and World Report list of the 100 best jobs in America. Factors such as salary, work-life balance, and future job prospects were considered for the ratings. 

While the healthcare field can be a great place to work, many of the positions available require at least a bachelor’s degree. Whether you’re interested in clinical or non-clinical roles, now is the time to take advantage of the skills and knowledge you already have to earn your bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences.  The Health Sciences degree can prepare you for work in the healthcare industry as a leader in your current profession, help you get ready for a graduate program (along with program required prerequisites) or help you excel in non-clinical roles such as health services administration and support, research coordination, health and wellness or patient advocacy.

Are you ready to learn more? Check out these frequently asked questions:

What is health sciences?

Health science is the application of science to health, including the study of medicine, nutrition, and other health-related topics and how they affect humans. Upon completing the program, you’ll be prepared to work in clinical and non-clinical settings. In general, our students pursue this degree to advance their current careers, change jobs, or prepare for graduate and professional programs. 

What will I study in a health sciences degree program?

Your courses will cover a variety of topics, including pathology, ethics, health information literacy, communication, leadership, and much more. The goal is for you to develop or strengthen skills in critical thinking, problem solving, information literacy, informatics, management, and education in the health professions. 

Knowledge and practice in interprofessionalism in the healthcare industry is a desired skill. Students who complete the bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences automatically complete and earn a microcredential in Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare. In addition to documentation on your transcript, this credential is recognized with a badge that you are able to share as you like in your social media or electronic signatures.

What can I do with a health science degree? 

You can pursue clinical and non-clinical roles with this degree, including medical and health services management, pharmaceutical sales, claims reviewer, health specialists, or you can use this degree as a stepping stone to a graduate school or professional program in dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, audiology, physical therapy, and much more. 

If you’re currently working in a non-healthcare field but would like to transition to a health-related career, Health Sciences can help get your foot in the door for an entry-level position so that you can begin gaining experience. 

Can I be successful in the competency based health sciences program??

If you’re already working in a healthcare field with an associate degree, you’ll be in great shape to complete the bachelor’s degree. Professionals with an associate degree will be awarded 60 credits toward the 120-credit degree completion minimum.

The UW Flexible Option program is great for self-motivated, adult students who want to leverage their past school experience and work skills to get (earn) a bachelor’s degree. You’ll have control over when you learn, which means you can continue working full-time, raise a family, or enjoy hobbies. The online format does not have set class schedules, which means you can learn and study based on your individual schedule. Learn more about our competency-based educational approach.

Or, take it from Jordan Schumacher, a Health Sciences bachelor’s degree graduate: “I think the best advice I could give to others who are scared to pick up the phone or to apply for the program is that you can make this program what you want it to be,” Jordan says. “You can take it as slow or as fast as you need so that it doesn’t overwhelm your life. I never knew a format like UW Flexible Option existed, but I’m so glad it does.”

What kind of entry-level positions can I get with a Health Sciences degree if I don’t have prior healthcare experience?

Graduates of the health sciences bachelor’s degree program can find jobs in many healthcare settings, like hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, or in public health. Specific roles include: clinical research assistant, health educator, health administration assistant, pharmaceutical sales representative, medical sales representative, and much more. 

Can I pursue this degree to help me prepare for and apply for medical school or medical graduate programs?

Yes! Many graduates of the Health Sciences degree program move onto professional medical roles, including physical therapy, audiology, dentistry, and more. 

Note that graduate programs  may require students to fulfill prerequisites outside of UW Flexible Option. While these requirements will differ depending on the school and the program, it’s important to research the program you’re interested in to ensure you can fulfill the requirements.

For more about UW Flexible Option and how it can benefit you, check out our general FAQ, or reach out to an enrollment adviser. 

What Can You Do With a Diagnostic Imaging Degree?

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If you’re considering earning a bachelor’s degree or currently working toward a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging degree, chances are you’ve already spent a number of years working as an ultrasound technician or other medical imaging professional and are looking for a new challenge.

Whether you’re looking to leverage your imaging expertise to become a manager or teach or try a new role altogether, here are some more lucrative career options to consider once you’ve received your bachelor’s degree:

  1. Director of Diagnostic Imaging. The average Director of Diagnostic Imaging salary in Wisconsin is $151,400 as of May 28, 2024, but the range typically falls between $135,400 and $170,500, according to Salary.com. These ranges will vary depending on location, education, certifications, other skills, and years of experience.
  2. Diagnostic Imaging Educator or Radiology Instructor. According to ZipRecruiter, as of May 31, 2024, the average hourly pay for a diagnostic imaging educator is $34.95 per hour. Some educators can earn wages as high as $83 per hour, depending on skills and experience. The majority of radiology instructor wages currently range between $18.51 (25th percentile) to $43.99 (75th percentile) across the United States.
  3. Healthcare administrator. Healthcare administrators, sometimes also referred to as medical and health services managers, coordinate, plan, and direct the business activities of healthcare providers and can work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings. In Wisconsin, healthcare administrators can make $102,481 per year in total pay, according to Glassdoor. Average pay ranges from $78,000 to $137,000 in the state.

    Nationally, medical and health services managers make a median salary of $110,680 per year ($53.21 per hour) as of 2023. These jobs are expected to grow by 28% over the next decade and require less than five years of experience in a related occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Many current students and graduates of the UW Flexible Option program have pursued other healthcare careers. For example, Diagnostic Imaging graduate Christina Lozano has more than 20 years of experience in the medical imaging field and wanted a degree so that she could teach.

Christina was hired in 2015 as a part-time adjunct instructor in medical imaging at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. She loved teaching at the college and was thrilled when a full-time tenure track faculty position became available at the same institution. However, she was missing one important qualification: a bachelor’s degree. Christina flew through the program in just 15 months, noting that the flexibility of the program helped her succeed. 

Kara Winzenreid, a recent graduate of the Diagnostic Imaging program, wanted her bachelor’s so she could transition to a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACs) administrator role. Kara worked in diagnostic imaging for 15 years. 

In Kara’s words, a PACs administrator “is the marriage of being in x-ray technology and the IT aspect.” After working in direct patient care for years, she was in need of a change – and liked the idea of working on the backend of the x-ray process. 

“People who have a background in x-ray are usually the best candidates to maintain that system because of that radiology background,” she adds.

Kara also completed the Health Care Informatics Certificate with her degree.

“I knew I wanted to do some sort of healthcare informatics position. I wasn’t looking for a management position; I was looking for something in IT. So being able to hold up this certificate and be like, ‘Hey, not only do I have a bachelor’s degree and 15 years’ experience, I even have this certificate saying that I’ve completed training in this specific field.’ Add to the fact that it was only two additional classes for me to get that certificate, [and] it was a no brainer.”

Stacy Tauke, a student in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging program, is leveraging her expertise in the radiology field to get her four-year degree, with plans to continue scanning at least part-time.

“My plan, when I’m done, is to do something with the degree part time and scan part time. So that way, I keep my skills up with ultrasound. But I can start to develop other skills that would make me more marketable for a job outside of just doing ultrasound,” she says.

Are you interested in any of these career paths? The bachelor’s degree in diagnostic imaging is designed for experienced healthcare and imaging professionals who have one of the following active registries:

  • ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
  • ARMRIT (American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists)
  • ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)
  • CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) registry

Your active registry gives you a minimum of 60 advanced standing credits toward the 120 credits needed for completion. Upon admission to UWM and confirmation of your active registry, you will be awarded a minimum of 60 credits toward completion of your degree. 

If this sounds like the right fit for you, feel free to reach out by calling 608-800-6762
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, or email flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.