Healthcare Degrees Without Clinical Components

A bachelor of science in healthcare administration combines business and leadership skills to plan, coordinate, and direct health services. Healthcare administrators typically work in hospitals. However, opportunities exist in physicians’ offices and residential care facilities.

Graduates can gain access to lucrative career opportunities. While earning potential varies by location and work setting, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicates that medical and health services managers earn a median salary of $110,680 annually. Though employers accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree, aspiring administrators should consider earning a master’s degree to establish a competitive advantage in the job market.

A bachelor’s in health sciences emphasizes health issues and outcomes, preparing graduates for roles including health educator, patient care advocate, behavior analyst, and mental health counselor. Students should consider ideal career options to determine average earning potential.

For instance, according to Payscale, health educators earn about $52,512, while behavior analysts earn an average of $72,565.

Students should note that while a bachelor’s in health science does not require a clinical component, certain career paths may require clinicals to advance. For instance, mental health counselors must earn a master’s degree and acquire 2,000-4,000 supervised hours working with their target population.

A bachelor’s in public health explores multiple topics related to the science of preventing disease and promoting health. This degree does not require a clinical component, and universities often offer online options. Graduates qualify for multiple careers, including data analyst, health educator, and health communication specialist.

Common work environments include hospitals, medical facilities, nonprofit organizations, and state health departments. Earning potential varies by the career path students pursue. For instance, according to Payscale, data analysts earn around $67,798, while health communication specialists earn an average salary of $63,335. Students who plan to advance their careers may need to complete a clinical component.

A health and wellness bachelor’s degree covers several topics in the healthcare industry, with an emphasis on preventative care. Students acquire knowledge and skills related to wellness advocacy and management. Career opportunities for graduates include corporate wellness coordinator, health services manager, recreational therapist, and community health worker.

A bachelor’s in health and wellness can lead to diverse careers. Students should identify specific job titles to pinpoint earning potential. According to Payscale, wellness coordinators earn $53,396 on average, while health services managers earn about $74,062. Though initial career opportunities do not require field experience, advanced opportunities may require clinicals.

Students interested in earning a health-related degree without a clinical component may want to consider a bachelor’s in health or nutritional science. This degree focuses on ways that food and nutrition impact overall health. Colleges and universities often provide elective options, allowing students to tailor their degree to meet their career goals.

A bachelor’s in health or nutritional science can provide access to many professional fields. Therefore, earning potential also varies. According to Payscale, nutritionists earn an average base salary of $52,273, while food policy analysts earn approximately $64,690 on average. To qualify for an advanced role or degree in the healthcare industry, students may need to complete a clinical component.

Healthcare informatics is a specialty that focuses on using technology to assess and organize data, creating a bridge between nursing and analytical science. This advanced degree prepares graduates for administrative and specialized roles. Potential careers include health informatics director, health IT project manager, and chief medical officer.

Students should explore specific careers to determine average earning potential. However, a master’s in health informatics can lead to high-earning careers. According to Payscale, health IT project managers earn an average salary of $100,984, while chief medical officers (CMOs) earn nearly $307,270. Common career options linked with this degree typically do not require clinical components.

Students who prefer a healthcare degree without a clinical component may want to consider a bachelor’s in psychology. This degree allows students to work in multiple healthcare fields. Students often concentrate on addictions and recovery, child and adolescent development, or pre-counseling. Child development specialist, child welfare caseworker, or employment relations specialist are among the career options available to graduates with this degree.

According to Payscale, child welfare caseworkers earn an average base salary of $39,900, while employment relations specialists earn about $70,651. Students may want to research career choices in psychology to determine accurate earning potential.

Advanced positions typically require a master’s degree and a clinical component. For instance, counselors and psychologists must satisfy state requirements for clinical hours.

Students considering a career helping clients uncover solutions to emotional conditions may want to earn a bachelor’s degree in counseling. Entry-level careers include college, juvenile court, and substance abuse counselors. These roles do not require a clinical component.

While earning potential varies, according to Payscale, college career counselors earn $57,886 annually, depending on their job title. A juvenile court counselor’s average base salary is $42,555, and according to ZipRecruiter, a substance abuse counselor’s yearly salary is $52,978.

Juvenile professionals interested in advancing their careers may want to consider a master’s in counseling or a master’s in psychology or social work. These degrees lead to a state license, which requires clinical hours.

A bachelor’s degree in human studies explores fields that offer social assistance, which include psychology, social work, sociology, and criminal justice. Graduates often pursue careers in substance abuse counseling, youth services, or domestic violence services.

Graduates can also find employment in developmental disability agencies.

Students should consider specific careers to determine accurate salary expectations. For instance, according to Payscale, certified domestic violence counselors earn an average of $63,000. Professionals often go on to earn an advanced degree in fields including counseling or psychology, which requires a state license and clinical experience.

Medical billing and coding certificate programs allow graduates to perform administrative work in healthcare. Responsibilities include updating medical records and entering codes for patients’ diagnoses and procedures. This career path does not include patient care, so professionals do not need to complete clinicals.

According to the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), medical billers and coders’ salaries can range from $58,895-$76,804, depending on advanced credentials.

Professionals interested in advancing their careers could become medical claims processors or medical secretaries, which does not require clinicals. However, professionals interested in nursing or a role that requires a state license should plan to complete a clinical component.