Health Studies Careers
Pacific's Health Studies Program prepares you for a career in one of the many nonclinical areas of health care that require a broad base of knowledge in the social sciences and the humanities. Examples of those careers include hospital administration, public policy, health care marketing, social work, public relations, health data analysis and health education.
Experiential Learning
Pacific's extensive connections in northern California's health care industry can help you land internships where you will gain practical experience.
Three-Year Option
You have the option to earn your Bachelor of Arts degree in three years. Do your part to stay on track, and you could shave a year off your undergraduate work. That means significant savings on tuition and you get a jumpstart on your career.
What is Health Studies?
Interim Health Studies Program Director Sarah Mathis explains there is a growing need for health professionals with the skills to improve individual and community experiences in health care settings, understand and manage health data, and administer health care institutions. That's why Pacific has started the new Health Studies Program.
18.5%
Expected growth in health studies-related occupations through 2026 in California
15%
Expected growth in health studies-related occupations through 2026, nationally
43k
Medical and health services managers job openings expected by 2026 in California
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
Caitlyn Truong '25
Caitlyn has been interested in health care as well as meeting and interacting with people since high school. She was able to combine these interests in her health studies major at Pacific. Although she is still trying to figure out what her career might be, she believes this non-clinical pathway will prepare her to play a part in making changes and initiating progress in health care policies.
Picture Yourself
- Creating persuasive health campaigns to change the behavior of individuals and communities
- Analyzing health care data to improve hospital and nursing home performance
- Drafting policies for consideration by law makers
- Helping patients cope with the stresses that come from health challenges
- Coming up with solutions to reduce health inequalities based on culture, race, ethnicity, gender and social class
- Bringing business skills to the administration of a hospital to effectively deliver health care
Success After Pacific
Carrie Balthrop
Carrie Balthrop '16 is a senior health education specialist with the Contra Costa County Health Services where she focuses on tobacco policy education.
Learn by doing
The Experience
As a health studies student, you will gain practical experience by working in the field with health professionals, first observing, and then participating. You will go out into the workplace to learn from practical experience, and return to your professors to analyze and learn from these experiences.
Success After Pacific
Kelsey Belomy
Kelsey's English degree has taken her to a career at Blue Shield where she works as a technical writer. She uses her background in English to make medical information easier to understand.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies
Bachelor of Science in Health Studies
Choose a concentration
In addition to foundational and elective courses, you will specialize in one of three career-oriented concentrations:
Business and sociology classes prepare you to lead and administer health-related businesses and community organizations.
Political science and economics classes prepare you to draft government policies, understand the trade-offs for institutions as these policies are put into practice and advocate for those trying to change government policies.
Sociology and psychology classes prepare you to understand the individual and structural factors that affect health and how you can help provide the social services that build healthier communities and improve equality in access to health care.
Take the next step
