Health Sciences

About the health sciences major

The Department of Health Sciences offers a variety of academic programs for students, both those seeking employment directly out of the undergraduate program and those intending to pursue graduate or professional study. Students pursuing the health sciences major will have the opportunity to pursue specialty certificates in gerontology, rehabilitation and disability studies, or nutrition.

Studies and abilities this major develops: communication skills, active listening skills, attention to detail, knowledge of business and legal considerations in health care, and a foundation in social sciences.

Engaged learning experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IU Indianapolis’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Community engagement

The School of Health and Human Sciences hosts a number of initiatives for students to get involved, add to their resume, and give back to the community.

Professional work experience

Working on campus for offices such as Campus Recreation or the Office of Health and Wellness can provide great preparation for a variety of health-related careers.

Life–Health Sciences Internship Program

LHSI is a paid internship program that places second- and third-year IU Indianapolis students in a variety of health and science workplaces to gain practical experience and skills.

Opportunities after graduation

Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 54,700 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).

According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2021, the average starting salary reported for health sciences B.S. graduates was $37,897, and the median salary was $40,000.

The national median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $110,680 in 2023 (Occupational Outlook Handbook).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Health sciences majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:

Health administration
Medicine
Nursing
Occupational therapy
Physician assistant
Public health
Social work

Quick facts

Sample coursework

Aging and the older person
Diversity issues in health and rehab
Ethical issues in rehab services
Health promotion and disease prevention
Legal and regulatory aspects in rehab
Program evaluation methods in rehab

Possible careers

Disability advocate
Nonprofit program coordinator
Physical therapist*
Physician assistant*
Rehabilitation counselor*
Wellness program director

*These career options require additional training or education.

Where could I work?

Health care services
Health clinics
Hospitals
Insurance companies
Nursing and residential care facilities
Pharmaceutical companies

Complementing interests

SSocial

CConventional

IInvestigative

Get your interest code

Where to get more information

School of Health and Human Sciences

Indiana Department of Health

Health and Life Sciences Advising Center

Health and Life Sciences Cluster

This major belongs to the Health and Life Sciences (HLS) cluster.

Learn about the HLS cluster

Learn about other clusters

Meet with an advisor or career consultant

Schedule an appointment