1.) University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public research institution located in Gainesville. Their current student enrollment is over 50,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. UF offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications. They have been accredited by the Southern Association of colleges and Schools Commission since 1913. According to Carnegie, the University of Florida is a uesearch university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students, UF offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, and distance learning opportunities. The University of Florida continues to rank as one of the top public universities in the nation. In fact the university ranks as the 30th best school in the nation and highly for undergraduate teaching, business programming, undergraduate engineering, value and more all according to the US News and World Report. In recent years, UF has expanded their their offerings to include online programming for both undergraduate and graduate level students. In fact, undergraduates may pursue an online bachelors degree in biology and graduate students may pursue an online masters in electrical engineering just to name a few.

UF offers an online Master of Fisheries in Aquatic Sciences. This is a 32 credit hour program 16 of which must be fisheries and aquatic sciences courses. The remaining credits may be chosen from the school of forest resources and conservation. Some of the core courses include the following: algae biology and ecology, fission crustacean nutrition, ecology and restoration of invaded ecosystems, and surveying and mapping practices. Electives may be taken from other departments including in environmental engineering, soil and water science, aquatic animal health and more. If you’re looking for a flexible online program with emphasis and fisheries in aquatic life this is a good match for you.

• Program Website

2.) University of Houston – Clear Lake

University of Houston Clearlake is a public four year institution that enrolls nearly 10,000 students. The university has campuses in Pasadena and Houston Texas as well as branch campuses that are located in the Texas medical center.According to Carnegie UHCL is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers disability services veteran services, academic and career counseling and distance-learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. UHCL currently offers over 100 degree programs. Some of their online options include their online bachelors degree in finance, as well as their online masters degree in computer software engineering among others.

The University of Houston Clear Lake offers a master of science in environmental science. Thisdegree may be completed either on campus or online. Students will have the opportunity to specialize in one of the three following areas: environmental biology, environmental chemistry, and environmental geology. Prior to admission to the program students should complete general chemistry, organic chemistry, general physics and calculus. The environmental science thesis option is a 36 credit hour program and includes course material in environmental scienceas well as a master’s thesis. The environmental science research project course option culminates with a graduate seminar. Some of their electives include aquatic toxicity testing, environmental biotechnology, ichthyology and coastal and estuarine ecology. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

3.) North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public four year institution that enrolls over 36,000 students. NCSU is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity according to Carnegie. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. Their students to faculty ratio is 14 to 1. NSUR has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges since 1928. According to the US News and World Report, NCSU ranks as the 80th best school in the region and highly for veterans, value, innovation, public schooling, business programming, computer science, undergraduate engineering programming and more. In recent years, the university has developed their online presence and currently offers online programming for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students.

If you have an undergraduate degree in an engineering discipline then you may wish to pursue an online master of environmental engineering. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in either civil engineering environmental engineering or construction engineering and management than you may have to complete additional coursework prior to entering this program. Citizens have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to be accepted to this program if you have an undergraduate degree in engineering from a US institution then the GRE requirements are automatically waived. This is a 30 credit hour program that offers courses at the 400, 500 or 700 level. At least 24 hours of this program must be at the 500 level or above and 400 level courses must be outside the discipline of civil engineering. Half of your program will focus on environmental engineering students have the option to complete a final project a project as part of their degree program. All remaining courses come from other departments. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

4.) University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland global campus is a public four-year institution that’s headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland. UMGC currently enrolls nearly 60,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1. According to Carnegie UMGC is a masters college with larger programming. The institution has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1946. As a global campus, UMGC is ranked regionally and currently has the ranking of ninth for the most innovative school in the region. According to the US News and World Report, University of Maryland College Park is currently ranked the 58th best school on the nation and highly for veterans, value as well as social mobility, business programming, undergraduate engineering and much more. As you can see the University of Maryland has grown to include a global campus and currently offers undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to pursue their degree online. The global campus features hundreds of online degrees for associates through doctoral degree seeking students. Some of their most popular online programs are in the fields of information science, psychology, and business management.

University of Maryland Global Campus currently offers a masters degree in environmental management. All courses are available online. However, students may select to pursue a hybrid format. This program requires 36 credit hours for completion and students may transfer up to six credits. Some of the courses include : waste collection, recycling and environmental monitoring, ARCGIS software, ecological risk assessment, and environmental management among others. All students culminate with a capstone experience. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

5.) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point is a public four year institution that enrolls over 8000 students. UWSP offers Associates Bachelors Masters and Doctoral degree as well as the option to pursue programming online. To support the success of the students, UWSP offers academic and career counseling as well as dual credits and more. The university has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1922. Stevens Point also offers online programming. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students may pursue programming online. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point is ranked regionally and highly for veterans, value, and social mobility.

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point offers a master of science in natural resources. Students may select to emphasize in one of the following areas: forestry, wildlife, fisheries, water resources, environmental education interpretation, soil sciences, and waste management. There are additionally a number of special out reach and extension programs available including the outdoors woman program and the Center for Land-use Education, the Center for Watershed Science and Education among others. The fisheries and water resources department includes course material in lake and river management, storm water, water treatment, hydraulic wetlands science. Each area of interest has a different focus. For more information about their programming check out their website.

• Program Website

6.) University of Illinois at Springfield

The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public four year institution that offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees.UIS currently enrolls over 4000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. According to Carnegie UIS is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, distance learning opportunities, study abroad experiences and more. The University offers online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students. Some of their online offerings include their online bachelors in business administration and management, as well as their online masters degree in computer science.

The University of Illinois At Springfield offers an online master of science in environmental sciences. This is a fully online program that maybe completed in any location across the world. This is the same program as their on campus option. Some of the courses include: Environmental national sciences, environmental social sciences and humanities, and research methods in environmental sciences. This is a 40 credit hour program. For the masters courses students are required to complete one of the three closure options: The culminating experience in the form of a thesis, a carefully designed graduate project, or a finish in a while research draft of an environmental legislation policy. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

7.) East Central University

East Central University is a public four year institution located in Ada, Oklahoma. ECU enrolls just over 3000 students and has a student faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The university offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as some professional certifications. Carnegie classifies this institution as a masters college with larger programming. The student support services include academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of the visual arts, Parks and Recreation, business management, and education. Some of their online offerings Include their online bachelors degree in criminal justice as well as their online masters degree in educational leadership.

East Central University offers a Master of Science in water resource policy and management. This program may be completed in two years and is 30 credit hours in length. Each course is eight weeks long. This program accepts nine transfer credits. The degree is divided into three main component parts: required courses, elective courses and optional courses. The core courses include the following: policy research methodology, water law, water resource economics, and international environmental policy. Some of the elective courses are in the following areas: Advanced Native American law, public organization theory, and Hydro geology. When it comes to the optional courses students may select the internship in water resources, complete a thesis, or complete a seminar in water resources policy in management. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

8.) Utah State University

Utah State University is a public four-year institution located in Logan, Utah. The institution offers associates through doctoral degree’s as well as professional certification. Utah State currently enrolls over 27,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1. Student support services include academic and career counseling ROTC, study abroad opportunities and distance-learning programming. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue programming online. According to Carnegie, USU is a doctoral university with high research activity. USU Ranks nationally as the 241st best school in the nation and highly for computer science, engineering programming, business programming, and more. Their academic offerings include programming in agriculture, education, engineering, visual and performing arts and much more. Some of their online offerings include their online bachelors in agricultural business management as well as their online masters degree in agricultural teacher education.

USU offers the master in natural resources program. If you’re looking for a fulfilling career that’s focused on the great outdoors than this program might be for you. This program is offered entirely online and it’s 33 credit hours in length. Some career options include: forrester, range land scientist, wetland ecologist, natural resource manager and more. The courses include ecological foundations, wetland ecology in management, ecology of animal populations, data management and manipulation using R, introduction to environmental federal laws and policies, and principles of remote-sensing of natural resources among others. Students participate in an integrative capstone. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

9.) University of Missouri-Columbia

The University of Missouri at Columbia it’s a public institution that enrolls over 30,000 students. Missouri has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913. This public research institution is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity according to Carnegie. Their student support services include academic and career counseling, ROTC, teacher certification, and distance-learning opportunities among others. In recent years, the University of Missouri has expanded their online offerings to include programming for undergraduate as well graduate students in areas like business management, education, health services, human computer interaction, psychology, and much more. In fact, Mizzou offers a number of opportunities for nontraditional students.

The University of Missouri offers a master of arts/master of science in environment and behavior. This program is offered entirely online and is 30 credit hours in length . This is a master of science or master of arts in architectural studies that has an emphasis in environment and behavior. This program emphasizes research interior design and environmental design. Master of arts is project-based and the master of science is research-based. Some of the emphasis areas include: aesthetics of design, sustainable design, facility management and design, housing a neighborhood design, design education and more. Missouri utilizes the semester based system. The program is designed with working professionals in mind. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

10.) University of Idaho

The University of Idaho is a public flagship institution located in Moscow, Idaho. There are over 11,000 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio 16 to 1. Carnegie designates this institution as a doctoral university with high research activity. The University of Idaho has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1918. To support the success of their students the institution offers teacher certification opportunities, academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, distance learning opportunities and much more. In recent years their distance programming has grown to include online programming for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students. Some other online offerings include a certificate in natural sciences, and online masters degree in electrical electronics engineering and more.

The University of Idaho offers a number of online masters degrees and certifications in natural resources. Students pursue a master of science and environmental science online or a master of natural resources online. The master of science in environmental science online includes both a thesis non-thesis option.The non thesis option it’s 27 credits of coursework 12 which are the core requirement and 21 are from the 500 level on course requirements. Three credits are devoted to the thesis research project. To be eligible for this program he must have earned a bachelors degree from an accredited institution with the final GPA of 3.0. Course material is divided as such: depth requirements, breath requirements, and a research requirement. The depth requirements include biological science classes the school science and social sciences. Complete this flexible online degree at you own pace. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

11.) American Public University System

American Public University System is a distance learning institution based in Charlestown, West Virginia. This institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. APUS en rolls over 45,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1. Carnegie classifies this university is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling. As a distance-learning university all programs are offered online. Some of their most popular offerings are in the fields of computer information sciences, business management, Parks and Recreation and liberal arts and sciences.

APUS offers an online Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management. In this program you will study environmental management tools and deepen your knowledge in renewable energy, ecosystems management industrialization, landscape conservation and much more. The program teaches you how to incorporate ecological economic and social factors when making environmental management decisions. This is a 36 credit hour course that is divided into following components: a concentration area, a requirement area, general electives, and a final program requirement. The concentration areas are as follows: environmental planning, environmental sustainability, fish and wildlife management, general, global environment management and national environmental policy act. The national environmental policy concentration focuses on environmental impact analysis, intermediate environmental impact analysis and advanced environmental impact analysis. This concentration area is 12 semester hours. This is a highly flexible program that may be tailored to meet your needs. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

12.) Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University is a public four-year institution that offers bachelors masters and doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. Texas Tech’s enrolls over 30,000 students and is classified as a doctoral University with very high research activity according to Carnegie. Accordinb to the US News and World Report Texas Tech University is currently ranked the 217th best school in the nation and highly for social mobility, undergraduate engineering, business programming computer science and more. To support the success of their students, Texas Tech offers distance learning opportunities, academic and career counseling, employment services for students, ROTC, weekend/evening college options, and study abroad programming.

The online university office the professional science masters degree in environmental sustainability and national resource management. This interdisciplinary program prepares you for a career in business, nonprofit or government sectors. Students may follow one or two tracks: the ecology and environmental sustainability track, and the natural resources management track. Ecology and environmental sustainability track is offered through the department of biological sciences as well as the College of Art and sciences. The natural resources management track is offer through the department of natural resources management and the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. The curriculums ranges from 30 to 34 credit hours. 15 credit hours are elective courses meaning students have the option to tailor their degree to meet their specific interests. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

13.) Colorado State University

Colorado State University is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This public institution enrolls over 33,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. Colorado State offers Bachelors Masters and Doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Colorado State is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Additionally, according to the US News and World Report, Colorado State University ranks as the 153rd best school in the nation as well as highly for value, veterans, social mobility, public schooling, engineering, business programming, computer science and more. To support the success of their students Colorado State offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, as well as distance learning opportunities. Undergraduate and graduate students may pursue programming online.

Among their online offerings is the online environmental sustainability program. This degree prepares you for a career in a wide array of sectors including environmental stewardship in planning, natural resource and forestry management, Rangeland conservation, restoration ecology, conservation biology, plant wildlife and soil research, and teaching. Additionally there’s an online masters degree with a focus on environmental sustainability. Some of the core courses include: ecosystem science and sustainability, wildlife conservation biology, natural resources, natural resource recreation and tourism, and more.. Colorado State offers a wide variety of online degrees in this area. We recommend taking a look at their website for more information.

• Program Website

14.) Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University it’s a four-year public institution located that enrolls over 22,000 students. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, this institution has been classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students the university offers distance learning opportunities, remedial services, academic and career counseling, employment services for students. According to the US News and World Report, Mississippi State ranks highly for engineering programming, social mobility, business programming, computer science and more. When it comes to online offerings, students may pursue programming in business management ecology, education and more.

Mississippi State Online offers a Master of Science degree in geosciences with a concentration in environmental geosciences. This is a 30 credit hour program that is 10 courses in length. This program includes the study of Ocean science, climatology, GIS and hazards. The majority of this program may be completed entirely online except for the final capstone experience. The capstone course is a field-based course which is offered through an on-campus workshop during the summer semester. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

15.) Troy University

Troy University is a public institution located in Troy, Alabama. This is the parent institution of Troy University which is located across the state. The institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Troy University is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of the students Troy offers academic and career counseling, distance-learning opportunities and credit for life experience. Some of their most popular programs are in the field of business management, criminal justice, counseling and psychology, and registered nursing.

Troy University offers a Master of Science in Environmental and Biological science. Studnets may follow either a thesis or non-thesis track. The thesis track includes course material In food microbiology, population ecology, field botany, toxicology, conservation of some and much more. The program includes core courses as well as concentration elective courses. The thesis option includes core courses and fewer customization elective courses as well as six hours of thesis for a total of 36 hours. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

16.) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public four-year institution that offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The institution enrolls 8,778 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. According to a Carnegie Slippery Rock University is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of the students SRUP offers academic and career counseling as well as study abroad opportunities, ROTC, teacher certification and distance-learning options. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue a degree entirely online.

Among their online options as the master of education in environmental education. This program has been accredited through the North American Association for Environmental Education. This is a 30 credit hour masters program that’s offered exclusively online. The coursework focuses on theoretical as well as practical applications of experiential an inquiry-based environmental education. Upon completion students may attempt an 18 credit hour internship opportunity. Students may become certified through the North American Association for environmental education. Certification is not required but may help you to advancing your career. The degree includes course material in aquatic systems, terrestrial systems, wildlife education, environmental issues, environmental education, and parks and recreation/environmental education internship.For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

17.) Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a public four year institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. The student population is over 31,000 and the student faculty wish she was 18 to 1. According to Carnegie, Oregon State University is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling along with distance learning opportunities, study abroad options, ROTC, and teacher certification among others. The US News and World Report ranks Oregon State University as the 153rd best school in the nation and highly for innovation, public schooling, value, veterans, social mobility, engineering and more.

Oregon State offers a Master of Science in environmental sciences. This is a 45 credit hour program. Students may choose from a number of specialization tracks in the following areas: bio geochemistry:, climate change, ecology, environmental education, natural resources, social science, quantitative analysis, and water resources. The program is divided into the following five areas: core courses, numerical skills, concentration area courses, elective courses, and a thesis or project. The core courses are in environmental perspectives and methods, environmental analysis and intercampus environmental conference which takes place on the Corvallis campus. This program is highly customizable. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

18.) Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University is a public institution located in Spearfish, South Dakota. BHSU offers associates, bachelors and masters degrees as well as professional certifications. The student population is 38,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 16 to 1. Carnegie classifies this institution has a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may follow the course of study entirely online. Some of the most popular online options are in organizational behavior studies, curriculum and instruction, secondary education training, and photography among others.

Black Hills State University office a master of science in sustainability. This program is suitable for city planners, architects, policy analysts, lawyers and more. Some of the required courses include fundamentals of sustainability, science for sustainability, human dimensions of sustainability, environmental law and policy, quantitative methods and sustainability, and resources environmental economics. This program culminates with a capstone experience. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for professions that focus on sustainability. With a degree from Black Hill State you’ll have the option to join in this ever going field. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

19.) University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a public four year institution located in Lawrence. KU offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. Their current student population is 27,552 and student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. According to Carnegie KU classifies as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Their student services include academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, distance learning options, ROTC, and much more. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Kansas rank as the 124 best school in the nation and highly for value, innovation, public schooling, engineering, business programming, computer science more. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of biology and biomedical sciences, education, health, psychology, and computer information sciences.

The University of Kansas offers a professional science masters in environmental assessment as well as certifications in the same area. The Masters program is a 33 credit hour course that includes the following components: core courses, professional skills courses, science electives, and a capstone experience. This program is flexible and is offered online, on site, as well as in a hybrid format. The GRE is not required for students who have a 3.0 and above undergraduate. students may follow an accelerated 4+1 masters option. Students will learn about environmental restoration, environmental justice, regulatory compliance, community resilience, environmental impact assessment, and the firemen on policy. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

20.) Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University as a public four year institution located in Alpine, Texas. The institution enrolls 2,406 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Sul Russ offers bachelors and masters degrees. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, employment services, study abroad options, teacher certification courses, credit for life experiences and distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate students and graduate students may both pursue programming online. Some of the most popular online degrees are in the field of education, business management, and parks and recreation.

Sul Ross offers the natural resource management program. Students may pursue an online degree in one of the following areas: agricultural business, conservation biology, range management, sustainable ranching, wildlife management and more. The conservation biology program is an action oriented science degree that focuses on protection and restoration. The wildlife management program is for individuals who are interested in learning how to manage North American resources with a special emphasis on game species. The range management program focuses on How to manage range lands for sustainable purposes. For more information about these programs and to apply please see their website.

• Program Website

Related Resources:

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

The post The 20 Best Online Masters in Environmental Studies appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. Ph.D. in Astronomy

Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, planets and other bodies that make up the universe. The scientists who work in this field, called astronomers, use data to develop theories about how the universe operates and when and how the celestial bodies came into existence. There are a number of specialized job roles within the field of astronomy, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Some, like cosmologists and extragalactic astronomers, seek to understand the history and development of the universe as a whole. Others specialize in the study of galaxies (galactic astronomers), planets (planetary astronomers), stars (stellar astronomers) or the sun (solar astronomers). There are also high-energy astrophysicists who work with energy rays. Some types of astronomers are categorized by the tools they use to study space rather than what phenomena they study. Optical and observational astronomers view their objects of study through optical telescopes, while radio astronomers utilize radio telescopes instead. Coursework in a doctoral astronomy program typically includes high-level math classes such as statistics, calculus and linear algebra as well as advanced studies in general astronomy and in subfields such as cosmology or planetary astronomy.

Some 60 percent of careers at NASA fall into the category of Professional, Engineering and Scientific roles. Since astronomy is literally the study of stars and space objects, what degree path could better prepare you for a career in the field of space exploration? To work for NASA, aspiring astronomers need a Ph.D. in astronomy. Astronomers who work as NASA scientists gather and analyze data and use their findings to better understand space and the celestial bodies that compose it, the BLS reported. They use a variety of equipment, including telescopes based on earth and probes in outer space, to study the universe. Like other scientists, astronomers conduct research to test theories, but astronomers face the additional challenge of being very far – lightyears, even – from the bodies they’re studying. About 26 percent of astronomers across the U.S. work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $104,100

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Astronomy, Master’s or Ph.D. in Physics

2. Ph.D. in Physics

If you’ve ever wondered how the universe works, studying physics can help you learn the answers. Physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, time and space. Physicists study everything from tiny atoms and molecules to the workings of matter and energy across the universe. Subfields of physics include condensed matter, particle physics, nuclear physics and medical physics. Some of the studies of physics are theoretical, ccomonceptualizing how matter works. Other endeavors constitute applied physics, in which physicists put what they know about matter and energy to practical use improving medical technology, communications infrastructure, navigation systems and household electronics. In their work, physicists develop theories based on existing data and complex mathematical calculations and conduct experiments with the help of equipment such as lasers, particle accelerators and electron microscopes. In a Ph.D. program in physics, students choose a concentration such as condensed matter physics or astrophysics to study in-depth as well as taking math and science courses.

The specialty of physics is closely related to the specialty of astronomy, according to the BLS. Like astronomers, physicists who wish to work for NASA need to earn a doctoral degree. In particular, NASA offers employment opportunities for plasma physicists. These are scientists who study plasma, a type of matter that is found naturally in stars but that is also used on earth as components in television screens and neon signs. While many plasma physicists who work outside the field of space exploration focus more on ways to harness plasma as an energy source for the future, NASA plasma physicists may work more on understanding how the sun affects weather in space. Their findings can be used to safeguard satellites launched into space as well as the communication systems and power transmissions used in spacecraft. About 18 percent of astronomers across the U.S. work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $111,580

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Physics, Master’s or Ph.D. in Astronomy

3. Bachelor’s in Atmospheric Science Degree

When you think of meteorologists, it’s most likely the weather forecasters who predict weather conditions here on earth for broadcast or digital media that come to mind. Actually, though, there are numerous types of atmospheric scientists, and not all of them focus solely on earthly phenomena. In addition to familiar jobs like broadcast meteorologist and weather forecaster, atmospheric and space scientists include atmospheric chemists, climatologists, atmospheric physicists, climate scientists, forensic meteorologists and research meteorologists. Given the wide range of career roles available in atmospheric science, the subjects of study in the field can vary significantly. While many atmospheric scientists focus on predicting weather and climate events, some instead focus on historical weather or on new methods of collecting weather data. In their studies and research, atmospheric and space scientists gather data with the help of equipment such as satellite images, weather balloons and radar systems. Undergraduate students of atmospheric science study meteorology, atmospheric science, math, physics and computer programming, according to the BLS.

Atmospheric scientists who are interested in a career in space exploration could seek out a role as a NASA scientist. At NASA, meteorologists and other types of atmospheric scientists use their knowledge of weather and climate factors to study the weather conditions in space. They analyze data to develop both short-term and long-term space-weather forecasts, according to the BLS. Some NASA atmospheric scientists study other phenomenon, like trade winds and the Northern Lights. Atmospheric scientist is the one type of scientist prominently employed by NASA that requires only a bachelor’s degree. However, if you don’t want to spend four years in school, you might also be able to attain a NASA job with just two years of study. An associate’s degree from a technical school or community college can help you attain a job as a meteorological technician or meteorological aide. About 26 percent of atmospheric scientists work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $89,820

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Geology or Physics or Associate’s Degree in Earth Sciences or Meteorology  

 4. Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

Biology is the study of living organisms. When you study the natural or biological sciences, you learn about the growth, structure, evolution and function of various organisms. There are a number of different focuses of study available in the biological sciences. If you’re interested in the study of animals, you might become a wildlife biologist or zoologist. Scientists who study tiny organisms such as viruses and bacteria become microbiologists. Many scientists who work in biology hold interdisciplinary roles such as biochemist or biophysicist. A degree in biology or biological sciences can open a lot of career paths to you, including roles with the federal government. About 21 percent of wildlife biologists and 12 percent of microbiologists work for the federal government, according to the BLS. The executive branch of the federal government is also the industry that employs the highest number of biological scientists working in other unspecified roles, the BLS reported.

At NASA, a bachelor’s degree in biological science is one of the educational paths you can take to become an astronaut. Some Other options for preparing for a career as an astronaut include physical science, engineering, computer science and mathematics. However, aspiring astronauts should know that it takes more than an undergraduate degree to achieve the dream of visiting outer space. Just 45 of NASA’s more than 17,000 workers happen to be astronauts, the BLS reported. In fact, there have only been 338 U.S. astronauts sent into space since 1959. In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you will need years of experience flying aircraft just to qualify for the astronaut candidate program. Then you will spend another two years in the program, preparing for your mission into space. Astronaut candidates need to go through rigorous military water survival training as well as training in robotics skills and space physiology and medicine, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $77,190

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree Physical Science or Mathematics

5. Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering

In addition to scientists, NASA employs a large number of engineers, professionals who apply scientific and mathematical principles to solve real-world problems. Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering that focuses on designing and building aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineers typically choose one of two specializations. Aeronautical engineers design, create and test aircraft that stays within the earth’s atmosphere, such as jet planes. Astronautical engineers focus on developing the technology used in spacecraft that travels through the earth’s atmosphere and into space. In an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree program in aerospace engineering, students take coursework in specific subjects such as propulsion, mechanics, structures and stability and control as well as general engineering principles and how to apply them. Undergraduate aerospace engineering students must develop their knowledge of aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is the study of the interaction between air and moving objects such as rockets, airplane wings and even kites, the BLS reported.

NASA aerospace engineers work primarily on designing and constructing missiles, rockets and other forms of spacecraft. At NASA, aerospace engineers solve problems that aeronautical never have to deal with due to differences between the atmosphere in earth and the conditions found in space. For example, the lack of airflow in space means that the jet engines that work within the earth’s atmosphere would fail to work in a spaceship, according to the BLS. To meet this challenge, aerospace engineers devised rockets that run on liquid oxygen and propellant. Once a NASA aerospace engineer comes up with a design idea, he or she must create a prototype to test the design’s performance and safety. Because a failure could put astronauts’ lives in danger, it’s very important that spacecraft designs work in practice and not just in principle. About 13 percent of aerospace engineers work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $107,830

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Systems Science

6. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering

Another branch of engineering is computer hardware engineering. Computer hardware engineers apply the principles of engineering to computers. Unlike software developers, who focus on programs and applications, computer hardware engineers work on the physical components of computer systems. They develop the circuit boards, processes and memory devices used in individual devices as well as the networks and routers used to connect these computers. Undergraduate computer engineering students complete coursework that combines electrical engineering principles and practices with extensive studies in computer science. The very technical coursework required for this degree means that students must have a strong foundation in science and mathematics to build on during their undergraduate studies. Because computer technology is constantly and quickly evolving, aspiring computer hardware engineers should plan on lifelong learning to keep pace with new technological developments. Most computer hardware engineers work in industries like computer systems design, computer equipment manufacturing and electronics component manufacturing, but the federal government employs about six percent of computer hardware engineers, the BLS reported.

The spacecraft, instruments and equipment used in space exploration often rely heavily on computer technology. After all, these instruments are used to measure activity and matter in space – sometimes from the earth’s surface. Given the high-tech nature of space exploration equipment, it’s no surprise that NASA needs skilled computer hardware engineers who understand how the physical components of these computers and computer systems work. Specifically, computer hardware engineers who work for NASA are responsible for the research and development of computer equipment used to collect data both in space and from earth. In addition to developing the design of data-collecting equipment, NASA computer hardware engineers also create a working prototype that they can test to make sure the instrument works as intended. Computer hardware engineers at NASA don’t just design computer equipment for themselves to use. They must make their designs accessible for other NASA personnel by noting down in detail how the product works.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $111,730

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

7. Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering

Computer hardware is far from the only kind of technology engineers develop. Electronics engineering is the branch of engineering that involves the design and construction of electronic equipment. Electronics engineers must determine how to design and construct complex electronic systems, components and devices that meet the functional needs of the user without being too expensive to produce, too difficult to maintain or too unwieldy to use. The work of electronics engineers plays a role in a wide variety of industries, from medical treatment to military purposes. There is often a lot of overlap between the disciplines of electronics engineering and a related branch of engineering called electrical engineering. In an ABET-accredited electronics engineering degree program, students cake coursework in differential equations, electrical circuit theory and digital systems design. Electronics engineers can begin working in entry-level roles without attaining state licensure, but many choose to earn their Professional Engineering (PE) license during the course of their careers, the BLS reported.

The electronics engineers who work for NASA specialize in designing and developing electronics used in space exploration. Satellites and the instrument panels and broadcast and communications systems are just a few of the projects electronics engineers may work on when employed by NASA. The environmental conditions in space differ from earth and can be much harsher, exposing the equipment to radiation as well as extreme temperatures. The instruments a NASA electronics engineer designs must be capable of withstanding these conditions. While developing new equipment systems and components is an important part of a NASA electronics engineer’s responsibilities, it’s still only one part of the job description. Electronics engineers also need to plan ahead for maintaining the equipment and develop in-depth procedures for safe and effective maintenance practices. In addition to coming up with a design for the equipment, electronics engineers inspect, test and maintain existing electronics for safety and performance. The federal government employs 13 percent of electronics engineers, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $95,230

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Electronics Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

8. Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Engineers are problem-solvers – and mechanical engineers are perhaps the most versatile problem-solvers of all. Mechanical engineering is among the broadest engineering disciplines, encompassing the creation of various kinds of mechanical devices, the BLS reported. Among the wide range of devices mechanical engineers develop are batteries, electric generators, escalators and elevators, engines, conveyor belt systems, medical devices, appliances, tools and turbines. Mechanical engineers aren’t just the brains behind these products. Mechanical engineers use computer technology that analyzes data and simulates machine testing as they build, test and tweak prototypes of their designs to perfection. The end result is a product that functions precisely as needed to solve the problem at hand. To earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, students need to take a variety of math and science classes in addition to their engineering and design courses. For mechanical engineers, a state-issued Professional Engineering license is beneficial and, in some cases, mandatory, according to the BLS.

When it comes to space exploration, mechanical engineers play an important role. Successful space missions depend on engines, tools, sensors, machines and other equipment that function optimally. With skilled mechanical engineers on the NASA team, the space exploration program can be sure that the equipment they use has been designed with all of the potential space-related challenges in mind. Mechanical engineers don’t always work alone. Often, they collaborate with engineers who specialize in other disciplines. At NASA, it’s not unusual for mechanical engineers to work alongside aerospace engineers, combining their expertise to make sure every tool and machine onboard a spacecraft meets its users’ needs. The steering mechanism used on rocket nozzles is just one example of the work mechanical engineers – along with their collaborators in other branches of engineering – do for NASA, according to the BLS. About six percent of mechanical engineers work in aerospace parts manufacturing roles, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $83,590

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology

9. Associate’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering Technology

Aerospace engineers who are working on major projects can’t do everything themselves. Technicians – engineering professionals who have formal technical training but not an extensive academic education – often work in roles that support the efforts of full-fledged engineers. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians get their training from a technical school or junior college. ABET, the same entity that accredits science and engineering programs at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, also has a separate Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission that awards accreditation to engineering technology degree programs. To earn ABET accreditation, an aerospace engineering technology degree program must include classes in science, college-level algebra and trigonometry, according to the BLS. Community colleges are more likely to offer more studies in the theory of aerospace engineering technology and in the liberal arts and sciences and to award associate’s degrees. Technical schools, on the other hand, more commonly focus on practical applications of aerospace engineering technologies and may award a certificate or diploma instead of an associate’s degree, the BLS reported.

While most of the careers involved in space exploration require at least an undergraduate degree, aerospace engineering and operations technician is one NASA job you can get with only an associate’s degree. In a role at NASA, aerospace engineering and operations technicians assist engineers and scientists with their projects to design, develop and especially test spacecraft. Aerospace engineering technicians contribute toward building spacecraft by installing the instruments and components engineers design. Technicians also create the conditions necessary to rigorously test spacecraft and the systems they employ. An aerospace engineering technician’s role in testing aerospace equipment can take many forms, from building test facilities and installing components to calibrating test equipment and actually running computer simulation tests and recording the results of various tests. Due to their close involvement in testing spacecraft, aerospace engineering technicians play an important role in the safety and quality assurance. One-third of aerospace engineering technicians work in the industry of aerospace products and parts manufacturing, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Technology

Median Salary: $66,180

Similar Degree Programs: Technical School Diploma or Certificate in Aerospace Engineering Technology

10. Associate’s Degree in Avionics Technology

When the complex electronic equipment onboard aircraft and spacecraft needs to be fixed, who works on it? A type of installation, maintenance and repair professional called an avionics technician fulfills this vital job duty. Avionics technicians perform both regular scheduled maintenance procedures and urgent repairs that result from a malfunction or other problem. Unlike the related roles of aircraft mechanic and repairmen, avionics technicians specialize in maintaining and fixing the electronic systems onboard a plane or spaceship. They work with aircraft and spacecraft equipment such as voltmeters, circuit testers, oscilloscopes, navigation aids, radio communication devices and radar systems, according to the BLS. As part of their testing, avionics technicians need to review flight test data for signs of malfunction. If they encounter any performance problems, they need to know how to fix or replace the malfunctioning part to avoid any risks to the safety of the aircraft or spacecraft’s occupants.

Like aerospace engineering technicians, avionics technicians can land a job at NASA with just an associate’s degree. While a role as an avionics technician might not require a comprehensive academic background, it does require strong mechanical skills and a great deal of troubleshooting skills and physical dexterity. A NASA avionics technician needs to be comfortable working with a variety of tools, ranging from hand tools to power tools and even soldering irons, according to the BLS. Part of an avionics technician’s job is to assemble parts like electrical controls and junction boxes and install new and replacement instrument panels as needed. Avionics technicians must also be familiar with digital technology so they can effectively maintain the computer systems that are utilized by the spacecraft’s electronic instruments. About 30 percent of avionics technicians work in the aerospace parts manufacturing industry, and another 11 percent work for the federal government, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Technology

Median Salary: $58,540

Similar Degree Programs: Military Training or Certificate from an FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School

11. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Not all jobs with NASA are based in engineering or the sciences. For example, accountant is one of a number of professional roles needed at NASA. Accountants are the business and financial professionals who are responsible for an organization’s financial records. They create many types of financial statements and documents, including income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flow and statements of changes in equity. An accounting professional must also review financial statements for accuracy, identifying any indicators of intentional fraud or unintentional accounting or mathematical errors. In a bachelor’s degree in accounting program, students take courses such as the principles of accounting and auditing, internal auditing, business communications and business law, according to U.S. News & World Report. Accountants may also study various types of accounting and may pursue a concentration in a subject like taxation, financial accounting, cost accounting or management accounting. Many accountants choose to spend a fifth year in college to earn a master’s degree and prepare to earn the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential.

Accountants play an important role in many types of industries, and a government entity like NASA is no exception. As a large and busy organization, NASA has a lot of financial transactions going on at any given time. There are checks to process, receipts to write up and budget and cost data that someone must keep track of to prevent any inaccuracies in financial recordkeeping. Accountants are the personnel with the skills and education to organize all of this information into a financial report that captures this information. NASA has an accounting system which is used to keep track of cost and budget data. The organization’s accountants may be responsible for entering, analyzing and processing using this system. Accountants who work for NASA may also serve on organizations and committees within the space exploration program in financial roles such as treasurer, NASA reported. About eight percent of accountants work for the government, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Professional

Median Salary: $67,190

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Auditing or Business Administration 

12. Bachelor’s Degree in Communications

NASA also needs skilled media and communications professionals to publicize the space exploration program’s findings and achievements. Technical writers play an integral part in NASA communications. These media and communications professionals need to be experts at communicating complex technical information in a way that readers who don’t have a background in science can understand. They use various formats to distribute this technical information, ranging from journal articles to instruction manuals and how-to guides. While the term ‘writer’ implies that these communications professionals express information only in written text, that’s not the case. Technical writers are sometimes called technical communicators and are responsible for creating imagery and other non-written materials used to communicate technical ideas. A bachelor’s degree in communications or a related subject often is sufficient to meet minimum education requirements. However, technical writers also need knowledge in the technical field they plan to write about, such as medicine or engineering, the BLS reported.

The technical writers who work for NASA interact with a variety of scientists and engineers in the course of their job duties. Technical writers research the science they need to write about and speak with the scientist and engineers who designed and developed the product so that they clearly understand what it does and how it works. Then they translate that knowledge into written format. Some of the work NASA technical writers might create includes operating and assembly instructions for space exploration equipment. Technical writers must break complicated findings about space exploration down into organized chunks of information, and they must develop a style of writing that is clear and specific. Often, the use of imagery can help make the technical space exploration findings discovered by NASA scientists easier to understand. NASA’s technical writers are also responsible for creating these visual materials, such as charts, animations, drawings and diagrams, as well as attaining pictures taken by NASA photographers. Technical writers must often undergo some short-term on-the-job training when they begin working at NASA, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $70,240

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in English or Journalism

13. Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations

When a government entity is as well-known as NASA, there’s bound to be a lot of public interest in its projects. Public relations specialists are media and communications professionals who cultivate a positive reputation for a company, organization or individual. They accomplish this goal through carefully managing the company’s written communications, speeches and other messages that promote a favorable image of the company. In a bachelor’s degree program in public relations, students take courses such as the foundations of public relations principles and practices, design for public relations messages, public relations writing, strategic communications, media relations, marketing and advertising and journalism. In addition to learning public relations theory, students in public relations degree programs will develop a portfolio of the work they have completed over the course of their college education, the BLS reported. It’s often beneficial for public relations majors to gain some real-world work experience, and make contacts within the industry, by completing an internship experience.

Public relations specialists who work for NASA make sure that discoveries made in the field of space exploration can find their way into public consciousness. Through the work of a public relations specialist, news media outlets across the country are made aware of NASA’s activities and findings so they can report on the story. Public relations specialists at NASA are responsible for devising and implementing a communication strategy that paints the space exploration program in a positive light. Press releases and news releases, articles, media advisories and blog posts are just a few of the types of content public relations specialists at NASA might create. They also assist with speeches, coordinating opportunities for speeches, fielding requests from schools for educational speakers and writing the speeches company representatives give, according to the BLS. Some NASA employees who work in public relations go by slightly different job titles, such as public affairs specialist or press secretary.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $56,770

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English, Communications or Business

14. Bachelor’s Degree in Film

You probably associate producers and directors more with blockbuster films or Broadway plays than with space exploration, but these entertainment professionals also play a role in NASA’s educational efforts. Directors and producers are the creative minds behind a performing arts production, whether it’s a much publicized high-budget movie or an educational film for students. While directors and producers don’t themselves appear on camera as actors do, their vision for the projects is what determines the look and feel of the film. Producers focus more on the financial aspects of securing funding and keeping expenses within budget, while directors typically are more involved in the artistic aspects of the film. A bachelor’s degree in film or cinema is the most common educational path for producers and directors, the BLS reported. In these degree programs, students study topics such as screenwriting, film history, the filmmaking process, editing and cinematography, according to the BLS.

Producers and directors who work for NASA focus their efforts on creating educational videos about space exploration. NASA’s educational videos cover subjects such as science concepts, inventions and innovations made possible by NASA for youth and adult audiences. These videos make complex concepts and technical processes, like assembling a telescope, easier for an audience to understand, according to the BLS. The directors involved in a NASA video project are responsible for choosing the creative elements of the film, like what subjects to film and how actors should portray their characters. Producers, on the other hand, take the role of overseeing the budget and production schedule. They hire a crew and ensure that the entire filmmaking process goes smoothly so that the final product is ready when it’s supposed to be ready and without going over the budget. Both the director and producer may have a hand in choosing the cast members who appear in the educational film.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $68,440

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Acting, Writing, Communication, Business or Art Management

15. Bachelor’s Degree in Photography

If you’re good with a camera, your photography skills could be your ticket to a career in the field of space exploration. Professional photographers make a living taking pictures. Some photographers specialize in portraits of individuals or groups, while others create photographs as a form of fine art or for commercial, news or scientific purposes. For aspiring photographers, having strong natural artistic abilities and a “good eye” for what makes a photo aesthetically pleasing is more important than pursuing a formal college education, the BLS reported. However, earning a degree in photography can help students develop their skills and learn the technical aspects of the art, including what makes a photograph good and how photography equipment works. Photography majors often take classes in photography techniques, processes, equipment and design and composition, according to the BLS. Perhaps more importantly, they begin developing a portfolio filled with their best photos that they can show to prospective employers or clients. 

At NASA, experienced photographers are necessary for capturing the space exploration program’s milestone events and discoveries. NASA photographers aren’t the ones who take photographs of space phenomena, because these media and communication professionals are based here on earth. However, their work in photographing the activities of NASA scientists and engineers plays an important role in preserving the history of the space exploration program and showing the progress NASA has made. Technically, even NASA photographers don’t necessarily need a college education. A highly skilled photographer with only a high school diploma may have a good aesthetic eye, strong artistic abilities and an impressive enough portfolio to attain a role taking pictures for NASA. However, photojournalists and scientific photographers are among the types of photographers that most often need a bachelor’s degree, according to the BLS. Whether or not they have a bachelor’s degree, NASA photographers typically need some long-term on-the-job training to succeed in their career.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $31,700

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Art

Editor’s Note: Choosing the right degree path is only one part of preparing for a career in the field of space exploration. While none of these majors can guarantee you a future working for NASA, they can help you take the first steps. For more information about space careers, check out this article by the BLS, the federal bureau which served as the source for the salary, occupational grouping and degree information data found in this article. Please note that the data contained above reflects salary data and job duties for these occupations in general and is not specific to NASA employment.

For Further Reading: 

Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

What Degree Do You Need to Be an Astrophysicist?

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

What Are My Degree Choices to Be a Film/TV Producer?

How Much Can I Make With a Degree in Digital Marketing?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

The post 15 Degree Paths for Out-of-This-World Careers in Space Exploration appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

And as the world has seen in recent years due to the world pandemic, having qualified nurses is among the most vital aspects of responding to national medical emergencies. Thus many existing nursing programs are seeing a bump in funding and support, while many new nursing programs sprout up in program catalogues. As such, prospective nurse educators will find that there are more options than ever before for earning a Master’s of Nursing Education, particularly in the context of online degree programs. 

While online education was certainly trending towards the mainstream over recent years, the pandemic has urged ubiquitous integration. Today, many of the best nursing education programs offer online programs that are designed entirely for adult learners and working students. And oftentimes these programs offer accelerated tracks, flexible formats, and career-centric specializations so that students can enter the job market efficiently, primed to compete in the job market. 

In this ranking, our researchers have done the legwork–scouring veritable mountains of data to identify the best online programs overall. The programs of this ranking are organized according to metrics of affordability, graduation rate, and overall prestige, as is conferred by existing rankings in trusted publications such as US News & World Report and The Princeton Review.

1 Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) demonstrates a willingness to innovate while holding true to the support of women. TWU offers many nursing degree programs both in online and on-campus formats–from a nurse practitioner program, to a nursing education program, to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. TWU’s nursing programs are consistently recognized for offering a rare combination of affordability, flexibility, and academic rigor. 

Specifically, students can earn a Master’s of Nursing Education at TWU that can be completed entirely online. Highly experienced faculty work closely with each student, grooming them for positions of leadership. At TWU’s Master of Nursing Education program, students will learn from the best of the best–and will learn how to pass on this knowledge to the next generation of nursing students. 

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Texas Woman’s University

2 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers a selection of highly affordable nursing degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. What UTRGV does to distinguish itself is it offers students programs that are simultaneously some of the most affordable on this list while also providing a level of career-centric education that is typically more common in programs with larger infrastructure and tuition costs.

Students at UTRGV School of Nursing: Division of Health Affairs can earn a Master of Science in Nursing with a Nursing Education emphasis. The program is completed entirely through online coursework that emphasizes flexibility without sacrificing core learning objectives. Students of the program will learn how to work with students from vastly different backgrounds. Graduates of the program often go on to teach at two and four year universities, as well community colleges.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

3 The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers a selection of high-end nursing programs delivered at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate level. The College of Nursing and Health Innovation specializes in online nursing education, offering online degree programs that consistently rank among the best within their categories.

UTA’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers students a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education. The program is completed through 39 credit hours of coursework in as few as 19 to 21 months, making it one of the most efficient programs listed. The College’s specialization in online nursing education means that students will progress through classes that utilize cutting-edge technology to replicate the clinical experience of nursing and medical situations–an excellent selling point for students who want to ensure that they make no sacrifices to benefit from the convenience of online education.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at The University of Texas at Arlington

4 University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) offers a number of affordable, career-focused degree programs. UNLV distinguishes itself through a clear commitment to offering students actionable curriculums that are designed to position students for success in the job market upon graduation. As such, program curriculums are constantly in flux as they adapt to the ever changing tides of industry. 

THe UNLV Master of Science in Nursing program offers students three tracks to consider: Family Nurse Practitioner Track, Nursing Education Track, and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track. Only the Nursing Education Track is available to online students. Graduates of the nursing education program will be prepared to excel in the following areas: 

• Utilizing research to continually evolve teaching ability
• Developing teaching plans to maximize student learning 
• Assessing and evaluating academic programs, coursework, and student engagement 
• Working as a leader in various professional settings 
• Furthering the field of nursing education 

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at The University of Nevada

5 Stony Brook University

The Stony Brook University School of Nursing offers a robust selection of nursing degree programs. Many of which can be completed entirely online through flexible coursework meant to accommodate even the busiest of working students. Stony Brook University designs each of its degree programs so that working adults can seek professional advancement without sacrificing their jobs or a health work-life balance.

The Stony Brook School of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing Education that is built around a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum. Students of the program will commit to a set of core learning objectives, which are meant to represent the high bar required to become a top-tier nursing educator. While the program’s curriculum is demanding with little flexibility and no room for elective offerings, students can enjoy the confidence that once completing it they will be prepared to build success in their careers as nursing educators.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Stony Brook University

6 Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a force of innovation and modernization in the higher education industry. Western Governors University (WGU) was among the first universities in the country to devote its resources to becoming a technologically advanced hub for online education. Since its inception in 1997, WGU has continually distinguished itself by offering tremendously affordable degree programs that are based entirely around positioning students for success in the job market. 

WGU offers a unique nursing education program. Specifically, students can earn a fully online BSN-to-MSN in Nursing Education. 80% of graduates finished the program in just two years, making it a blindingly fast option for undergraduates who want to graduate with an MSN in Nursing Education. Not only is the program one of the most efficient on the market, but it is also the most affordable program listed in this article. Any prospective nursing educator will want to consider this option.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Western Governors University

7 Ferris State University

The Ferris State University College of Health Professionals School of Nursing combines a selection of prestigious degree programs with a number of specialized tracks and certificate programs that can be completed entirely online on a flexible schedule. In short, Ferris State School of Nursing is quickly becoming a premier hub for nursing students around the country, and even around the world. 

The Ferris State University School of Nursing offers a unique format for a graduate-level nursing education program. That is, students can earn a Master of Science in Nursing or an Accelerated RN-to-MSN with an optional Nursing Education Certificate. The certificate program enables students to engage a traditional MSN curriculum while becoming acquainted with the fundamentals of nursing education. This path however, will be best suited for those who are not looking to build careers entirely around nursing education and instead are looking to chart a road somewhere between professional nursing and nursing education.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Ferris State University

8 East Tennessee State University

The East Tennessee State University College of Nursing offers the prestige and tradition associated with large state universities with decades of demonstrated excellence, combined with the cutting-edge technology and infrastructure of a university specializing in online education. In other words, the ETSU College of Nursing is a rare example of a College that expanded into online education smoothly with nothing but success and notoriety. Students who enroll in an online nursing degree at ETSU will benefit from excellence in the College’s four pillars: education, scholarship/research, service, and practice.

Online nursing students at ETSU can earn one the following MSN degree concentrations: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, and the Family Nurse Practitioner. The proficiency of instructors and overall program is demonstrated by the certification exam pass-rates: 100% Pass Rate on PMHNP Certification, 98% Pass rate on FNP Certification for 2020.

The program also differentiates itself by the focus provided to nursing education in the context of a rural environment. So students who are interested in taking their nursing education careers to a rural location will likely find this program to be a top contender. 

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at East Tennessee State University

9 Angelo State University

Angelo State University has updated many of its nursing degree program offeringings to reflect the national shortage of nurses. Its programs are relatively affordable, but really demonstrate their value in the quality of education offered. Students of these programs will participate in state of the art nursing education technology which is meant to simulate real-world situations. This technology is extremely valuable in online education, where students run the risk of missing out on certain real-world learning objectives. 

Angelo State University offers a number of fully online Master of Science in Nursing programs. Among which is a Master of Science in Nursing Education program, which is fully accredited and recognized by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students of the program will progress through a comprehensive curriculum based on the following topics and courses:

• Curriculum in Nursing Education
• Teaching Strategies and Evaluation in Nursing Education
• Roles and Financial Management in Nursing Education
• Advanced Nursing Clinical Practice for Nurse Educators
• Capstone Practicum in Nursing Education
  

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Angelo State University

10 Winona State University

Winona State University offers a number of industry-aware nursing programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and even postgraduate level. Students can consider an RN-to-MSN pathway, as well as Master’s of Nursing programs with the following concentration tracks: Nurse Educator (NE), Nursing Leadership: Nursing and Organizational Leadership. Regardless of their chosen program, students will program through an evidence-based curriculum which promotes critical analyses and objective decision-making. 

Specifically though, students of the Master’s level Nurse Education (NE) track will master the fundamentals of curriculum-design, student mentorship, and research. Students of the program will program through a fully online curriculum that covers the following specialized subjects:

• Molecular, Genetic and Immune Mechanisms in Disease
• Advanced Clinical Pharmacology
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Nursing Education: Theory and Research
• Nursing Education Curriculum & Program Design 
• Nursing Education: Instruction and Evaluation
• Nursing Education: Instruction and Evaluation Practicum/Clinical
  

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Winona State University

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post The 10 Best Online Master’s in Nursing Education appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you look at the U.S. Labor Department of Statistics you will notice the percentages of projected employment growth are all in double digits across the board. That’s excellent news for job seekers currently holding a healthcare-related degree as well as students trying to decide on their career path.

RELATED: The Best-Paying Jobs in Health Care: Top 15 Highest-Paying Medical Specialties

All salaries, education requirements and projected employment growth were sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. If a particular career was not featured on the BLS site, Payscale.com was used for median salary.

1. Optometrist

Read the top line. Now the next line. Can you read the smallest line? Are you reading it with glasses, or your own naked eye? If you’re reading with glasses, odds are, you’ve met an optometrist. (You might have met an ophthalmologist, which is a medical doctor who treats eyes; an optometrist is Doctor of Optometry, specializing in corrective lenses, not medicine.) Optometrists check vision, prescribe lenses, and sometimes prescribe medications for minor eye disorders; some even do basic surgeries.

If you want to help people see better, but you’re not so interested in doing surgery or treating major diseases, consider optometry. It’s a very rewarding career, in the good you can do patients and the income you’ll make.

Median Salary: $97,000
Education Level: Doctorate
Projected employment growth: 24% increase between 2012 and 2022

2. Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse hits that sweet spot where schooling, pay, and responsibility balance out. You can become a registered nurse with an associate’s degree and a license, in only two or three years, and pay is high for such a low level of schooling. You spend a lot of time directly with patients, assessing their well-being, keeping them comfortable, and doing all of the many tasks that come up (medicines, needles, monitors, and bandages). You can specialize in areas such as pediatric, emergency, intensive care, and labor/delivery, or you can work as a school or camp nurse. Some nurses choose lucrative traveling positions.

It’s not a cushy job – you’ll be on your feet a lot, and during your shifts, stress can get pretty high. You’re responsible for people’s lives, after all. But there is no shortage of work for good nurses, and the more experience you get, the more in-demand you’ll be, and the higher pay you can negotiate for.

Median Salary: $65,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

3. Respiratory Therapist

Take a deep breath. Appreciate that? What if you couldn’t do it? For millions of Americans, breathing is a daily struggle. Whether from asthma, COPD, emphysema, or any number of other disorders, difficulty breathing calls for a specialist who can help relieve symptoms, do therapy to strengthen the lungs, and practice preventative care. That specialist is a Respiratory Therapist.

Although Respiratory Therapists need to continue their training and education throughout their career, as new technologies and therapies emerge, RT is one of the best-paid professions you can get with only an associate’s degree. Many respiratory therapists work with premature births, children, adults with chronic lung disorders, and the elderly, all demographics, and there is no expectation that the need for RTs will diminish; if anything, the profession is expected to grow.

Median Salary: $56,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

4. Hospital Administrator

An exploding medical sector means an unprecedented demand for Hospital Administrators. These are the people who keep the hospital in compliance with regulations, financially stable, staffed, and housed. They may not have direct contact with patients, but they make sure the hospital is there, and that qualified people are on call to take care of the sick and injured.

This is a job with significant responsibilities; whether it’s for-profit or non-profit, a hospital is an expensive operation, and the administrators are the ones who make sure the hospital is making money and staying afloat. Anything that goes wrong is on the heads of the administrators, so they often have to talk to the press and be available during emergency situations. And for that responsibility, they’re very well-paid. A Master’s of Business Administration is recommended, though some administrators are going for Public Health, and even Doctor of Public Health degrees.

Median Salary: $97,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 23% increase between 2012 and 2022

5. Biomedical Engineer

Part of the excitement of working in medicine is using all of the amazing machines, tools, and gadgets that are being developed every day to heal people. Obviously, those incredible inventions don’t design themselves – that’s what Biomedical Engineers are for. Any innovation that has transformed some aspect of medicine in recent years, from brain-controlled prosthetics to imaging machines that can show the hair on a growing fetus, started out in a biomedical research and development facility.

If you like the idea of working in a lab, creating things that will improve and save lives, consider biomedical engineering. You only need a bachelor’s degree to get started, and pay is excellent for the education level.

Median Salary: $87,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 27% increase between 2012 and 2022

6. Dental Hygienist

Can you get past the fact you will be poking around in stranger’s mouths all day long? If so, you’re golden. You clean some teeth, examine for gingivitis and other oral diseases, maybe you do some sealant work and assist with fillings, round it out with patient education and you’ve got your shift in a nutshell.

A Dental Hygienist works for a team with Dentists and Dental Assistants. So for obvious reasons, you need to have excellent social and communication skills. Hygienist are paid very well given the fact that only a 2 year degree is the required amount of schooling for this position.

Median Salary: $70,210
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 33% increase between 2012 and 2022

7. Dermatologist

Who loves their skin? Really, sees no flaws and has no qualms? That’s why dermatologists will always have a job. But it’s not all smoothing wrinkles and removing unsightly moles. Dermatologists treat life-threatening skin cancers, correct disfiguring scars and damage, sooth painful skin conditions that make life miserable, and help patients learn good preventative habits to avoid future suffering.

You’ll have to do a lot of schooling first – a dermatologist is a medical doctor, not just a simple certification. But you’ll have no trouble paying back your student loans, either. Median income is up around $300,000, and in California, where good skin goes on your resume, it can be even higher. Makes you wonder why you’re not a dermatologist already, doesn’t it?

Median Salary: $300,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 18% increase between 2012 and 2022

8. Chiropractor

Chiropractors diagnose and treat disorders of the spine, along with all the muscles and nerves that go with it. To the layman, that means a lot of stretching and joint-cracking. As a chiropractor, you do a little of everything; a session may require working with computer imaging, doing some therapeutic massage, and stretching patients on equipment that looks kind of medieval. You can’t be afraid to try some unconventional treatments, because every patient’s pain is different.

If you want to go into a medical profession, but you’re kind of a lone wolf, chiropractic might be a good choice. Most chiropractors work in private practice. But that, of course, means you have to wear a lot of hats, so it wouldn’t hurt to have some skills in business and marketing in addition to your medical degree. Take a video course and you can even shoot your own late-night local TV commercial.

Median Salary: $66,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 16% increase between 2012 and 2022

9. Podiatrist

Frankly, the human foot is a disaster. It just can’t handle all we put it through, with all our running around, on hard floors and sidewalks, in poorly-designed shoes. Not to mention all the weight we keep putting on them. It’s a wonder they hold up as well as they do. But pretty much everyone experiences foot pain or illness at some time in their lives. The Podiatrist is the one who treats that pain and illness, whether it’s as simple as warts and bunions, or as complex as diabetic feet or deformities like club foot.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor?

Those Baby Boomers, patron saints of the medical field, just insist on staying active as they age, and that’s a very good thing for podiatrists. Every woman in her 60s whose heel spurs keep her from training for a marathon needs a podiatrist. Every man of a certain age who breaks his ankle rollerblading needs one. So it’s no wonder the profession is growing steadily, or that it pays so well. Anything to keep us on our feet.

Median Salary: $116,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 23% increase between 2012 and 2022

10. Physician Assistant

If you’ve ever been to an urgent care center, you’ve seen a Physician Assistant. You may not have even realized that he or she was not technically a doctor, because PAs are trained to do virtually everything a doctor does – perform exams, diagnose illnesses, even write prescriptions. They have some limitations; they can only assist in surgery, not perform it, for instance. But for your day-to-day sickness or injuries, a Physician Assistant can do it all.

When you become a PA, you can work in any speciality a doctor can, from neonatal to geriatric. You’ll answer to a medical doctor as part of a team, but the responsibility will be yours. Plus, it’s only a master’s degree, which means you’ll get there much faster and with a lot less student loan debt.

Learn more about the top 25 physician assistant (PA) degree programs 2022.

Median Salary: $90,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 38% increase between 2012 and 2022

11. Speech Pathologist

You may think of a speech pathologist helping people overcome stuttering, or learn to speak without a lisp, but speech pathologists treat a wide range of disorders. They help children born with cleft palate or developmental delays, and adults with strokes or Parkinson’s. Surprisingly, speech pathologists can even help treat problems with infant feeding, such a difficulties sucking or swallowing.

Speech Pathologists often work with as part of a team, such as with an audiologist or educators, and they are commonly employed in schools and senior facilities. This is another profession that requires only a master’s degree, and while it may be difficult, it is also very rewarding to help someone who has lost, or never had, the ability to communicate, break through.

Median Salary: $69,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

12. Pharmacist

Ever walk into a pharmacy, see the pharmacist counting out pills, and think, “Must be nice to get paid for counting out pills all day”? Well, you don’t know the half of it. Pharmacist is a highly technical job, and people’s health and well-being, even their lives, are in the pharmacist’s hands. The doctor may diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment, but it’s up to the pharmacist to put that prescription together correctly and inform patients how to use it.

Since the pharmacist profession is so important, a pharmacist must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and it’s nearly as demanding as a medical doctorate. You’ll have to spend some time working in a pharmacy as a student for hands-on experience, and be licensed. The upside is, you won’t have the pressure and stress of working in an emergency room or dealing with blood and fluids. A patient may sneeze on you asking where to find the cold medicine, but otherwise, it’s a clean, safe job with a lot of responsibility and the income to match.

Median Salary: $116,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 14% increase between 2012 and 2022

13. Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapist is a straightforward job: you give radiation treatments, usually for patients with cancer (though a few other, rare diseases benefit from radiation). That means working with oncologists to develop a treatment plan, using the equipment to administer treatments, interpreting the results, advising patients on treating side effects, and judging when treatments need to stop or continue.

That’s a major responsibility, and a high pay rate, for only an associate’s degree. Think of it – you could be saving lives in only two or three years. If that appeals to you, Radiation Therapist is one of the fastest ways to get there.

Median Salary: $77,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 24% increase between 2012 and 2022

14. Nuclear Medicine Technician

This is another medical job that requires only an associate’s degree, has a lot of responsibility, and can be explained pretty simply. A Nuclear Medical Technician gives a patient a radioactive drug, uses imaging equipment to perform a scan, and analyzes the results on a computer to determine where abnormalities show up. That includes tests for disorders of the intestinal tract, heart and blood vessels, and brain.

As a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, you’ll probably work in a hospital, though some work for physicians or in clinics. Nuclear medicine is growing and improving all the time, so there’s no bad time to get in.

Median Salary: $70,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 20% increase between 2012 and 2022

15. Audiologist

Many people worry about hearing loss, whether it’s their own golden years, or their children’s yearly ear infections. Just about everyone has had a hearing test at some point in their life, and that’s probably all they know of audiology. Of course the audiologist performs hearing tests, but they also treat tinnitus (ringing in the ears), balance issues caused by inner ear disorders like Ménière’s disease, and all forms of hearing loss. They fit hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Thanks to iPod earbuds and Beats by Dre, audiologists don’t have to worry about running out of patients any time soon. The profession is growing much faster than the average rate, and advances in hearing recovery are coming quickly as technology like cochlear implants become more common.

Median Salary: $69,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 34% increase between 2012 and 2022

16. Physical Therapist

A child injured in a car accident learns to walk on crutches; a young baseball pitcher tears a ligament and needs recovery; a grandmother has a hip replacement and needs to practice walking on her new part. All of these people need a Physical Therapist.

Physical therapists work with all kinds of people, often in specialties like sports medicine, geriatric, or orthopedics. PTs use a variety of techniques, often in creative ways, to help improve their patients’ mobility, range of motion, and quality of life. It’s a doctorate degree, so it won’t be obtained easily, but physical therapy is a great choice for those who want to work directly with patients and help them see visible improvements.

Median Salary: $79,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 36% increase between 2012 and 2022

17. Nurse Practitioner

Whether you already have your BSN, or if you’re just getting started in a nursing program and feel ambitious, Nurse Practitioner is worth considering. A Nurse Practitioner is a master’s-level program which goes beyond the basic tasks of nursing. A Nurse Practitioner has many of the same responsibilities of a doctor, including diagnosis and prescribing treatment, though under the supervision of a doctor.

Many NPs work in hospitals, urgent care centers, schools, and nursing homes, and with the added education and responsibility comes a higher pay. Like all medical fields, Nurse Practitioner is a growing job, and there is no shortage of work in sight.

Median Salary: $96,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 31% increase between 2012 and 2022

18. Occupational Therapist

For millions of people, daily tasks, from brushing teeth to cleaning up after meals, are difficult because of some physical or mental disorder. Occupational Therapists are the experts who help patients do the things they want and need to do to make their lives better. For instance, OTs may help autistic children curb repetitive, destructive behaviors by teaching them more constructive habits; they may help elderly people with limited mobility rearrange their household goods to make them more easily accessible; they may help adults with brain damage re-learn basic life skills while working around their injuries.

To become an Occupational Therapist, you will need a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. You may work for hospitals, clinics, group homes, and other settings where people experience physical limitations, writing up treatment plans and sometimes overseeing a team of assistants.

Median Salary: $75,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 29% increase between 2012 and 2022

19. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

One of the most thrilling moments in a new parent’s life is seeing the sonogram image of their baby for the first time. A Sonographer is the person who makes that miracle possible. A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer uses imaging equipment such as ultrasound to check on the development of a fetus, to look for damage to organs such as the heart or intestines, or to find breast cancers. Some Sonographers assist with surgeries.

Some people may be nervous about working with this equipment all the time, but unlike X-rays, sonography uses no radiation and is totally safe for operator and patient. And with only an associate’s degree, sonography is a well-paid profession with a reasonable entry point.

Median Salary: $60,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 39% increase between 2012 and 2022

20. Radiologic Technologist

The first time Wilhelm Rontgen saw human bones with x-rays, it must have seemed like magic. Now, all it takes to look through people’s skin is an associate’s degree and certification. So why not consider becoming a Radiologic Technologist? As a technician, you will work in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and sometimes even in private practice, if you save up your pennies for your own machine.

The Radiologic Technologist profession also allows for areas of specialization; for instance, you may move on to become an MRI Technologist, a job that usually pays more. You may focus on sports medicine, pediatrics, or mammography as well.

Median Salary: $56,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 21% increase between 2012 and 2022

For Further Reading: 

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Optometrist?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Speech Therapist?

Can a PA Prescribe Medication?

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Top 25 Medical Schools

The post Top 20 In-Demand Healthcare Careers appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What is a nature career? You can earn a living through contributions like:

• Conserving natural resources
• Stopping pollution
• Making agriculture more environmentally friendly
• Making clean energy and recycling efforts a reality

Read on to learn more about 10 excellent “green” careers in nature and find out which one is right for you.

1. Environmental Engineer

Some high-paying environmental jobs include the various roles environmental engineers play.

Environmental engineers are professional problem-solvers who focus on the natural environment. They dig – sometimes literally – into the causes of environmental issues.

Some of the issues environmental engineers research include:

• Acid rain
• Pollution
• Climate change
• Waste management
• Ozone layer depletion

Once environmental engineers understand the cause of the problem, they search for ways to fix it.

How do potential applicants develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in solving problems like unsafe drinking water, global climate change and public health threats? Aspiring environmental engineers need a college education.

Bachelor’s degree programs in environmental engineering typically include coursework in subjects like:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Soil science
• Engineering principles and applications

Entry-level environmental engineering positions usually don’t require candidates to hold a Professional Engineering (PE) license, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Many environmental engineers attain a license later in their careers.

Environmental engineering is a great green career path because the mission of these professionals’ work is to help the environment. They use their knowledge of science and engineering to search for solutions to environmental issues across the globe. They may, for example, seek ways to repair damage to an ecological system. Environmental engineers may also search for ways to save ecosystems from being harmed in the first place.

Environmental scientists develop solutions of all kinds. Sometimes this work entails designing new or improved containment systems for hazardous waste. Other times, environmental engineers look for new methods of generating energy. Some environmental engineers’ jobs involve developing water reclamation procedures. Other environmental engineers search for more effective recycling practices. An environmental engineer may ways to save animal habitats from harm. Designing sustainable systems for reducing pollution is another of the types of contributions environmental engineers make. Environmental engineering roles that involve the development of new chemicals to protect crops from harmful pests and diseases are among the best-paying jobs in agricultural chemicals industries.

Many environmental engineers enjoy working outdoors. However, they often have to divide their time between working in the natural environment, collaborating with project partners in offices and presenting ideas at seminars.

If there’s a particular ecological threat that concerns you, pursuing a nature career as an environmental engineer may allow you to specialize in studying and solving that issue.

Median Salary: $96,820 (2021)
Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering

2. Hydrologist

What if you’re interested in environmental concerns that involve water? From water pollution to water scarcity, there are plenty of environmental issues of this sort. Hydrologist might be the right green career for you.

These scientists study how water moves. They use their knowledge to solve environmental problems related to water quality and quantity.

An undergraduate college education is essential for aspiring hydrologists. It’s not unusual for students interested in these nature jobs that pay well to pursue a graduate degree even before they enter the career field.

If you can’t find a school that offers a major in hydrology specifically, you’re not alone. There aren’t many such programs, the BLS reported. Many students instead look for a school that offers a concentration in hydrology. Hydrology concentrations may exist in earth science, geosciences or engineering programs.

Hydrology is a great career path for nature lovers. These jobs working with nature are involved in so many environmental issues, including the following:

• Droughts
• Floods
• Soil and land erosion
• Water pollution

Lack of access to clean drinking water is a major problem in some areas. Lengthy droughts can cause serious problems with farming, agriculture and fire hazards across the globe.

Studying water – and its movements, quality, and accessibility – is an important part of the field of hydrology. However, it’s just one aspect of the job. Hydrologists do more than just analyze water. They also work with scientists in various fields of study to research and develop plans for conserving, managing, and improving quality of and access to the water supply.

A career in hydrology requires a lot of hands-on work in the field. This means spending time outdoors. Hydrologists also often have the opportunity travel to new environments as they study water supplies and movements across the globe.

Median Salary: $84,030 (2021)
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Geosciences, Earth Science or Engineering

3. Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientist may seem like the most natural career path for a nature-lover to pursue. After all, these are likely the first jobs that involve nature most people think of.

Researchers and practitioners of environmental science use their college-level knowledge of the natural and physical sciences to study and solve issues that affect the natural environment.

There are numerous specialist roles within the field of environmental science.

RELATED: What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Environmental chemists analyze how chemicals affect the natural world. They often apply this knowledge to a mission like cleaning up contamination and pollution or hazardous waste management.

Environmental restoration planners manage pollution cleanup projects. Their job duties include establishing budgets, procedures and steps for completion.

Environmental health specialists focus on how environmental issues affect public health dangers.

Industrial ecologists work with companies in industries that often have a negative effect on the environment. These scientists establish practices that minimize the ecological harm.

Many environmental scientists begin their jobs in nature working lower-level roles in environmental science. For example, applicants often have experience in roles like the following:

• Laboratory technician
• Field analyst
• Research assistant

Advancing to higher-level roles in environmental science may require an advanced degree.

Environmental scientists play a role in understanding and addressing environmental problems of all kinds. They do the field work of gathering soil, water, plant and other samples for testing. Working in environmental science also encompasses laboratory work. In the lab, environmental scientists study samples and record data. They use their information to not only identify existing ecological issues but also predict possible future threats.

Some environmental scientists spend most of their time doing hands-on work to clean up polluted ecosystems. Others collaborate with public policymakers or private industry leaders to develop regulations and business practices that result in less of a disturbance to the natural environment. In either case, the occupation allows the professional to make a positive change on the environment, directly or indirectly.

Successful environmental scientists must have the analytical skills and self-discipline to present their findings in technical reports. They also need problem-solving and interpersonal skills for developing plans for resolving ecological problems and getting the message across to the public and government and business entities.

Median Salary: $76,530
Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Geosciences

4. Agricultural Manager

What job could be more green – literally – than growing the plant crops that feed families across that nation? Agricultural managers are the professionals who oversee the routine activities required to run a farm. These are also some high-paying jobs that work with plants and animals.

Whether they grow crops, raise livestock or both, agricultural managers play an integral part in the U.S. economy. Of course, they also contribute to the food supply.

Many agricultural managers start their careers by doing hands-on farm production work. They may begin gaining this experience during childhood or adolescence, particularly if they grew up living on a farm.

It’s become increasingly common for agricultural managers to have a college degree, the BLS reported. Many agricultural managers have at least an associate’s degree, if not a bachelor’s degree, in agriculture. Aspiring agricultural managers develop the analytical and critical-thinking skills they need to run the farm and the mechanical skills necessary to do hands-on farming work by taking classes like the following:

• Farm management
• Dairy science
• Plant breeding
• Agricultural economics

Coursework in the business of agriculture also helps students develop business skills.

It’s true that not all farming activities qualify as “green.” However, today’s farmers are met with a greater demand for organic food products and sustainable farming practices.

Agricultural managers hold leadership roles on farms. This puts them in a position to implement these changes and make farming more environmentally friendly than ever before.

After all, agricultural managers are rarely responsible for the actual planting, plowing, harvesting, herding and animal care tasks you most likely associate with farming. They focus instead on the big-picture concerns of running a successful farm. Agricultural managers’ mission will usually include determining answers to questions like the following:

• How the farm will spend its operating budget
• What crops to plant or animals to raise
• How to store and ship crops and livestock for sale

It’s an agricultural manager’s job to recruit and train farm workers. Their job duties also entail maintaining the farm, and all of the equipment necessary to run it, in proper working order. These are precisely the decisions that have the power to make the agriculture industry green.

Median Salary: $73,060 (2021)
Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture

5. Landscape Architect

Landscape architects design outdoor environments. The work of a landscape architect ranges from public parks to private home gardens.

The path to becoming a landscape architect is more rigorous than you might think. Most states have licensing requirements for landscape architects.

A college degree is a requirement. However, not any degree will do. Students typically need to choose a special degree. Either a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) or Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) degree program can prepare applicants for this career.

To meet state licensing requirements, students usually need a degree from an accredited program. Accredited programs in landscape architecture can take up to five years of full-time study.

Like the architects who design buildings and bridges, landscape architects must complete extensive studio design work. This work involves building models and creating computer-aided designs. According to the BLS, aspiring landscape architects also study subjects like the following:

• Landscape ecology
• Surveying
• Geology
• Plant and soil science
• Landscape design and construction

Earning a degree may be just the first step to this career. Aspiring landscape architects may need to attain several years of training working under experienced landscape architects before they can meet the qualifications to take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination. Upon passing this exam, landscape architects can finally earn their licenses.

It’s important for the spaces designed by landscape architects to be visually and aesthetically appealing. That said, appearance isn’t the only thing that matters in their work. Many of the projects a landscape architect may work on help the environment in some way.

Landscape architecture projects often include adding plant life to the environment. In some cases, landscape architects install plants in places where plants are naturally lacking, like the rooftops of tall city buildings. They decide where on a site to put trees and other plants, as well as structures like walkways and buildings. Landscape architects also choose what plants to use for a project. Other projects focus specifically on restoring ecosystems that have been altered, polluted or destroyed by human activities or changes in the environment.

Aspiring landscape architects should be comfortable working both outdoors and in office environments. Landscape architects spend some of their work time at jobsites. They also spend a good deal of time in the office researching, creating designs and preparing budgets and reports, according to the BLS.

Median Salary:  $67,950 (2021)
Education Level: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture or Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture

6. Wildlife Biologist

Are your environmental interests focused more closely on animals than plants or earth science? A career in zoology and wildlife biology might be what you’re looking for. Zoologist and wildlife biologist encompass some high-paying jobs with animals.

Wildlife biologists and zoologists study animals. Individual wildlife biologists often focusing particular types of animals, like mammals. They may also focus on groups of animals that live in specific habitats, such as oceans.

What education you will need for a career as a wildlife biologist depends on what you plan to do in the field. You can get an entry-level role in this field of science with just a bachelor’s degree. You’ll need a master’s degree if you aspire to conduct higher-level investigative or scientific work, the BLS reported. To advance into independent research or university research roles, you will need a Ph.D.

RELATED: Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers

Working with animals, in and of itself, may not be enough to make a career qualify as green. Still, the wildlife biology career path is certainly a green career.

Part of a wildlife biologist’s job is to observe the animals’ behavior, physical characteristics and interactions with its own kind and with other species. However, much of a wildlife biologist’s work focuses on conservation of the animals’ natural habitat and preserving the species.

These scientists keep tabs on the animals’ populations. They may implement breeding programs to increase the population of endangered species. Developing conservation plans is also a typical part of these jobs, according to the BLS.

Wildlife biologists even play a role in the development of alternative energy solutions. For example, imagine that a wind farm is being constructed. A wildlife biologist may assess how the turbines and construction could interfere with the local ecosystem. This assessment helps the biologist devise strategies to minimize the impact on the region’s birds and other animal life, the BLS reported.

Median Salary: $64,650 (2021)
Education Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Degree Zoology and Wildlife Biology

7. Conservation Scientist

Few careers are greener than that of a conservation scientist. In these jobs in nature, you would study the quality of natural resources and plan how to use those resources.

If a career as a conservation scientist sounds like the right choice for you, you’ll need to choose your college carefully. Employers may prefer applicants who have a bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

The coursework in accredited programs typically covers subjects like the following, according to the BLS:

• Biology
• Ecology
• Forest resource measurement
• Computer modeling,

Some conservation scientists choose to pursue professional certification through the Society of American Foresters or the Society for Range Management. Professional certification is not required for these nature jobs, but it can be beneficial.

Conservation scientist is another occupation that allows workers to split their time between working outdoors and indoors. Conservation scientists may work extensively in the field. They often take long walks that require a great deal of physical stamina, according to the BLS. They also spend time in laboratories and offices. Here, they analyze data and draft plans for conservation projects.

As a conservation scientist, the main goal of your job would be to preserve the natural environment and its resources. In fact, many conservation scientists don’t just conserve existing resources. They actually work to improve resources, like making farmland more fertile for agriculture. Your work could include tasks like gathering and studying water, soil and plant samples. Developing strategies for using and conserving resources is also part of many jobs in conservation science. A conservation scientist may also oversee land use and harvesting contracts and practices.

With the right qualifications and experience, you might find yourself in a specialized role in conservation science. Specialized conservation science jobs include:

• Conservation land manager
• Range manager
• Soil conservationist
• Water conservationist

In specialized jobs in conservation science, scientists focus their efforts on preserving a particular land area or aspect of the natural world.

Median Salary: $63,750 (2021)
Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry, Environmental Science or Agricultural Science

8. Limnologist

Limnologist probably isn’t a career you’re familiar with. It can, however, be a very rewarding nature career.

A limnologist is a type of scientist. In some ways, limnologist is similar to more well-known marine biologist career. Unlike the marine biologist, a limnologist studies the animals, plants and ecosystems that make up freshwater environments. Lakes and ponds – and their plant and animal inhabitants – the the subject of a limnologist’s study.

RELATED: What Degree Do You Need to Become a Marine Biologist?

How much money a limnologist makes can vary significantly based on two factors:

• The kind of work the limnologist does
• The industry and organization for which the limnologist works

A limnologist’s area of specialization also affects both job duties and earning potential. For example, limnologists who study freshwater animals can expect to earn a median wage similar to that of wildlife biologists, the BLS reported. Those who study the movement of water, instead, earn salaries more comparable to that of hydrologists.  Limnologists with a chemistry focus may bring home a median salary that’s on par with chemists in other disciplines.

Limnologist is a very broad career path. Ecologists, environmental scientists, biogeochemists and various other kinds of scientists and researchers can all fall under the category of limnologists if they specialize in studying freshwater ecosystems.

Limnologist is an excellent career for nature-lovers. Many of the roles in this area of science include a focus on conservation.

For example, a limnologist who studies freshwater animal life might research the reasons behind a diminishing population of fish. They may also develop plans for increasing that population back to normal levels.

Limnologists also conduct experiments to determine what effects possible changes to the freshwater ecosystem could have on the environment. Examples of the kinds of changes limnologists study are the introduction of a new species of fish and changes in the diet of small organisms like plankton.

If you enjoy spending time in lakes and ponds, you will enjoy the fieldwork in these nature careers. Limnologists visit these environments to record measurements and gather specimens and water samples to study in the lab.

Median Salary: $63,625 (2023, job search website Zippia)
Education Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Degree in Biology or Chemistry

9. Wind Turbine Service Technician

Few things are greener than clean energy sources. Wind turbine service technicians are the maintenance and repair professionals whose work makes renewable wind energy possible. Another name for wind turbine service technicians is “windtechs.”

Wind turbine service technicians are responsible for examining, repairing and maintaining the turbines that generate renewable wind energy. For many wind turbine service technicians, the opportunity to work primarily outdoors is enjoyable.

However, the job is also physically demanding and can be dangerous. Industrial wind turbines are often hundreds of feet tall. Windtechs maintenance on very tall wind turbine towers. Replacing old or damaged parts is part of a windtech’s job. So is troubleshooting the various mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems used to power the wind turbines. To do this work, windtechs need to know how to use safety harnesses and other equipment to safely climb the towers.

In 2021, windtechs held 11,100 jobs across the nation, the BLS reported. However, these nature careers are growing rapidly in America and across the globe. Jobs for windtechs in the United States should increase by 44% between 2021 and 2023, according to the BLS. That’s nearly nine times the 5% job growth rate for all occupations during that same period.

Many of the jobs on our top 10 green careers list are science-based and at least partly academic in nature, but windtech is an exception. Are you more comfortable fixing mechanical problems than studying samples in a lab? If so, wind turbine service technician is a career path that will fit both your technical talents and your love of nature.

This emphasis on technical skills also makes wind turbine technician one of the best jobs in nature without a degree. The BLS considers the minimum level of education for this nature career to be a postsecondary nondegree award. This means a training program from a community college or technical school that confers a certificate may be all you need to get started. If you would rather go for a degree, search for a wind energy technology program at the associate degree level.

Median Salary: $56,260 (2021)
Education Level: Associate’s Degree in Wind Energy Technology

10. Recycling Coordinator

Are you passionate about recycling? Why not turn your enthusiasm into a career as a recycling coordinator?

These labor management professionals oversee recycling efforts. Their work ensures that collected recyclables actually make their way to a facility where they can be transformed into something new or reused, rather than permanently discarded in a landfill.

Recycling coordinators establish recyclables collection schedules. They send workers to pickup routes. These nature-focused careers involve serving as a supervisor or manager for the employers who operate recycling collection trucks and processing facilities.

The earning potential for recycling coordinators can vary widely, the BLS reported. The lowest-paid recycling coordinators earn well below the median salary for all occupations. The highest-paid recycling coordinators can pull in six-figure salaries annually.

Certain factors make a big difference in salary for recycling coordinators. The size of the program the recycling coordinator is responsible for managing is one such factor. Another is the amount of experience the worker has. Even new recycling coordinators who oversee relatively small recycling programs find the work rewarding in non-financial ways. No matter the scale, their work has a positive impact on the environment.

Recycling coordinators help the natural environment in more ways than one. By planning and supervising recycling programs, they ensure that recycling efforts actually become a reality. Once the recyclables are collected and sorted, they need to make it to a facility that will actually use the materials to create another usable product. A recycling coordinator is behind this process, too. Part of their jobs is negotiating contracts to sell and transport the recycling materials to a facility that will use them.

An important aspect of any successful recycling program is public education and awareness. Making the public aware of the importance of recycling and which items can be recycled is critical. Education through community outreach is another job duty recycling coordinators must accomplish.

A passion for recycling is among the most important characteristics for a recycling coordinator to have. Recycling coordinators also need excellent skills in communication, data management and administration. They typically need a bachelor’s degree in a subject related to the environment. Past work experience in education, manufacturing, waste management or the government is also useful.  In some states, recycling coordinators need to acquire state certification.

Median Salary: $57,860 (2022, O*NET)
Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Education or Environmental Resources Management

Every nature job on our environmental science careers list gives applicants a chance to make a difference. Whether your mission is to protect plant life or wildlife, combat pollution or clean up existing environmental issues, the contributions you make when you join these industries affect the natural world not just in the U.S. but across the globe.

Editor’s note:

Some green jobs have been around for decades. Others are relatively new and evolving all the time. If you’re seeking a job that’s environmentally friendly and will allow you the chance to help protect the natural world, you have plenty of options.

Choosing a career is a big decision. It’s important to consider all of the potential benefits and challenges of an occupation before you commit to it. Consider this list a guide for beginning your own research into the green career that’s right for you.

To learn more about these and other jobs for nature lovers, check out the Green Jobs Career Outlook articles published by the BLS. Unless otherwise stated, the BLS was the source for any employment, education, training, salary and career outlook information presented in this article.

Related Resources: 

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

The post The Top 10 “Green” Nature Careers for Nature-Lovers appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Nearly every container in every grocery store comes with a compelling story. From almost completely unprocessed greens from down the street, to highly processed food products that have a shelf life of 50 years, food scientists likely helped with some portion of this process.

The stories behind even our most common foods are almost unbelievable. When you think about how humans originally learned what was edible and not — largely through trial and error — it’s no wonder that even with today’s scientific advancements determining what goes into our food is an intricate process.

Accounting for shelf life, nutritional value, price, availability of ingredients, and consumer tastes is quite a balancing act. If that seems interesting to you, you may be interested in food science.

Food science is a unique discipline, in that it’s not a particularly common degree. You’ll meet plenty of second-year college students majoring in psychology or religion before you’ll meet someone into food sciences. And yet the act of determining how our food “works” is essential to a functioning society.

Food science is a multidisciplinary field that draws from a range of academic topics. Combined into food science are chemical engineering, biology, biochemistry, nutrition, marketing, and logistics. As one may expect, it takes a number of years to hone the prerequisite skills to be a food scientist. Below we’ll work through the steps you should take if you want to pursue the field of food science in academic and then in work settings

Table of Contents:

• What Food Science Degrees Are Available?
• Can I Pursue a Food Science Degree Online?
• How Do I Gain Admission to a Food Science Degree Program?
• Differences Between Food Science and Related Degrees
• What Can I Do With a Degree in Food Science?

Don’t see what you’re looking for in this guide? Be sure to check out some of DegreeQuery’s coverage of topics related to Food Science:
Related Content

• What Can I Do With a Degree in Nutrition?
• What is a Degree in Nutrition?
• What Degree do I Need to be a Microbiologist?
• What Degree do I Need to be a Dietician?
• What are the Benefits in a Chemical Engineering Degree Versus a Chemistry Degree?
• What Degree Do I Need to Be an Organic Chemist?
• What Degree Do I Need to be an Agricultural Engineer?

What Food Science Degrees Are Available?

Food science degrees are available at the associates through doctoral levels. Additionally, a wide range of certification programs can help students who have pursued another science discipline in their undergraduate study gain some graduate-level experience in the discipline.

At the associates level, food science degrees are primarily a preparation for further education as well as a way to gain promotions within the food service industry.

These degrees typically require 60 credit hours for completion, and are commonly completed in 1.5-3 years depending on what rate it which you work through the degree.

General education requirements for food science associates degrees are typical of associates-level schooling and require some courses in the following:

• Writing
• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Mathematics
• English
• And a Foreign Language

As students progress through “gen-ed” courses, major courses begin to show up. At the associates level, food science courses center around some basic college level understanding of related natural sciences and applied skills for the food service or preparation industries.

Common courses that are includes in associates in food science degrees include:

• Biology
• Chemistry I and II
• Organic Chemistry I and II
• Food Science Intro
• Intro to Nutrition
• Statistics
• Physics for Scientists and Engineers

Due to the applied and career-centered nature of associates in food science degrees, these degrees are also commonly called associates in food technology degrees as well.

Outside of service industries, the lowest degree level that you can typically gain employment within food science with is that of a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s in food science degrees typically require 4 years and 120 credits for graduation. Students within a bachelor’s in food science program will take many of the same general education requirements as are noted above in the associate’s degree section.

Major courses within bachelor’s degrees in food science offer a great deal more diversity than in their 2-year degree counterpart. Some of the most common bachelor’s-level courses in food science include:

• Biology
• Chemistry I and II
• Organic Chemistry I and II
• Food Science Intro
• Food Processing
• Professional Food Science Prep
• Food Science
• Food Microbiology
• Intro to Nutrition
• Fundamentals of Nutrition
• Food Chemistry
• Food Production Quality Assurance
• Product Development in Food Production

Within food science degree programs, bachelor’s programs at times offer different specializations. These may include:

• Food product production
• Food industry and technology
• And food operations and business

While bachelor’s degrees in food science can be used to ascend the corporate ladder within food production businesses, master’s in food science are the primary entry point degree for scientific and research roles. If you’re seeking to truly push the envelope with the development of new food products, a master’s (or more) may be the right degree for you.

Typically master’s degrees in food science come in two forms. One involves a stand alone “terminal” master’s program. This degree type requires 2-3 years to complete. An “en route” master’s degree, however, is part of a longer Ph.D. program. In this second program type, students are awarded their master’s degree as part of a longer Ph.D. program and receive their master’s somewhere in the middle of the program.

For terminal master’s in food science, a wider range of specializations are available than at the bachelor’s level. Some courses are common across programs and specializations, however. Some of these courses include:

• Food microbiology
• HACCP Principles
• Quality Assurance With Food Products
• Science Writing
• Analysis of Foods
• Advanced Chemistry of Foods
• Food Science Seminar
• Analysis and Regression of Variance

Finally, the highest degree available to food science students is that of a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in food science. These research doctorates typically require 4-6 years for completion, depending on whether you enter the program with a master’s degree and how long your dissertation requires.
As with other research doctorates, students are required to complete a substantial amount of research that provides an original contribution to their field of study. Most commonly this research takes the form of a dissertation. Dissertations are research documents that are often several hundred pages in length. At the end of the dissertation writing process, students are required to “defend” their dissertation in front of a panel of experts. In theory, dissertations should be of a quality such that they could be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Can I Pursue a Food Science Degree Online?

Depending on the focus of the food science program you are pursuing, there are a number of online options within the discipline.

Business and operations-heavy food science programs are regularly offered online. Science-heavy food science programs may be offered in hybrid formats in which students may take some courses online and some in-person. Though courses with many lab components among science classes are seldom 100% online.

If you’re trying to find an online program that’s a good fit for you, be sure to look through all of your options. For students that have never taken an online course, it can be valuable to read through some of the most common good and bad things about online programs.

Some of the most commonly cited negative aspects of online programs include less support services, the need for a self-starter mentality, and greater difficulty crafting meaningful relationships with classmates and professors.

Some of the most commonly mentioned positive aspects of online programs include lower fees, no need to move or switch jobs, the same degree earned, and the ability to log on whenever for asynchronous courses.

How Do I Gain Admission to a Food Science Degree Program?

Admissions criteria to food science degree programs depends on the level of degree you are seeking.

For associates-level food science programs offered at community colleges, many programs offer “open admission.” This means that all students with a high school equivalent are granted entry to the program. Though these students must maintain certain grade standards to remain in the program.

For bachelor’s-level food science programs, many schools require college admissions tests like the ACT or SAT, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays. Some bachelor’s-level programs also offer open admission policies. And for students looking to avoid having to submit standardized test scores, more schools than ever have alternative routes to admission.

For master’s-level food science programs, admissions depend on whether you are pursuing a research or career-centered degree. Research-centered degrees typically require you to identify a faculty member you would like to oversee your research. Faculty members commonly just take a handful of research students each semester, so make sure to reach out in advance. For career-centered (often terminal) master’s, admissions are more likely contingent on GRE scores, a statement of purpose, a resume, and letters of recommendation.

Ph.D.-level food science programs are likely to require some experience in the field, as well as a wider range of prerequisites. Those with bachelor’s in natural sciences or a master’s in food sciences should be well equipped to jump into Ph.D. programs. As a large portion of your program will be centered on research, you’ll need to identify a professor you would like to oversee your research. Be sure to reach out to professors of interest in advance to ensure your research interests align.

Differences Between Food Science and Related Degrees

Food science degrees are built around the unique demands of food manufacturers, food testing facilities, and a myriad of other food product makers. While there are degrees that deal with the sciences underlying food science, and degrees dealing with food in some other way, there isn’t truly a substitute for a food science degree if you’re seeking to work as a food scientist.

With that said, work in food science fields does vary from laboratory work, to logistical analysis, to other business concerns. In this light, you can work in tandem with food scientists with degrees in business and agriculture.

Additionally, food science relies on a number of natural sciences. Those with master’s or doctorates in the following discipines may find themselves hired on in food science settings, but may require some niche-specific education to catch up with all the demands within food science:

• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Biological Engineering
• Biology
• Physics
• Crop Science

While food scientists are trained in nutrition to some degree, food science work settings also often employ those who are more specialized in nutrition. In this sense, most major food producers employ nutritionists alongside food scientists.

With all of that said, food scientists are meant to be generalists that understanding enough of a range of sciences to be able to balance the many concerns that go into creating new food products. In this sense, there isn’t truly a replacement degree for food science.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Food Science?

There are a variety of fields you can enter with a food science degree, depending on the degree level you have acquired.

Associates-level graduates in food science are well equipped to advance within food service or logistics industries. Graduates of these programs aren’t truly equipped for lab settings of major food producers, but jobs including restaurant manager and logistics manager are within reach.

Restaurant managers wear many hats, a fact that food science degrees prepare them for well. Common job duties bridge the gap between logistics, marketing, human resources, safety and food preparation assurance, customer service, and accounting. While devoted service industry employees can make a good living being restaurant managers, hours can be long and unpredictable.

The average salary for restaurant managers is presently $53474. This number varies greatly depending on the type or restaurant and location, however.

Logistics are at the heart of both the production of and eventual sales of food products. What’s more, many foods have very specific needs when they or the raw materials they’re made with are transported and stored. This is where knowledge of food handling, storage, and presentation can come in handy within an otherwise logistics-centered role.

Though the pay of logistic managers varies greatly by field and level of seniority, the average pay for this position is $110,157.

At the bachelor’s level, food science graduates can begin as entry-level analysts within food product business and agencies. While science-related courses from a bachelor’s degree likely won’t let you ascend to a full-blown food scientist position, many bachelor’s-degree holders advance into managerial ranks within food production businesses.

Project managers within food production companies and organizations are commonly tasked with managing a small team (3-10 employees) in an effort to create or maintain a single product. Excellent project managers are good at dealing with a variety of stakeholders and also hold some scientific or technical knowledge of the work their organization is completing. For this reason, bachelor’s-holders in food science are a great fit.

The average salary for project managers across all fields is $133,933, though this number can vary significantly across industries.

For those with a master’s or doctoral degree in food science, options get a little more interesting. Besides being qualified for all of the job titles previously listed, graduate-level degree recipients in food science can find employment as food scientists and business specialists within food science.

While bachelor’s degrees in food science set you up for a lifetime of learning and to enter the field of food production, a graduate degree will help you to become an “expert” at one element within food production. Food scientists have not only been introduced to a wide range of disciplines, but regularly employ them in the following job requirements.

Food scientists are responsible for:

• Evaluations of nutritional content, texture, taste, and color of food products
• Making sure that food production methods are in-line with governmental, industry, and consumer expectations
• The exploration of alternative and new food production methods
• The development of new food products
• Testing for safety of food products in regards to bacteria, mold, or yeast overgrowth
• Working with biologists, chemists, and marketing leaders within your food production business
• Establishing cost and time-saving methods for the production of food products

In the end, food scientists are the heart of the creation and honing of new food products. Behind every massively distributed food product there is likely a team of food scientists. The average salary for food science positions is presently $70,765, though depending on seniority and assignment these numbers may rise above $100,000.

Finally, food production industry business specialists work in a variety of business disciplines. There are unique marketing, logistics, production, and economics positions within food production. With many food products relying on global supply change, proprietary production methods, and huge marketing efforts, food is big business!

While your final salary will vary based seniority as well as what food production company you’re employed at, some industry average salaries are listed below:

• Logistics manager: $110,157
• Marketing manager: $145,620
• Product manager: $91,781

Think you’re interested in a food science degree? Be sure to check out some of DegreeQuery’s related content including commonly asked questions, guides on how to succeed at different degree levels, and rankings of some of the best programs available below:

Related Resources: 

• What Can I Do With a Degree in Nutrition?
• What Degree do I Need to be a Microbiologist?
• What Degree do I Need to be a Dietician?
• What are the Benefits in a Chemical Engineering Degree Versus a Chemistry Degree?
• What Degree Do I Need to be an Agricultural Engineer?

For Further Reading: 

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

The post What Can I Do With a Food Science Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1.) Auburn University

Auburn University Is it public school located in Auburn, Alabama that enrolls over 30,000 students. Auburn offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. This is a doctoral university with very high research activity according to Carnegie. Auburn has been accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1922. Their academic offerings are wide ranging and include programming in philosophy, geography, educational leadership, neuroscience, food science and so much more. According to the US News and World Report, Auburn University currently ranks as the 97th a school in the nation and also highly for undergraduate engineer ring, first year experiences, innovation, value, undergraduate teaching and for veterans. To support the success of their students Auburn offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities.

Auburn University offers a Master of Science in nutrition. This program may be taken online as a non-thesis option. The curriculum is 33 credit hours in length and includes five credit hours of thesis research. Students of this program have the option to select from nutrition science, clinical nutrition, sports nutrition or community nutrition. Some of the courses include programming in disease prevention, vitamins, minerals, human nutrient metabolism and the nutrition no lifecycle as well as electives. Elective courses are in a wide variety of emphasis areas. The sports nutrition electives include programming in anatomical principles. Community nutrition focuses on youth programming and ethics for leaders among others. The clinical nutrition program looks close to get special issues as well as give students an opportunity to engage with advanced independent study. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

2.) Tufts University

Tufts University is a private institution located in Medford Massachusetts. Tuffs offers bachelors masters in doctoral degree is as well as professional certifications. Their student population is 11,878 with a student or faculty ratio of 9 to 1. According to the US News and World Report, Tufts is considered to be the 30th best school in the nation and ranks highly for innovation, value, engineering, undergraduate teaching and more. Additionally Tufts has one of the top medical schools in the nation. According to Carnegie, Tufts is considered to be a doctoral University with very high research activity. Their academic offerings are in the fields of agriculture, Veterinary science, mechanical engineering, archaeology, philosophy, sustainability studies and so much more. In recent years, Tufts has expanded their programming and now offers online opportunities.

Among their online opportunities is the Master of Nutrition science and policy. Students may pursue this program through a blended online and on-campus curriculums. The program is 30 credit hours in length and includes course material in nutritional bio chemistry, epidemiology for nutrition professions, obesity and energy regulation, nutrition and aging, nutrition brain and behavior and much more. Additionally, students complete this program with a masters thesis. This program is offered through the Friedmans school which is committed to cutting edge research in the fields of molecular nutrition, human metabolism, population studies clinical trials behavioral change and much more. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

3.) University of Massachusetts – Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school that enrolls over 31,000 students. UMass Amherst offers associates through doctoral degree days and professional certifications. According to Carnegie, the institution is considered to be a doctoral university with very high research activity. UMass Amherst has been accredited through the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1932. Their academic offerings are in the fields of agricultural studies, engineering, health, interdisciplinary studies, the visual and performing arts and much more. According to the US News and World Report the University of Massachusetts Amherst is ranked as a 66th best school in the nation as well as highly for is business programming, artificial intelligence, undergraduate engineering programming, veterans and much more.

UMass Amherst offers a Master of Public Health in nutrition. The online mph in nutrition does not include a dietetic internship and does not prepare students to sit for the registered dietitian exam. However Umass Amerherst does offer a 27 month track for individuals who are willing to work alongside an online MPH in nutrition. Students must be willing to complete the internship portion in western Massachusetts. If you are not looking to sit for the exam then this program is entirely online with no residency requirements. The program is flexible and fits into your busy lives and is 47 credit hours in length. The MPH in Nutrition Curriculum is divided into the following areas: Public Health core, nutrition core, elective courses and practicum. The practicum is a 200 hour field experience. The public health corps includes course material in environmental health practices, the US healthcare system and epidemiology. The nutritional core focuses on nutritional epidemiology, community nutrition, intestinal problems in the United States and nutritional assessments. The final independent studies project is six hours in length. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

4.) University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and enrolls over 38,000 students. UA offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree and is considered to be a doctoral university with very high research activity according to Carnegie. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has been accredited since 1897. Their academic offerings are wide ranging include programming in areas such as African studies, physical education teaching, speech language pathology, criminal justice, interior design, geography and much more. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Alabama is currently ranked as 143rd best school in the nation as well as highly for undergraduate engineering, veterans, value, business and computer science. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, employment services for students, distance learning opportunities, study abroad, weekend and evening college and much more.

Bama by distance offers a Master of Science in human nutrition. This is a 30 credit hour program that includes course material in advanced vitamin and mineral metabolism, research methods, community nutrition, child and adult nutrition, childhood obesity, as well as electives. Their electives are in epidemiology, health behavior, health promotion techniques, nutritional epidemiology and as well as entrepreneurship. For more information and to apply checked out their website.

• Program Homepage

5.) Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public institution that offers associate, specialist and doctoral degree. According to Carnegie, IUP is considered to be a doctoral/professional university. Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a national institution according to the US News and World Report and also ranks highly for social mobility. Their academic offerings include programmming in business, education, health, psychology, social sciences and the visual and performing arts. Their online offerings are in education health and other areas. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, study abroad opportunities and distance learning opportunities.

Indiana University Pennsylvania offers a Master of Science in food and nutrition. Students may opt for a dual masters degree in a related field. These courses are taken 100% online and feature convenient and flexible curriculums. Students may choose between a thesis and non thesis option. The core courses are in the following areas: nutrition, research methods, proteins carbohydrates and fats and minerals and water as well as vitamins. You may select the administration track or the education track. The education track features course material in the lifecycle of nutrition. The administration track looks at public health nutrition in epidemiology. In addition students must complete their research requirement which is either a thesis or twoadditional courses. Additionally students may select from a wide variety of electives in sports nutrition, human nutrition, dietetic internship and more. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

6.) University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks that enrolls13,581 students. UND offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, UND is considered to be a doctoral university with high research activity. The institution has been accredited through the Higher Learning Commission since 1913. Their programming is wide-ranging including course material in nursing, criminal justice, forensic psychology, musical theater and much more. According to the US News and World Report the University of North Dakota is currently ranked the 258 best school in the nation as well as highly for social mobility, engineering, business and computer science.

UND offers online programming in the field of nutrition. The Master of Science in Nutrition is an online degree that will take 2+ years to complete. The amount of credit hours is 30. No GRE is required for this program. The master of science and nutrition prepares you for a life as a dietitian, nutrition counselor, nutrition manager educator or health consultant. The curriculum includes course material in nutrition counseling, health policy, independence study, advanced physiology and more. Students may choose either a nutrition education and counseling specialization or the nutrition science specialization. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

7.) Iowa State University

Iowa State University is a public four year institution located in Ames Iowa. The University enrolls 32,370 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The institution has been accredited through the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. Their programming includes course material in farm and farm ranch management, Russian studies, immunology, special education, dietetics, gerontology, meteorology, physics, interior design, fashion apparel design and so much more. Their programming is wide ranging. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities, study abroad opportunities, teacher certification programming and much more. According to Carnegie, the institution is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity.

Iowa State University offers an online dietetics program. The course is 36 credit hours in length. To be admitted to this online masters program you must hold a credential of registered dietitian or be eligible to be registered meaning you have met both the academic and supervised practice requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This program includes course material in research methods statistics and current issues and trends. Electives are where students can tailor their degree to meet their needs. In fact the majority of their programming is elected. Some of the courses include: study obesity across the lifespan, nutrition, advanced nutrition, macro and micro nutrients, dietary and herbal supplements, nutritional aspects of oncology grant writing and much more. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

8.) Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green State University is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Ohio that enrolls 17,733 students. The institution has been classified as a doctoral university with high research activity according to Carnegie. To support the success of their students, Bowling Green offers credit for life experiences, teacher certification programming, academic and career counseling, distance learning opportunities and more. Their programming is wide ranging and includes course material in Asian studies, women’s studies quality control technology, rhetoric and composition, creative writing, fire services administration, fine arts an art studies and much more. According to the US News and World Report, Bowling Green State University office is currently ranked as the 258th best school in the nation and highly for public schooling, social humility, and programming in computer science.

BGSU offers the master of food and nutrition online. To be eligible for this program you must have completed coursework in bio chemistry, anatomy and physiology and nutrition. The course is divided into following areas: food and nutrition core courses, cognate minor courses, research methods statistics and seminars, and the masters project or comprehensive exam. The total credit our requirement is sort 39 to 40 credit hours. As part of the core course requirements student study: study family and community nutrition, micro nutrients to the lifespan, macro nutrients for human nutrition and advanced clinical nutrition. Additionally students must choose either a masters project, Readings for comprehensive exam or thesis research and food and nutrition. 12 credit hours are divided to a seminar in food and nutrition. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

9.) Canisius College

Canisius college as a private institution located in Buffalo New York. The University enrolls 3102 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1. Canisius College offers associates, bachelors, and masters degrees as well as professional certifications. Canisius is classified as a Masters College and University with larger programming. Their academic offerings include course material in animal behavior, ethnology, entrepreneurship, higher education, creative writing, classics and classical literature, force kinesiology, chemistry and art history among others. According to the US News and World Report Canisius College is currently a regionally ranked institution ranked as the 19th best school in the north as well as highly for veterans, value, undergraduate teaching and more.

Canisius College offers two areas of concentration for their online Masters program and applied nutrition. The total credit hour amount is 33. The program is divided into three main areas: six required courses, one elective and four courses within a concentration. The two concentrations are: obesity and eating disorders, fitness and sports nutrition. The required courses are in medical nutrition therapy, advanced nutrition, clinical health behavior change, research methods in allied health, data analysis and statistics and a masters project. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

10.) Northeastern University

Northeastern University is a private institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. Northeastern offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications annd is considered to be according to Carnegie a doctoral university with very high research activity. Northeastern has been accredited through the New England Commission on Higher Education since 1940. According to the US News and World Report Northeastern university is considered to be the 49th best school in the nation and ranks highly for value, innovation, undergraduate engineering, entrepreneurship, international business, study abroad, service learning and so much more. Northeastern is number one in the nation for co-ops and internships.

Northeastern offers a online master of science in applied nutrition. If you have existing clinical knowledge this program is designed to build upon your previous experience with nutrition. The duration of the program is 12 to 18 months and is a part time commitment. In this program you’ll have the opportunity to concentrate in one of the four areas: business and entrepreneurship in nutrition, nutrition and fitness, and Nutrition education and obesity and nutritional house. In this program you’ll have the opportunity to work directly with registered dietitians as well as fitness professionals and other health professionals. The requirements include: general master of science in applied nutrition general requirements as well as your concentration area requirement. All students will study advance nutrition and metabolism, medical nutrition therapy, research methods and nutrition, food and society, clinical health behavioral change and much more. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

11.) Southern Mississippi University

University of Southern Mississippi is a public four year institution that offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees that enrolls 14,133 students. According to Carnegie, the University of Southern Mississippi is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. The institution offers a variety of programming including in the following areas: accounting, physical education, architectural engineering, psychiatric nursing practice, dance, geography and much more. To support the success of their students the University of Southern Mississippi offers academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities weekend and evening college programming and distance-learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The University of Southern Mississippi offers an online nutrition and food systems master of science. The program is 33 to 36 credit hours in length and requires 1 to 3 years to complete. This program has been accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Some of the courses include: food systems management, advanced medical nutrition therapy, seminar in food and nutrition, global nutrition and health, nutrition education: theory research and practice, food nutrition public policy and advanced practice in nutrition and food systems. For more information about their programming and to apply Check out their website.

• Program Homepage

12.) North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and enrolls 36,304 students. NCSU offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. The institution has been accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1928. According to Carnegie, NCSU is classified as a doctoral University with very high research activity. Their academic offerings are wide ranging and include programming in agriculture, bio technology, educational leadership, aerospace engineering, professional technical business and scientific writing, forestry, social work and much more. To support the success of their students the institution offers employment services for the students academic and career counseling, and distance learning opportunities.

UNC online offers an online master degree in nutrition. To be eligible for this program you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The program is fully online and requires about 24 months to complete. The master of science and nutrition includes course material in a variety of areas. Students may choose from 1 to 4 emphasis areas: food science, human nutrition food in bio processing, professional science, and the professional science master efficient human nutrition emphasis. As you can see there’s a wide variety of options from which to choose. For more information about their programming in to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

13.) NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

North Dakota State University is a public four year institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree’s and is classified as a high research activity doctoral university according to Carnegie. The institution has been accredited through the Higher Learning Commission since 1915. NDSU offers a wide variety of academic programmming including in soil science, microbiology food and nutrition, dietetics, anthropology, drama, social sciences and more. To support the success of their students, North Dakota State University offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. Their distance-learning programming has expanded to undergraduate and graduate graduate offerings.

NDSU offer an online dietetics program. The course is a masters degree and is 36 credit hours in length. This program may be completed over the course of four years when taken part time. Some of the course materials includes pediatric clinical nutrition. Nutrition and immunology, nutrition epidemiology, a on lifestages, maternal and Child nutrition, as well as grant writing, macro nutrients, research and more. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

14.) The Sage Colleges

Russell Sage College is a private four-year institution located in Troy New York. The college offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Their student population is 2448 and the student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1. This institution has been accredited through the Middle States commission on Higher Education since 1928. To support the success of their students the institution office academic and career counseling, distance-learning opportunities, study abroad teacher certification programming and credit for life experiences. According to Carnegie, Russell Sage college is considered to be a doctoral/professional university. Their economic offerings include programming in biology, business, education, Health and more.

Russell Sage College offers an applied nutrition master of science program. This program is designed for individuals who want to enhance their resume and build skills for their clinical practice as well as for their community. As an applied nutrition masters candidate you will complete the following five courses in the area of nutrition: epidemiology, sports nutrition, nutrition programs and interventions and pediatric nutrition. Full-time students may complete this program in as little as a year and a half. This program can easily be combined with the dietetic internship certificate in order to gain more practical experiences. This is a two-year 45 credit hour course that also includes 24 credits from the Russell Sage College dietetic internship as well as 21 core courses to complete the Masters degree. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

15.) Liberty University Online

Liberty University is a private institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia that enrolls 85,586 students. The student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. Liberty University has been accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and schools since 1980 and is affiliated with the evangelical Christian church. According to Carnegie, Liberty University is a doctoral/professional university with high research activity. Their academic offerings are wide ranging and include programming in biology, education, health, psychology, theology, and the visual and performing arts among others. To support the success of their students Liberty offers academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, distance learning opportunities, teacher certification and more. The majority of their offerings are now available online.

Liberty University offers a master of public health in nutrition. This is a 42 credit hour program that takes about 1 1/2 years to complete. This program has been accredited through the CEHP. This course features eight week courses and students are able to transfer up to 50% of the degree. Some of their featured courses include: principles of nutrition, diabetes obesity and eating disorders and performance nutrition for the physically active. In addition students complete six hours of Elective courses. The program features a nutrition concentration that includes foodborne illnesses prevention, and a practicum experience. As this is a master of public health, students will also be required to complete the epidemiology, environmental health, public health administration, social and behavioral theory applications in public health and research methods in public health programmming. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

16.) Benedictine University

Benedictine University is located in Lisle, Illinois. Benedictine University enrolls 4401 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, teacher certification programming, ROTC programming weekend and evening college and distance-learning opportunities. According to Carnegie, Benedictine University is considered to be a doctoral/professional university. The institution has been accredited through the higher learning commission since 1958. Their academic offerings include programming and music, political science, exercise science and kinesiology, public health, Music teacher education, organizational behavior will studies, bio chemistry and more.

Benedictine University offers an online master of science and nutrition and wellness. This program features two options: the thesis and non-thesis track. The thesis track includes research analysis and research communication. The non thesis track is in entrepreneurship and venture planning in nutrition. The required nutrition and wellness foundation is 18 credit hours and links and includes course material and wellness, science and sports nutrition, nutrition communication through technology, obesity theory and practice, complementary nutrition therapy is an issues metabolism. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

17.) Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The student population is 19,362 and the student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. To support the success of their students, Central Michigan University office academic and career counseling, distance-learning opportunities, study abroad opportunities, weekend and evening college, teacher and certification and more. The institution has been accredited through the Higher Learning Commission since 1923. Their academic offerings are wide ranging and include programming in biology, hospitality administration, art teacher education, mechanical engineering, American history, graphic design and much more. According to the US News and World Report Central Michigan University is classified as a national University and ranks highly for business programming undergraduate engineer in computer science and more.

Central Michigan University offers an online master of science and nutrition and dietetics. The requirements range from 31 to 37 credit hours. Students may pursue the thesis option, internship option or the coursework option. The thesis option requires research methods in bio statistics as well as a thesis in nutrition and dietetics. The internship option includes a capstone in nutrition and dietetics. The coursework work option includes a capstone in nutrition and dietetics as well. The coursework plan offers course material in: macro nutrients, micro nutrients, nutrition, advanced clinical nutrition, advanced nutritional assessment, Nutritional epidemiology, and research methods. The internship option offers similar courses but includes a dietetic internship in clinical experience, a dietetic internship in food service administration experience and dietetic internship summary experience. The thesis option is a 31 credit hour program that just requires a thesis. For information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Homepage

18.) Logan University

Logan University is a private institution that offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. Logan enrolls 1664 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. According to Carnegie, Logan University is a special focus four year health profession school. Their academic offerings include programming in biology, health, natural sciences, and exercise science. The institution has been accredited through the Higher Learning Commission since 1987. Their student support services include academic and career counseling and distance learning opportunities.

Logan offers a master of science and human performance. This is a nutrition and human performance program. By the end of this program students will be able to integrate evidence-based research on the topic of nutrition. Logan features a number of degree tracks including: sports and fitness nutrition, nutrition and wellness, health education and promotion and integrative nutrition and practice. Sports and fitness nutrition track includes course material in the following areas: lifecycle nutrition, clinical nutrition and human systems, research methods in healthcare and a choice between the following areas: dietetics, integrative nutrition and practice and other professional degrees. Their courses for the nutrition and wellness Track include programming in the gut microbio nutrition and behavior. Health education include similar courses However also health education concepts in theory as well as media technology and public health and an internship. For more information about their programming into a fly check out their website.

• Program Homepage

19.) University of Western States

The University of Western States is a private four year institution located in Portland, Oregon. UWS offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. Their student population is 1097 and the student to faculty ratio is 8 to 1. This is a special focus four year health professions school. The institution has been accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1986. This is a special focus school that focuses on biological in biomedical sciences, health professions this is chiropractic nutrition nutritionist and mental health as well as exercise science in kinesiology in sports science studies.

The University of Western States offer a masters doctoral and graduate certification programs in the field of nutrition and functional medicine. Students may pursue a master of science in human nutrition and functional medicine. This is a one of a kind program. This is the only place where you can obtain an accredited master of science in human nutrition and functional medicine. Students will have the opportunity to study with a wide variety of faculty members. If you were interested in functional medicine and this is a program for you. For more information check out their website.

• Program Homepage

20.) South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. SDSU offers associate specialist masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. Their academic offerings include programming in agriculture, business management, education, engineering, family computer sciences, Parks and Recreation and the visual and performing arts. According to the US News and World Report, South Dakota State University is a nationally ranked institution that ranks highly for social mobility, and undergraduate engineering programming among others.

South Dakota State University offers an online master of science in dietetics. The curriculum includes horse material and research methods and dietetics, current trends in dietetics practices, vitamins and minerals and human nutrition and statistical methods. Soon as we select from one of the following options: thesis, masters research and design paper, and the coursework only option. In the coursework only option students will have the option to select from 24 credit hours worth of electives. In the research/design paper program soon as we select 21 credit hours worth of electives. I don’t know thesis programs soon as my select 18 credit hours worth of electives. Total credit hour requirement Is 36. For more information about their programming in to apply to check out their website.

• Program Homepage

The post The 20 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Nutrition appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

How much does a surgeon make a year? The highest-paid doctors – most of whom are surgeons – earn as much as $600,000 to $700,000 or more per year. Doctors’ earnings depend on the medical specialty they practice.

The Average Salary of a Doctor

No one ever said becoming a doctor was easy. Medical school is competitive, rigorous and expensive. The training takes persistence. Even well into your career as a doctor, the work continues to be strenuous and demanding. Physicians and surgeons often work schedules with long, unpredictable hours. They may also work on-call.

Of course, there are upsides, too. The hard work yields a high-paying career – and the opportunity to provide hope and healing to patients of all ages.

If you’re going to invest time, effort and money to earn your medical degree, then you want your medical career to be rewarding enough – financially and otherwise – to make your work worthwhile.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor?

For all types of physicians and surgeons, the median annual salary as of 2022 amounted to $229,300, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Many of the most popular and recognizable doctor specialties paid well above this amount, including:

• Anesthesiologists
• Neurologists
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Radiologists
• Cardiologists
• Dermatologists
• Emergency medicine physicians

For all of these medical specialties, the median wage reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics equaled or exceeded $239,200 in 2022.

Becoming a doctor requires going to medical school. In the United States, accredited medical schools award either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Although MD-granting schools are more common, graduates from DO-granting medical schools are equally qualified.

If you’re concerned about a possible difference in MD vs DO salary, you should know that the type of medical degree alone has little direct impact on earnings. Doctors with both qualifications earn comparable salaries when adjusted for specialty and geographic location. MDs are generally more likely to pursue medical specialties that pay higher salaries. On the other hand, DOs tend to gravitate more toward family medicine and primary care. However, an MD who goes into family medicine generally earns the same as a DO in this field. A DO who undergoes the extra training to work in a high-paying specialty can make just as much money as their peers with MDs.

Within the field of medicine, doctors’ earnings vary substantially from one specialty to the next. In its 2023 Physician Compensation Report, Medscape concluded that specialists earned more than $117,000 per year above what primary care physicians made. Primary physicians reported earnings of $265,000, Medscape reported. For specialists, the average earnings amounted to $382,000. Specialists’ current average earnings represent a significant increase from the $284,000 per year on average salary Medscape reported in 2015.

The Highest-Paid Medical Specialties

Beyond the distinction between primary physician and specialist earnings, the biggest factor in how much doctors make is what specialty they practice.

Which are the highest-paying medical specialties? Our list of the top 15 highest-paying medical specialties draws upon current physician compensation data. Below, we delve into the data to identify which specialties pay the most money – and what to expect working in them.

1. Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is the highest-paid specialty in the medical profession. Neurosurgeons aren’t just the highest-paid surgeons in the United States. They’re the highest-paid medical specialty, period. Their average earnings topped $700,000 per year in 2023.

Neurosurgeons diagnose and treat patients suffering from brain-related illness or injury. As such, neurosurgeons must have experience and expertise with the brain, spine, spinal cord and nervous system. Within this medical specialty, neurosurgeons can specialize in adult or infant and child treatment. 

The work neurosurgeons do includes:

• Performing spinal surgery and brain surgery
• Removing tumors
• Caring for brain and spine infections and injuries
• Treating strokes and degenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease
• Diagnosing and treating chronic pain, seizures and epilepsy 
• Interpreting radiological studies

So, how much does the highest-paid doctor make? In its 2023 Physician Compensation Report, the professional medical network Doximity reported an average annual compensation amount of $788,313 for the specialty of neurosurgery.

Salary.com listed the average salary for this specialty as $666,401 in September 2023. The salary range for the neurosurgeons, Salary.com reported, was between $501,801 and $843,301.

Neurosurgery impacts the life of a patient because the nervous system affects all areas of the body. Though the training is extensive, a neurosurgeon provides a significant contribution to the medical field. 

What they do: Brain, spine and nervous system surgery 

Annual earnings: $788,313

Training: 1 year internship in general surgery, 5-7 years in neurosurgery residency program

2. Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic surgeon is another of the highest-paying medical jobs. Thoracic surgeons perform chest surgery. Though both open and minimally invasive techniques, they perform procedures such as:

• Tracheal resection 
• Transthoracic esophagectomy
• Lung tumor removal
• Surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Heart valve repair

For the specialty of thoracic surgery, Doximity reported a 2022 average compensation amount of $706,775.

What they do: Chest surgery

Annual earnings: $706,775

Training: 5 years of general surgery, 2-3 years of specialized cardiothoracic surgery residency

3. Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgeons are another of the highest-paying doctors out there.

These surgeons treat injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Treating the musculoskeletal system means working on the spine, extremities and related structures.

Orthopedic surgeons treat:

• Patients who suffered injuries in a trauma
• Congenital (from birth) conditions
• Infections
• Cancer
• Degenerative (progressive) diseases

Even within the specialty of orthopedic surgery, there are numerous subspecialties. Some orthopedic surgeons work exclusively on procedures on the hand or foot and ankle. They may also focus on a particular type of condition, like cancer (oncology) or sports injuries (sports medicine).

Some of the specific work orthopedic surgeons perform includes:

• Setting broken bones
• Replacing damaged joints
• Repairing injured tendons
• Surgically removing tumors

Doximity’s report put the average annual compensation for orthopedic surgery at $624,043 for 2022. Salary.com reported a national average salary of $532,770 as of September 2023, listing a salary range between $418,850 and $689,230. Different sources cite different earnings for the specialty, but it consistently ranks high on the list.

What They Do: Surgical procedures on the musculoskeletal system

Annual Earnings: $624,043

Training: 5 years

4. Plastic/ Reconstructive Surgery

lastic surgeons are the physicians who devote their careers to medical aesthetics and reconstruction. These are also some of the highest-paying medical jobs.

Plastic surgeons may work on virtually any visual body part. The medical procedures they perform may seek to improve or alter aspects of a patient’s body like the following:

• The appearance of the skin
• The shape of the torso, breasts, and limbs
• External reproductive structures

The goal of cosmetic surgery is often to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the body. Some plastic surgery procedures are reconstructive. Through these procedures, plastic surgeons seek to repair damage done by an injury, congenital defects or disease. This damage may affects function as well as appearance. As such, plastic surgery may have functional as well as aesthetic effects on patients’ lives.

To achieve the appearance improvements desired by their patients, plastic surgeons use methods such as:

• Skin grafts
• Implants
• Liposuction techniques
• Tissue transfers

As with other specialties, plastic surgery includes subspecialties. Examples of plastic surgery subspecialties include surgery on the head and face (craniofacial surgery) and plastic surgery treatments for serious burns.

The average plastic surgeon salary Doximity reported for 2022 amounted to $571,373. Salary.com reported a national average of $430,139 in September 202. The salary range for plastic surgeons, Salary.com reported, was between $359,592 and $533,755.

 What They Do: Cosmetic procedures

Annual Earnings: $571,373

Training: 2 years

5. Vascular Surgery

Another of the best-paying specialty healthcare fields is vascular surgery. Vascular surgery is a specialty that encompasses surgery and other forms of treatment of disease of the veins and arteries. Vascular surgeons use minimally-invasive procedures and non-surgical methods of treating these disorders as well as more invasive methods of surgery. Types of procedures vascular surgeons perform include:

• Varicose vein treatment (surgical and non-surgical)
• Lower limb revascularization
• Carotid artery surgery
• Angioplasty and other stenting procedures

For the specialty of vascular surgery, Doximity reported a 2022 annual compensation amount of $557,632.

What they do: Treatment of and surgery on the veins

Annual earnings: $557,632

Training: 6-7 years of general surgery and vascular surgery training

6. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Another of the best-paying jobs in health care is oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgical procedures in the area of the jaw, mouth and face. Surgically removing impacted wisdom teeth is one routine procedure oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform. These medical doctors also perform oral reconstructive surgery for patients who have suffered facial trauma. They may insert dental implants, treat misaligned jaws and surgically repair cleft lip and cleft palate.

The average annual compensation for the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery was $556,642 in 2022, Doximity reported.

What they do: Dental surgery

Annual earnings: $556,642

Training: At least 4 years

7. Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is another of the best-paying health care jobs. Oncology is the field of medicine that refers to the treatment of cancer. Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that treats cancer through the use of ionizing radiation technology. Radiation oncologists play a part in creating treatment plans for cancer patients. They oversee the radiation treatments and assess the progress of radiation treatments on cancer.

Doximity reported an average annual compensation amount of $547,026 for the radiation oncology profession as of 2022.

What they do:  Treat cancer with radiation therapy

Annual earnings: $547,026

Training: 5 years, including 4 years of specialized training in radiation oncology

8. Cardiology

If you don’t mind the pressure of holding a patient’s heart in your hands, consider another of the highest-paying medical jobs: cardiology.

Cardiologists specialize in heart health. They assess heart function and cardiovascular health through blood flow, blood pressure and other health indicators. The work cardiologists do include:

• Ordering diagnostic tests
• Performing procedures
• Prescribing medication to improve suboptimal heart health

These doctors may work with patients who are in the advanced stages of heart failure. Some of their patients may need transplants. Invasive cardiologists are surgeons who carry out procedures such as repairing damaged heart valves, inserting pacemakers or defibrillators and performing heart bypass operations.

As a whole, the specialty of cardiology reported an average compensation amount of $544,201 in 2022, according to Doximity. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median earnings for cardiologists at $421,330 as of 2022.

Cardiology in general is a rewarding career choice, but one subspecialty is particularly lucrative. Invasive cardiologists earned $611,000 per year as of 2021, Becker’s ASC Review reported. Those earnings eclipsed the average salary for noninvasive cardiologists – $446,000 – by $165,000.

What They Do: Heart health and surgery

Annual Earnings: $544,201

Training: 1 year of subspecialty training on top of 3 years of general cardiology training

9. Urology

Next on our list of high-paying medical jobs is urologist. Urology is the medical specialty that focuses on the health of the urinary tract of any gender and the reproductive system of male patients.

Several organs and structures fall under the domain of urologists. These organs include the:

• Bladder
• Kidney
• Prostate
• Urethra
• Male genitals

Urologists diagnose and treat:

• Urinary tract and bladder infections
• Difficulty urinating
• Incontinence
• Kidney stones
• Enlarged prostate
• Male infertility

The field of urology paid an average annual compensation amount of $505,745, Doximity’s 2023 report concluded. Salary.com reported a national average salary of $413,880 for urologists, with a salary range between $363,220 and $482,710.

What They Do: Urinary tract

Annual Earnings: $505,745

Training: 5 years

10. Radiology

Radiology is another of the best-paying health care jobs. This medical specialty revolves around the use of nuclear radiation for medical purposes. Applications of radiology range from diagnostic tests to radiation treatments. Radiologists work in hospitals, imaging facilities and other healthcare settings. 

Diagnostic radiologists read and interpret diagnostic imaging tests such as:

• X-rays
• Ultrasounds
• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs)

Radiologists may also serve interventional roles. For example, they may facilitate image-guided therapy and administer radiation to cancer patients.

Often, radiologists specialize in imaging different regions of the body. Examples include specializing in chest and cardiac imaging, abdominal imaging and performing mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

For the medical specialty of radiology, Doximity reported an average compensation of $503,564 for 2022. The average salary for this medical doctor according to Salary.com was $452,890. The salary range stretched from $393,790 to $523,890.

What They Do: Diagnostic testing and radiation treatments

Annual Earnings: $503,564

Training: 5 years

11. Gastroenterology

Another of the highest-paying medical specialties in the healthcare industry is gastroenterology.

Gastroenterologists treat disorders that occur in every part of the digestive system. Their area of focus includes the:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Bowels
• Gallbladder
• Pancreas
• Liver
• Other organs in the abdominal cavity

As part of the specialty of internal medicine, gastroenterology focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions like:

• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Acid reflux
• Ulcers
• Pain

These specialists play a role in preventing and diagnosing cancers of the digestive organs, including esophageal and colon cancer. Gastroenterologists perform minimally invasive procedures and diagnostic tests like endoscopies, which allow doctors to see inside the gastrointestinal organs.

The average compensation for the gastroenterology medical specialty amounted to $496,667 in 2022, according to Doximity. From Salary.com, the average gastroenterologist salary was $414,300 in September 2023, with the larger salary range between $349,800 and $489,200.

What They Do: Digestive health

Annual Earnings: $496,667

Training: 3 years of subspecialty training on top of 3 years of internal medicine training

12. Otolaryngology (ENT)

Of all the well-paying medical jobs in the healthcare industry, otolaryngology may be among the biggest mouthfuls to say aloud. This medical specialtiy is better known by the abbreviation ENT, for ear, nose and throat. ENTs provide medical and surgical care of the head and neck. Medical conditions an ENT might address include:

• Hearing disorders
• Speech disorders
• Swallowing disorders
• Breathing disorders
• Sinus disorders

For the field of otolaryngology, Doximity reported a 2022 average compensation amount of $488,536 per year.

What they do:  Ear, nose and throat medicine and surgery

Annual earnings: $488,536

Training: 5 years, including 1 year of surgical training and 3 years of general otolaryngology training

13. Dermatology

One of the best-paying jobs in health care is dermatologist. A dermatologist is the medical doctor who diagnoses and treats skin disorders of all kinds, from acne to cancer. As the largest organ of the body, it’s no wonder skin gets its own specialist.

Dermatologists perform routine skin examinations to screen for signs of melanoma or other forms of skin cancer. During these exams, they track any changes in the appearance or location of moles.

Another job duty for dermatologists is performing diagnostic tests like biopsies on unusual skin conditions and changes. Dermatologists treat skin allergies, infections, eczema and other conditions. Many dermatologists also perform cosmetic procedures. These cosmetic procedures range from laser surgery and excisions of unwanted skin conditions and markings to liposuction, chemical peels and injections of dermal fillers like Botox.

The average compensation Doximity reported for the specialty of dermatology for 2022 was $468,509 per year. That’s well above the $327,650 average salary the BLS listed based on 2022 data.

What They Do: Skin health

Annual Earnings: $468,509

Training: 4 years

14.  Anesthesiology

Anesthesiologists are the doctors responsible for keeping patients pain-free, sedated or unconscious during surgical procedures. The important job comes with a great deal of responsibility and a high earning potential that makes anesthesiologist one of the highest-paying jobs in the health care industry.

Though not surgeons themselves, anesthesiologists work primarily with patients undergoing surgery. They prepare the patient for diagnostic procedures and operations that would be painful or uncomfortable by administering anesthetics. Anesthetics are pain relief medications.

During surgery, anesthesiologists observe the patient for any signs of pain or stress and adjust pain medications accordingly. They pay attention to indicators like the patient’s:

• Pulse
• Blood pressure
• Breathing
• Body temperature
• Other vital signs

Anesthesiologists also monitor patients after surgery and contribute to postoperative care.

Outside of surgical applications, anesthesiologists also use their expertise in pain medications to help patients find effective and safe pain relief. The patients to whom anesthesiologists provide services include:

• Patients suffering from chronic pain
• Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU)
• Mothers going through childbirth

According to Doximity, the anesthesiology profession reported an average compensation amount of $462,506 per year for 2022. Salary.com reported an average salary of $424,600 for the profession in September 2023, with a salary range between $367,900 and $481,400.

What They Do: Pain relief during surgery

Annual Earnings: $462,506

Training: 4 years

15. General Surgery

Many of the specialties on our list of high-paying medical jobs are, well, highly specialized. Prospective doctors may be wondering “How much does a general surgeon make?”

General surgery rounds out the top 15 highest-paying medical specialties. Many other specialties – including some among the highest-paying, like orthopedic surgery and invasive cardiology – practice surgery. These surgeons are not general surgeons, however.

A doctor who specializes in general surgery has a broad base of knowledge. This knowledge allows them to treat a wide range of medical conditions through operations with specialized tools.

Most general surgeons perform procedures that involve the skin, neck, breasts, abdomen and arteries. Typically, general surgeons refer patients with orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac and similar conditions to surgeons in the appropriate specialties. General surgeons work with their patients throughout the surgical process, from diagnosing the medical condition that requires surgery and prepping them for the procedure to providing postoperative care.

So, how much do general surgeons make? Doximity put their average compensation at $451,489 per year for 2022.

What They Do: Operations

Annual Earnings: $451,489

Training: 5 years

The Medical Specialty With the Highest Compensation Growth: Emergency Medicine Physician

For emergency medicine physicians, Doximity reported a 2022 average compensation amount of $385,554. Although this income isn’t enough to rank emergency medicine among the highest-paying specialties, it does represent a 6.2% growth in compensation compared to 2021, which marks it as the specialty with the greatest compensation growth.

Emergency medicine is what it sounds like – the specialty that focuses on caring for and stabilizing patients during medical emergencies.

In a medical emergency, doctors have to act fast. Making the wrong decision could endanger the patient’s life or leave them with permanent disabilities, but so could waiting too long to take action. Specialists in emergency medicine work in both emergency departments and pre-hospital settings to recognize and treat acute diseases and severe injuries. Quick and accurate decision-making is essential to saving the lives of emergency patients. These physicians need a strong background in clinical and technical skills and a breadth of medical knowledge to draw from when evaluating patients and planning patient care.

What They Do: Emergency care

Annual Earnings: $345,000

Training: 3 years

The Highest-Paying Jobs in Health Care Without a Medical Doctorate

Doctors are the health care professionals with the highest earnings. However, there are plenty of other high-paying jobs in the health care industry for those who don’t want to invest the time and money into medical school. Some of the best-paying health care jobs without an MD or DO degree include the following.

Advanced Practice Nurse

One of the best-paying health care jobs is advanced practice registered nurse. Advanced practice registered nurses have a master’s degree and advanced training. This education and clinical training qualifies advanced practice registered nurses to provide primary and specialty healthcare, prescribe medications and make diagnoses.

Types of advanced practice registered nurses include:

• Nurse practitioners in a variety of medical specialties
• Nurse midwives
• Nurse anesthetists

The median salary for an advanced practice registered nurse was $125,900 in 2022, the BLS reported. Nurse anesthetist was the highest-paid APRN role, with a median wage of $203,090. For nurse practitioner, the median salary was $121,610. Nurse midwives earned a median wage of $120,880.

RELATED: What is the Average Salary for a Nurse Practitioner?

Physician Assistant

Physician assistant is another of the best-paid jobs in health care. Physician assistants, or PAs, provide direct care to patients in clinical settings. They can prescribe medications, order tests and diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. Physician assistants work under the supervision of a fully credentialed and licensed doctor who has a doctorate in either allopathic or osteopathic medicine.

Like nurse practitioners, physician assistants can qualify for the position with only a master’s degree. A physician assistant can also choose to work in one of any number of medical specialties.

The median annual salary the BLS reported for physician assistant in 2022 was $126,010 

Physical Therapist

Another of the best-paying health care jobs is physical therapist. These health care professionals provide therapy to improve patients’ physical strength, range of mobility and function. Over time, physical therapy can also reduce or alleviate pain that accompanies movement.

RELATED: What Is the Salary Range for a PA?

Some of the methods physical therapists use include:

• Stretching
• Exercises
• Hands-on therapy
• Use of mobility aids and other equipment

A physical therapist needs a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, as well as a license to practice.

The median salary the BLS reported for the physical therapist occupation in 2022 was $97,720. Physical therapists in the home healthcare services industry made the most, with a median salary of $105,130. Nursing homes and hospitals are other environments where a physical therapy career paid a median wage above $100,000. The near six-figure median salary makes this one of the best-paid jobs in health care.

Occupational Therapist

Like physical therapists, occupational therapists are healthcare professionals whose work allows patients to live fuller and healthier lives. This is another of the medical jobs in the healthcare industry that you can earn with a master’s degree. An occupational therapist helps people with injuries, illnesses or disabilities develop the skills they need for day-to-day tasks of living and working.

Occupational therapy encompasses exercises through which patients can gain and strengthen skills. Occupational therapists also teach patients workarounds, like using eating and mobility aids and implementing labeling systems, that allow them to cope with physical or cognitive limitations. Some of the patient populations that can benefit from occupational therapy include:

• People with cognitive and developmental disabilities
• Survivors of traumatic brain injuries, strokes and spinal cord injuries
• People with chronic disabilities or medical conditions
• Elderly patients with dementia

The median wage for the occupational therapist as of 2022 was $93,180, the BLS reported.

RELATED: Recommended Accredited Online Medical Degrees

Editor’s Note: The earnings, training requirements and responsibilities listed in this article are meant as a guide only for aspiring doctors to do their own research into the medical specialties that interest them. As noted in the article, even credible publications may report vastly different wages for physicians of the same specialties. Training information presented in this article comes from the Association of American Medical Colleges, does not include time spent in medical earning an MD or DO and is subject to change.

More Rankings of Interest:

• Top 25 Medical Schools
• Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees
• 15 Top Degrees for the Highest-Paying Business Careers
• 24 Fastest Online Associate’s Degrees

Related Resources: 

• What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

The post The Best-Paying Jobs in Health Care: Top 15 Highest-Paying Medical Specialties appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What Are the Highest Paying Manager Jobs?

The best management jobs – that is, the ones that pay the highest average salaries – aren’t easy, either to attain or to do. Most of the highest-paid manager jobs require a combination of formal education and years of experience. Holding the highest-paying business management positions can be stressful at times. You may be responsible for supervising personnel, guiding the direction of an organization or managing complex projects.

RELATED: What Are the Highest-Paying Business Entry-Level Jobs?

Average salary for manager positions depends on the level of role they hold, the specific duties they perform and the company and industry for which managers work. By median salary, the top-paying management jobs include the following.

1. Chief Executive Officer

If you really want to be the boss – not just a boss ­– then top executive is the career for you. These management professionals are personally in charge of making sure an organization achieves its goals.

What a Top Executive Does

As the name suggests, top executives are the managers at the top of a company. Given their senior-level status and big responsibilities, it’s no surprise that these top management jobs are also the best-paying manager jobs out there.

A chief executive officer sets goals and procedures for a variety of departments within the company. They decide which personnel will lead those departments. Depending on their position, chief executives may monitor finances and budgets, analyze statements to assess performance and determine ways to decrease costs.

Top executive roles take many forms. In most businesses and organizations, chief executive officers (CEOs) include job titles like the following:

• President
• Vice president
• Executive director
• Chief financial officer (CFO)
• Chief information officer (CIO)
• Chief operating officer (COO)
• Chief sustainability officer

At schools, top executives include superintendents and college presidents. Even cities and states have top executives. The top executives in these environments are known as city managers, county administrators, mayors and governors.

Chief executives are generally more concerned with big-picture strategy than day-to-day operations. In other top executive jobs, like operations manager and general manager, however, the manager would spend much of their time handling daily operations and administrative duties. General and operations managers handle many different administration and management duties.

RELATED: Top 10 Paying Jobs That Involve Math

How Much a Top Executive Makes

Which top executive role you work in can make a huge difference in your pay rate. The median annual salary the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported for chief executive officers as of 2022 was $189,520 per year. The highest-paid 10% of chief executives in America make more than $239,200.

The manufacturing industry is the major employment industry that pays chief executives the most. The median annual salary for chief executives in this industry was $231,640 as of 2022. Chief executives in the professional, scientific and technical services industry also made a median wage above $200,000.

General and operations managers, the other top executives, made considerably less than their C-suite counterparts. Still, the $98,100 median annual salary far outstrips the median wage for all occupations as of 2022. The professional, scientific and technical services industry paid the best for these roles, with a median salary of $131,970.

Becoming a Top Executive

There’s no quick or easy route to a top executive role. A given company or organization only needs so many top executives, and the competition for these high-paying roles is fierce. You are likely to need some combination of education, experience and an exceptional reputation if you want to become a chief executive.

Many top executives start from the bottom and gradually advance through the ranks within their organization. Others develop their management skills and cultivate enough experience to get hired from outside the organization. Either way, you need to work hard and prove that you’re the best at what you do to cultivate the kind of reputation that gets you considered for chief executive positions.

In addition to gaining experience in management roles, candidates for top executive positions must develop excellent communication skills and leadership abilities. They need to become proficient – and confident – in making decisions and solving problems.

2. Computer and Information Systems Manager

If you want to work in technology, a career as a computer and information systems manager will allow you to make great money in a field you love. This is one of the best manager jobs in the tech field.

What a Computer and Information Systems Manager Does

Nearly all businesses and organizations today rely on computers to handle some aspect of their work. Computer and information systems managers play a crucial role in an organization’s computer systems.

Computer and information systems managers are sometimes called information technology (IT) managers or IT project managers. These professionals are responsible for figuring out what computer and IT professionals the organization needs on staff. They oversee the work of other IT professionals. Computer and information systems managers also manage the organization’s computer systems and technology. When its time to put in place new systems and technologies, computer and information systems managers are responsible for tasks like the following:

• Planning
• Installation
• Implementation
• Upgrades
• Security measures

The responsibilities of specific computer and information systems managers depend on their exact job titles, in addition to other factors.

For example, C-suite computer and information systems managers include chief information officers (CIOs) and chief technology officers (CTOs). A chief information officer will devote most of their time to devising the organization’s technology strategy. A chief technology officer will focus more on what new technology can do for the organization.

At a somewhat less senior-level of management are IT directors. IT directors lead IT departments. They often serve as the immediate supervisors for the organization’s IT personnel. IT security managers, on the other hand, focus more on the organization’s information security policies and safety measures designed to thwart a security threat.

How Much a Computer and Information Systems Manager Makes

Computer and information systems managers earned a median salary of $164,070 as of 2022, according to the BLS. The best-paid 10% of the IT manager field earned more than $239,200. All of the top five industries of employment report median annual salaries between $165,000 and $175,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The information industry paid the best, with a median annual salary of $173,540.

Becoming a Computer and Information Systems Manager

If you want to become a computer and information systems manager, you will need a strong background in computer technology. Usually, this means a formal college degree, at least at the undergraduate level. Prospective IT managers often pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science. This education provides you with the technical skills for the role, but you need more than just tech knowledge to be a good manager. Gaining some knowledge of the business world is valuable if you want to become an expert in business applications of technology. Stacking a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree on top of your computer science undergraduate degree can help prove your capabilities.

3. Architectural and Engineering Manager

Another of the highest-paying management jobs is architectural and engineering manager. A lot of work goes into engineering and architecture projects, and someone has to oversee this work and supervise those who undertake it. That someone is an architectural or engineering manager.

What an Architectural and Engineering Manager Does

On any architectural or engineering project, there are various team members with different skill sets to hire and oversee. There are schedules to coordinate and budgets to set and follow. Without doing this work, projects won’t get done correctly, on time or within budget. Companies in industries like manufacturing and architectural and engineering services rely on experienced professionals to handle these big responsibilities.

As supervisors, architectural and engineering managers naturally oversee their employees, checking not only their work but also their methods. They also handle tasks like determining what materials, equipment and employees they need for a project and coordinating the work of various teams. However, these professionals aren’t completely removed from their engineering and architectural roots. Often, they create the overall concepts and designs for a product or project. They may lead the research and development teams whose findings inform the final design concepts. When problems arise, architectural and engineering managers need to solve them.

How Much an Architectural and Engineering Manager Makes

The median salary the BLS reported for architectural and engineering managers in 2022 was $159,920. The highest-paid 10% of the architectural and engineering manager profession made more than $221,550 per year. The scientific research and development services industry paid architectural and engineering managers the best, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a median annual salary of $175,670. The management of companies and enterprises industry wasn’t far behind, with a median salary of $169,140.

Becoming an Architectural and Engineering Manager

Architectural and engineering managers typically begin their careers as either architects or engineers. They may start in entry-level roles, but they don’t stay there long. They learn as much as they can on the job.

With time, these ambitious architects and engineers take on more and more responsibilities. They step up to solve problems, make decisions, lead teams and work on complex projects. In doing so, they get noticed and develop the skills an architectural or engineering manager needs.

To begin, aspiring architectural and engineering managers need the education that will land them their first job as an architect or engineer. This usually means a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a professional degree in architecture. Graduate school is a common path for aspiring managers in these fields. Depending on your skills and areas of interest, you might pursue one of the following graduate degrees:

• Master’s in Engineering Management
• Master’s in Technology Management
• Master of Business Administration

4. Natural Sciences Manager

Don’t think high-paying management jobs only belong in the business world. If science is your calling, you can put your leadership skills to use as a natural sciences manager.

What a Natural Sciences Manager Does

Natural sciences managers oversee employees, research projects and administrative policies in scientific research capacities. They collaborate with their organization’s senior executives to develop research goals. Then they determine how to best achieve those objectives through actionable steps.

Natural sciences managers figure out what personnel, equipment, materials and training are necessary for a particular project. They are also responsible for establishing a budget for that project. They oversee and assist the scientists and technicians in their research team.

Some natural sciences managers spend all or most of their time on administrative and supervisory duties. Their work keeps them largely out of the lab. Other natural sciences managers, known as working managers, conduct research of their own in addition to overseeing other scientists’ work. Laboratory managers focus particularly on managing the supplies needed for research.

Most natural sciences managers spend years working as scientists – chemists, biologists, physicists – before they advance to the highest-paying business management positions. During their careers, they gradually take on more responsibilities, such as overseeing teams of researchers and guiding the direction of research projects and experiments. The more experience scientists have, the greater their opportunities for independence.

How Much a Natural Sciences Manager Makes

The median salary the BLS reported for natural sciences managers as of 2022 was $144,440. The 10% of natural sciences managers with the highest earnings made more than $239,200. The median wages for natural sciences managers by industry varied considerably. Natural sciences managers in research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences earned a median annual salary of $178,830, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. In the manufacturing industry, the median salary was $170,220.

Becoming a Natural Sciences Manager

Natural sciences managers must have a thorough foundation in their field of science. A scientific background is more important than formal management training or education for these high-paying manager jobs. Prospective natural sciences managers need at least a bachelor’s degree in a field like the following:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Natural science
• Engineering

A bachelor’s degree may be enough to land some entry-level jobs in natural sciences research. However, even for non-managerial roles, you will likely need to advance your education beyond the undergraduate level. Most natural sciences managers have a master’s degree or a PhD. Considerable experience working in laboratory research is also a requirement for most natural sciences manager roles.

5. Marketing Manager

Companies spend a fortune persuading consumers to buy their products or use their services. Marketing managers, another of the highest paying management jobs, play an important role in how companies use this money effectively to make the most sales possible and bring in revenue.

What a Marketing Manager Does

Marketing managers stay abreast of market trends to determine how much demand there is for a product or service and what markets that product might fit into well. A marketing manager uses data from market research surveys to predict who will purchase the product and what price they will be willing to pay.

Of course, marketing managers also perform a number of other job duties. Often, they are even involved in the product development process. They may lead teams of marketing personnel and oversee collaboration between teams of salespeople and public relations staff. In some roles, they may also handle responsibilities such as:

• Developing marketing plans
• Planning promotions or advertising campaigns
• Setting marketing department budgets
• Choosing advertising opportunities
• Negotiating prices

How Much a Marketing Manager Makes

For marketing managers, the BLS reported a 2022 median annual salary of $140,040. The best-paid 10% of the marketing manager profession made upwards of $239,200. The best paying-industries for marketing managers, management of companies and enterprises and finance and insurance, paid median salaries of $162,870 and $161,040, respectively.

Becoming a Marketing Manager

Marketing managers typically start out in lower-level roles in marketing and work their way up. Most marketing managers have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field like marketing or marketing management.

6. Financial Manager

Another of the highest-paying management jobs is financial manager. Every business and organization needs to be vigilant about its financial health. That’s what makes the work of a financial manager so critical.

What Does a Financial Manager Do?

Financial managers are the professionals who report on current finances, make decisions about investments and establish future goals and strategies. They prepare financial statements, summaries, reports and forecasts of all kinds for many different uses. They also weigh in on the organization’s financial decisions. These decisions include how the company can cut costs, increase profits, expand and acquire other businesses.

Like other types of managers, financial managers oversee lower-level workers. These managers supervise the work of less senior finance employees. Today’s financial managers now spend more of their time analyzing data and using those analyses to advise top-level executives on making financial decisions than they do simply creating reports.

There are several kinds of financial managers:

• Credit managers handle credit and collections.
• Cash managers oversee the organization’s cash flow.
• Risk managers work to minimize the likelihood that the organization will suffer a financial loss.
• Insurance managers decide what kinds of insurance, and how much coverage, is necessary to reduce any such losses.
• Controllers are primarily concerned with generating financial reports, especially special reports for government use.
• Treasurers and finance officers deal with budgets, mergers and investments.

How Much a Financial Manager Makes

The BLS reported a median annual salary of $139,790 for financial managers as of 2022. The highest-paid 10% of financial managers earned more than $239,200. The two top-paying industries, management of companies and enterprises and professional, scientific and technical services, both paid a median wage of more than $164,000 per year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Becoming a Financial Manager

All kinds of financial managers need plenty of experience in the field. Most financial managers have spent at least five years gaining business and finance experience. Before they advance into a management role, they often start in positions like the following:

• Accountant
• Auditor
• Financial analyst
• Loan officer
• Securities sales agent

Financial managers usually start with a bachelor’s degree in a field like finance, accounting, business administration or accounting. At the graduate level, they may pursue a Master’s in Finance degree or a Master of Business Administration.

7. Sales Manager

You need the right personality to excel in another of the highest-paying management jobs, sales manager. If you enjoy the challenge of sales and the opportunity to motivate others, a career as a sales manager will let you earn a six-figure salary with your natural salesperson personality (and the right education and experience, of course).

What a Sales Manager Does

Industries like retail, wholesale trade, manufacturing and finance and insurance depend on sales managers. Sales managers typically oversee their company’s salespeople and sales strategies.

Sales managers don’t just establish goals for product sales. They also develop the strategies and plans to meet those sales goals. When conflicts arise, they resolve customer complaints.

They hire and train their organization’s sales personnel. Their role is to recruit strong candidates to the sales department and help them to perform at their full potential. Sales manager positions also have a quantitative side, with tasks that include:

• Overseeing budgets
• Establishing quotas and sales goals
• Appointing sales representatives to specific territories
• Analyzing sales data
• Predicting sales volumes and profits

How Much a Sales Manager Makes

A median salary of $130,600 is what makes sales managers one of the highest-paid management jobs. The BLS reported that the highest-paid 10% of sales managers made more than $239,200 as of 2022. The highest-paying jobs for sales managers were in the finance and insurance and the professional, scientific and technical services industry, both of which paid median salaries above $160,000.

Becoming a Sales Manager

Most sales managers have a college degree. Fields like accounting, economics, finance, business management, marketing and math are good majors for aspiring sales managers. However, it’s sales experience that really gives candidates for the highest-paying business management positions a competitive edge. Sales managers typically have at least one to five years of experience as sales representatives, purchasing agents or other similar roles.

8. Human Resources Manager

Next on our list of the highest-paying management jobs is HR manager. Workers play an integral part in every industry. Someone needs to recruit, train and communicate with those workers.

What Human Resources Managers Do

Human resources managers are the professionals who oversee an organization’s use of, and interactions with, employees. They interview job candidates and hire the most qualified workers. Human resources managers strategize to make the best possible use of employees’ skills. To do so, they ensure those employees have the training and tools to succeed. They resolve conflicts between workers and handle disciplinary actions when necessary.

Human resources managers also serve as the point of communication between employees and administration. They have input into organization policies and deliver employee services such as benefits and payroll. A human resources manager’s responsibilities include motivating and retaining great employees.

How Much a Human Resource Manager Makes

HR managers earned a median annual salary of $130,000 in 2022, according to the BLS. The top 10% of earners in the HR manager profession made upwards of $224,360. HR managers in the professional, scientific and technical services industry reported the highest median wage, $153,830, followed by those in the management of companies and enterprises industry, where the median salary was $144,640.

Becoming a Human Resource Manager

HR managers often have a bachelor’s degree in human resources or business administration. Graduate-level degrees like an MBA, a Master’s in Human Resources or a Master’s in Labor Relations are also common.

Experience, particularly in leadership roles, is a necessity for high-paying management jobs in a human resources department. Many HR managers begin as human resources or labor relations specialists. Over several years in the field, they develop – and display – the organizational, decision-making and management skills they need to advance to this career.

9. Public Relations Manager

An organization’s image matters – especially when it comes to fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Public relations managers are professionals who strategize how an organization, nonprofit or otherwise, will communicate with members of the public.

What Public Relations Managers Do

Public relations managers oversee the material organizations use to build and improve the public perception of their organization or client. They create content like press releases to get information out to the media and garner media coverage for stories and events.

They act as or designate a spokesperson who will act as the public face and voice of the organization. PR managers work with this spokesperson to provide information and support for media inquiries.

Public relations managers single out the audiences most crucial to the organization’s mission. That may mean choosing a target audience to sell to or potential donors to appeal to for fundraising purposes. They figure out which methods of communication are most likely to be effective at reaching these groups. With this in mind, they plan promotional and advertising campaigns to get their audience’s attention.

Everything a public relations manager does is to improve their organization’s image and public identity. PR managers also supervise the work of other public relations personnel.

In nonprofit organizations, in particular, professionals called fundraising managers play an important part in securing donations, grants and other forms of funding. They plan and implement new strategies to reach their organization’s fundraising objectives. Fundraising managers direct strategies to acquire more funds. They reach out to past donors and new potential donors to ask for contributions. They choose from a variety of fundraising techniques for different fundraising events and campaigns and submit applications for grants from the government and other sources.

How Much a Public Relations Manager Makes

What makes PR manager one of the highest-paying management jobs is its median salary of $129,430. The highest-paid PR managers made more than $239,200 per year as of 2022. Fundraisers make considerably less money, but this can still be a lucrative role. The median annual salary the BLS reported for fundraisers in 2022 was $107,390, and the highest-paid fundraisers made more than $205,230.

Becoming a Public Relations Manager

If your ultimate career goal is to become a public relations and fundraising manager, expect to be in it for the long haul. These professionals usually begin their careers in entry-level public relations specialist or fundraiser positions. A few years of work experience in the field, with increasing responsibilities, may be enough to qualify candidates for lower-level management positions. For roles like public relations director and fundraising director, though, candidates often need a minimum of five to 10 years of relevant work experience.

10. Training and Development Manager

Completing our list of the top 10 highest-paying management jobs is training and development manager. Across all industries, organizations want their workers to be as productive as possible. To perform at their best – and add the most value to their company – employees need the right training and the opportunity to develop their skills.

What Training and Development Managers Do

Training and development managers are the professionals who plan and oversee training opportunities. In addition to supervising lower-level training and development specialists, they determine what training and skills employees need to achieve the company’s goals and create and coordinate those experiences. Part of training and development managers’ job duties is to use resources well. That includes making and sticking to a budget.

Employee training can take many different forms. Training and development managers may be responsible for teaching classes themselves, or they may teach other instructors or managers how to effectively train employees. They acquire training materials from vendors but might also develop their own materials, including online learning materials.

How Much Training and Development Managers Make

Like the other best-paying management jobs, the training and development manager role pays a median wage well over $100,000. The BLS reported the median annual salary for this role as $120,000 as of 2022. The highest earners in this business management profession made more than $210,470 per year.

Becoming a Training and Development Manager

Like other management careers, training and development manager is not an entry-level position. A bachelor’s degree in human resources or business administration is helpful, but the degree alone won’t land you this job. You’ll need experience working as a training and development specialist, human resources specialist or teacher. You’ll also need some form of management experience.

Money isn’t everything. You need to consider other factors besides pay when choosing a career. If you have the ambition and leadership skills to manage projects and other workers, though, why not shoot for one of the top 10 highest paying management careers?

Editor’s Note: The source for the employment, education, training and salary information presented in this article is the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While this federal agency is responsible for monitoring the labor market, including the many professions in it, students will find that job requirements, responsibilities and wages differ depending on employer, region and industry. This article is meant as a guide to help students start their own research into potential career paths.

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

What Salary Can I Expect With a Human Resources Management Degree?

How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers

The post Top 10 Highest Paying Management Jobs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

While online education was trending toward mainstream adoption, COVID-19 has bumped the timeline forward. And as a result, today many of the top public health programs are now offered entirely online. So whether by innovation or by necessity, many top-end universities now offer fully online graduate-level public health degrees. And as more programs enter the online education space, competition drives each program to improve their value propositions. 

As such, many online Master’s of Public Health programs offer surprisingly competitive tuitions or generous financial aid packages and in some cases, both. In order to help you identify the best opportunities available, our researchers have ranked online master’s of public health programs according to the metrics that matter most to prospective students: graduation rate, tuition costs, financial aid packages, and recognition in trusted publications. Read on to find out which 20 programs take the top spots. 

1 University of Florida

The University of Florida is an exemplar for a school that has effectively leveraged existing infrastructure and successful degree programs to expand into online education. Faculty who offer online courses are specially trained to work with online students and know how to make the most of digital learning technology. 

The University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions is helmed by world class faculty who hold the highest degree in their field, and have demonstrated success as both professionals and clinical researchers. In short, students at the College can enjoy the confidence that they are learning from the best of the best. 

The College of Public Health offers a fully online Master of Public Health program with a number options for students to tailor the program to match personal interests and career goals. Specifically, students can enroll in any of the six following concentration tracks (note: not all concentrations are offered online): 

• Biostatistics (On Campus Only)
• Environmental Health (On Campus Only)
• Epidemiology (On Campus Only)
• Population Health Management (On Campus Only)
• Public Health Practice (Campus and Online)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (Campus and Online)

Learn more about University of Florida’s Online Master’s of Public Health

2 University of Washington

The University of Washington School of Public Health is quickly becoming one of the world’s premier destinations for earning a public health degree–be it online or on-campus, or at the undergraduate or graduate level. The School of Public Health offers leverages over 50 centers and institutes to involve students in real-world experiential learning opportunities as well as paradigm-shifting research. The School of Public Health offers 5 academic departments that have been designed from the ground up to represent comprehensive study in the following areas: 

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Global Health
• Health Services
• Environ. & Occ. Health Sciences

The Health Services Department offers a fully online Master of Public Health that can be completed in just 18 months, making it one of the fastest programs listed in this ranking. Students of the program will delve into evidence-based curriculums based on cutting-edge research and modern business. Specifically, students can expect comprehensive study in the following subjects: 

• Population Health
• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health
• Health Management and Policy
• Social and Behavioral Health

Learn more about University of Washington’s Online Master’s of Public Health

3 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health has been consistently ranked as one of the best schools of its kind–having earned the #2 and #1 spot on rankings of public health schools in trusted publications. As the name suggests, the Gillings School of Global Public Health frames curriculums in global context, which is evidenced by the Schools outreach to over 100 counties in North Carolina and more than 60 countries around the world. 

The Gillings School of Global Public Health offers a fully online Master’s of Public Health provides students with a comprehensive multidisciplinary curriculum which emphasizes the importance of viewing health through a global perspective. Students are also encouraged to step outside their comfort zone in order to conduct research or work with communities out in the world. The program offers four excellent tracks to choose from that are designed to represent the most prominent areas of need in the job market and in terms of industry trends: 

• MPH Leadership
• MPH Nutrition
• Applied Epidemiology
• MPH/Registered Dietitian

Learn more about University of North Carolina’s Online Master’s of Public Health

4 University of South Florida

The University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health offers more than 100 fully online courses packaged in 6 distinct degree programs. The USF College of Public Health has earned national recognition for the impressive career outcomes among its program graduates, as well as for the highly competitive tuition costs. Specifically, the USF College of Public Health Online Master of Public Health ranks as the third most affordable program of its kind. 

The USF Online Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers students a selection of unique specialization track options, some of which seem to be totally unique to this program (meaning they are concentrations not offered in similar online MPH programs): 

• Epidemiology
• Public Health Practice
• Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief & Homeland Security
• Infection Control
• Social Marketing
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Health, Safety & Environment

Learn more about University of South Florida’s Online Master’s of Public Health

5 The University of West Florida

The University of West Florida specializes in providing adult learners and working students with affordable career-focused degree programs. In the case of the Online Master of Public Health program, it is the most affordable of all the programs listed in this ranking. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, which is the premier accrediting body for this type of program. 

The Online Master of Public Health program prepares students to build successful careers in a range of industries–at the local or even international level. To help students fine-tune their professional aspirations, the program offers three distinct concentration tracks: 

• Generalist MPH
• Global Health or Health Promotion
• Education and Behavior

Learn more about University of West Florida’s Online Master’s of Public Health

6 University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona (UA) Zuckerman College of Public Health offers a number of top-tier degree programs. Its programs have ranked among the best of the best for servicing minority populations, specifically ranking in the top 5 for American Indian and Hispanic graduates–according to data from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). The College of Public Health blends evidence-based practices and study with strong foundations in theoretical problem-solving and critical thinking. 

Students at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health can earn a fully Online Master of Public Health. The program can be completed in just two years, and is structured on a modular schedule with each course taking 7.5 weeks to complete. Students will choose from a selection of program concentrations, which will make up about 50% of the program’s curriculum. Students can choose any one of the three following specializations: 

• Applied Epidemiology
• Health Behavior Health Promotion
• Health Services Administration

Learn more about University of Arizona’s Online Master’s of Public Health

7 University of Maryland – College Park

The University of Maryland School of Public Health is located at one of the nation’s fastest growing universities, and offers online students a number of innovative degree programs. The School of Public Health program curriculums are designed to represent the real world needs of the industry, which students will become accustomed to through evidence-based inquiries into current research and normative models of public health. 

The School of Public Health faculty are industry experts who specialize in developing public health solutions at the state level and even the national level. Specifically, students at the School of Public Health can earn a unique graduate degree online–a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Practice and Policy. As the name of the program suggests, it distinguishes through an emphasis placed on public health policy at the state, federal, and national level. 

Students will also dive into a comprehensive exploration of foundational topics as well. The program’s curriculum is organized as follows:

• Public Health (6 courses, 14 credits)
• Public Health Practice and Policy (8 courses, 24 credits)
• Internship and Capstone (2 courses, 6 credits)

Learn more about University of Maryland’s Online Master’s of Public Health

8 Oklahoma State University

The Oklahoma State University Graduate College prepares students to pursue the upper echelon of their career–be that through a graduate level education, or even a doctorate level education. The College offers more than 200 master’s and doctorate programs as well as professional graduate certification tracks that position students to capitalize on high-value skill sets that are sought after in the job market. 

This career focus is further demonstrated in the College’s 360° Critical Skills for Career Success (CSCS) Program. This program looks to develop each student into a well-rounded professional who is able to demonstrate aptitude and mastery over the 6 skills that are fundamental in any profession: 

• Research Services
• Wellness
• Instruction
• Communication
• Leadership
• Management

Students at the College can earn a Master’s of Public Health online that carries forth the College’s career-focused mission in education. Students of the program will learn how to apply traditional and innovative models of thought and problem solving to public health issues at the national and even international level.

Learn more about Oklahoma State University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

9 University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the nation’s premier private research universities, and acts as an international hub for globally-conscious business, technology, and health programs. The USC Keck School of Medicine is the oldest medical school in California, and has modernized itself to cater to new kinds of students and learners. Today the Keck School of Medicine offers a number of world-class degree programs that can be completed entirely online through curriculums helmed by industry-leading faculty and researchers. 

The Keck School of Medicine offers an online Master’s of Public Health that distinguishes itself by offering a unique format that empowers students with choice. Specifically, students can choose from one of six specialized concentration tracks that represent the areas of most prominent need in the job market, as well as areas of prominent professional opportunity. 

The six different program paths are as follows: 

• Biostatistics and Epidemiology
• Community Health Promotion
• Global Health
• GeoHealth
• Health Services and Policy
• Generalist

Learn more about University of Southern California’s Online Master’s of Public Health

10 West Virginia University

The West Virginia University School of Public Health positions itself to intervene and to study the public health issues facing West Virginia and the larger Appalachian region. Its programs are designed with this mission in mind, and frame comprehensive degree programs in terms of grounded practical approaches to solving local and regional problems. These programs are ideal for public health students who wish to specialize in localized intervention. 

Specifically, students can earn a fully online Master of Public Health (MPH) that employs a multidisciplinary curriculum in order to prepare students for the dynamics of the real world. The program also employs a weighted emphasis on interpersonal collaboration, peer group research, and real world engagement and outreach. The base curriculum however, is built around the following five pillars: 

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy, Management and Leadership
• Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Learn more about West Virginia University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

11 University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) is a world class location for earning any number of degrees. Its programs are recognized around the world for innovation and academic excellence. USC faculty work at the forefront of their fields and often produce paradigm shifting research. As such, graduates from USC programs are primed to take on high-end and respected positions in their careers as well. 

Specifically, USC students can earn a Master of Public Health online. It is the only program of its kind to be offered by a top-ranked medical school. The program offers a number of choices to students, the most notable of which being a choice between an accelerated track and a specialization track. Students enrolling in the specialized track are able to choose between one of six concentrations. 

Learn more about University of Southern California’s Online Master’s of Public Health

12 University of California – Berkeley

University of California (UC) Berkeley is one of those universities whose name carries extraordinary weight and conferrs tremendous clout to graduates of its programs. The UC Berkeley faculty work at the cutting edge of their fields, particularly in the areas of engineering, computer science, social welfare, international development, business, public policy, journalism, and law. The Public Health program however, receives special recognition for its position in the industry. 

Specifically, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes the UC Berkeley Public Health program as one of the nation’s nine best health promotion and disease prevention research centers. The program is one of the few of its kind where students learn directly from industry leaders, who are their instructors. Despite the world-class quality on offer, the program is surprisingly affordable as well. 

And students can further specialize by pursuing one of the following degree specializations:

• Health Policy and Management
• Community Health Sciences
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Spatial Data Science and Global Health

Learn more about University of California’s Online Master’s of Public Health

13 Samford University

The Samford University School of Public Health offers a selection of high-end degree programs. The Wall street Journal recognized the School as the #2 in the nation for student engagement. So while the tuition costs are a bit more intimidating, this is balanced by the extensive resources invested into each student. The Samford School of Public Health is also continually recognized for the career outcomes among its graduates, who often go on to work at the top-end of their field. 

The Samford School of Public Health offers an Online Master of Public Health with program start times in summer and in the fall. The program also offers students the flexibility to tailor the curriculum to better match individual interest and career aspirations, which is an excellent selling point for students who may want to pursue an atypical subject of specialty. 

Learn more about Sameford University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

14 Johns Hopkins University

John Hopkins University is a name that represents decades of academic excellence and industry dominance in health and medical fields. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has been ranked as the #1 public health school in the nation by US News & World Report. The only reason this program is not ranked higher is because we know that the higher than average tuition represents a barrier of entry to many. 

For those who are willing to invest in a top-tier degree program however, the JHU Online Master’s of Public Health is one of the best options available. The program allows students up to four years to complete the program, providing students the freedom to enroll in the program while holding down a job. Typically though, students take around two to three years to complete the program. 

The program also offers the incredible selling point of allowing students to essentially build their own specialty. Faculty and advisors work closely with each student to tailor a curriculum plan that will maximize their chances for success. Students who choose this route will have more than 100 courses to choose from as well as flexible research options. 

Learn more about Johns Hopkins University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

15 Harvard University

The Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health is one of the world’s premier hubs for all things related to public health. The School’s faculty are both professionals and academics, who have demonstrated exemplary success in both dimensions of their careers. The Harvard School of Public Health has taken on an active role in intervening in the worldwide pandemic and its resulting consequences, using a catastrophe to train students to know how to better handle future catastrophes. 

The School of Public Health offers a Master of Public Health program that offers a number of entry-points for students as well as numerous opportunities for specialization. Specifically, students of the program can enroll in any of the following specialty tracks: 

• Clinical Effectiveness (CLE 45-credit academic year and summer-only options)
• Epidemiology – Online / On-Campus (EPI 45-credit)
• Global Health (GH 45-credit)
• Health and Social Behavior (HSB 45-credit)
• Health Management (HM 45-credit)
• Health Policy (HP 45-credit)
• Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH 45-credit)
• Quantitative Methods (QM 45-credit)
• Health and Social Behavior (HSB 65-credit)
• Health Management (HM 65-credit)
• Health Policy (HP 65-credit)
• Nutrition (NUT 65-credit)

Learn more about Harvard University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

16 New York University

The New York University School of Global Public Health offers a top notch degree program that presents perspectives in both the domestic and global context. The School of Global Public distinguishes itself through a commitment to building programs around three core tenets: health equity, ethics and social justice. 

The NYU Master of Public Health program can be completed entirely online. The program’s curriculum combines elements of comprehensive study in foundational subjects with innovative research into burgeoning areas of interest. Students of the program can choose to specialize by enrolling in any of the following concentration tracks: 

• Biostatistics
• Community Health Science and Practice 
• Environmental Public Health Sciences
• Epidemiology
• Global Health
• Public Health Nutrition
• Public Health Policy
• Public Health Management
• Social and Behavioral Sciences 
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

Learn more about New York University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

17 The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama’s “Bama by Distance” program offers online degree programs helmed by the same faculty who oversee on-campus programs. The University has worked hard to ensure that they can guarantee its online students the same quality that has become expected of its traditional programs on campus. Online students will have 24/7 access to advisors and academic counselors who are specially trained to work with online students. This is an excellent program that might curtail concerns that prospective students might have regarding online education. 

The University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies offers a fully online Master of Public Health with a focus in Health Education and Promotion. The program is designed from the ground-up to prepare students for success in the following careers paths: 

• Federal Agencies
• State or Community Public Health Agencies
• Consulting Firms
• Universities
• Hospitals
• Research
• Nonprofit Organizations

Learn more about University of Alabama’s Online Master’s of Public Health

18 Kent State University

Kent State University offers adult learners and working students a number of affordable and actionable degree programs that are fully accredited and are helmed by expert faculty. Kent State University distinguishes itself through a number of student-centric programs and philosophies that look to remove barriers of entry to degree programs for nontraditional students. As such, there are no GRE requirements for Kent State University graduate programs.

Kent State University offers an online Master’s of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management that is consistently ranked as one of the best programs of its kind. Students can also earn a Master’s of Science in Clinical Epidemiology. Both programs are designed to emphasize the following central subjects: 

• Health Services Planning and Management
• Health Policy and Analysis
• Population Health Enhancement
• Local and National Public Health Strategies 

Learn more about Kent State University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

19 Ohio University

Ohio University is one of the oldest public research universities in the country, but despite its rich history it has been quick to adapt to the needs and expectations of modern students. Today, Ohio University offers a great selection of career-facing degree programs that are designed to prepare students for success in a competitive job market. 

Ohio University offers an online Master of Public Health that is built around a curriculum that reflects the needs of the job market. Specifically, graduates of the program will be prepared to take on any of the following positions: 

• Community health coordinator
• Environmental scientist or specialist
• Epidemiologist
• Health administrator
• Health educator
• Medical and health service manager
• Nonprofit manager
• Public health nurse
• Public health specialist
• Social and community service manager

Learn more about Ohio University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

20 Emory University

The Emory University Rollins School of Public Health is located in Atlanta, Georgia–which is often referred to as the public health capital of the world. The Rollins School of Public Health leverages its network and proximity to world-class public health institutions to provide students with learning opportunities and career opportunities. In recent years, the Rollins School of Public Health has demonstrated tremendous success in porting its on-campus program to the online space. 

Specifically, online students can an Executive Master of Public Health program (EMPH) that is completed through 42 credit hours over two years. The program is specifically designed to train students for positions of leadership and management. Students can further specialize their program by enrolling in of two specialty tracks: 

• Applied Epidemiology
• Prevention Science

Learn more about Emory University’s Online Master’s of Public Health

Related Resources:

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

The post The 20 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Public Health appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.