by Lisa Tedder 

Jobs in health care are experiencing significant growth, more so than many other sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare jobs should see a 13% increase between 2021 to 2031. This trend is projected to continue due to an aging population, a rise in chronic disease, the COVID pandemic and the number of retiring healthcare professionals. 

As people live longer, they experience chronic conditions that must be managed regularly, or they need home healthcare or ongoing therapies. The aging population means that many workers in healthcare are nearing retirement age, creating job opportunities in several areas. Additionally, many left the health care industry after the pandemic due to burnout, leading to workforce shortages. There is also growing interest in preventative care as people want to remain healthy enough to enjoy their retirement years. Many of these jobs are well compensated: nurse practitioners can make upwards of $100,000, home health aides $30,000, health services managers $100,000, fitness trainers $40,000, and physical or occupational assistants around $65,000.

Arkansas State University offers many degrees and certifications in the healthcare field, making it easier and more affordable for those living in Jonesboro and the surrounding area to attend college. If you have a teenager who is starting to think about life after high school, perhaps they should consider a career in a healthcare field and see what A-State has to offer.

The following is a list of degrees at A-State and some of the jobs typically associated with them. 

•  A Bachelor of Science and Associate of Applied Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences can lead to a career as a lab technician or director of a laboratory, where a wide range of tests are performed on patient samples to aid in diagnosis and treatment. Other possible jobs include pharmaceutical manufacturing or marketing, medical product sales and marketing, or working in a veterinary lab. 

• A Communication Disorders degree is for those interested in working as a speech pathologist, audiologist, special education teacher, a behavioral therapist or as a clinical supervisor.

• For those who would like to work closely caring for patients, nursing offers many possible career choices including managerial positions. A-State offers a one-year Practical Nursing program in basic nursing skills to become an LPN. An Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) is a two-year program that provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills for an entry level nursing job. Arkansas State offers different pathways to attaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a traditional pre-licensure program and an online RN to BSN program for working nurses and a second degree accelerated program. This degree prepares students for a broader range of nursing roles and advanced practice. There are also graduate level programs including a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

• A Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics allows individuals the opportunity to pursue a career as a registered dietician, conduct nutrition research, work in food service management or food safety, or as an educator or wellness coach.

• A Bachelor of Health Sciences degree prepares a student for a career in health administration, public health or in research.

• Another field which offers the opportunity to work closely with patients in recovering or improving movement or being able to perform daily tasks is occupational or physical therapy. A-State has a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy and an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant degrees.

• A Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree offers a broad range of job possibilities focused on improving and protecting public health from government to research to health care facilities. Graduates can work in disease prevention and control, setting health policies, data analysis, education, environmental concerns and emergency preparedness.

• A-State offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree, which includes five specialty tracks: Cardiovascular-Interventional Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Computed Tomography, Mammography/Breast Sonography and Radiation Therapy. A successful graduate will use ultrasound, MRI, CT and other types of equipment to aid in diagnosing and treating patients. 

• For those interested in leading their community in emergency situations, a Bachelor of Science in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management gives them the skills to develop plans for response, recovery, mitigation and planning for environmental, health or other types of emergencies. This degree program is online.  

• A degree in social work leads to many different career paths, all focused on helping individuals, families or communities improve their well-being and navigate various challenges such as homelessness, addiction or abuse. Arkansas State offers both a Bachelor and a Master of Social Work degree.

• A-State’s Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science prepares students for careers in a variety of fitness or clinical settings such as working as a personal trainer, health coach or in cardiac rehabilitation. 

• If being an athletic trainer is appealing, A-State has a Master of Athletic Training program which requires a bachelor’s undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. An athletic trainer works with physicians to provide preventative, diagnostic and rehabilitative care for athletes or active individuals.  

In addition to these degree programs, A-State has various technical certificates or certificates of proficiency in areas like practical nursing, magnetic resonance imaging and more. For those interested in becoming a medical doctor, it is possible to attend college at Arkansas State and move on to medical school at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine located on the Arkansas State University campus.