Health science degrees lead to jobs and opportunities
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Williams Science Center at Chicago State University. Brian Jackson/Chicago Sun-Times
At Chicago State University, students increasingly seek majors with greater prospects for jobs and future growth opportunities, according to Joseph Balogun, dean of the College of Health Sciences at the 145-year-old institution.
Health care careers are in demand as the sector is projected to generate 5.6 million jobs during the next eight years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nursing, for example, is experiencing a shortage due to aging baby boomers, retiring nurses and the need for specialized skills among existing nurses, according to Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow.
Demand for occupational therapists is at an all-time high because of the expansion of rehabilitation services in traditional and nontraditional sectors, such as schools and nursing homes. Demand for health information administrators is expected to grow by 20 percent through 2018, BLS data show.
Chicago State has positioned itself to meet these demands as the university offers bachelor and master degree programs in public health, nursing, social work, community health, physical therapy, health information administration and occupational therapy. The university also offers a competitive doctoral degree program in pharmacy.
“There’s an ongoing national debate about the relevance of a college education because of the cost and time investment,” Balogun said. “When you consider the public health trends in our community, state and the nation, there is an urgent need to train a highly skilled work force, and CSU is at the forefront of educating health care professionals.”
CSU is at 9501 S. King Drive. Call (773) 995-2513 or visit csu.edu for more information.