Online Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies, Healthcare Studies

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Looking to ignite or advance your career in the rapidly growing healthcare field? Maryville University’s online bachelor’s degree in general studies with a concentration in healthcare can help you gain the skills and knowledge to qualify for myriad jobs in nonclinical areas such as public health, management, education, and administration.

By the time you graduate, you’ll possess a broad, high-level perspective on healthcare, as well as deeper knowledge in a specialized area of your choice..

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Choose from two in-demand professional exploratory topics

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Get a head start on your graduate degree with Early Access

Why earn your general studies degree with a concentration in healthcare online?

Maryville’s online general studies degree in healthcare studies will help you learn the foundational skills to thrive in nonclinical roles. While earning your general studies degree online with a concentration in healthcare, you’ll have the opportunity to explore concepts such as healthcare systems, ethics, diversity, public health, and communications.

Study liberal arts, social sciences, and healthcare, and then apply your knowledge in a variety of work settings, such as government, health education, or community health. Where you go from there is entirely up to you.

Flexible, affordable, and 100% online


Complete your coursework 100% online. No campus visits are required.


Get support and advice from an attentive faculty. Discuss your goals with dedicated faculty, who can help you connect the curriculum to your career vision.


Study at a respected school. Join Maryville University, which ranks among Forbes’ “America’s Top Colleges” and the best values in private colleges by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.


Tailor your education to your goals. Choose from six courses from any of the professional exploration areas.


Benefit from transfer-friendly admission. Get a head start on your graduate degree while earning your bachelor’s through the Early Access program.

What can you do with your bachelor’s in general studies with a concentration in healthcare?

Healthcare in the United States is a trillion-dollar industry with many exciting jobs beyond clinical practice. Careers in community health and health education allow you to make a difference in your community, and many nonclinical healthcare roles offer competitive salary opportunities.  Your online general studies degree with a concentration in healthcare can pave the way for you to take advantage of these positions.

Career opportunities for online general studies degree in healthcare graduates

Graduates of general studies degree online programs with a healthcare concentration commonly seek the following career opportunities. (Some careers may require supplemental degrees or state licensure.)

Graduates work in a variety of settings, such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Federal, state, or local government
  • Health departments
  • Insurance companies
  • Clinics
  • Nonprofits

What is the median salary for general studies in healthcare graduates?

The online general studies bachelor’s degree with a healthcare concentration can help you build the expertise to pursue a wide variety of careers. Some positions may require additional education or experience. Take a look at the median salaries for a few careers:

Community health worker
$42,000*

Health educator
$56,500*

Clinical researcher
$67,000**

Medical sales representative
$86,650*

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2020
**PayScale.com, May 2021

What’s the market outlook for online general studies in healthcare degree grads?

A female general studies healthcare degree grad and her 2 co-workers point to a tv with statistics on the screen.

High industry growth.

An aging population and changing legislation and regulations are driving rapid growth in healthcare (projected 15% growth from 2019 to 2029, according to the BLS). Nonclinical roles should benefit, including health education and community health positions (13%).

2 female graduates with a degree in general studies, healthcare, sit at a wooden desk in front of windows.

High potential earnings.

Healthcare roles generally command higher salaries, even in nonclinical positions, compared with the median wage across all jobs in the economy ($41,950), according to the BLS. This includes health educators ($56,500) and medical sales representatives ($86,650).

A general studies graduate smiles while wearing a blue shirt in front of a blurred background

Ability to impact change.

Job security and salary aren’t the only reasons to pursue a career in healthcare. Nonclinical healthcare positions are primed to grow as a result of people’s desire for healthier, more active communities. According to the BLS, job growth for health educators “will be driven by efforts to improve health outcomes and to reduce healthcare costs by teaching people healthy behaviors.”

Why choose Maryville University’s online general studies bachelor’s degree with a concentration in healthcare

At Maryville, it’s all about you, from our supportive faculty to our flexible online courses and financial aid options. We offer a dynamic online general studies bachelor’s degree with a healthcare concentration that can prepare you to be a top candidate for nonclinical careers in hospitals, nonprofits, and more.

As you complete your general studies degree online, we’ll help you develop skills that are directly applicable to the rapidly changing healthcare field. We measure our success by your ability to achieve your goals, and our program is designed to help you graduate with the skills and competencies to qualify for many opportunities in healthcare and beyond.

Maryville University was founded in 1872 and has been connecting future leaders to high-quality educational offerings ever since. We’re proud of our reputation for quality academics, accelerated growth, and affordability, because it demonstrates our devotion to helping you achieve your goals.

Maryville meets high standards:

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Forbes America's Top Colleges
Kiplinger Best College Values
Money's Best Colleges

Online general studies in healthcare degree curriculum

Maryville University’s general studies degree online curriculum is designed to help you develop in-demand skills directly related to the changing healthcare landscape. Courses in human anatomy, nutrition, public health, and healthcare informatics can help you qualify for emerging nonclinical opportunities in healthcare.

Your healthcare studies coursework will begin with an introduction to the history, evolution, and development of the present healthcare system. By graduation, you’ll have had the opportunity to develop your knowledge of medical terminology, cultural diversity, nutrition, ethics, public health, and more.

Qualified students can satisfy the general education requirements through transfer credits to complete the program sooner.

Health Science Core Courses — Dive deep into high-level healthcare topics such as anatomy and physiology, statistics, and human development.

Healthcare Concentration Courses — Learn more about the foundational concepts important to nonclinical healthcare and operations roles. Enhance your knowledge of topics such as ethics, medical terminology, informatics, and public health.

Professional Exploration — Explore the various perspectives on mental illness, including abnormal psychology, the medical aspects of disability, positive psychology, how mental illness affects society, and gain a deeper understanding of aging and the health-related challenges of older people. Topics include health promotion, disease prevention, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, policy, pharmacological therapies, exercise and rehabilitation of the aged, and more.

Insights from our faculty

Karen Schechter, director and assistant professor of healthcare management and health administration, shared her thoughts on the online bachelor’s degree in general studies program with a concentration in healthcare:

In addition to basic healthcare industry-related knowledge and insights related to specific topics, such as counseling, diversity and inclusion, and ethics, as well as the tools gained through area-of-interest courses, the program provides students with the opportunity to hone communication and critical thinking skills that are invaluable in any career.

Become a versatile leader in nonclinical healthcare

Completing a general studies degree online with a concentration in healthcare can prepare you for a number of career opportunities in the industry. To maximize your career potential, however, you may wish to continue your education with a master’s degree.

At Maryville University, you can get a head start on your graduate degree while earning your bachelor’s in general studies through our Early Access program. With Early Access, you can earn up to 12 credits that count toward your master’s degree and your bachelor’s at the same time. Credits you earn through Early Access are charged at the undergraduate tuition rate, meaning you can save time and money on your graduate education.

To qualify for Early Access, you must be a current Maryville undergraduate student, and you must have completed at least 75 credit hours with a GPA of 3.25 or better. If you qualify and have not yet completed your elective requirements, we invite you to contact your academic advisor to explore Early Access and learn more about some of our exciting online graduate programs.

When you’re ready to go further, consider these online graduate program options:

Master of Health Administration (MHA). Your online general studies degree with a healthcare concentration can help you attain entry- and mid-level positions in the field, and your MHA can provide the next step toward leadership and higher salaries

Master of Business Administration (MBA). If you’re interested in the business of healthcare, you may want to consider an MBA with a healthcare concentration, which combines top-level practices in business with the principles of healthcare.

Master of Arts in Management and Leadership. Prepare for entry-level management positions in many industries as you develop communication, team-building, and problem-solving skills.

Frequently asked questions

Maryville’s online general studies bachelor’s degree with a concentration in healthcare can help students on their path toward becoming healthcare professionals. Graduates of this program can choose from a wide range of specialties and pursue additional degrees as needed.

Popular careers available to general studies graduates include:

  • Healthcare coordinator
  • Health educator
  • Community health worker
  • Medical sales representative
  • Clinical researcher

Some of these positions may require graduate degrees or advanced training, and job candidates may need to meet specific licensure requirements as well.

Find out more about bachelor’s in general studies healthcare careers.

Learn more about the online general studies degree online at Maryville University.