Typical Admission Requirements for Healthcare Degrees
Our online undergraduate health and social service programs offer multiple start dates each year and require a certain number of transfer credits from any college or university you’ve attended before. Whether you’re planning to complete your bachelor’s degree in psychology, public health, social work, or nursing, most undergraduate programs have similar application requirements.
To apply to one of our programs, you’ll need to:
- Complete the program’s online application
- Submit your college essay or personal statement
- Provide transcripts from previous undergraduate schools
- Submit letters of recommendation
- Share your resume (if recommended or required)
If you’re applying to an online RN to BSN program, you’ll also need to provide your current RN license. An associate degree is required to qualify for a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Bachelor of Nursing Career Paths
Once you’re already a registered nurse, completing an online BSN program will prepare you to move from technical nursing practice to professional nursing practice. Through live online classes, self-paced coursework, and clinical experiences near your home, you’ll expand your patient care skills and learn how to design and manage full patient care plans.
By exploring current and emerging healthcare issues with other nursing students, you’ll gain the confidence, ability, and knowledge needed to make a bigger difference for both patients and the healthcare system.
After earning your BSN, you’ll be ready for important roles in hospitals, critical care, clinics, outpatient care, and other healthcare settings. Many BSN graduates also go on to complete a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctorate of Nursing Practice to prepare for careers as nurse leaders or educators.
Entry-Level BSN Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree earn a median annual salary over $25,000 higher than licensed nurses without one.
But increasing your salary isn’t the only reason to earn a BSN—more and more healthcare jobs now require it. The American Association of Collegiate Nursing reports that over 82% of employers strongly prefer hiring BSN graduates, and more than 43% of healthcare employers require a BSN for new hires.
Bachelor’s in Public Health Career Paths
Completing your bachelor’s degree in public health online prepares you for a wide variety of public health careers. Through live online classes, self-paced coursework, and hands-on learning opportunities, you’ll explore today’s most pressing public health challenges. As you work with expert instructors and motivated classmates, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills needed to excel in many areas of public health.
Graduates with a public health bachelor’s degree can pursue roles such as:
- Community health worker
- Emergency management specialist
- Health education specialist
- Public health communicator
- Public health researcher
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs like community health worker and health education specialist to grow 17% from 2020 to 2030—much faster than average.
Many public health graduates also choose to earn a Master of Public Health degree.
Entry-Level Public Health Salary
After completing your public health bachelor’s degree, your salary potential will vary depending on the career path you choose. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May 2021, the median annual salary was
46,590forcommunityhealthworkersand
46,590forcommunityhealthworkersand60,600 for health education specialists.
If you continue your education with a Master of Public Health, you could pursue careers like epidemiologist, which had a median salary of $78,830 in 2021.
Bachelor of Psychology Career Paths
Whether you want to become a psychologist or simply gain a deeper understanding of human behavior to advance in another career, earning your bachelor’s in psychology can help you reach your goals. Through engaging online classes, self-paced coursework, and hands-on learning activities, you’ll develop skills like data analysis, teamwork, scientific problem-solving, and understanding human behavior—all of which are valuable in nearly any field.
According to the American Psychological Association, most psychology bachelor’s graduates don’t pursue psychology careers. About 20% go into sales, 17% work in professional services, and only 14% continue to graduate programs in psychology. Psychology graduates can prepare for careers in:
- Advertising
- Career counseling
- Community organizing
- Education
- Employee relations
- Human services
- Law
- Nonprofit organizations
- Public relations
- Research
- Sales
- And many others
Entry-Level Psychology Salary
Your salary with a psychology bachelor’s degree will vary significantly based on your chosen field. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2021, insurance sales agents earned a median salary of
49,840,whilepersonalfinancialadvisorsearned
49,840,whilepersonalfinancialadvisorsearned94,170.
You could also pursue graduate education to become a psychologist, a profession with a median salary of $81,040 in 2021.
Bachelor of Social Work Career Paths
Completing your bachelor’s degree in social work prepares you for a meaningful career helping individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Through online classes, self-paced coursework, and fieldwork, your BSW program will give you the skills needed for various helping professions, such as:
- Adoption counselor
- Activity director at senior centers or rehab facilities
- Children’s service worker
- Child welfare specialist
- Community outreach worker
- Habilitation specialist
- Human services worker
- Mental health aide
- Probation officer or correctional treatment specialist
- Residential case manager
- Social and community service manager
Some states allow you to become a licensed social worker with just a BSW, while others require a master’s degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12% job growth for social workers from 2020 to 2030—much faster than average.
Entry-Level BSW Salary
Your salary with a BSW degree depends on your career path. In 2021, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earned a median salary of
60,250,whilesocialandcommunityservicemanagersearned
60,250,whilesocialandcommunityservicemanagersearned74,000.
In states where a master’s degree isn’t required for licensure, you can become a social worker, which had a median salary of $50,390 in 2021.