Skip to main content

Careers in Health Sciences

Health Sciences graduates can take further studies in graduate health sciences programs or in professional programs, including medicine, dentistry, education, health administration, pharmacy, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine. The program is specifically designed to allow students the opportunity to meet the course requirements for health-allied postgraduate programs such as chiropractic, occupational therapy, speech pathology, optometry and respiration therapy, as well as to build most of the core competencies covered in professional school admission tests such as the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test), DAT (Dentistry Aptitude Test) and OAT (Optometry Admissions Test).

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • audiologist
  • cardiovascular perfusionist
  • child life specialist
  • chiropractor
  • dental lab technician
  • dentist
  • epidemiologist
  • genetic counsellor
  • global health professional
  • health care administrator
  • medical doctor
  • medical imaging technician
  • midwife
  • naturopath
  • nuclear medicine technologist
  • nurse/nurse practitioner
  • occupational therapist
  • optometrist
  • pharmaceutical sales representative
  • pharmacist
  • physician assistant
  • physiotherapist
  • podiatrist
  • public health planner/educator
  • public policy analyst
  • radiation therapist
  • researcher
  • speech-language pathologist

Sample Industries / Types of Employers

  • colleges and universities
  • community health organizations
  • fertility centres
  • government
  • health advocacy organizations
  • health research centres
  • hospitals
  • long-term care facilities
  • medical offices
  • pharmaceutical industry
  • public health agencies
  • private practice
  • research labs
  • social service agencies
  • wellness centres

Career Resources

Check out more resources available in the Career Centre and through Navigator.

Laurier Grads are Successful

Laurier Graduate Survey Results (2021)

Respondents from the Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.

136 Health Sciences Graduates:

  • Pursuing Further Education: 66.7%
  • Employed: 20.8%
  • Looking for Work: 2.1%
  • Other: 10.4%

Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation

  • Doctor: Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Naturopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Chiropractic.
  • Master’s degree: Biotechnology, Epidemiology, Kinesiology, Medical Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Speech-Language Pathology.
  • Bachelor’s degree: Nursing, Medical Radiation Sciences.
  • College program: Addictions Treatment and Prevention, Biotechnology, Human Resources.

Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation

  • chiropractic and physiotherapist assistant
  • disability case manager
  • medical administrator
  • operations administrator
  • pharmacy assistant
  • research assistant

Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation

  • chiropractor
  • epidemiologist
  • medical doctor
  • occupational therapist
  • osteopath
  • pharmacist
  • physiotherapist
  • public health policy planner
  • speech-language pathologist

Develop Your Knowledge and Skills

At Laurier, develop these competencies through both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to help you achieve your goals for the future.

Functional Knowledge

  • Apply the scientific method as it pertains to various academic and professional disciplines.
  • Gather, understand, critically appraise and integrate scientific literature for research purposes.
  • Apply a multidisciplinary perspective to various health issues across diverse contexts while engaging in self-directed learning.
  • Discover how information is sourced, valued and used in creating new knowledge.

Collaboration & Teamwork 

  • Work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others for team success.
  • Oversee, lead and/or contribute to a project including determining goals, planning details, making decisions and completing tasks.
  • Demonstrate professional behaviour, assess one’s strengths and weaknesses effectively and develop an understanding of individual perspectives and diversity.

Communication 

  • Explain scientific knowledge, information, ideas and opinions effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Probe for information by asking questions and listening, and engage in constructive conversations.
  • Prepare interesting and informative reports and presentations for diverse audiences using current technology.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 

  • Identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources.
  • Learn, understand and critically interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations.
  • Set priorities and meet deadlines, and manage time, data and resources.
  • Think critically and make objective, evidence-based decisions.
  • Analyze and evaluate data to discuss, support and/or question ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals.

Medical School Admission Requirements

Graduate Studies

Listed by subject. Not a complete list.

More Information on Further Education

Professional Associations

Provincial and National Agencies