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Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Typical education: Master's degreeModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $107,310 Median per year Most earn $59,270–$322,020

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  • Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
  • Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  • Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
18% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 24,900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools85.3%
  • Junior colleges8.5%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals2.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Master's degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

This is not an entry-level job. Most people first earn a bachelor's degree, work 2 to 4 years in a health field, and then earn a master's degree before teaching at the college level. That usually adds up to about 8 to 10 years after high school.

  1. Bachelor's degree in a health-related field

    4 years

    Study a field like biology, public health, nursing, or a health science to build a base of knowledge and get to know the work of health professionals.

  2. Health Education Specialist

    2-4 years

    Work in a health setting such as a clinic, hospital, or public health agency, where you gain hands-on experience and can explain health topics to others, which is a key part of teaching.

  3. Master's degree in your health specialty

    2 years

    Earn an advanced degree in your field, such as pharmacy, public health, or therapy. Most colleges expect this credential before they hire health-specialty instructors.

  4. Health Specialties Teacher, Postsecondary

    Ongoing

    Teach health courses at a college or university, design lessons, grade work, and often mentor students who are preparing for their own health careers.

Where it can lead

  1. Program Director, Health Sciences

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on responsibility for planning and running a whole health program, including curriculum, staff, and accreditation requirements, instead of only teaching your own classes.

  2. Department Chair

    5 or more years of experience first

    You lead a department of instructors, make decisions about hiring and courses, and manage the budget. Strong teaching records and service to the college usually help you move up.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology and chemistryThese classes give you the science background needed for almost any health-related college major.
  • Join a health or science clubClubs like HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) or a science club, if your school has one, let you explore health careers and practice speaking in front of others.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or care homeVolunteering shows you what health workers do every day and looks good on college applications.
  • Get a starter job that involves helping or teaching peopleJobs like tutoring younger students or working at a camp build the communication skills you will use as a teacher.
  • Practice explaining things clearlyOffer to give a presentation in class or help a classmate study, since teaching well starts with being able to explain ideas simply.

In college

  • Choose a health-related majorA major in biology, public health, nursing, or another health science builds the knowledge you will need for a master's program and for teaching.
  • Get paid or volunteer experience in a health settingWorking in a clinic, hospital, or health nonprofit gives you the 2 to 4 years of field experience that most people have before teaching at the college level.
  • Work as a teaching assistant or tutorHelping professors or classmates with lab sections or study groups gives you real teaching practice and may lead to a reference letter.
  • Attend research or undergraduate conferencesPresenting or attending these events helps you learn how experts in your field communicate ideas and build connections with faculty.
  • Talk with faculty about graduate programsAsk instructors about their path into teaching and which master's programs they recommend. Their advice can help you plan your next steps.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for part-time teaching, tutoring, or leading training sessions for coworkers while you work. Teaching experience is valued by colleges and makes your applications stronger.
  • Pay attention to the master's programs and the health fields you enjoy. Talking with current instructors and asking what they wish they had known can help you choose a path that fits.
  • Keep a record of your health work, presentations, and any teaching you do. Colleges often ask for proof of your experience when you apply.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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