Approved and verified accurate by the Associate Dean of the College of Natural Sciences on June 6, 2025
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The best majors for the medical field depend on your specific interests. The medical field is vast, encompassing not only physicians and surgeons but also radiological technicians, athletic trainers, pharmacists and veterinarians.
If you know that you want to pursue a career in the medical field but aren’t sure how to go about it, start by taking a look at some of the best healthcare degrees. Explore the courses and curriculum, and consider how any given degree might align with your career interests.
There is a wide assortment of degrees that are aligned with the medical field. Some degrees, such as pre-med degrees, are designed to provide a foundation from which to pursue advanced medical training in a professional school, such as medical school, dentistry school or veterinary school. Others are aligned with entry-level positions in the medical field, such as technician jobs or positions in medical labs.
A BS in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine combines didactic coursework with experiential components in labs. You’ll explore medicine-related topics, such as scientific research and communication, pathophysiology, molecular biology and cellular mechanisms.
Many students who enroll in a pre-med emphasis program may plan on applying to medical school after graduation with the goal of becoming a physician. Undergraduate degree requirements to attend medical school vary, and applicants do typically need to have taken courses in biology and other subjects that are generally covered in a pre-med program.1
If you’re interested in how medications manage symptoms and treat disease, you might consider earning a pre-pharmacy emphasis. A BS in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Pharmacy will follow a comprehensive curriculum with plenty of science courses, such as:
If you have a passion for both sports and medical science, you might consider majoring in a pre-athletic training program. While earning a BS in Exercise Science with an Emphasis in Pre-Athletic Training, you’re likely to examine topics in nutrition, health promotion, kinesiology, resistance training, cardiovascular fitness and the treatment, care and prevention of sports injuries.
Not all who work in the medical field work on aspects of human health. Many specialize in animal health. If you love animals and are interested in learning about their health issues, consider earning a BS in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine.
In this type of degree program, the curriculum is likely to cover topics such as:
Physicians and other healthcare providers rely on clinical laboratory tests to analyze medical samples and provide findings that shed light on patients’ health. With the aid of clinical laboratory tests, physicians can diagnose and treat disease. If you’re interested in the laboratory aspect of the medical field, you might want to earn a BS in Medical Laboratory Science.
In this type of degree program, you can typically expect to examine topics such as:
A health sciences degree covers a wide range of topics pertaining to the medical field—from risk management and healthcare regulations to ethics issues applicable to healthcare professionals. This degree may be aligned with some allied health professions, such as:
Note that additional training and credentials may be required for allied health professions.
If you decide to earn a BS in Health Sciences, your coursework might explore topics such as:
While you’re considering which degree on the medical majors list might suit you best, it can be helpful to explore which sort of medical field career you are most interested in. There are so many careers in the medical field to consider, such as the following:
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries and other medical conditions. They are responsible for performing physical exams, ordering medical tests, recommending and performing treatments, prescribing medications and delivering patient education.
Doctors may choose from a wide range of specialties, such as:
Pharmacists are experts in medications. They are responsible for dispensing medications according to a doctor’s prescription, and they sometimes counsel doctors about medications, such as their potential interactions, side effects and ideal dosages.
Patient education is a significant part of a pharmacist’s job, as patients need to know how to take medications according to the directions and which side effects to watch out for. Pharmacists also administer vaccinations to help patients stay healthy and avoid contagious diseases like the flu or measles.
Veterinarians care for animals, including domesticated pets, livestock and zoo animals. They are responsible for promoting healthy care practices, such as by educating clients about feeding their pets properly. In addition, veterinarians can:
Because of the word trainer, it’s sometimes thought that athletic trainers are the same as personal fitness trainers. In fact, they are healthcare professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries and illnesses.
Athletic trainers may do any of the following:
Athletic trainers may work with athletes of all ages and skill levels—from those participating in youth recreation leagues to professional athletes. It can be an ideal career for those interested in sports medicine.
Medical imaging is used to diagnose medical conditions, perform preventive health screenings and monitor a patient’s response to treatment. Radiologic technologists are responsible for operating medical imaging equipment and performing tests on patients in accordance with a doctor’s order.
Professionals in this role may do any of the following:
Some radiologic technologists choose to specialize in a particular type of imaging equipment, such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) or mammography.
Grand Canyon University offers a wide range of medical science and healthcare degrees, both at the undergraduate and the graduate level. Consider applying to our Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine degree, Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Pharmacy program or Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an Emphasis in Pre-Athletic Training degree. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about the world of possibilities that await you at our private Christian school.
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Explore the wide range of medical majors available at GCU. Apply online today!
