Health

Health care is a booming industry with a wide range of rewarding jobs working with patients, communities, or behind the scenes. Explore your career options with these guides to careers in the health industry.

Coursera logo C cutout
[Featured image] Two pharmacists in lab coats talk to each other while looking at a computer monitor.

What Does a Pharmacist Do? Job Duties, Salary, and More

A pharmacist is a health care professional who prepares and dispenses medications needed to treat illnesses and improve patients’ quality of life. Learn how to become a pharmacist, as well as what paths you can take once you’ve earned your pharmacy degree.

March 23, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A psychiatrist sits at a desk meeting with a patient.

What Is a Psychiatrist? 10 Steps to Become One

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental illnesses and prescribe medications that may help improve mental health. Read on to learn more about this impactful health care profession and what you need to do to join it.

March 23, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A pharmacy technician working in a hospital consults with a physician.

Pharmacy Technician: Salary, Duties, and How to Become One

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with their day-to-day duties and help patients get the medication they need to stay healthy. Here's all you need to know about this impactful health care career and what you need to do to become one.

March 22, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Two pharmacists in lab coats talk to each other while looking at a computer monitor.

What Does a Pharmacist Do? Job Duties, Salary, and More

A pharmacist is a health care professional who prepares and dispenses medications needed to treat illnesses and improve patients’ quality of life. Learn how to become a pharmacist, as well as what paths you can take once you’ve earned your pharmacy degree.

March 23, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A psychiatrist sits at a desk meeting with a patient.

What Is a Psychiatrist? 10 Steps to Become One

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental illnesses and prescribe medications that may help improve mental health. Read on to learn more about this impactful health care profession and what you need to do to join it.

March 23, 2022

Article

Explore popular health topics on Coursera

Status: Free Trial

Johns Hopkins University

Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Clinical Informatics, Healthcare Project Management, Health Technology, Change Control, Health Systems, Health Policy, Informatics, Health Care, Health Assessment, Medical Records, Health Care Administration, Health Information Management, Clinical Leadership, Health Administration, Decision Support Systems, Solution Design, IT Management, Electronic Medical Record System, Data Science

4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1K reviews

Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Status: Free Trial

Imperial College London

Skills you'll gain: Health Technology, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Telehealth, Agile Methodology, Health Disparities, Health Informatics, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Health Systems, Electronic Medical Record System, Electronic Medical Record, Health Equity, Interoperability, Public Health, Digital Analysis, Tableau Software, Model Evaluation, Data Ethics, Digital Transformation, User Centered Design

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
362 reviews

Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Status: Free Trial

Arizona State University

Skills you'll gain: Language Competency, English Language, Oral Comprehension, Grammar, Literacy, Language Learning, Vocabulary, Community Health, Nutrition and Diet, Health Education, Health Promotion, Food and Beverage

Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

[Featured Image] A senior citizen welcoming a social worker into their home.

What Does a Social Worker Do (and How Can You Become One)?

Learn how you can help improve the lives of others with a role in social work.

March 22, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Three people look at a computer. One, who is a certified pharmacy technician, has a lab coat on.

Your Guide to Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician

Certified pharmacy technicians help health care teams get the right medication to the right people. Find out how you can get a national pharmacy technician certification and more.

March 21, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A medical assistant wearing blue gloves and a stethoscope places paper over an exam table in a doctor's office.

Medical Assistants: 10 Steps to Becoming One

Medical assistants provide patient care and perform administrative tasks in doctors' offices and clinics. If you're looking for a health care career that doesn't require you to attend medical school, consider becoming a medical assistant.

March 14, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A patient care technician stands next to their colleague in a medical office.

What Is a Patient Care Technician (And How Do I Become One)?

Patient care technicians help nurses keep patients comfortable and healthy. Learn how to get started on this career path.

January 24, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A smiling nurse practitioner listens to a patient's heartbeat with a stethoscope as they both sit on a hospital bed.

What Is a Nurse Practitioner? Your Career Guide

Learn what types of skills and education you'll need to embark on a rewarding health care career as a nurse practitioner.

January 21, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A certified medical assistant in a white lap coat looks at lab results with a physician.

What Is a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)?

A certified medical assistant’s role combines administrative tasks with clinical duties like taking patient histories and recording vital signs. Learn more about what certified medical assistants do and how to become one.

January 21, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A certified nursing assistant works in a medical lab alongside two colleagues.

What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant Do? A Guide

Discover how working as a certified nursing assistant can set you up for a rewarding health care career caring for those in need.

January 20, 2022

Article

[Feature Image] A medical technologist and a doctor are walking down a well-lit hospital corridor. The doctor is looking at the medical technologist with a smile on their face and is holding a tablet. The medical technologist is looking back at the doctor, listening intently.

What Is a Medical Technologist (and How Do I Become One)?

Medical technologists test fluid and tissue samples to help physicians properly diagnose and treat their patients. Read more about this health care career, including tips on how to get started.

December 23, 2021

Article

[Featured image] Two medical laboratory technicians in white coats and gloves work in a medical lab. One is typing on a computer, and the other is looking at a specimen under a microscope.

What Is a Medical Laboratory Technician? And How to Become One

Learn what a medical laboratory technician is and consider whether this career is right for you.

December 21, 2021

Article

[Featured image] A pharmacy technician working in a hospital consults with a physician.

Pharmacy Technician: Salary, Duties, and How to Become One

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with their day-to-day duties and help patients get the medication they need to stay healthy. Here's all you need to know about this impactful health care career and what you need to do to become one.

March 22, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A senior citizen welcoming a social worker into their home.

What Does a Social Worker Do (and How Can You Become One)?

Learn how you can help improve the lives of others with a role in social work.

March 22, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Three people look at a computer. One, who is a certified pharmacy technician, has a lab coat on.

Your Guide to Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician

Certified pharmacy technicians help health care teams get the right medication to the right people. Find out how you can get a national pharmacy technician certification and more.

March 21, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A medical assistant wearing blue gloves and a stethoscope places paper over an exam table in a doctor's office.

Medical Assistants: 10 Steps to Becoming One

Medical assistants provide patient care and perform administrative tasks in doctors' offices and clinics. If you're looking for a health care career that doesn't require you to attend medical school, consider becoming a medical assistant.

March 14, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A patient care technician stands next to their colleague in a medical office.

What Is a Patient Care Technician (And How Do I Become One)?

Patient care technicians help nurses keep patients comfortable and healthy. Learn how to get started on this career path.

January 24, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A smiling nurse practitioner listens to a patient's heartbeat with a stethoscope as they both sit on a hospital bed.

What Is a Nurse Practitioner? Your Career Guide

Learn what types of skills and education you'll need to embark on a rewarding health care career as a nurse practitioner.

January 21, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A certified medical assistant in a white lap coat looks at lab results with a physician.

What Is a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)?

A certified medical assistant’s role combines administrative tasks with clinical duties like taking patient histories and recording vital signs. Learn more about what certified medical assistants do and how to become one.

January 21, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A certified nursing assistant works in a medical lab alongside two colleagues.

What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant Do? A Guide

Discover how working as a certified nursing assistant can set you up for a rewarding health care career caring for those in need.

January 20, 2022

Article

[Feature Image] A medical technologist and a doctor are walking down a well-lit hospital corridor. The doctor is looking at the medical technologist with a smile on their face and is holding a tablet. The medical technologist is looking back at the doctor, listening intently.

What Is a Medical Technologist (and How Do I Become One)?

Medical technologists test fluid and tissue samples to help physicians properly diagnose and treat their patients. Read more about this health care career, including tips on how to get started.

December 23, 2021

Article

[Featured image] Two medical laboratory technicians in white coats and gloves work in a medical lab. One is typing on a computer, and the other is looking at a specimen under a microscope.

What Is a Medical Laboratory Technician? And How to Become One

Learn what a medical laboratory technician is and consider whether this career is right for you.

December 21, 2021

Article

Health impacts everyone, and with all the different paths available for working in health care, there are many options available to explore if that is where your interest lies. Health care professionals provide essential medical services, support disease prevention, and ensure the well-being of populations. You'll also find jobs behind the scenes, working in a lab or with health care data.

Ready to start learning more? Explore our catalog of nursing, health administration, and health care technology courses for beginners to experts on Coursera.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)