The qualifications and skills that you need to start a career in a health science field include a college degree and research or healthcare experience. Colleges and universities offer associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in health science. Associate degrees usually focus on patient care or research assistant positions, while more-advanced degrees prepare you for a career in a research or development specialty. You may wish to choose a specialized bachelor’s or master’s degree based on your career plans. You can study subjects like epidemiology, bioengineering, veterinary medicine, or biochemistry.