In-demand careers

Pharmacology and toxicology both include the study of chemicals and their impact on living systems. Pharmacology is concerned with the chemicals associated with the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of disease, while toxicology focuses on the effects of poisonous chemicals.

Areas of study within these fields include clinical pharmacology, animal pharmacology, forensic toxicology, environmental toxicology and more. As a pharmacology and toxicology major, you’ll have the opportunity to explore these disciplines as you build critical knowledge for your career.

What you’ll learn as a pharmacology and toxicology major

With a combination of coursework and hands-on labs, you’ll learn how drugs, common poisons and environmental pollutants interact with living systems at the physiological, molecular and cellular levels. You’ll also gain a set of transferable skills necessary for pharmacology and toxicology careers, such as:

• Analysis of biological specimens.
• Analytical chemistry techniques, including quantitative and qualitative analysis of chemicals.
• Biomolecular techniques.
• Lethal dose (LD50) and effective dose (ED50) calculations.
• Measurement of enzyme activity.
• Purification and analysis of biological molecules using biochemical techniques.

This program requires a two-week, in-person laboratory experience at ASU’s Tempe and West campuses. This allows you to fulfill the lab requirements for organic chemistry I and II, as well as biochemistry.

Set yourself up for success: An ASU assistant professor provides his tips for succeeding as a pharmacology and toxicology major.

What you can do with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology and toxicology

This degree prepares you for careers in pharmacology, toxicology and other fast-growing fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

With a background in pharmacology and toxicology, you can seek positions in a variety of industries, including research laboratories, business, health care, governmental agencies and more. You’ll also be equipped to pursue graduate and professional programs in pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacy, medicine and public health.

Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Science in biological data science

Longer life spans, a higher standard of living and an awareness of the importance of proper oral hygiene have resulted in a high demand for dentists and dental-related services in the U.S. In addition to the care of natural teeth associated with traditional dentistry, dental-related services, such as cosmetic dentistry, oral pathology, endodontics, periodontics, and pediatric dentistry, continue to expand rapidly.

This pre-dental bachelor’s degree prepares you for a wide variety of careers in the field of dentistry with hands-on science experience and specialized dental knowledge.

Please note, this program is not ideal for someone looking to become a dental hygienist. Students interested in dental hygiene should consider dedicated programs instead.

Biology, chemistry and more: What you’ll learn in this pre-dental degree concentration

This pre-dental degree concentration places significant emphasis on establishing a strong foundation in key scientific disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, human biology, physics and mathematics. These foundational subjects provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles that underpin dental practice. You’ll also develop a deeper knowledge of oral health and dental care with a variety of dental-specific courses.

Alongside your coursework, you’ll be provided with valuable opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge and gain practical experience through internships within the dental field. This combination of general science and dentistry-specific coursework, as well as hands-on experience, assists you in the process of applying to dental school or launching your career in this high-demand industry.

Will a pre-dentistry major get me into dental school?

While this degree doesn’t automatically qualify you for dental school, the coursework and internship experience you’ll gain helps prepare you for the admission process. As every dental school has different admission requirements, such as shadowing experience, GPA and coursework, it’s important to research the specific requirements of the dental school you wish to apply for in advance.

With its emphasis on general biological sciences knowledge, this degree can also be beneficial for students planning to bypass dental school and begin their career.

Computer science graduates are in demand in fields ranging from health care and business to nonprofits and transportation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for computer and information research scientists is expected to grow 26% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than average for all occupations. Additionally, the median annual wage was $145,080 in 2023. Check out our article to learn more about what computer scientists do.

With the knowledge you’ll gain, you can design and analyze software for various applications including networks, graphics, artificial intelligence and database systems. You’ll have training in programming languages, such as Java, C and C++. Upon graduation, you can find roles improving software reliability, network security, information retrieval systems and more.

The skills you’ll gain in this online CS degree

Unlike other engineers, computer scientists focus on designing computers, computational processes and information transfer. In this program, you’ll build on your aptitude for mathematics and reasoning while applying concepts to computer science. Coursework builds your expertise in artificial intelligence, algorithm analysis, formal languages, natural language processing and cybersecurity. Additional transferable skills include:

• Analyzing complex computing problems.
• Applying computer science theory and software development fundamentals.
• Designing and evaluating computing-based solutions to meet requirements.
• Solving technical problems from a broad perspective of computer science, including business, societal and regulatory issues.
• Understanding how computer hardware and software interact.

As a computer science major, you’ll also refine professional skills to lead teams, such as ethical decision-making, collaboration, innovation and communication. Combining these skills with technical acumen can set you apart from other candidates.

What sets ASU’s online computer science program apart

This program has Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation, which will signal to employers that your degree meets the global standard for technical education. Upon graduation, you’ll have opportunities to work globally because ABET accreditation is recognized and respected worldwide through international agreements. Further, earning a degree through an ABET-accredited program is a step toward earning many professional certifications, registration and licensure.

Additionally, if you want to pursue further education, you can complete this bachelor’s degree as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Computer Science.
• Master of Computer Science – big data systems.
• Master of Computer Science – cybersecurity.

Administrators are critical in all settings that address mental and physical health. Administrative work centers on meeting patient needs, evaluating key services, budgeting, improvement and daily oversight of operations. Health care policy involves collaborating with leaders to establish industry standards, develop standard operating procedures, advocate for key issues and work with the government to create or amend regulations.

In this program, you’ll gain the competencies to achieve management or administrative roles within the health care system. You’ll also be equipped to work at the local or federal government level to shape laws and policies or advocate for meaningful health policy changes through nongovernmental organizations. Additionally, if you’re a practitioner, this program can help you develop the skills to effectively manage your practice.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

The curriculum covers the history and current implementation of policies, as well as the organization of various parts of the U.S. health care delivery system. This program offers you more flexibility if you're unsure whether you want to pursue a career path in the administration, operations or policy side of health care. You’ll also gain specialized skills related to:

• Budget and finance processes using Excel.
• Cultural humility.
• Data analysis and visualization with Excel.
• Economic analysis.
• Ethical decision-making.
• Leadership and professionalism.
• Knowledge of U.S. health care system organization.
• Policy analysis.
• Population health management.
• Process engineering/quality improvement.

Health care administration roles are in demand and well paid

The need for a nonclinical professional workforce continues to grow due to a rise in chronic conditions, changes in technology and increasingly complex regulations. This demand creates various opportunities for those passionate about working to ensure providers can deliver top-quality patient care. In this program, you’ll learn through a multidisciplinary approach taught by a diverse group of experienced faculty members. You’ll graduate prepared to become an administrative leader or team member in health care facilities, private practices, hospitals and more.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health care occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. Medical and health services managers are especially in demand, with projected job growth of 29% in the same time frame. Additionally, the median annual pay for the role was more than $110,000 as of 2023.

Applied psychological science connects theory to hands-on counseling practice. In this substance abuse and addictions degree concentration, you'll focus on learning how to counsel clients experiencing forms of addiction.

As an ideal candidate, you’ll be interested in learning a combination of psychological theory and practice related to addiction. This concentration is an especially good fit if you have an associate degree in psychology and are looking to focus your upper-division studies on substance abuse and addiction counseling.

The skills you’ll develop in this program

In this program, you’ll acquire skills in screening, assessing, diagnosing, and developing treatment plans for patients afflicted with substance abuse or related addictions. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with a range of skills that can apply to many career paths in behavioral health, including:

• Applying counseling theory to practice.
• Counseling microskills.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Foundational knowledge of substance abuse and addiction patterns.
• Research methods.
• Understanding group dynamics relevant to substance use and addictions.

Does this lead to substance abuse counseling licensure?

Although earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step towards licensure, this degree won’t qualify you to become a licensed professional counselor. However, this program provides preparation for the master’s degree that leads to the licensed professional counselor credential.

Additionally, the coursework in this program meets the requirements for the Licensed Addiction Counselor Technician (LACT) credential in Arizona. Note: Licensure requirements differ in every state, so it’s important to determine your career goals and the educational requirements needed to achieve them.

State authorization:
We strongly recommend you visit our state authorization page to learn how ASU is authorized to operate in your state, policies for out-of-state students and program exceptions.

Forensic science degrees focus on applying scientific methods to matters of law. In this program, you’ll explore the investigative and scientific principles behind examining different types of evidence from crime scenes. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with the analytical skills required to pursue jobs related to forensic investigations.

Scientific and technological advances, as well as increasing caseloads, mean there is expected to be an increased demand for skilled forensic technicians over the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for forensic science technicians is projected to increase 13% from 2022-2032, much faster than average for all occupations.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop in this program

In this forensic science program, you’ll learn how to uncover and analyze evidence that can be used in court during criminal and civil cases. You’ll learn the essential science, investigative and communication skills needed to meet this demand and be successful in the field. The beginning of the program focuses on building strong foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry and math. You’ll take various lab courses, including two organic chemistry labs which must be completed in person.

Later in the program, you’ll take advanced forensic science courses covering the common techniques used in crime labs. Key course topics include forensic botany, toxicology, forensic anthropology, molecular genetics and more. These courses will teach you how to analyze crime scenes, fingerprints, DNA, blood patterns and other types of evidence. Graduates will be equipped to pursue careers or a graduate degree in forensics and other science-related fields.

Gain hands-on experience with in-person lab sessions

To gain necessary laboratory skills and hands-on experience, this program requires two separate, in-person lab experiences in Arizona.

The first lab experience includes one week at ASU’s Tempe campus to complete two organic chemistry labs, followed by a four-day in-person biochemistry lab session at the ASU West campus in Glendale. Alternatively, you may complete equivalent organic chemistry lectures and labs at an approved local college or university. The biochemistry lab, a 300-level course, cannot be taken at a community college.

To finish the program, you’ll complete a two-week in-person session at the ASU West campus during the summer. This experience covers key forensic field skills including photography, fingerprint analysis, blood pattern analysis and DNA analysis.