Career Options

Students graduating with a major (B.S./A.B.) in neuroscience will be well prepared for a variety of graduate (M.S./Ph.D.) education programs in neuroscience and related fields, including programs that feature studies in genetics and genomics, molecular and cellular neuroscience, systems neuroscience or cognitive science. Completion of a Ph.D. in neuroscience would then facilitate a career as a scientist/educator in colleges and universities, government sponsored institutions or private industry. Neuroscience majors from Duke will also be highly competitive for admission to medical school or any other health professions school, such as dental school or schools that prepare physical therapists or physician assistants. Given the broad impact of neuroscience, Duke neuroscience majors will be increasingly sought out by leaders in law, business, social sciences, arts, and humanities for collaboration where knowledge of the brain sciences addresses public policy, professional practice, and a broad understanding of human behavior, including the following fields:

  • Academia, education, and teaching (teach neuroscience; work to improve funding for science education)
  • Business and law (marketing; advertising; patent lawyer)
  • Health-related careers (clinical research; radiation physicist)
  • Global health (global health reporting; data collection focus on neurological health)
  • Creative sector (toy designer; advertising)
  • Consulting (management; private company)
  • Non-profit research or foundations (discovery specialist for research foundation)
  • Government and policy (policy advisor; public policy)
  • Writing and publishing (scientific journalist; educational writer/producer)
  • Innovation/entrepreneurship (devices; medical health)

More information about Career Options in Neuroscience

  • Career service specialists are waiting to meet with you to discuss potential career options even before you declare your major
  • Talk with neuroscience professors; ask them about their experiences and what their career path has been like.
  • As a Neuroscience major, you will have a ‘major advisor’ that you can also talk to about your career path.