The Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) program is dedicated to shaping the next generation of healthcare providers. In an era where healthcare stands as a paramount industry for national employment, our Health Science program emerges as a pivotal choice for aspiring healthcare professionals seeking to contribute to the well-being of society. The BHSc degree equips students with a comprehensive foundation of health sciences through an immersive interdisciplinary curriculum spanning both scientific and allied health domains. Its core mission is to provide each student with the essential prerequisites required for successful application to professional degree programs in the expansive realm of allied health professions.
The BHSc program favorably positions students for diverse career pathways, ranging from occupational therapy to physical therapy, physician assistant/associate studies, pharmacy, medical school, chiropractic care, athletic training, and beyond, ensuring graduates are primed for impactful contributions to the healthcare landscape. Graduates from the program have also pursued further education in administration, nursing, pathology, sonography, radiation therapy, and cardiac perfusion. Additionally, the BHSc degree provides a bachelor’s degree completion opportunity for associate degree credentialed health professionals and provides a rigorous health science degree option for students interested in pursuing an accelerated second bachelor’s degree program in nursing.
Admission to competitive graduate health programs necessitates exemplary academic standing. With this in mind, our Health Science program holds students to a high standard, requiring a minimum GPA of 3.2 after completing program prerequisites (see below). These standards not only prepare students for advanced studies but also instill a sense of diligence and commitment that is essential in the healthcare landscape.
Our interdisciplinary curriculum commences with an intensive study of Human Biology, Chemistry, Health Care Professions, Medical Terminology, Psychology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology. These foundational courses serve as the bedrock upon which students construct their individualized academic trajectory, aligned with their career aspirations, through upper-level coursework on interprofessional healthcare practice, 1:1 advising meetings that include identifying specific courses required as prerequisites for students’ healthcare careers of interest, and program oversight by licensed healthcare professionals.
The health science program is dedicated to cultivating a holistic skill set essential for healthcare practice. Analytical thinking, complex problem-solving, adept leadership, information literacy, and possessing a social justice mindset in healthcare contexts constitute some of the proficiencies that define our graduates to inform their contributions to the healthcare arena.
Program Highlights
- The BHSc program is designed to be flexible to meet the needs and future goals of individual students with an individualized approach to academic and career advisement
- Program leadership includes an occupational therapist, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, nurse, psychologist, biologist, and other health-related professionals to provide the best possible guidance to program operation
- The BHSc program provides students with an interprofessional approach to curriculum design with health science content from departments, including Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Health and Movement Sciences, and Health Care Studies that have broad application to many health profession disciplines
- Most of the pre-requisite courses for graduate health profession programs are built directly into the major degree course requirements. Any graduate program prerequisite courses not fulfilled in the major degree course requirements are addressed through required, intentional electives discussed with individualized advising
Topics Covered
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Healthcare Professions & Career Exploration
- Medical Terminology and Documentation
- Interprofessional Healthcare Practice
- Professional Career Preparation & Mentorship
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a strong foundation in natural sciences appropriate for admission to graduate degree programs and careers in health-related professions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of behavioral sciences appropriate for admission to graduate degree programs and careers in health-related professions.
- Demonstrate the ability to critically examine and produce sound written analyses of health science-related literature.
- Demonstrate the practical application of health and fitness assessment techniques.
- Demonstrate general knowledge of medical perspectives, health professions, interprofessional practice, and health care systems.
Progressing into the Major / Admission Review Process
Students begin in the Health Science program as a pre-health science major. Students must pass a review process to continue as a health science major after completing 45 credits, taking prerequisite courses, and having a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
- Admission Review Process (pdf): Information regarding the admission review process and how to progress into the major
- Review Checklist (pdf): Complete this with your pre-professional advisor
Careers
The healthcare industry is projected to experience substantial growth from 2023 to 2033, significantly outpacing the average growth for other professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), this expansion, along with the need to replace retiring or transitioning workers, is expected to result in an average of 1.9 million healthcare job openings annually.
Our Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science (BHSc) equips you with:
- Comprehensive Knowledge: Our curriculum provides a robust foundation in physical and social sciences, essential for success in various healthcare roles.
- Competitive Edge: Designed to meet admissions requirements for numerous professional healthcare degree programs, preparing you for your chosen specialization.
- Real-World Skills: Gain the competence needed to excel in diverse healthcare environments and become an agent of positive change.
Pathways to Rewarding Healthcare Careers
A degree in Health Science serves as a gateway to a multitude of prestigious careers in the healthcare sector. Our graduates are strategically positioned to pursue advanced professional programs, including but not limited to:
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant/Associate Studies
- Medical School
- Pharmacy
- Chiropractic Care
- Athletic Training
- Exercise Science/Kinesiology
- Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Nursing
Your future in healthcare begins here. With a BHSc degree, you are well-prepared to make significant impacts in various healthcare settings and pursue long-term professional success.
The Health Science program is directed by licensed healthcare professionals in Occupational and Physical Therapy. The Health Science degree program prides itself on the intensive academic advisement and mentorship tailored to navigate career exploration and arm students with the prerequisite courses and knowledge to apply to professional healthcare career programs.
Complementing this individualized advising, a defining feature of the Health Science program is its capacity for students to customize the curriculum by choosing specific coursework that is required for their specific career(s) of interest once those careers are identified with the guidance of their advisors.
School / College
College of Health & Human Services
Department
Health and Movement Sciences
Contact
Dr. Marc Robertson
Dr. Kyle O’Brien