Health Science, Bachelor of Science
A health science degree focuses on health prevention, health promotion, population health or health behavior change. This degree meets a growing demand for professionals in areas such as community health and wellness, occupational health and safety, as well as community and environmental health. Career options are available in the government setting, nonprofit organizations, community health centers, wellness companies and health promotion organizations. Human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, healthcare informatics, research in healthcare and healthcare systems, policies and regulations are a few key features of our curriculum. Healthcare is recognized as one of the largest and fastest-growing industries within the U.S., with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 15% job growth over the next 10 years.
A health science degree can serve as a springboard for a variety of careers or graduate work, which is why our program allows you to choose one of three concentrations based on your goals and aspirations. The health science program is designed to take advantage of Wilson’s strong offerings in liberal studies and science.
Our pre-professional concentration will prepare students to further their studies and training by building a strong science and human physiology foundation. This concentration is geared for students looking to apply to graduate school to become a health science or allied health professional; specifically, physical therapy, chiropractic or medicine.
Our public health concentration emphasizes foundational coursework that will prepare students to further their studies and training in public health, social work and advocacy, and healthcare administration, as well as for students wishing to pursue employment in non-profit organizations or community health centers and settings, wellness companies and health promotion organizations.
Our holistic health concentration emphasizes learning the basic concepts of health by exploring wellness from a holistic perspective. Students are taught how to live a healthy life, manage stress, and understand the benefits of physical activity – in addition to learning about complementary and alternative medicine beyond traditional Western Medicine techniques. Elective courses allow students to expand and build upon knowledge acquired in their core courses and give them the ability to personalize the concentration in a way that is most helpful in a chosen field.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete required courses and choose one the following concentrations: Pre-Professional Studies, Public Health or Holistic Health
Required courses
Pre-Professional Studies
This concentration is best suited for students interested in the following:
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Chiropractic Medicine
Physician Assistant
Clinical Director
Coursework emphasizes foundational coursework that will prepare students to further their studies and training in graduate school to become health science or allied health professionals, as well as prepare students for future careers in clinical director roles.
* PHY 102 is not a requirement for major/concentration, but will be needed for graduate or medical school.
Public Health
This concentration is best suited for students interested in the following:
Community-based health
Health and human services
Personal health and wellness
Occupational health and safety
Environmental health
Coursework emphasizes foundational coursework that will prepare students to further their studies and training in public health, social work and advocacy, and healthcare administration; as well as students wishing to pursue employment for non-profit organizations or community health centers and settings, wellness companies and health promotion organizations.
| GS 240 | Global Health | 3 |
| HSC 330 | Health Promotion/Program Development | 3 |
| HSC 420 | Public Health & Epidemiology | 3 |
| | |
| PHI 205 | Bioethics | 3 |
| OR | |
| PHI 230 | Healthcare Ethics | 3 |
| | |
| Two courses (6 semester hours) from the following: | |
| ENV 270 | Topics in Environmental Studies | 3 |
| PSY 331 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 225 | Social Problems & Inequalities | 3 |
Holistic Health
This concentration is best suited for students interested in careers in the following industries:
Personal health and well-being
Integrative medicine
Health Coaching
Case Manager or Patient Advocacy
Coursework emphasizes learning the basic concepts of health by exploring wellness from a holistic perspective. Students will be taught how to live a healthy life, manage stress, and understand the benefits of physical activity – in addition to learning about complementary and alternative medicine beyond traditional Western Medicine techniques. Topics include, but are not limited to health, wellness, personal healing, healthy coping and self-care, complementary therapies, physical and mental well-being techniques. Elective courses allow students to expand and build upon knowledge acquired in their core courses; and gives students the ability to personalize the minor in a way that may be most helpful in a chosen field.
| ESS 281 | Total Wellness | 2 |
| HSC 222 | Narrative Medicine | 3 |
| HSC 230 | Holistic Health | 4 |
| PHI 230 | Healthcare Ethics | 3 |
| Six semester hours from the following (no more than 3 semester hours may be taken in PE or Activity credit): | |
| ENV 270 | Topics in Environmental Studies | 3 |
| ESS 270 | Topics - Exercise & Sport Science | 3 |
| HSC 330 | Health Promotion/Program Development | 3 |
| GS 240 | Global Health | 3 |
| NUR 222 | Intersection of Healthcare and Society | 3 |
| PSY 331 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| PE or Activity Course | |