The Health Science major leading to a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) is based on healthcare education designed to foster development of human values, effective interpersonal skills, quality of care, and a scientific foundation. The Health Science curriculum includes inter-professional education and provides the student with a sound base for graduate education and career advancement in various health related fields. The program fosters the student’s ability to think critically, analyze information and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. The program prepares students to solve the myriad challenges faced daily in health related environments in an ever changing world.
Requirements
The Health Science (HS) major consists of 22 credits of required major core courses and 30 concentration core and elective courses.
Prerequisite courses and GPA requirements vary greatly for the graduate professional programs; therefore, students wishing to pursue graduate work in a professional program are strongly advised to discuss plans of study with the Health Science academic advisor to prepare for the specific program of interest. Students are required to maintain a 2.7 cumulative GPA in Health Science requirements to remain in the major with no individual required course or required supporting course grade below a C. Students falling below a Health Science 2.7 GPA will receive academic disciplinary action including probation or dismissal.
Coursework is offered in a flexible plan allowing students the time to experience real-world practice through internships and study abroad. The Health Science major consists of four distinct concentrations, one track, and one dual degree:
- Healthcare Administration
- Public Health
- Global Health
- Dietetics & Nutrition
- Completion Option Track
- Radiography Dual Degree
The Healthcare Administration curriculum provides insight into administrative practices including supervision, strategic planning, change management, policy and fiscal responsibility. Healthcare ethics, patient rights and safety and regulatory compliance are addressed within the curriculum.
The Public Health curriculum includes coursework surrounding health education and promotion, health communication, and community health planning. Healthcare ethics, principles of equity and behavioral aspects of health are also covered.
The Global Health curriculum offers an understanding of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and their impact on global disease burden, multidisciplinary healthcare programs in action and healthcare systems around the globe. Concepts of social justice, cultural competence, and social issues are addressed.
The Completion Option track is for students who hold an associate's degree and are interested in completing a Bachelor of Science degree. The BSHS major will prepare students with a solid foundation in core content germane to health professions. Individualized advisement will assist students with developing a plan of study that meets pre-requisite requirements for specific graduate programs and advisement regarding GPA requirements for admission to particular programs, if desired.
3 + 2 Health Science & Health Administration
Sacred Heart University offers qualified undergraduates the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in Health Science and a graduate degree in Health Administration in 5 years (3 years undergraduate coursework and 2 years of graduate coursework). This option is available only to students who choose an undergraduate major in health science. A student choosing a 3+2 option must work carefully with their undergraduate advisor to follow a specific sequence of study. Please note that some summer work is required for this 3+2 option. With appropriate planning, summer coursework may be completed at other universities offering equivalent courses.
3 + 2 Health Science & Occupational Therapy
Sacred Heart University offers qualified University undergraduates the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in Health Science and a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy in 5 years (3 years of undergraduate coursework and 2 years of graduate coursework). Students choosing the 3 + 2 option must work carefully with their undergraduate advisor to follow a specific sequence of study. All summer courses must be taken at Sacred Heart University. A specific plan of study can be found on our website.
3 + 2 Health Science & Strategic Human Resource Management
Sacred Heart University offers qualified undergraduates the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree and Master of Strategic Human Resource Management degree within 5 years (3 years of undergraduate coursework and 2 years of graduate coursework). This option is available only to students who choose an undergraduate major in Health Science with the Healthcare Administration concentration. Students must work carefully with their undergraduate advisor to follow a specific sequence of study. Please note that some summer work is required for this 3 +2 option. With appropriate planning, summer course work may be completed at other universities offering equivalent courses in foundational core classes.
4 + 1 Health Science & Public Health
Sacred Heart University offers qualified undergraduates the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree within 5 years (4 years of undergraduate coursework and 1 year of graduate coursework). The combined degree program allows students to accelerate their progress toward a master's degree by taking graduate-level coursework during their final semesters of undergraduate study. This option is available to students who choose an undergraduate major in Health Science with the Public Health or Global Health concentration.
4 Year Dual Degree - BS in Health Science & AS in Radiography
Sacred Heart University offers qualified undergraduates the opportunity to earn two degrees within 4 years with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and Associate degree in Radiography. Students will be dually enrolled in the HSBS program and associate in radiography program after completing the radiography pre-requisite courses with a minimum of C+ in English Composition and College Algebra and B- in A&P I & II with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75. Both winter and summer course work are required for 4-year option. With appropriate planning, summer and winter coursework may be completed at other universities offering equivalent courses in foundational core classes. Students will be prepared to sit for the licensing exam to be radiography technologists and/or to move to a professional graduate program or advanced level certificate program such as MRI, CT, and ultrasound.
Required Health Science Coursework
- Healthcare Administration Concentration:
- 19 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 21 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework
- 6-37 Credits of Concentration Electives (depends on professional graduate program prerequisite requirements, if one is planned)
- 11 Credits Supporting Courses
Public Health Concentration:
- 19 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 21 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework
- 6-37 Credits of Concentration Electives (depends on professional graduate program prerequisite requirements, if one is planned)
- 11 Credits Supporting Courses
Global Health Concentration:
- 22 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 21 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework
- 6-37 Credits of Concentration Electives (depends on professional graduate program prerequisite requirements, if one is planned)
- 11 Credits Required Supporting Courses
Dietetics & Nutrition Concentration:
- 19 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 21 Credits of Concentration Coursework
- 6-37 Credits of Concentration Electives (depends on professional graduate program prerequisite requirements, if one is planned)
- 11 Credits Required Supporting Courses
Radiography Concentration:
(Dual Degree - BS in Health Science & AS in Radiography)
- 19 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 36 Credits of Radiography Core Coursework
- 18-19 Credits Required Supporting Courses
Completion Option Track:
- 18 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 18 Credits of Track Core Coursework
- 12 Credits of Track Electives
- 6 Credits Required Supporting Courses
Transfer of Credits:
A maximum of sixty (60) credits may be applied to a baccalaureate degree from a two-year college and a maximum of ninety (90) credits may be applied from a four-year college or university. Sacred Heart University accepts a maximum of 15 credits as “free electives” for transfer and a maximum of 50% of the major’s course credits for transfer.