Health Science (BS)

Program Overview

Are you interested in helping patients live better with an illness, injury or disability? Would you like the ability to identify abnormal cells while cancer is still at a treatable stage? Health science graduates work in many of the top ranking jobs in America providing invaluable diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic services to patients.

With a degree in health sciences from Spring Hill College, your career possibilities are broad and exciting: clinical practice, research, or academia; public sector, private industry; or directly into a graduate program. Wherever you go, you’ll be well-prepared with a degree from SHC.

Spring Hill College has been ranked among the top 25 Health Science bachelor’s degrees in the country by bachelorsdegreecenter.org

Program Goals

The BS in Health Science is designed to prepare students for master and doctorate entry level health careers that require different prerequisites than those included in the BS in Biology with Pre-Health Concentration.

The interdisciplinary focus of this degree will give students the necessary background to successfully meet the requirements needed for application to audiology, clinical laboratory science, cytology, genetic counseling, orthotics, law school, and public health graduate programs. A minor in health sciences will prepare students wishing to apply to health administration, athletic training, public health, medical illustration, occupational therapy and nutrition graduate programs.

In addition to the core requirements required of all Spring Hill College graduates, the Health Science program consists of prerequisite courses applicable to the careers listed above and includes coursework from areas including biology, chemistry, physics, nutrition, psychology, sociology, ethics and anthropology. Upper-division electives will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor to prepare for the specific field the student intends to pursue.

Health Science careers have become the dominant fields in health care delivery currently, and the trend is expected to continue.  Advances in medical technology, recent legislated health care mandates coupled with an aging population have created increased employment opportunities in health care. The Health Science program is designed to meet these needs for students who do not intend to pursue the BS in Biology with Pre-Health Concentration.

In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree, students must pass a standardized comprehensive examination and demonstrate speech competency by taking and passing CMM 150 Introduction to Public Speaking or its equivalent. All science and mathematics courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher. All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher before taking a course for which they are prerequisites.

The learning objectives of the Health Science program include:

• Demonstrate sound scientific reasoning skills
• Apply scientific principles to biological/health problems
• Evidence effective use of scientific literature
• Demonstrate quantitative knowledge and skills
• Demonstrate proficiency in basic laboratory skills

Career Outlook

Students in this program will have a solid background in health sciences upon graduation and will be able to work in the medical field in a variety of support roles such as a medical assistant. Graduates can also pursue a graduate or professional degree to become a medical professional. Health Science careers have become the dominant fields in health care delivery currently, and the trend is expected to continue.  Advances in medical technology, recent legislated health care mandates coupled with an aging population have created increased employment opportunities in health care.