Health Sciences Major

Goal 1. Communicate effectively in the discipline

Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements

Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements.  See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.

Recommended CCC Courses

Major Requirements

Free Electives

Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.

Typical Course Sequence for 4-year Health Sciences Major

Saint Joseph’s BS in Health Science to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) prepares you to develop as a skilled practitioner with a fast path to graduation, a full-time clinical education and a wealth of clinical experiences, including pro-bono and collaborative clinics. Earn two degrees — a BS in exercise physiology or health science and a Doctor of Physical Therapy — in under six years without having to re-apply by meeting all academic criteria and program requirements.

Requirements

Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements

Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements.  See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.

Recommended CCC Courses 

Major Requirements

Summer after Junior year begins the professional curriculum for DPT program.

Typical Course Sequence

Saint Joseph’s BS in Health Science degree allows direct entry into graduate Occupational Therapy (DrOT, MOT) and prepares you to develop as a skilled practitioner with an accelerated path to graduation.  Guaranteed entry into the profession phase of this program is dependent on maintaining a grade point average minimum, completing all prerequisite classes, and meeting all requisite shadow hours. The plan of study for direct entry into the DrOT or MOT degrees from the BS degree is similar, both provide the pre-requisite courses for progression into graduate study.

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy is a doctorate degree that prepares you to become a successful OT practitioner, researcher, and leader in a variety of medical and community settings. It’s the highest level of formal education available to entry-level occupational therapists. By earning your clinical doctorate degree in occupational therapy from Saint Joseph’s University, you’ll gain not only the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on patient care, but the skills of an advanced critical thinker and innovator for the profession of occupational therapy. 

The Master's of Occupational Therapy is a masters degree that provides preparation needed to become a registered occupational therapist (OTR) and earn a degree that prepares you for professional practice. Occupational Therapists help clients develop the functional capacity to live independently, care for personal needs and participate in work, school or community activities across one's lifespan.

Requirements

Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements

Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements.  See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.

Recommended CCC Courses

Major Requirements

Summer after Junior year begins the professional curriculum for DrOT and MOT programs 

Typical Course Sequence

The health sciences physician assistant pathway provides a curriculum to prepare you for graduate programs in Physician Assistant Studies.  Choose from an accelerated 3-year or traditional 4-year pathway embedded with the required prerequisites for the SJU Master's in Physician Assistant Studies program (MSPAS). Students who meet progression and application requirements earn a guaranteed interview for the SJU MSPAS program.

Progression Standards

Health Sciences majors accepted into the Physician Assistant Pathway must meet all progression standards listed below to be guaranteed an interview by the SJU Physician Assistant (PA) Program. The granting of an interview does not guarantee admission into the PA program.

Progression Standards:

•  Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA and PA prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 by the end of the first undergraduate year (completion of 30 to 36 course credits).
•  Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA and PA prerequisite course GPA of 3.2 by the end of the second undergraduate year (completion of 60 to 72 credits) for the 3+ pathway or at the end of the third undergraduate year for the 4+ pathway.
•  Complete all PA program prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better by the end of the spring term preceding enrollment into the professional phase of the program.
• GPA calculations will include the grades from all instances that a course was taken at SJU or elsewhere.  
•  Complete 350 hours of direct patient contact hours by the end of the spring term preceding enrollment into the professional phase of the program.
•  Submit all PA program admission materials through the CASPA website in accordance with current PA program policies and deadlines.

If the above progression criteria are met, students earn an interview with the SJU MSPAS program.  Admission is not guaranteed.

For students successfully completing the Accelerated 3+2 BSHS/MSPAS pathway, a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences is awarded in transit to earning the MSPAS degree after the fall semester of the first professional year.  Those successfully completing the 4+ pathway will earn their bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences prior to entering the MSPAS program. A Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies is awarded following successful completion of the professional phase of the program.

If a student does not meet progression criteria to earn a guaranteed interview or if they are denied admission after an interview, they can continue pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree or request a change of major to other degree programs. Students are eligible to apply to the SJU MSPAS program while completing their Bachelor’s degree, however there is no guarantee of an interview or admission. 

If a student wishes to change pathways (from accelerated to traditional or vice-versa), they must request this through a change of major form prior to an interview with the SJU MSPAS program.

3+ Pathway Requirements and Typical Course Sequence

Requirements

Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements

Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements.  See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.

Recommended CCC Courses 

Major Requirements

Summer after Junior year begins the professional curriculum for the MSPAS program.

Free Electives

Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.

Typical Course Sequence

4+ Pathway Requirements and Typical Course Sequence

Requirements

Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements

Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements.  See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.

Recommended CCC Courses

Major Requirements

Free Electives

Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.

Typical Course Sequence

The Clinical Leadership Concentration within the Health Sciences major will prepare students to apply for and succeed in leadership positions in healthcare.  The concentration is open to students at the Lancaster location who are transitioning from an Associate's Degree in an Allied Health Field to the Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS).  

The concentration consists of five required courses, one of which will be of the student's choosing from a discrete list  of options.  Students must also meet all general education requirements and reach a minimum of 120 credits to earn the BSHS degree. 

Core Requirements: If one of these PHL/THE courses were completed as part of your Bachelor's program @ SJU, they will apply to the core requirements; however, to meet program credit hours a student will need to take a 3 credit general elective. Please see the Block Transfer policy for more information.

Transfer of Associates Degree courses will transfer in under "Block" up to 60 credits

Must Be Taken at SJU

Major Requirements

Typical Course Sequence