Health Sciences Major

The mission of the Health Sciences program is to provide rigorous and comprehensive education in the health professions.  Core philosophies include problem solving, respect for persons, social justice, professional competence, and collaborative approaches to disease prevention and health promotion.

After completing the Health Sciences major program, students will be able to: 

HSC Goal 1: Communicate effectively in the discipline

SLO 1: Demonstrate patient-centered communication skills.

SLO 2: Utilize medical terminology

SLO 3: Write in the technical report style

HSC Goal 2: Demonstrate information literacy

SLO 4: Critique peer-reviewed health and medical literature

SLO 5: Use scholarly resources to identify evidence-based programs and practices

HSC Goal 3: Direct systems collaboration

SLO 6: Explain effective healthcare systems management.

SLO 7: Function effectively as a member of the team

HSC Goal 4: Follow ethical codes of conduct of health care practice.

SLO 8: Demonstrate ethical conduct reflecting Jesuit values of social justice and cura personalis

SLO 9: Demonstrate professional healthcare ethics in the educational setting

HSC Goal 5: Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of the discipline.

SLO 10: Explain the biological, psychological, and social determinants of health and disease.

SLO 11: Systematically apply critical thinking to health care issues.

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

To be awarded a bachelor's degree at Saint Joseph's University, students must complete at least 120 total credits. As such, elective credits may be required in addition to Cornerstone Core Curriculum (CCC) and major requirements. Any credits necessary to reach at least 120 total credits outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives. Under the CCC, there are no fixed number of electives required. A student's total number of electives will vary based on major requirements, transfer credits, as well as math and language placement. 

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 wealth of clinical experiences inclusive of our pro-bono clinic. Earn two degrees — a BS in exercise physiology or health science and a Doctor of Physical Therapy — in under six years 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

¹

Refer to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program page for a full list of requirements and typical course sequence.

²

Students will earn the Bachelor of Science in Health Science at this point, upon successful completion of all degree requirements.

Progression Standards

To maintain guaranteed admission into the professional phase of the physical therapy curriculum students must:

1. Earn a C or higher in all required prerequisite coursework
2. Earn a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA by the end of the fall semester prior to matriculation into the professional phase of the program*
3. Earn a 3.00 or higher math/science GPA by the end of the fall semester prior to matriculation into the professional phase of the program*
4. Meet the Technical Standards of the PT program 

*Only courses taken at SJU will be included in GPA calculations

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

¹

Students will earn the Bachelor of Science in Health Science at this point upon successful completion of all degree requirements.

Progression Standards

To maintain guaranteed admission into the professional phase of the occupational therapy program, students must:
 
1.    BS-DrOT:

• Earn a 3.0 cumulative and 3.2 prerequisite GPA or higher to matriculate into the professional phase of the program.*
• Complete all required prerequisite coursework, earning a C or higher.

2.    BS-MOT:

• Earn a 3.00 cumulative and prerequisite GPA or higher to matriculate into the professional phase of the program.*
• Complete all required prerequisite coursework, earning a C or higher.

3.    Complete a minimum of 10 hours of in-person shadowing experience with documentation from a licensed occupational therapist prior to the start of the program in July.
 
4.    Meet the Technical Standards of the OT program.

*Only courses taken at SJU will be included in GPA calculations

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

Students admitted into the undergraduate (BS) Health Sciences Pre-Physician Assistant Pathway select either an accelerated 3+2 or traditional 4+2 track by the end of their first year. Students who meet all pathway progression
requirements and all SJU Physician Assistant (PA) program admission requirements receive a guaranteed interview with the SJU Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program. Admission to the PA program is competitive and is not guaranteed through the Health Sciences Pre-PA Pathway.

Accelerated Track:

• BS+MSPAS: 3 + 2 years 
• MSPAS Application: End of Sophomore Year
• BS Awarded: After first year of MSPAS

Traditional Track:

• BS+MSPAS: 4 + 2 years 
• MSPAS Application: End of Junior Year
• BS Awarded: Before entering MSPAS

Undergraduate Pre-PA Pathway 3+2 and 4+2 Track Progression Requirements:

• Minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA and 3.2 PA-prerequisite GPA
• Minimum grade of C in all SJU PA program prerequisite courses (see transfer grade requirements below)
• GPA includes all course attempts; no grade replacement (CASPA calculation method)
• GPA deadline: end of spring term sophomore year for the 3+2 track or end of junior year for the 4+2 track
• Summer coursework after sophomore year (3+2 track) or junior year (4+2 track) cannot be used to meet GPA requirements
• Students must declare either the 3+2 or 4+2 track by the beginning of fall semester sophomore year
• Students not meeting the progression requirements will be removed from the 3+2 or 4+2 track
• Once a student is removed from the 3+2 or 4+2 track, they cannot reapply to the Pre-PA Pathway

MSPAS Application and Clinical Experience Requirements

• Submit a verified CASPA application to the SJU PA Program by the deadline (submission by June 1st is highly recommended due to rolling admission)
• Fulfill all SJU PA program admission requirements
• Complete the minimum required hours of direct patient care experience by the time of PA program application
• See the SJU PA Program link for current prerequisites, direct patient care hours, and other admission requirements: (https://www.sju.edu/departments/physician-assistant/admission)

Transfer and Change of Major Pre-PA Track Requirements

• Minimum 3.00 cumulative and prerequisite GPA is required for transfer and change of major students
• Grade of C or better for prerequisites from 4-year colleges and grade of B or better from community colleges
• Complete a minimum of two years of undergraduate study at SJU in the Pre-PA Pathway
• 3+2 Track transfer or change of major entry must occur by the start of spring semester sophomore year
• 4+2 Track transfer or change of major entry must occur by the start of spring semester junior year
• Students entering in their first year must have a minimum of 50 direct patient care hours
• Students entering in their second year must have at least 150 direct patient care hours
• Students must declare either the 3+2 or 4+2 track upon entry into the pre-PA pathway

Degree Conferral and Outcomes

• 3+2 Track: Health Sciences BS awarded after successful completion of first year of the MSPAS program
• 4+2 Track: Health Sciences BS awarded after senior year prior to MSPAS program entry
• MSPAS degree awarded after successful completion of the 2-year PA Program
• 3+2 Track students not receiving an interview or not admitted into the SJU PA program may complete the 4-year Health Sciences BS degree

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

To be awarded a bachelor's degree at Saint Joseph's University, students must complete at least 120 total credits. As such, elective credits may be required in addition to Cornerstone Core Curriculum (CCC) and major requirements. Any credits necessary to reach at least 120 total credits outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives. Under the CCC, there are no fixed number of electives required. A student's total number of electives will vary based on major requirements, transfer credits, as well as math and language placement. 

3+2 Pathway Typical Course Sequence

4+2 Pathway 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 who are transitioning from an Associate's Degree in an Allied Health Field to the Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS).  

Cornerstone Curriculum Requirements for Block Transfer Students

Students who transfer to Saint Joseph's University with a completed Associate of Art, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree in the Health Professions from an accredited institution will not be required to complete the Saint Joseph’s University Cornerstone Core Curriculum. Rather, the Associate degree holder will receive credit for having completed their general education requirements with the addition of a maximum of nine credit hours of Saint Joseph's University mission and identity related coursework as described below. Additionally, if a student has completed a course that would, in a course-by-course transfer evaluation, count for one of the courses identified below, that course will be considered completed.

This proposal does not equate the AA, AS, or AAS degree with the Saint Joseph's University Cornerstone Core. Rather, it provides an alternative path for transfer students to continue their education at Saint Joseph's University in their chosen discipline while still completing foundational coursework in the Jesuit Liberal Arts tradition that is central to Saint Joseph's University’s educational mission. 

Core Requirements: If one of these PHL/THE courses were completed as part of your Associate's program at Saint Joseph's University, 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 75 credits.

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. 

Major Requirements

Free Electives

To be awarded a bachelor's degree at Saint Joseph's University, students must complete at least 120 total credits. As such, elective credits may be required in addition to Cornerstone Core Curriculum (CCC) and major requirements. Any credits necessary to reach at least 120 total credits outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives. Under the CCC, there are no fixed number of electives required. A student's total number of electives will vary based on major requirements, transfer credits, as well as math and language placement. 

Typical Course Sequence