Health Sciences Major

The Health Sciences program provides students with the foundation to pursue either direct entry careers in healthcare or further training in the health professions. Basic coursework balances the natural and social sciences with the goal of developing a strong, holistic knowledge of human health, disease, lifestyle behaviors, and healthcare systems. Students are encouraged to tailor electives toward their desired career pathway. Many students use their electives to complete prerequisite courses for admission into programs in physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing, occupational therapy or other health-related disciplines. Popular electives offered by the department include medical terminology, nutrition, healthcare law and ethics, health policy, animal therapy, hospice care, kinesiology, and HIV/AIDS. Other learning opportunities include internships, study abroad, study tours, or independent research. Graduates opting for direct entry into the workforce find careers as administrative staff in hospitals, health clinics, medical offices, health maintenance organizations, health insurance companies, community health programs, or clinical researchers. On completion of the program, students are able to:

  • Describe the normal structure and function of the major body systems and related diseases
  • Use appropriate medical terminology
  • Communicate in a professional manner, using written, oral, and electronic methods
  • Display professional behavior
  • Identify components of wellness, disease prevention, and health promotion
  • Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the humanistic and ethical aspects of health service delivery
  • Identify, use and critique scholarly resources
  • Critically analyze research design and methodology and to apply research findings to professional practice
  • Discuss the current societal, governmental, and business issues concerning their selected area of study in health science.
  • Provide services as a health educator, health administration manager, researcher or other health-related career.

There are many, many opportunities and needs to health care. Student are encouraged to follow their passion and to tailor the course offerings in a way that creates a unique personal and professional identity.

The traditional undergraduate programs include 40 courses distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas:

  1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
  2. Ethics Intensive, and
  3. Writing Intensive. Overlay requirements are part of the forty-course requirement.

General Education Signature Courses

See this page about Signature courses. Six courses

General Education Variable Courses

See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

Chemistry
CHM 120General Chemistry I3
CHM 120LGeneral Chemistry Lab I2
Biology
BIO 101Bio I: Cells4
BIO 101LBio I: Cells Lab0
Mathematics
MAT 118Introduction to Statistics3

 Major Requirements

IHS Core Requirements19
HSC 110Intro Health Prof Practice3
HSC 211Health Care Systems3
HSC 323Health and Society3
HSC 331Health Sciences Research3
HSC 495Seminar in Health Sciences3
BIO 102/102LBio II: Genetics4
Area Studies Courses
Select five courses. At least two courses must be from Health Sciences.
HSC 190CPR & First Aid Certification3
HSC 216Alcohol, Drugs and Society3
HSC 217Soc Determinants Mental Health3
HSC 244Health Information Technology3
HSC 248Health of School Aged Children3
HSC 251Healthcare Law and Ethics3
HSC 252Health Policy3
HSC 253Nutrition: Health & Disease3
HSC 256HIV/AIDS3
HSC 276Health of the Aging Adult3
HSC 285Med Terminology & Health Comm3
HSC 3004
HSC 3023
HSC 310Ethics in Sports3
HSC 345DyingWell:The Hospice Movement3
HSC 348Foundations of Kinesiology3
HSC 354Diversity Ldrship in Hlth Care3
HSC 359Health Program Planning3
HSC 360Animal Therapy3
HSC 368Just Hlth Care Dev Nations3
HSC 370Special Topics Health Sciences3
HSC 4113
HSC 441Complementary & Alt Med3
HSC 458Public Health & Epidemiology3
HSC 490Internship in Health Sciences3
HSC 493Independent Study3
HSC 494Independent Study3
Other area studies courses
BIO 201Bio III: Organismic Biology4
BIO 260Anat&Physiol Nurs/Al Hlth I4
BIO 261Anat&Physiol Nurs/Al Hlth II4
BIO 270Microbio Nurse/Allied Health4
BIO 404Biochemistry3
BIO 406Comparative Anatomy4
BIO 416Microbiology4
BIO 417Systemic Physiology4
CHM 210Organic Chemistry I3
CHM 210LOrganic Chemistry Lab I1
CHM 215Organic Chemistry II3
CHM 215LOrganic Chemistry Lab II1
COM 460Health Communication Advocacy3
ECN 390The Economics of Healthcare3
ENG 450Hospital Stories3
LIN 270Topics in Linguistics3
LIN 320Phonetics3
PSY 122Psychological Disorders3
PSY 222Neuropsychology3
PSY 223Health Psychology3
PSY 224Drugs, the Brain, & Behavior3
SOC 217Mental Health & Society3
THE 349Theology of Disability3

Learning Goals and Outcomes

Goal 1: Graduates of the Health Studies Program will know and understand the biological, psychological, and social determinants of health and well-being.

Objective 1.1: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of how race, social class, gender, culture, geographic location, and disability influence physical and mental health.

Objective 1.2: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the primary health issues at each stage of life and how healthcare needs change across the lifespan.

Goal 2: Graduates will apply health theories to health practice and research.

Objective 2.1: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of health promotion planning, needs assessment, program development, and evaluation by developing and implementing a health promotion project.

Objective 2.2: Graduates will be able to foster health behavioral change by applying systematic, measurable, and supportive (empathic) approaches.

Goal 3: Graduates will demonstrate literacy in the language of health professions.

Objective 3.1: Graduates will effectively use the terminology and language of the health professions.

Objective 3.2: Graduates will be able to analyze regional, national and global health data and to draw logical conclusions based on health data.

Objective 3.3: Graduates will be able to critically evaluate and apply current research in the health professions to health promotion and disease prevention practice.

Goal 4: Graduates will collaborate with others in order to promote health and well-being of people in need.

Objective 4.1: Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of healthcare systems and effective healthcare systems management.

Objective 4.2: Graduates will be able to educate, delegate, and coordinate with others to promote health and well-being of a population.

Goal 5: Graduates will follow ethical codes of conduct of the health professions.

Objective 5.1: Graduates will follow and promote ethical conduct reflecting Jesuit values, specifically the values of honesty, respect for persons, and justice.

Objective 5.2: Graduates will demonstrate the maturity to make decisions and to take professional responsibility for those decisions.

Objective 5.3: Graduates will act as global citizens, holding personal and career objectives that honor and serve the beneficence of people in need.

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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
CHM 120 General Chemistry I 3
CHM 120L General Chemistry Lab I 2
ENG 101 Craft of Language 3
MAT 120 The Mathematics of Modeling 3
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 3
HSC 110 Intro Health Prof Practice 3
 Hours17
Spring
CHM 125 General Chemistry II 3
CHM 125L General Chemistry Lab II 2
ENG 102 Texts & Contexts 3
MAT 122 Trigonometry 3
PED 102 Physical Education 1
HSC 111 Health Sci Orientation II 1
Humanities 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall
BIO 109 General Biology I 3
General Education 3
Humanities 3
PSY 100 Introductory Psychology 3
 Hours12
Spring
BIO 119 General Biology II 3
BIO 119L General Biology II Laboratory 1
General Education 3
COM 100 Introduction to Communication 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours13
Third Year
Fall
BIO 310 Anatomy and Physiology I 3
BIO 202 Human Structure and Function I 3
BIO 202L Human Structure&Function I Lab 1
PHY 201 Introductory Physics I 3
PHY 201L Intro. Physics I Laboratory 1
PSY 120 Lifespan Development 3
ENG 264 Scientific Writing 3
MAT 128 Applied Statistics 3
HSC 390 Medical Terminology 2
 Hours22
Spring
BIO 311 Anatomy and Physiology II 3
BIO 203 Human Structure & Function II 3
BIO 203L Hum Structure& Function II Lab 1
PHY 202 Introductory Physics II 3
PHY 202L Intro. Physics II Laboratory 1
PSY 227 Cognitive Psychology 3
HSC 253 Nutrition: Health & Disease 3
 Hours17
Summer
DPT 501 Anatomy I 3
DPT 511 Biomechanics/Kinesiology I 2
DPT 521 PT Exam/Interventions I 2
DPT 541 Exercise Physiology 3
DPT 531 Clinical practice I 2
 Hours12
Fourth Year
Fall
DPT 502 Anatomy II 3
DPT 512 Biomechanics/Kinesiology II 2
DPT 522 PT Exam/Interventions II 2
DPT 542 Functional Neuroscience 3
DPT 550 Research I 2
DPT 560 Psychosoc Issues Health/Well 3
DPT 532 Clinical practice II 2
 Hours17
Spring
DPT 571 Mvmnt Science Across Lifespan 2
DPT 601 Musculoskeletal Rehab I 5
DPT 601L Musculoskeletal Rehab I Lab 0
DPT 611 Cardiovascular Rehabilitation 2
DPT 611L Cardiovascular Rehab Lab 0
DPT 551 Research II 2
DPT 561 Ethics in Healthcare 2
DPT 581 Medical Management I 3
DPT 533 Clinical Practice III 2
 Hours18
Summer
DPT 612 Pulmonary Rehabilitation 2
DPT 602 Musculoskeletal Rehab II 4
DPT 621 Neurorehabilitation I 4
DPT 650 Research III 1
DPT 631 Clinical Practice IV 1
 Hours12
Fifth Year
Fall
DPT 622 Neurorehabilitation II 5
DPT 641 Integumentary PT 3
DPT 661 Acute Care PT 2
DPT 671 Rehab across the lifespan 2
DPT 681 Medical Management II 2
DPT 651 Research IV 1
DPT 632 Clinical Practice V 2
 Hours17
Spring
DPT 690 Clinical Educa. Experience I 12
DPT 652 Research V 1
DPT 672 Integrative Management I 2
DPT 633 Clinical Practice VI 1
 Hours16
Summer
DPT 673 Integrative Management II 3
DPT 634 Clinical Practice VII 1
DPT 691 Clinical Educ. Experience II 12
 Hours16
Sixth Year
Fall
DPT 692 Clinical Educ. Experience III 12
DPT 620 Leadership 2
 Hours14
 Total Hours219

Saint Joseph’s BS in Exercise Physiology 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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
BIO 109 General Biology I 3
ENG 101 Craft of Language 3
HSC 110 Intro Health Prof Practice 3
MAT 120 The Mathematics of Modeling 3
PSY 100 Introductory Psychology 3
 Hours15
Spring
BIO 119 General Biology II 3
BIO 119L General Biology II Laboratory 1
ENG 102 Texts & Contexts 3
HSC 111 Health Sci Orientation II 1
Humanities or Free Elective 3
PED 102 Physical Education 1
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
PSY 120 Lifespan Development 3
CHM 120 General Chemistry I 3
CHM 120L General Chemistry Lab I 2
General Education 3
MAT 128 Applied Statistics 3
Humanities or Free Elective 3
 Hours17
Spring
COM 100 Introduction to Communication 3
PHY 200 Survey of Physics 3
PHY 200L Survey of Physics Laboratory 1
PSY 122 Psychological Disorders 3
General Education 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall
OTH 112 Overview of OT Practice I 1
BIO 202 Human Structure and Function I 3
BIO 202L Human Structure&Function I Lab 1
ENG 264 Scientific Writing 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours11
Spring
OTH 115 Overview of OT Practice II 1
BIO 203 Human Structure & Function II 3
BIO 203L Hum Structure& Function II Lab 1
HSC 390 Medical Terminology 2
Free Electives 9
 Hours16
Summer
OTH 405 Overview of O.T. Practice 2
OTH 510 Neuroscience 4
OTH 510L Neuroscience Lab 0
 Hours6
Fourth Year
Fall
OTH 500 Level I Experiences Sem 1
OTH 502 Human Development & Perform 3
OTH 502L Human Dev & Perform Lab 0
OTH 508 Movement Analysis 3
OTH 508L Movement Analysis Lab 0
OTH 519 Intro to Clinical Skills 3
OTH 519L Intro to Clinical Skills Lab 0
OTH 562 Theories of OT 3
 Hours13
Spring
OTH 501 Doctoral Seminar I 1
OTH 650 Applied Research Methods 3
OTH 531 Clinical Medicine 3
OTH 555 Evaluation & Assessment: OT 3
OTH 555L Evaluation & Assessment: OTLab 0
OTH 590 Fieldwork Level I:Clinical Exp 1
OTH 615 Therapeutic Groups 3
OTH 615L Therapeutic Groups Lab 0
OTH 636 Clin Ldrshp, Mgmt,&Supervision 3
OTH 681 OT: Past, Present, & Future 2
 Hours19
Summer
OTH 602 Doctoral Seminar II 1
OTH 624 Interventions I: Contextual Ap 4
OTH 624L Interventions I: Cntxtl Ap Lab 0
OTH 660 Applied Research II 3
OTH 682 Fieldwork I: Community Client 1
 Hours9
Fifth Year
Fall
OTH 623 FWK1:Comm Service Learning 1
OTH 634 Interventions II: Developmenta 4
OTH 634L Interventions II: Develop Lab 0
OTH 644 Interventions III: Psychosocia 4
OTH 644L Interventions III: Psychosoc L 0
OTH 665 Applied Research III 3
 Hours12
Spring
OTH 620 Fieldwork Level I: Clinical 1
OTH 652 OT Interventions IV: Cognitive 3
OTH 664 Interventions V: Rehab Approac 4
OTH 664L Interventions V: Rehab App Lab 0
OTH 668 Evidence-Based Practice 3
OTH 672 OT Interventions VI:Technology 3
OTH 672L OT Interventions V: Tech Lab 0
OTH 687 FW II: Program Development 2
 Hours16
Summer
OTH 694 Fieldwork Level IIa 9
 Hours9
Sixth Year
Fall
OTH 675 Research Independent Study 6
OTH 698 Fieldwork Level IIb 9
 Hours15
Spring
OTH 711 Doctoral Capstone Project 3
OTH 697 Doctoral Experience Component 12
 Hours15
 Total Hours204