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.

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

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

Outcome 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.

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

Outcome 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.

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

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

Outcome 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.

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

Outcome 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.

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

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

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

The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits 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 areas1:

  1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
  2. Ethics Intensive
  3. Writing Intensive, and
  4. Diversity
1

Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements

General Education Signature Courses

See this page about Signature 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:

Biology
BIO 101
101L
Bio I: Cells
and Bio I: Cells Lab
4
BIO 261
261L
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth II
and Anatomy & Physiology Lab II
4
Mathematics
MAT 118Introduction to Statistics3

 Major Requirements

Core Requirements
HSC 110Intro Health Prof Practice3
HSC 211Health Care Systems3
HSC 323Health and Society3
HSC 331Health Sciences Research3
HSC 495Seminar in Health Sciences3
BIO 260
260L
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth I
and Anatomy & Physiology Lab I
4
Area Studies Courses15-20
Select five courses. At least two courses must be from Health Sciences.
CPR & First Aid Certification
Alcohol, Drugs and Society
Soc Determinants Mental Health
Health Information Technology
Health of School Aged Children
Healthcare Law and Ethics
Health Policy
Nutrition: Health & Disease
HIV/AIDS
Health of the Aging Adult
Med Terminology & Health Comm
Ethics in Sports
DyingWell:The Hospice Movement
Foundations of Kinesiology
Diversity Ldrship in Hlth Care
Health Program Planning
Animal Therapy
Just Hlth Care Dev Nations
Special Topics Health Sciences
Complementary & Alt Med
Public Health & Epidemiology
Internship in Health Sciences
Independent Study
Independent Study
Other area studies courses
Bio III: Organismic Biology
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth I
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth II
Clinical Micro
Biochemistry
Comparative Anatomy
Microbiology
Systemic Physiology
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Lab I
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Lab II
Health Communication Advocacy
The Economics of Healthcare
Health, Advocacy, Storytelling
Athletic Injuries&Sports Rehab
Exercise Pharmacology
Motor Learning
Exercise Testing& Prescription
Exercise Physiology
Exercise Psychology
Introduction to Kinesiology
Biomechanics
Adv Ex Physiology
Pediatric Clinical Ex. Phys
Exercise For Special Popultns
Topics in Linguistics
Phonetics
Psychological Disorders
Neuropsychology
Health Psychology
Drugs, the Brain, & Behavior
Mental Health & Society
Theology of Disability
Total Hours34-39

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
BIO 101
101L
Bio I: Cells
and Bio I: Cells Lab
4
HSC 150 First Year Seminar (Health & Wellness) 3
ENG 101 Craft of Language 3
Non Native Language I 3
HSC 110 Intro Health Prof Practice 3
 Hours16
Spring
BIO 102
102L
Bio II: Genetics
and Bio II: Genetics Lab
4
HIS 154 Forging the Modern World 3
Theology Signature Core (GEP) 3
ENG 102 Texts & Contexts 3
Non Native Language II 3
INT 151 Inequality in American Society 1
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall
CHM 120
120L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Lab I
4
PHL 154 Moral Foundations 3
MAT 120 Precalculus 3
Religious Difference (GEP) 3
BIO 260
260L
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth I
and Anatomy & Physiology Lab I
4
 Hours17
Spring
CHM 125
125L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Lab II
4
MAT 118
Introduction to Statistics
or Applied Statistics
3
PHL 250 Philosophy of Death 3
Fine Arts or Literature (GEP) 3
BIO 261
261L
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth II
and Anatomy & Physiology Lab II
4
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall
HSC 253 Nutrition: Health & Disease 3
PHY 201
201L
Introductory Physics I
and Intro. Physics I Laboratory
4
Faith and Reason Course (GEP) 3
PSY 100 Introductory Psychology 3
HSC 211 Health Care Systems 3
 Hours16
Spring
HSC 331 Health Sciences Research 3
HSC 323 Health and Society 3
PHY 102
102L
General Physics II
and General Physics Laboratory II
4
Any Additional PSY course (Pre-req PSY 100) 3
 Hours13
Summer
Summer after Junior year begins the professional curriculum for DPT programs
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
601L
Musculoskeletal Rehab I
and Musculoskeletal Rehab I Lab
5
DPT 611
611L
Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
and Cardiovascular Rehab Lab
2
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 Hours218

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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
BIO 101
101L
Bio I: Cells
and Bio I: Cells Lab
4
HSC 150 First Year Seminar 3
ENG 101 Craft of Language 3
HSC 110 Intro Health Prof Practice 3
Non-Native Language I 3
 Hours16
Spring
BIO 102
102L
Bio II: Genetics
and Bio II: Genetics Lab
4
HIS 154 Forging the Modern World 3
Theology Signature Core 3
ENG 102 Texts & Contexts 3
Non Native Language II 3
INT 151 Inequality in American Society 1
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall
PHY 101
101L
General Physics I
and General Physics Laboratory I
4
PHL 154 Moral Foundations 3
MAT 120 Precalculus (THE Religious Difference) 3
Religious Difference (GEP) 3
BIO 260
260L
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth I
and Anatomy & Physiology Lab I
4
 Hours17
Spring
PSY 100 Introductory Psychology 3
MAT 118 Introduction to Statistics 3
PHL 250 Philosophy of Death 3
BIO 261
261L
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth II
and Anatomy & Physiology Lab II
4
Fine Arts or Literature (GEP) 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall
HSC 323 Health and Society 3
HSC 390 Medical Terminology 2
PSY 122 Psychological Disorders 3
Faith and Reason Course 3
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 3
 Hours14
Spring
HSC 331 Health Sciences Research 3
HSC 211 Health Care Systems 3
PSY 120 Lifespan Development 3
Area Studies 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours92

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

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. 

General Education
CSS 101College Studies Seminar3
BIO 380Epidemiology3
ECN 101Introductory Economics Micro3
ENG 101Craft of Language3
ECN 260American Healthcare System3
ENG 454Narrative Medicine3
MAT 128Applied Statistics3
PHL 285Philosophy of Medicine3
SOC 102Social Problems3
BIO 185Microbio Nursing&Allied Health3
or BIO 240 Immunology
SOC 101Intro to Sociology3
or SOC 270 Special Topics
MAT 100:4993
Humanities Elective3
BIO 175A&P for Nursing &Allied Health4
BIO 175LA&P Nursing& Allied Health Lab0
BIO 176A&P Nursing & Allied Health II4
BIO 176LA&P Nursing&Allied Hlth II Lab0
Science Elective3
Major Requirements:
HSC 110Intro Health Prof Practice3
HSC 211Health Care Systems3
HSC 323Health and Society3
HSC 331Health Sciences Research3
HSC 495Seminar in Health Sciences3
Natural Science4
Clinical Leadership Concentration
HSC 329Clinical Leadership3
HSC 370Special Topics Health Sciences3
HSC 300Fin Mgmt & Analysis in Hlthcr3
HSC 252Health Policy3
Select one:3
Healthcare Law and Ethics
Diversity Ldrship in Hlth Care
Public Health & Epidemiology
Fin Accounting for Health Sci
Health Information Technology
Total Hours84