Our Mission 

The mission of the Health Science Program is to provide students an educational foundation for a broad range of health professions and that can make significant impacts on the wellbeing of our community. The Health Sciences major is to prepare students for a variety of health-oriented professions.  Athletic training, medicine, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, public health, and health care administration are but a few examples.  It is important to know that postgraduate study at the master’s or doctoral level is often required for careers in these professions.

Vision Statement

To create a solid foundation for Health Science students for their futures as professionals, administrators, and wellness providers. 

Program Goals and Learning Outcomes

  • Promote academic and professional excellence in the Health Sciences
  • Identify and discuss social, cultural, legal, and ethical issues in healthcare
  • Demonstrate professional behaviors, such as communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration
  • Prepare students to critically evaluate Health Science literature and apply scientific inquiry to investigate current issues and trends in healthcare
  • Integrate and prioritize the recognition and compassionate understanding of differences in cultures in regard to healthcare practice and procedures
  • Encourage a growth mindset through reflection and professional goal setting, through planning for graduate work and/or certification or licensure

Our Concentrations

Our concentrations, or “tracks”, include coursework to prepare students for specific careers and include the prerequisites needed for application to institutions that offer graduate degree programs in the health sciences.  Students may select courses from different tracks to fulfill this requirement.  The track requirement is waived for students who have earned an associate degree in a health-related field from a community college.

Wellness

The wellness track prepares students for careers in health promotion, public health, and wellness coaching.  Minors in Holistic and Integrative Health and Psychology are common for students pursuing the wellness track.

 Pre-Professional

The pre-professional track includes courses in advanced science and mathematics required for graduate programs in medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, and physical therapy. A minor in Biology is common for students pursuing the pre-professional track.

Healthcare Administration

The healthcare administration track prepares students for careers in healthcare administration and management and graduate programs in this area.  A minor in Business Administration is common for students pursuing the healthcare administration track.

 Accelerated Graduate Pathway – MOT

The accelerated graduate pathway to the master of occupational therapy (MOT) is a 3 + 2 program (3 years undergraduate plus 2 years graduate) that allows students to complete the undergraduate degree in health sciences plus a master’s in OT in 5 years.

Accelerated Graduate Pathway – MSAT

The accelerated graduate pathway to the master of science in athletic training (MSAT) is a 3 + 2 program (3 years undergraduate plus 2 years graduate) that allows students to complete the undergraduate degree in health sciences plus a master’s in AT in 5 years.