Health Science Major
HEALTH SCIENCE
The Health Science major leading to a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) builds on the University core curriculum to allow students to pursue individual interests through a combination of general health science courses and a designated concentration plan that addresses contemporary issues and topics in healthcare. Students will be offered opportunities to develop themselves as holistic healthcare practitioners and pre-professionals, which includes their spiritual, ethical, affective, and intellectual development. The Health Science curriculum will provide exposure to contemporary healthcare policy and practices, health delivery organizations, health disciplines and roles, cultural competence, healthcare finance, legal and ethical issues in healthcare, health information technology, disparities in healthcare, behavioral and mental health, professional interactions, and leadership.
The Health Science major consists of three distinct concentrations and two tracks:
- Healthcare Administration
- Public Health
- Global Health
- Health Science Leadership Track
- Radiologic Science Track
The Healthcare Administration curriculum provides insight into administrative practices including supervision, strategic planning, change management, policy and fiscal responsibility. Healthcare ethics, patient rights and safety and regulatory compliance are addressed within the curriculum.
The Public Health curriculum includes coursework surrounding health education and promotion, health communication, and community health planning. Healthcare ethics, principles of equity and behavioral aspects of health are also covered.
The Global Health curriculum offers an understanding of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and their impact on global disease burden, multidisciplinary healthcare programs in action and healthcare systems around the globe. Concepts of social justice, cultural competence, and social issues are addressed.
The Health Science Leadership track is for health professionals holding an associate’s degree in a health profession who are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree, developing leadership skills specific to healthcare environments, and advancing their careers. Graduates of the Health Science Leadership track will be well poised to assume roles as department heads, hospital or clinic administrators, and/or supervisors of department personnel.
The Radiologic Science track is for students holding an associate’s degree in radiography who are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree and advancing their education in radiological services. Graduates of the Health Science Radiologic Science Track will be positioned to continue their careers in diagnostic services.
Faculty
Clotilde Dudley-Smith, EdD, MPA
Assistant Professor
Christina Gunther, MA
Interim Program Director
Molly Higbie, MA
Adjunct Instructor
Kerry Morgan, PhD, CHES
Clinical Assistant Professor
Staff
Carolyn Guarino
Program Assistant
Matthew Wingert, MA
Academic Advisor
Requirements
The Health Science (HS) major consists of 22 credits of required major core courses and 30 concentration core and elective courses.
Prerequisite courses and GPA requirements vary greatly for the graduate professional programs; therefore, students wishing to pursue graduate work in a professional program are strongly advised to discuss plans of study with the Health Science academic advisor to prepare for the specific program of interest. Students are required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Health Science requirements to remain in the major with no individual required course or required supporting course grade below a C. Students falling below a Health Science 3.0 GPA will receive the following academic disciplinary action. Students with a GPA between 2.75-2.99 will be placed on academic probation for two semesters. Students with a GPA below 2.75 will be dismissed from Health Science Program. Students with nine credits or fewer of Health Science coursework will be placed on probation for an HS GPA of 2.67 – 2.99.
Leadership Track majors must take 22 credits of HS required major core courses and 30 credits of electives. Some of the 30 major elective credits may include professional courses transferred into the University from the health related associate degree program. The remaining credits of electives will be drawn from HS designated electives and/or Arts and Science courses as approved by the HS advisor.
Radiologic Science Track majors must take 15 credits of HS required major core courses and 34 credits of HS elective and sciences courses. Upper level radiologic science options range between 18 and 19 credits.
3 + 2 Health Science/Occupational Therapy Option The College of Health Professions offers qualified University undergraduates the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in Health Science and a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy in 5 years (3 years of undergraduate course work and 2 years of graduate course work). Students choosing the 3 + 2 option must work carefully with their undergraduate advisor to follow a specific sequence of study. All summer courses must be taken at Sacred Heart University. A specific plan of study can be found on our website.
3 + 2 Health Science/Public Health Option The College of Health Professions offers qualified undergraduates the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree and a Master of Public Health degree within five years. The ability to take advantage of the 3+2 option (3 years of undergraduate course work and 2 years of graduate course work) is available to students who choose an undergraduate major in Health Science with the Public Health concentration. Students choosing a 3+2 option must work carefully with their undergraduate advisor to follow a specific sequence of study. Please note that some summer and winter course work is required for this 3+2 option. All summer courses must be taken at Sacred Heart University. A specific plan of study can be found on our website.
Required Health Science Coursework
Healthcare Administration:
- 22 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 21 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework
- 9 Credits of Concentration Electives
Public Health:
- 22 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 18 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework
- 12 Credits of Concentration Electives
Global Health:
- 22 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 21 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework
- 9 Credits of Concentration Electives
Leadership Track:
- 22 Credits of Health Science Major Core Coursework
- 30 credits of Health Science coursework as approved by Health Science advisor.
Leadership track courses may be taken from Health Science core and electives, and/or Arts and Science as approved by the Health Science advisor, and/or professional courses transferred from health profession associate degree program.
Radiologic Science Track:
- 49 credits of Health Science coursework and science courses are required.
Courses transferred in from the associates in radiography may partially fulfill these requirements. Between 18 and 19 upper level radiologic science credits must be completed in either advanced imaging, diagnostic medical sonography, women’s imaging or management.
Transfer of Credits:
A maximum of sixty (60) credits may be applied to a baccalaureate degree from a two-year college and a maximum of ninety (90) credits may be applied from a four-year college or university. Sacred Heart University accepts a maximum of 15 credits as “free electives” for transfer and a maximum of 50% of the major’s course credits for transfer. For the Leadership Track student can transfer a maximum of 24 professional course credits toward the Health Science major, plus 15 free elective course credits, plus credits that meet transfer criteria for University core course requirements up to a maximum of 60 credits. Remedial courses, courses where the student earned a grade of C- or lower, and professional-level internships are not accepted for transfer credit.