The Department of Health Sciences takes a multi-disciplinary approach to preparing students for careers in several health sciences professions including health education and health promotion, public and community health, health care delivery, and rehabilitative sciences. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) offers two specialized tracks:
- Health Educator track
- Pre-professional track, with emphases in preparing for cooperative graduate programs (University of Washington/UAA Physician Assistant Program, Creighton University/UAA Occupational Therapy Program, UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy, WWAMI School of Medical Education)
Applicants who hold an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Paramedical Technology, and/or Diagnostic Medical Sonography are encouraged to meet with the BSHS program coordinator to discuss a degree completion pathway option that may provide a more rapid pathway toward earning a four year degree.
Health Educator Track
The health educator track of the BSHS provides training in the competencies for health educators identified by the 2020 National Health Educators Competencies and qualifies students to take the Certified Health Educator Specialist (CHES) exam. In addition, it provides education in population-based health and includes a community health education practicum. The health educator track provides a good foundation for careers or graduate study in health education, health promotion, public health and population health sciences. This track is also an appropriate option for students interested in preparing for public health, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy graduate programs.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
Field Practicum
The practicum provides students with an opportunity to apply health sciences and health education knowledge and skills to specific assigned projects within a community health organization. Placements may become competitive. The Department of Health Sciences makes every effort to find appropriate field placements for students; however, admittance does not guarantee acceptance by cooperating health agencies.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- For the Quantitative Skills requirement, choose STAT A200 or STAT A253.
- For the Oral Communication Skills requirement, choose COMM A241.
- For the Social Sciences requirement, choose PSY A150.
- For the Natural Sciences requirement; choose BIOL A111 and BIOL A111L, and BIOL A112 and BIOL A112L.
- For the Alaska Native-Themed requirement, choose AKNS A201.
- For the Diversity & Inclusion requirement, choose SWK A243.
- For the Integrative Capstone requirement, choose HS A492.
- Complete the following major requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| COMM A300 | Health Communication | 3 |
| HLTH A151 | Breaking Trail on Your Health and Social Services Career | 3 |
| HS A210 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| HS A220 | Introduction to Population Health Sciences | 3 |
| HS A230 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| HS A305 | Public Health for an Aging Society | 3 |
| HS A326 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| HS A345 | Planning and Management of Health Programs | 3 |
| HS A370 | Social and Cultural Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HS A420 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| HS A433 | Health Education: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HS A485 | Professional Preparation in Health Sciences | 3 |
| HS A492 | Senior Seminar: Contemporary Health Policy | 3 |
| HS A495 | Health Sciences Practicum | 3 |
| KIN A384 | Cultural and Psychological Aspects of Health and Physical Activity | 3 |
| MA A101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MA A104 | Essentials of Human Disease | 3 |
| PHIL A302 | Biomedical Ethics | 3 |
| PSY A261 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| Support Courses | ||
| AKNS A201 | Alaska Native Perspectives | 3 |
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A240 | Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences | 3 |
| COMM A241 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| DN A151 | Nutrition Through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| or DN A203 | Nutrition for Health Sciences | |
| PSY A111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY A150 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| STAT A200 | Elementary Statistics | 3-4 |
| or STAT A253 | Applied Statistics for the Sciences | |
| or PSY A260 & A260L | Statistics for Psychology and Statistics for Psychology Lab | |
| SWK A243 | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through Community Service Learning | 3 |
| Complete one course from the Natural Sciences GER list in a discipline other than biology. | 3 | |
| Advisor-approved electives | 15 | |
| Total | 107-108 | |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for this degree, of which 39 must be upper-division.
Pre-professional Track
The BSHS pre-professional (PP) track provides training in public health and health promotion along with preparation for occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), physician assistant (PA), medical school, pharmacy, or other professional health-related graduate programs.
Prerequisites for graduate programs vary across graduate schools. The BSHS PP track includes most prerequisites for many OT, PT, PA, medical school, and pharmacy graduate programs with special focus on UA partner graduate programs. However, students must check the prerequisites for the schools they plan to attend in order to ensure that they meet all admission requirements. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic or faculty advisor early in their academic program to assist with course selection.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Programs.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- For the Quantitative Skills requirement, choose STAT A200 or STAT A253.
- For the Oral Communication Skills requirement, choose COMM A241
- For the Social Sciences requirement, choose PSY A150.
- For the Natural Sciences requirement; choose BIOL A111 and BIOL A111L, and BIOL A112 and BIOL A112L.
- For the Alaska Native-Themed requirement, choose AKNS A201.
- For the Diversity & Inclusion requirement, choose SWK A243.
- For the Integrative Capstone requirement, choose HS A492.
- Complete the following major requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| COMM A300 | Health Communication | 3 |
| HLTH A151 | Breaking Trail on Your Health and Social Services Career | 3 |
| HS A210 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| HS A220 | Introduction to Population Health Sciences | 3 |
| HS A230 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| HS A305 | Public Health for an Aging Society | 3 |
| HS A326 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| HS A345 | Planning and Management of Health Programs | 3 |
| HS A370 | Social and Cultural Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HS A420 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| HS A433 | Health Education: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HS A492 | Senior Seminar: Contemporary Health Policy | 3 |
| HS A485 | Professional Preparation in Health Sciences | 3 |
| PHIL A302 | Biomedical Ethics | 3 |
| Support Courses | ||
| AKNS A201 | Alaska Native Perspectives | 3 |
| BIOL A108 | Principles and Methods in Biology | 6 |
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| CHEM A105 & A105L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| DN A203 | Nutrition for Health Sciences | 3 |
| PSY A150 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| STAT A200 | Elementary Statistics | 3-4 |
| or STAT A253 | Applied Statistics for the Sciences | |
| Advisor-approved Electives | 24 | |
| Total | 96-97 | |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for this degree, of which 39 must be upper-division.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the BSHS Health Educator track will be able to:
- Assess individual and/or community needs and/or capacity for health promotion.
- Plan effective health promotion programs and interventions for target populations.
- Implement health promotion interventions.
- Evaluate health promotion programs and/or interventions.
- Coordinate resources and relationships with stakeholders and partners.
- Communicate evidence-based health information effectively.
- Articulate the role of public health in inter-professional healthcare teams.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
Sample Plan Health Educator Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| HLTH A151 | Breaking Trail on Your Health and Social Services Career | 3 |
| MA A101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| STAT A200 or STAT A253 | Elementary Statistics or Applied Statistics for the Sciences | 3-4 |
| WRTG A111 | Writing Across Contexts | 3 |
| GER Humanites | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| COMM A241 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MA A104 | Essentials of Human Disease | 3 |
| GER Fine Arts | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| DN A151 or DN A203 | Nutrition Through the Life Cycle or Nutrition for Health Sciences | 3 |
| HS A210 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| HS A220 | Introduction to Population Health Sciences | 3 |
| PSY A111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AKNS A201 | Alaska Native Perspectives | 3 |
| BIOL A240 | Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences | 3 |
| HS A230 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| PSY A150 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| SWK A243 | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through Community Service Learning | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM A300 | Health Communication | 3 |
| HS A305 | Public Health for an Aging Society | 3 |
| HS A326 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| PSY A261 | Research Methods in Psychology 1 | 3 |
| GER Natural Science (other than Biology) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HS A345 | Planning and Management of Health Programs | 3 |
| HS A370 | Social and Cultural Determinants of Health | 3 |
| KIN A384 | Cultural and Psychological Aspects of Health and Physical Activity | 3 |
| PHIL A302 | Biomedical Ethics | 3 |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HS A420 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| HS A433 | Health Education: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HS A485 | Professional Preparation in Health Sciences | 3 |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HS A492 | Senior Seminar: Contemporary Health Policy | 3 |
| HS A495 | Health Sciences Practicum | 3 |
| Elective (if needed) | 1 | |
| Program Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 13-14 | |
| Total Credits | 120-122 | |
- 1
Requires department approval
Sample Plan Pre-Professional Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| HLTH A151 | Breaking Trail on Your Health and Social Services Career | 3 |
| STAT A200 or STAT A253 | Elementary Statistics or Applied Statistics for the Sciences | 3-4 |
| WRTG A111 | Writing Across Contexts | 3 |
| GER Humanites | 3 | |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| COMM A241 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| HS A210 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| GER Fine Arts | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AKNS A201 | Alaska Native Perspectives | 3 |
| CHEM A105 & A105L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| HS A220 | Introduction to Population Health Sciences | 3 |
| HS A230 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| PSY A150 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL A108 | Principles and Methods in Biology | 6 |
| DN A203 | Nutrition for Health Sciences | 3 |
| SWK A243 | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through Community Service Learning | 3 |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM A300 | Health Communication | 3 |
| HS A305 | Public Health for an Aging Society | 3 |
| HS A326 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHIL A302 | Biomedical Ethics | 3 |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HS A345 | Planning and Management of Health Programs | 3 |
| HS A370 | Social and Cultural Determinants of Health | 3 |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HS A420 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| HS A433 | Health Education: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HS A485 | Professional Preparation in Health Sciences | 3 |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HS A492 | Senior Seminar: Contemporary Health Policy | 3 |
| Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120-121 | |
- 1
Requires department approval