Apply
College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions

BS in Health Sciences

At a Glance

The Health Sciences program prepares you for professional or graduate study in health-related fields such as occupational therapy, speech pathology, or public health. The program is also available as a minor.

Full Time
Rolling Admission

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Bachelor of Science

121

Overview

The Health Sciences program prepares you for professional or graduate study in a range of health-related fields such as occupational therapy, speech pathology, or public health. The program combines a strong science foundation with a variety of electives that allow you to explore different health-related topics. If you’re interested in a career in health care but aren’t sure which area to pursue, the Health Sciences program may be a good fit for you. Health Sciences is also available as a minor.

For students with career goals in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, optometry, pharmacy and more, see our Health Sciences Pre-Professional track.

Quick Links

About the Major

Students studying anatomage.
Our Anatomage table provides students with 3D images of the human body and is an advanced tool for teaching anatomy.

Health care is the fastest-growing industry in the U.S. economy. Our Health Sciences program provides a broad overview of the health care system, with a firm foundation in the sciences and electives that expose you to a variety of health-related topics. In addition to fulfilling prerequisites for graduate programs, the curriculum allows you to explore different areas of health care and discover the best fit for your interests and skills.

The program includes core courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. The flexible curriculum allows you to choose from electives that explore advanced areas of science and medicine and subjects such as human nutrition, organ and tissue donation, public health, and gerontology. You can also minor in areas such as psychology or business to increase your career versatility.

While this is a non-clinical program, it will prepare you for graduate study in high-demand careers such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health, and health care administration.

Minor in Gerontology

The fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population is over the age of 65, with profound impacts on every area of society including health care. The interdisciplinary minor in Gerontology will expand your knowledge about issues related to aging and prepare you for a range of careers that involve working with an older population. Read more

Health Sciences at UHart

  • Flexible course of study helps you tailor the program to meet your long-term career goals.
  • Advising is frequent, focused, and individualized.
  • The breadth of health science courses exposes you to contemporary health care issues.
  • Small class sizes allow our faculty to get to know you and your career interests.
  • You can minor in an area such as business or psychology to increase your career versatility.
  • Opportunities to conduct research with faculty mentors, including participation in our research-focused annual ENHP Day.
  • Our honors program provides unique academic and co-curricular experiences.
  • Career preparation includes mock job interviews, resume writing instruction, and practice graduate school interviews.

Degree Requirements

The BS in Health Sciences is a minimum of 121 credits. A sample of courses is listed below; view the full curriculum in the course catalog.

The Health Sciences curriculum includes prerequisite coursework for many graduate programs in health-related fields, such as biology, physics, and chemistry. The curriculum can also be tailored to meet your needs if you are interested in graduate programs with unique prerequisites (for example, two semesters of physics or a semester of biochemistry).

Additionally, you will take courses that introduce you to a wide range of health-related topics, such as Educational Strategies for Healthcare Professionals, History of Disease, Introduction to Public Health, and Cardiovascular Disease. These courses can help you determine your long-term career goals by exposing you to a range of healthcare professional roles.

Core Courses

Students take 41-43 credits of science core courses. These include:

  • Introductory Biology
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Principles of Chemistry or College Chemistry
  • Mechanics, Heat and the Body
  • Cardiovascular Disease: A Global Epidemic

Electives

Students will take 22 credits of Advanced Science/Health Science Electives. These may include:

  • Epidemics and AIDS
  • Medical Terminology
  • Human Nutrition
  • Organ Tissue and Donation
  • Introduction to Gerontology

Additional Requirements

Subject Area Concentration

Students must take four courses (12 credits minimum) from the same academic discipline.

Electives

All students will complete an additional 9 credits of coursework. This allows students to take prerequisite courses for graduate programs to which they are applying.  Examples of classes students take include:

  • Precalculus with Trigonometry
  • Human Development
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Ethical Problems
General Education Requirement:

Students must complete 37-38 credits of general education requirements. These include:

  • Academic Writing
  • Introduction to Healthcare Professions
  • Business and Professional Communication
  • Introduction to Psychology

 

Minor in Health Science

The Minor in Health Sciences consists of 19-20 credits. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in courses required to complete the minor. All courses required for the minor must be taken for a letter grade. View more information in the course catalog.

Core courses total 11 credits and include:
  • Healthcare Concepts
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • College Chemistry
  • Principles of Chemistry
Electives total 8-9 credits and include:
  • Medical Terminology
  • Cardiovascular Disease: A Global Epidemic
  • Introduction to Public Health
  • Introduction to Immunology

Career Outlook

health science career outlook

The health-care industry is projected to add more jobs— more than 2.4 million— than any other industry from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is projected to be among the fastest-growing industries in the economy.

Admission Requirements

health sciences admission

For admission into the Department of Health Sciences, 16 units of secondary subjects are expected, among which the following are strongly recommended:

  • English: 4 units
  • Social Studies: 2 units
  • Foreign Language: 2 units
  • Mathematics: 3 units, including one unit of algebra and trigonometry
  • Science: 2 units
  • Other academic subjects: 3 units

Transfer Students

If you are applying as a transfer student, you will submit your application and documentation to our Office of Admission. The staff are knowledgeable about credit articulation agreements that we have with other institutions and work closely with the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions to provide transfer students with the information they need to make a smooth transition.

Upper-level program applicants should hold the appropriate professional certification or license, and their academic records should include formal clinical study from an accredited program. Applicants who have completed formal programs of study in allied health or nursing, and hold the appropriate professional certification or license, may be granted up to 60 credits toward the lower-division degree requirements. 

Additional Transfer Information

Program Learning Outcomes

The Health Sciences program at the University of Hartford provides a liberal arts education with a concentration in the sciences to provide the foundation for success in professional healthcare practice.

Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.

  1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in basic sciences.
  2. Students will demonstrate a basic comprehension of the U.S. healthcare system.
  3. Students will demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and development.
  1. Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
  2. Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
  3. Students will demonstrate proficiency in biology.
  4. Students will demonstrate proficiency in chemistry.
  5. Students will demonstrate proficiency in physics.
  6. Students will concisely and accurately describe the foundation of the U.S. healthcare system.
  7. Students will demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and development.

Program Contact

Linda Dahlin
Program Director, Health Sciences
860.768.5026
ldahlin@great-seal.com

Accreditation

The University of Hartford, inclusive of the Health Science program in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, is accredited by the Board of Higher Education of the State of Connecticut and by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Similar Programs

BS radiologic technology

Radiologic Technology

Radiologic Technology combines the use of medical imaging technology with compassionate care of the ill and injured. As a radiologic technician, you'll be a member of a team that helps diagnose and treat pathologies and conditions.

BS respiratory care

Respiratory Care

Our program prepares you to work as a respiratory therapist with patients of all ages, from premature infants to older adults, in this high-tech, high-touch career.

Exercise science students using treadmill

BS in Exercise Science

The bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science will prepare you for a variety of exciting careers in sports medicine, personal training, and strength and conditioning coaching. You'll also be prepared for graduate study in areas such as physical therapy, athletic training, clinical exercise physiology, kinesiology, and public health.

Start your UHart journey today. Take the next step.