Health Science, B.S.

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Kristofer S. Wisniewski, kwisniewski@francis.edu, 814-471-1132

Program Description:

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science is designed to provide a degree pathway for students interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in a health-related field. This program incorporates a solid health studies core with a general education curriculum reflecting the Goals of Franciscan Higher Education. Major and Collateral course requirements allow students the flexibility to take a variety of health care-focused courses and the opportunity to earn one or more academic minors in areas of their interest. Successful completion of this program prepares students to pursue a graduate professional health care degree or enter the workforce. Students who plan to apply to graduate school are recommended to carefully review the graduate school admission GPA and pre-requisite course requirements to ensure that they meet the requirements for application.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Critical Thinking and Research Skills: Students will learn to apply critical and scientific inquiry to identify and evaluate health related issues prevalent in today’s society. From this inquiry students will identify a gap in the literature, design and conduct a research project to solve a pressing health care issue. (Assess through EXPH 375/PSYC 311 and PUBH 430).
• Healthcare Systems and Practices: Students will develop an understanding of the current U.S. and global healthcare systems and foster a vision to bring forth healthcare reform. (Assess through PUBH 101, PUBH 401, PUBH 320)
• Ethical and Legal Responsibilities: Student will apply ethical principles and legal responsibilities to foster effective interventions in the delivery of healthcare. (Assess through PUBH 320, PUBH 430, PHIL 212).
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Students will promote preventative actions and health behaviors to optimize health and wellness across the lifespan. (Assess through PUBH 101, PUBH 202, PUBH 110).

Graduation Requirements:

A candidate for graduation must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete all requirements for an approved program of study;
• Complete the minimum number of credits (120 for a bachelor’s degree; 64 for an associate’s degree);
• Repeat for an acceptable passing grade any course required for the major in which the grade of “F” has been received;
• Complete the last 30 credits for the degree at SFU;
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better in all courses taken at SFU;
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better in all major or collateral requirements;
• Satisfy the requirements of the General Education core curriculum;
• Satisfy the capstone requirement as specified by the major department(s);
• Submit a completed Application for Degree form at least one semester prior to graduation date; and
• Satisfy financial obligations to the University.

Capstone Requirement:

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Health Science Program are required to complete a supervised experiential learning or a substantial research project to graduate from this program. The requirements can be met by successfully completing the PUBH 430 Capstone Project in Applied Learning.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically, 4 years of full-time study

Total Credits Required:

120 credits