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Health Sciences, B.S.

The B.S. in Health Sciences is a versatile major designed to prepare students for admission to a variety of post-baccalaureate programs, which lead to a range of healthcare careers. Students will have the ability to customize their coursework via a selection of health science elective courses intended to fulfill the specific needs associated with their planned career path. Students with health career interests, whether clearly defined or still in the exploratory phase, will be able to develop a personalized health career plan. In addition to preparing students for post-baccalaureate programs in healthcare careers, the flexibility of the BS in Health Sciences readily allows pursuit of accelerated pathways for selected healthcare careers.

What Will I Learn?

Strong foundational skills will be developed through completion of general education coursework. Additional required coursework includes:

  • General biology
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • Introductory chemistry
  • Math
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

There are numerous options for biology and health science elective courses, including advanced upper-division biology coursework such as pathogenic microbiology, cell biology, virology, and immunology as well as allied coursework in chemistry, physics, psychology, and other social sciences.

The Undergraduate Catalog provides details about program requirements.

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Completion of the BS in Health Sciences requires:

  • 47 credits of general education
  • 22 credits of required biology and allied coursework
  • 32 credits of flexible biology selectives and allied coursework
  • Up to 19 credits of free electives

The coursework for the BS in Health Sciences can be completed at Shippensburg University, or students can pursue accelerated options by completing at least 90 credits including their general education and core courses for the BS in Health Sciences major (in addition to the necessary professional program prerequisites) prior to applying and enrolling in an approved professional program. Following completion of their first professional year, reverse transfer from the professional institution will enable the student to complete requirements for their BS in Health Sciences degree while simultaneously completing their first year of post-baccalaureate studies.

What Types of Careers Could I Get With This Degree?

A BS in Health Sciences creates the potential to move on to a specialization in many different careers including:

  • Medical laboratory science
  • Histotechnology
  • Occupational therapy
  • Chiropractic medicine
  • Physical therapy
  • Clinical exercise physiology/kinesiology
  • Audiology
  • Public health
  • Accelerated second degree BS in Nursing

This degree can also prepare you for entry-level laboratory positions in a variety of industries as well as administrative positions that require a healthcare-related background.

Affiliation agreements have been developed to complete a 3+2 Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology with East Stroudsburg University, a 3+4 Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) with Commonwealth University, a 3+3 accelerated pathway to a Doctorate of Chiropractic with Logan University or Northeast College of Health Sciences, and 3+1 programs that allow completion of certification/licensure in Medical Laboratory Science and Histotechnology.

For students interested in medical laboratory science or histotechnology, the clinical year may be taken at any of the institutions affiliated with Shippensburg University or any other hospital program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science. Although hospitals give preference to their affiliates, admission is on a competitive basis and Shippensburg University cannot guarantee admission to a hospital program for the clinical year. The following is a list of current hospital affiliations for Shippensburg University (or non-affiliated but approved sites):

Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science)

  • Altoona Hospital (Altoona, PA)
  • Augusta Medical Center (Fishersville, VA)
  • Conemaugh Medical Center (Johnstown, PA)
  • Lancaster College of Nursing and Health Science (Lancaster, PA)
  • PennState Health – Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (Hershey, PA)
  • Reading Medical Center (Reading, PA)
  • Sentara RMH Medical Center (Harrisonburg, VA)
  • St. Vincent Medical Center (Erie, PA)
  • Williamsport Hospital (Williamsport, PA)
  • York Hospital (York, PA)

Histotechnology

  • Conemaugh Medical Center (Johnstown, PA)
  • Sentara RMH Medical Center (Harrisonburg, VA)
  • Magee Women's Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA - non-affiliate program)

What Kinds of Experiences Could I Have?

Small classes and labs at Ship provide you with personalized attention from faculty and allow you to build meaningful connections with classmates. Further opportunities include participation in faculty-directed research to refine problem-solving abilities, perfect aptitude for data collection/analysis, and benefit from the experience of presenting the results of your own work at scientific meetings.

The health sciences advisors will work closely with you to select appropriate coursework and prepare for application to post-baccalaureate programs.

Looking for additional ways to get involved? We've got you covered! The student-run health sciences and biology clubs provide opportunities for fun, educational, and community service activities.