Bachelor’s in Health Science (BHS) Programs | Guide and List
Choosing to pursue a bachelor’s in health science can be a life-changing choice for individuals who want to combine medicine, nutrition and health-related topics into their holistic healthcare practice. The advancement of technology within the health sciences field has changed the scope of general public health as a whole, as well as the increasing career growth of healthcare occupations. For those who want to be involved with this dynamic field, there is a BHS degree program that gets professionals involved without having to commit to one sector completely.
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What Is a Bachelor’s in Health Science (BHS) Degree?
Health science is a multidisciplinary field that covers both natural science and behavioral science. The Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) degree may provide fundamental knowledge in the study and research of health. You may learn how to apply that knowledge to improve health, cure diseases and understand how humans and animals function. Additionally, you may be able to specialize in fields such as global health, health education and biomedical sciences to provide accurate care to specific populations. A BHS program is best for students interested in pursuing careers in medicine, such as physician assistant, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech pathology and other allied health fields.
Depending on the school you choose, the degree name may vary slightly. For example, one school may call their degree a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, and another may refer to the degree path as a Bachelor of Health Science. While the name of the degree may vary from one school to another, the curriculum is generally the same across the board.
Students who earn a bachelor’s in public health may find themselves pursuing a similar career path as students who earned a bachelor’s in health science degree.
BHS Curriculum and Learning Outcomes
Courses in a BHS degree program include a variety of healthcare-related subjects, but just like many other undergraduate degree programs, there are general education courses that must be completed prior to taking more advanced courses within the major, such as mathematics, psychology and ethics. However, there are core courses that will likely be required for health science degrees, such as biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, psychology and nutrition.
Some universities may offer courses such as microbiology and health informatics. Microbiology teaches students about the microorganisms that are present throughout nature. The knowledge of these organisms helps students understand the relationship between individual health and illness in regard to the influence of microorganisms. Health informatics is on the opposite side of the healthcare spectrum and helps students learn about technology/healthcare relationships, as well as information technology.
Some typical BHS courses may include:
- Health Communication: This core course may focus on communication strategies for the healthcare industry. Students may analyze theoretical frameworks and communication tactics and examine various health communication technologies, such as ehealth and mhealth. Some of the topics that may be covered in this course are health literacy, client communication, peer-to-peer communication and effective public health communication.
- Healthcare Systems in the United States: This course may guide students through the ins and outs of the U.S. healthcare system. Some of the topics you may expect to see include organization, financing and delivery of health services within the United States. This course may analyze the healthcare system through several perspectives including professional, organizational and community.
- Biostatistics: This core course may examine the use of statistics in health and healthcare services. Students may learn various methods to analyze data. Additionally, students may be asked to use Excel to manage data and perform statistical analysis.
While these subjects are different in nature, they represent the variety of courses that can be offered through this degree program. Students in BHS programs will be introduced to various aspects of the healthcare field in an attempt to inform them of the different catalysts that are in effect through the field as a whole.
Admission Requirements
Admission into BHS programs may vary depending on the school you choose. However, most schools have similar criteria for admission into their program. Some of the most common requirements include:
- Completed application
- 26 credit hours or an essay along with high school transcripts or equivalent
- 24 college credits or test scores; generally, ACT composite score of 19 or minimum combined score of 910 on the SAT
- Minimum GPA; generally, at least a 2.70 GPA on a minimum of 12 college credits
Online Bachelor’s in Health Science (BHS) Degrees
An online BHS degree offers comparable quality without the sacrifice of having to adjust one’s schedule to travel to campus. During online programs, students are expected to attend courses through a digital platform at their own pace. Most online bachelor’s in health science courses provide learners with the opportunity for flexible due dates as well as numerous resources and support throughout the program.
Typically, a BHS degree program can be completed in four years with full-time course scheduling. It may be beneficial for students who wish to enroll in an online BHS program to research universities’ accreditation prior to entry.
Next Steps for BHS Graduates
A bachelor’s in health science has the potential to lead graduates in many different directions. Students who hold a BHS degree may find themselves working in health services, health informatics, public health, gerontology and healthcare administration.
However, individuals who want to open up more career possibilities may wish to pursue a master’s degree. Some of the most popular master’s programs that BHS holders seek include master’s in health science, master’s in public health, master’s in health services and master’s in nursing administration. These degree programs may be an excellent starting point for graduate-level learning. Many students have used a BHS degree as a foundation for success in the advancement of healthcare studies and even health informatics.
The healthcare field is constantly in need of professionals to assist with the evaluation and implementation of policies, management and research. Individuals at the bachelor’s level, such as BHS graduates, can find careers in hospitals, private practices or even higher tier positions in hospital management.
Organizations that support professionals in this field, such as the National Health Association, provide excellent resources for interested individuals and can be a valuable tool for BHS students and healthcare professionals alike.
FAQs on Bachelor’s in Health Science (BHS)
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most popular questions prospective students have about pursuing a BHS degree. Some of these questions are specific to online bachelor’s in health science programs.
Generally, full-time students complete a BHS degree in four years. A few factors, such as being a full-time or part-time student, taking an accelerated track and transferring from a community college, may play a role in determining how long it will take to complete a BHS program.
Individuals who earn a BHS degree may choose several career paths. While some higher level careers may require a master’s degree, a bachelor’s in health science may help prepare you for the following careers: cardiovascular technician, dental hygienist, surgical technician, medical lab technician and paramedic.
The courses required to earn a bachelor’s in health science may vary by school. However, some of the core classes include Healthcare Systems in the United States, Health Communication, Health Care Ethics and Principles of Public Health.
Deciding if a traditional BHS program is better than an online program may depend on your current situation. An online bachelor’s in health science program may be a better fit for individuals who are looking for a flexible schedule and are self-starters. A traditional on-campus BHS program may be better for students who prefer to learn in person and have a more structured schedule.
Bachelor’s in Health Science (BHS) Degree Programs
Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA • traditional format
Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: community-based health outcomes; health legislation and regulation; integrated care; language, speech and communication
Boston University
Boston, MA • traditional format
Brevard College
Brevard, NC • traditional format
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: community health; health care management; radiologic technology
California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: public health; health policy
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: community health education; school health
California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: community health education; health care administration; occupational health and safety
California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: environmental health science; health service administration; public health
Carroll College
Helena, MT • traditional format
Chapman University
Orange, CA • traditional format
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: general; health promotion; pre-physician assistant science; pre-physical therapy; Pre-Occupational Therapy
College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN • traditional format
Columbus State University
Columbus, GA • traditional format
DePaul University
Chicago, IL • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: bioscience; public health sciences
Drake University
Des Moines, IA • traditional format
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: general (non-clinical); pre-occupational therapy; pre-physical therapy
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL • traditional format
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ • traditional and online formats
Hendrix College
Conway, AR • traditional format
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY • traditional format
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY • traditional format
Marietta College
Marietta, OH • traditional format
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA • traditional format
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: pre-occupational therapy; pre-physical therapy; pre-physician assistant studies
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: health science (general); exercise science
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: pre-professional; pre-athletic training, communicative disorders; nutrition and food services; health and wellness
Northeastern University
Boston, MA • traditional format
New York Institute of Technology
New York, NY • traditional format
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL • traditional format
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • traditional and online formats
Pacific University
Forest Grove, OR • online format
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: interdisciplinary health sciences; pre-chiropractic; pre-dentistry; pre-medicine; pre-occupational therapy; pre-optometry; pre-physical therapy; pre-physician assistant; public health
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ • traditional format
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT • traditional and online formats
Concentration(s) available: public health; global health; health care administration
Stockton University
Galloway, NJ • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: general; pre-communication disorders; pre-physical therapy; pre-occupational therapy; pre-physician assistant
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: clinical; non-clinical
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: health promotion; pre-clinical
University of Delaware
Newark, DE • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: health science (general); occupational therapy
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: health science (general); communication sciences and disorders
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: health and aging; health and behavior change; health and diversity
University of Michigan–Flint
Flint, MI • traditional format
University of Minnesota Rochester
Rochester, MN • traditional format
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO • traditional format
Concentration(s) available: health and wellness services; leadership and policy; pre-professional; rehabilitation science
University of the Sciences
Philadelphia, PA • traditional format
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD • traditional and online formats
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL • traditional and online formats
Concentration(s) available: health sciences (general); healthcare administration; public health
Last updated September 2021