BA/BSc in Health Science
North Central College
Key Information
Campus location
Naperville, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 42,866 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* tuition fee
Scholarships
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Introduction
Why choose health science at North Central College?
The Health Science major offers students an avenue to enter the world of health, health care, or allied health fields. With an undergraduate degree, you will be prepared to enter the world of wellness, health care, or allied health fields. This program can also serve as the foundational major for preparing you to enter graduate programs in public health or clinical professions such as becoming a nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or physician assistant. In addition, our health science program can provide guidance for students who are interested in a career in health sciences but have not chosen a specific field. As an interdisciplinary program, the Health Science major offers a strong general education foundation in the liberal arts and sciences to develop communication and critical-thinking skills, so graduates are productive members and leaders of health care facilities and teams. Health Science majors will integrate all aspects of the curriculum by completing a Senior Seminar Experience related to their career interests.
If you're considering a health science program, you will be dedicating yourself to a rewarding career that involves improving lives and the community. With a health science degree, you will have learned about health promotion, nutrition, and disease in the human body. Our health science program provides a strong foundational knowledge of the core concepts in most medical-related jobs and prepares students to further their higher education, or pursue medical school.
You can also:
- Learn from an experienced faculty with vast and varied professional backgrounds.
- Attend local, state, regional, and national conferences.
- Participate in undergraduate research with faculty.
- Join the Pre-Health Organization for co-curricular enrichment.
- Gain experience as a Peer Health Educator by working with Dyson Wellness Center professionals to improve the wellness of your peers.
- Prepare for professional roles in health care through interprofessional education, which brings together students from varied areas of health care to learn together.
Curriculum
Health Science, BA/BSc
The Health Science Major offers students an interdisciplinary program to study the health sciences and enter the world of health care. The curriculum is built on strong liberal arts and sciences, multidisciplinary, core foundation including courses in anatomy and physiology, sociology, ethics, and communication that are central to the discipline. Students may also choose to complete prerequisite courses (e.g., pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-nursing, pre-physician assistant, pre-athletic training, health education, and promotion), allowing them to design their own academic road map to fit their career interests. Students will integrate all aspects of the curriculum by completing a capstone internship related to their intended field of study.
Students will be prepared to practice in today's rapidly-evolving world of healthcare fields (e.g., public or community health, community or government agencies, the insurance industry or hospitals) or to pursue graduate programs in public health or a clinical profession (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, athletic training or physician assistant). Development of strong communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills are emphasized with the goal of students being prepared to practice as evidence-based, culturally competent, and patient/client-centered professionals.
Major Requirements
- HTSC 155 - Introduction to the Health Sciences
- HTSC 156 - Medical Terminology
- HTSC 210 - Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care
- HTSC 230 - Community Health
- HTSC 310 - Principles of Epidemiology for the Health Sciences
- HTSC 315 - Research Methods in the Health Sciences
- HTSC 370 - Literacy and Cultural Competency in Health Care
- HTSC 415 - Health Care Systems and Informatics
- HTSC 482 - Leadership in Inter-Professional Health Care
- HTSC 494 - Senior Seminar Experience
- BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II
- PHIL 213 - Health Care Ethics
- PSYC 250 - Statistics
One of the following:
- PSYC 385 - Health Psychology
- SOCI 343 - Health, Illness, and Care
Additional Requirements for the BA Degree
Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language.
Additional Requirements for the BSc Degree
- KINE 247 - Functional Anatomy
- KINE 280 - Human Pathophysiology
A minimum of six credit hours of additional mathematics, life science, or physical science course(s), beyond the courses used to fulfill general education requirements, and that count towards a major in a science discipline.
Career Opportunities
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Career opportunities for Health Science Majors include:
- Graduate programs in health or healthcare fields
- Community and public health agencies
- Non-profit organizations (such as American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society)
- Health insurance agencies
- Pharmaceutical sales