The Health Sciences major at MBU is designed for those students interested in pursuing careers related to human health and healthcare. As the US population ages and increased emphasis is placed on health, healthcare, and disease treatment, fields related to the health sciences will continue to growth and graduates from these programs will continued to be highly valued. The Health Sciences major is a great fit for students interested in:
- Direct employment in health care related fields (e.g., public and environmental health, governmental and community health organizations, pharmaceutical and insurance industries, research, hospitals and health providers, among many others);
- Graduate education in clinical or biomedical fields (e.g., public health, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, nursing, physical/occupation/speech therapy, scientific research among many others);
- Other aspects of health and health care (e.g., administration, business, law, advocacy, non-profit sector)
Importantly, flexibility is included in the coursework so that students have the option to complete any pre-requisites for entry to post-graduate education and/or take courses that will be of benefit to career aspirations. Examples may include:
- A student pursuing admittance to medical school would have the ability to take organic chemistry (CHEM 313, a common prerequisite)
- A student interested in starting or joining a medical or health business would have the ability to take “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” (ENTR 303)
- A student interested in the behavioral health sciences may take a number of advanced psychology courses (e.g. PSYC 313 Human Development or PSSC 303 Social Psychology)
Students graduating from Missouri Baptist University with a BS in Health Sciences will be able to:
1. Understand biological and environmental systems and how these systems impact healthcare, disease, and ethical considerations for the individual and population at large.
2. Identify and understand the influence of societal and cultural factors that shape health and disease in the individual and population at large.
3. Understand the research methodology and statistical implementations used to study human health and disease.
4. Evaluate peer-reviewed scientific literature, critically read and synthesize relevant information, and effectively communicate analysis to peers and superiors in the oral, written, and visual mediums.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in the academic foundations for advancement into post-graduate education or careers in the fields of the health sciences.
Possible Careers
The Health Sciences major is a great fit for students interested in direct employment in health care related fields, graduate education in clinical or biomedical fields, or other aspects of health and health care (e.g., administration, business, law, advocacy, non-profit sector).
The Health Sciences major will well-prepare students desiring to pursue employment following graduation for the following careers, to name a few:
- Hospitals and health providers
- Government health organizations
- Community health organizations
- Medical and pharmaceutical sales
- Pharmaceutical and insurance industries
- Public health agencies
- Environmental health agencies
- Non-profit health advocacy agencies
- Patient advocacy
- Health policy and law
- Scientific research
The Health Sciences major will help to prepare students desiring to continue with post-graduate education in pursuit of the following careers, to name a few:
- Medicine (MD)
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Physical or Occupational Therapy (PT or OT)
- Nursing, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist
- Speech Pathology or Therapy
- Health Administration (MHA)
- Dentistry (DMD)
- Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Optometry, Audiology, Podiatry
- Public or environmental health (MPH)
- Epidemiology (MS, PhD)
- Scientific Research (MS, PhD)
Locally and regionally, many potential employers exist for graduates in the health sciences. Although numerous public and private potential employers are present, a few of the large employers could include the following:
- Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Anthony’s Hospital
- Mercy Hospital
- Missouri Baptist Hospital
- Saint Louis Children’s Hospital
- Saint Louis University
- Washington University School of Medicine
- University of Missouri, St. Louis
- Department of Public Health, Saint Louis County
- Department of Public Health, City of Saint Louis
- Sigma-Aldrich
- Pfizer
- Express Scripts
- Nestle-Purina
- State Health Department of Missouri
- Environmental Protection Agency
Health Sciences Bachelor’s Requirements
The Health Sciences major works to prepare students for either post-graduate education or entry into the workforce. Preparation for a career in health sciences fields is achieved with major coursework that is separated into the following ‘focus’ groups:
Degree Requirements
• To complete a BS in Health Sciences, a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 must be maintained.
• Total credit hours must be at least 128, and upper division credits (300-400) must be at least 45.
• A minimum grade of C must be earned in courses required for the major, including any electives used to fulfil hours. Required courses for the Health Sciences major can be found under the ‘major’ section on the second page of the Health Sciences degree sheet.
• BIOL 101/103 is required to fulfill part of the natural sciences general education requirements. CHEM 111/113 is recommended to complete the remaining general education requirements for natural sciences.
• PSYC 133 General Psychology is recommended to fulfill part of the behavioral and social sciences general education requirements .All students pursuing a BS in Health Sciences are required to complete the ‘Practicum in Health Sciences’ (HSCI 223), which requires 200 hours of observational experience. The practicum provides a real world and hands-on immersion into the student’s desired career path. If a student desires, an internship (HSCI 473 or HSCI 476, for credit) can be completed immediately prior to graduation that will provide a deeper immersion.
Degree Sheets
Sample Four-Year Plan
View a four-year sample plan for Health Sciences.