Health Science

Build your healthcare career from an interdisciplinary foundation. Whether you’re aiming for further education or a career in a health profession, our program will help you shine.

Why Health Science at Valpo?

Students admitted to Valparaiso University will have the opportunity to achieve a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, which in three years, prepares students with a foundation of interdisciplinary knowledge that allows a career in a health profession or the pursuit of further graduate study and/or professional degree.

Some students will continue on with their education at Valparaiso University by having been admitted to the graduate portion of the Physician Assistant program directly from the undergraduate BSHS, in which they will achieve a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) in two years. For more information on this pathway, please see the MSPA Program webpage.

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About Our Health Science Degree

The curriculum is comprised of general education requirements, requirements for the major in Health Science, and courses that will provide the strong science background necessary for academic and employment success. The Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) program follows a prescribed academic sequence over a three-year period resulting in graduation.

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General Information

Overview

The three-year Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree (BSHS) provides students with an interdisciplinary foundation that prepares them for a career in a health profession or the pursuit of a graduate/professional degree.

The versatility of the degree can lead to careers in clinical settings or non-clinical roles such as health educator, surgical technician, biomedical equipment technician, cancer registrar, and more.

Healthcare offers a diverse environment for employee opportunities. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a robust outlook on healthcare occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm

Health Science Contact

Dr. Phrosini Samis-Smith, MS, ’06 MS, DHEd
Assistant Dean for Health Professions
Email:
Phone: 219.464.5295

Lab Science Credit Policy

Incoming students who will be completing credits towards the BSHS degree may apply transfer credit or dual-credit for Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (BIO 151 and 152) if the student received a minimum grade point average of 3.000 (B) in the courses.

There will be no acceptance of other lab science credit. AP or dual-credit for Chemistry (CHEM 121 and 122) will not be accepted.

For AP and transfer credit other than the lab sciences, please refer to the University policy.

Degree Requirements *Effective Fall of 2025

Year 1

Fall Semester

Courses		Credits
Interprofessional Education 103	Exploring the Health Professions	3
Biology 151	Human Anatomy & Physiology I	4
Humanities		3
VUE 101	Valparaiso University Experience	4
Total Credits		14

Spring Semester

Courses		Credits
Exercise Science 101	Wellness and Stress	1
Interprofessional Education 213	Social Determinants of Health	3
Public Health 101	Introduction to Public Health	3
Biology 152	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	4
VUE 102	Valparaiso University Experience	4
Psychology 110	General Psychology	3
Total Credits		18

Summer Semester

Courses		Credits
Health Science 180	Field Experience I	3
Exercise Science 250	Medical Terminology	3
Open Elective		3
Total Credits		9

Year 2

Fall Semester

Courses		Credits
Interprofessional Education 253	Introduction to Interprofessional Communication for Health Professionals	3
Biology 210	Microbiology	4
Chemistry 121	General Chemistry I	4
Religious Studies 200	The Christian Tradition	3
Total Credits		14

Spring Semester

Courses		Credits
Exercise Science 277	Physiology of Exercise	3
Biology 270	Genetics & Genome Evolution	4
Chemistry 122	General Chemistry II	4
English 205	Writing in the Health Sciences	3
Psychology 215	Lifespan Development	3
Total Credits		17

Summer Semester

Courses		Credits
Health Science 280	Field Experience II	4
Psychology 201	Statistical Methods	3
Open Elective		3
Total Credits		10

Year 3

Fall Semester

Courses		Credits
Health Science 203	Human Health & Disease	3
Health Science 302	Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues	3
Interprofessional Education 315	Introduction to Evidence Based Practice in Health Professions	3
Interprofessional Education 318	Global Health Issue	3
Chemistry 221	Organic Chemistry I	4
Upper Level Religious Studies		3
Total Credits		19

Spring Semester

Courses		Credits
Health Science 310	Prevention to Population Health	3
Health Science 440	Exercise and Chronic Health Conditions	3
Health Science 470	Healthcare Leadership Strategies	3
Interprofessional Education 233	Principles of Health Education and Promotion	3
Interprofessional Education 304	Introduction to Epidemiology	3
Biology 260	Human Nutrition	3
Total Credits		18

Summer Semester

Courses		Credits
Health Science 381	Field Experience III	5
Total Credits		5

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Program Rankings and Highlights

Field Experiences

Valpo health science students observe a variety of healthcare settings through summer field experiences.

Experts & Mentors

Professors at Valpo help students develop knowledge, career plans, and curiosity.

96%

of health science majors graduate.

Accelerate Your Future in Healthcare

Sarah Dilday shares how Valpo’s three-year Health Science program gave her a head start, offering an interdisciplinary education that prepared her to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field.

health science

Meet Our Faculty

Professors. Mentors. Friends. At Valparaiso University, you will work on real-life problems alongside faculty leaders with decades of experience and a true desire to do what’s best for you.

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