Health Science

No matter where you plan to take your health science degree, you’ll benefit from a robust liberal arts curriculum. All Valpo students start their college journey with the Valparaiso University Experience (VUE) – a collection of core classes that serve as the building blocks of every major. It’s in these courses where you’ll master the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual perspective needed to shine in your future healthcare career.

Arts and Sciences (61 Cr.)

• VUE 101 – Valparaiso University Experience: Exploring Values – 4 Cr.
• VUE 102 – Valparaiso University Experience: Finding Your Voice – 4 Cr.
• REL 100 – Religion and Society – 3 Cr.
• ENGL 205 – Writing for Health Sciences – 3 Cr.
• BIO 151 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I – 4 Cr. *
• BIO 152 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II – 4 Cr. *
• BIO 210 – Microbiology – 4 Cr. *
• BIO 260 – Human Nutrition – 3 Cr. *
• BIO 270 – Genetics and Genome Evolution – 4 Cr. *
• CHEM 121 – General Chemistry I – 4 Cr. *
• CHEM 122 – General Chemistry II – 4 Cr. *
• CHEM 221 – Organic Chemistry I – 4 Cr. *
• PSY 110 – General Psychology – 3 Cr. *
• PSY 201 – Statistical Methods – 3 Cr. *
• PSY 215 – Life Span Development – 3 Cr. *

Additional Core & Elective Requirements

• Second Religious Studies Course – 3 Cr.
• Humanities Elective – 3 Cr.
• Electives – 6 Cr.

Note:

* Grade of C (2.000) or better required

Valpo’s health science major is designed to give you an interdisciplinary education that can be applied to a variety of healthcare roles, with a strong emphasis on science.

You’ll take classes like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and chemistry, and merge this foundational knowledge with essential courses on communication, social determinants of health, and healthcare ethics, among other topics.

Combined with observational and experiential learning in a variety of healthcare settings each summer, you’ll have everything you need to step straight into your healthcare career or a graduate program.

Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS)

Minimum 124 Cr.

Major Requirements

Health Science (27 Cr.)

• HS 180 – Field Experience I – 3 Cr. *
• HS 203 – Human Health and Disease – 3 Cr. *
• HS 280 – Field Experience II – 4 Cr. *
• HS 302 – Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues – 3 Cr. *
• HS 310 – Prevention in Population Health – 3 Cr. *
• HS 381 – Field Experience III – 5 Cr. *
• HS 440 – Exercise and Chronic Health Conditions – 3 Cr. *
• HS 470 – Healthcare Leadership Strategies – 3 Cr. *

Interprofessional Education (21 Cr.)

• IPE 103 – Exploring the Health Professions – 3 Cr. *
• IPE 213 – Social Determinants of Health – 3 Cr. *
• IPE 233 – Principles of Health Education and Promotion – 3 Cr. *
• IPE 253 – Intro to Interprofessional Communication for Health Professionals – 3 Cr. *
• IPE 304 – Introduction to Epidemiology – 3 Cr. *
• IPE 315 – Intro to Evidence-Based Practices for Health Professionals – 3 Cr. *
• IPE 318 – Global Health Issues – 3 Cr. *

Public Health (3 Cr.)

• PHS 101 – Introduction to Public Health – 3 Cr. *

Exercise Science (7 Cr.)

• XS 101 – Wellness and Stress – 1 Cr.
• XS 250 – Medical Terminology – 3 Cr. *
• XS 277 – Physiology of Exercise – 3 Cr. *

Note:

* Grade of C (2.000) or better required

Occupational therapists (OTs) are licensed practitioners who help patients participate in everyday living. As an OT, you would maximize patient health, well-being, and quality of life through assessing occupational performance and providing therapeutic interventions. (And, you’d be looking at a median annual salary of $98,340 – according to a 2024 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Health science students can enter Valpo’s accredited entry-level OTD program via our accelerated pathway, which allows for completion of both a bachelor’s degree and doctorate in just six years. With all the OTD prerequisites embedded in the BSHS-to-OTD pathway, health science students meeting a 3.3 GPA requirement can receive admission assurance, guaranteeing them a seat in the OTD program once they deposit.

If you have an interest in applying your health science degree toward other healthcare or allied health professions, Valpo offers additional programs that include:

• Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Social Work (MSW)

Explore all of our graduate programs and certificates.