Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) degree program includes two major choices: a Health Sciences (HS) major or a Healthcare and Business (HCB) major. Both confer a BSHS degree upon graduation. The BSHS program is designed for students interested wide variety of careers within the healthcare sector and supports students on their career discernment journey. One of the most unique characteristics of the BSHS program is co-education of future clinicians, policy makers, and health-related business/insurance executives to ensure situations are considered from all perspectives and graduates work collaboratively to solve complex health and health system problems. The flexible BSHS program allows students to change tracks within a major or change majors within the program anytime in the first two years while remaining on schedule for a traditional 4-year graduation. There are approximately 75 credit hours of courses in common between the two majors (including Butler’s core curriculum).

Health Sciences: In addition to the common courses, the HS major curriculum includes upper-level science and patient care focused courses that are not required in the HCB major. The HS major is excellent preparation for those pursing clinically focused healthcare careers, including those that require an undergraduate degree prior to graduate school admission. Its curriculum was purposefully designed to create competent, empathetic, patient-focused healthcare providers and satisfy prerequisite requirements for graduate schools for many different health career paths. Example HS major undergraduate curricular tracks are available for but are not limited to the following professions: Anesthesiologist Assistant, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, Dentist, Genetic Counselor, Occupational Therapist, Optometrist, Orthotist/Prosthetist, Pathologist Assistant, Physical Therapist, Physician, and Physician Assistant/Associate. Butler undergraduate students are eligible for the Selective Internal Admission Pathway into the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Students who do not wish to go on to graduate programs may pursue careers such as those in community health, health education, health research, and a variety of other careers in the health or life sciences sector. An optional medical Spanish concentration is also available within the health sciences major.

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate ethical, professional, collaborative, and culturally sensitive behaviors within the healthcare setting
Integrate knowledge and skills from natural, formal, and social sciences with healthcare fundamentals to solve complex problems and optimize health outcomes
Locate, critically analyze, and apply data in a manner that supports evidence-based healthcare
Communicate effectively with laypersons and healthcare professionals on a variety of health-related topics

Programs

Major

Health Sciences, BSHS

Courses

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences