Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Sciences, B.S.


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The BS in Health Sciences prepares students for a variety of careers in health-related fields. It is important to recognize that practice in many health professions requires advanced study at the graduate level. When this is the case the BS in Health Sciences prepares students for application to appropriate graduate degree programs and includes the prerequisites required for those programs. The degree also serves as a baccalaureate completion program for students with an associate degree in an allied health field. As health care shifts to health promotion and health education in outpatient and community settings graduates with a BS in Health Sciences contribute to effective health care in the community in various ways. The curriculum includes completion of the USM Core Curriculum, Health Sciences core requirements, and one track of study: wellness, pre-professional, or health care administration. For students enrolled in an Accelerated Graduate Pathway to either the Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy or the Master’s degree in Athletic Training, the track is completed following the first year of graduate study. For students with an associate degree in an allied health field, the track requirement can be waived.

Program Requirements


Retention and Progression Requirements

While enrolled in Health Sciences, students must:

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
  • Earn a minimum grade of C- in all required courses. Students receiving a grade lower than C- in a required course will not be allowed to sequence into post-requisite coursework until the prerequisite deficiency has been rectified.

Probation

Students will be placed on academic probation for failure to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. Students failing to rectify the GPA deficiency within a one-year probationary period will be removed from their declared major and from their status as a student within the Department. Upon rectifying the GPA deficiency, students can reapply for admission into a Departmental major.

Graduation Requirements

Students will graduate with a BS in Health Sciences when the following requirements are satisfied:

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
  • Completion of all University Core Curriculum requirements.
  • Completion of all Health Sciences core required coursework with minimum grades of C-.
  • Completion of coursework within one track of study with minimum grades of C-.
  • Completion of 120 credits.

Degree Requirements

The BS in Health Sciences consists of 120 credit hours: University Core Curriculum courses, Health Sciences major required core courses, a track of study, and approved electives if needed to complete the 120-minimum credit requirement.

University Core Courses (40-42 credits)


Track of Study (30 credits)


Students must complete one track of study as part of the Health Sciences major. For students who have an associate degree in a health-related field, the track requirement can be waived. Students accepted into an Accelerated Graduate Pathway to either the Master’s in Occupational Therapy or the Master’s in Athletic Training will use their first year of graduate study to fulfill the track requirement. 

With permission from the faculty advisor, students may petition to substitute track requirements with other health science-related course work. This substitution applies only to students pursuing the wellness, pre-professional, and health care administration tracks. 

In some cases, track courses may be used to fulfill minor, certificate, and University Core Curriculum requirements. Track courses may not be used to fulfill Health Sciences required core courses.

When the wellness, pre-professional, and health care administration tracks present the option for a minor, the completion of a minor is not required.

Wellness Track (30 credits)


Select 30 credits from the list below. Students wishing to pursue a Holistic and Integrative Health minor should consult with their faculty advisor in the Department of Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences. Students wishing to pursue a Psychology minor should consult with the Department of Psychology.

Pre-Professional Track (30 credits)


Select 30 credits from the list below. Students wishing to pursue a Biology minor should consult with the Department of Biological Sciences. Students wishing to pursue a Biochemistry or Chemistry minor should consult with the Department of Chemistry.

Health Care Administration Track (30 credits)


Select 30 credits from the list below. 

Accelerated Graduate Pathways (30-31 credits)


Occupational Therapy Accelerated Graduate Pathway (31 credits)

This pathway is intended for students interested in pursuing USM’s Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (MOT). Entrance into this program is competitive and includes completion of a formal application. For more information about USM’s MOT program, please visit the OT website. Students accepted into the program will be advised by both an Occupational Therapy faculty member and a Health Sciences advisor.

 

Athletic Training Accelerated Graduate Pathway (30 credits)

This pathway is intended for students interested in pursuing USM’s Master’s degree in Athletic Training (MSAT). Entrance into this program is competitive and includes completion of a formal application. For more information about USM’s MSAT program, please visit the MSAT website. Students accepted into the program will be advised by one of the Athletic Training faculty members.

 

General Electives


Students should consult with their advisor to determine if general electives are needed to complete the 120-credit minimum graduation requirement.

USM Core Requirements


The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements. 

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor.  For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.

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