Health Studies (B.S.)

(Bachelor of Science Degree)

The major in health studies is designed for students who plan to enter the health or health-related professions. Majors include students planning graduate work in a health or health-related field, students who plan to seek employment in the health care field upon graduation, and students interested in exploring health issues in the context of a liberal arts background. This degree does not lead to a professional credential or prepare for licensure. For more information about the health studies program, contact Mary Siniscarco at (315) 792-3196.

Physical Therapy

Students who have been accepted as freshmen into the direct entry program (HSPT OR HSP4) need to complete the following: AGE 214 ; ANT 415 ; BIO 101 ; BIO 102 ; CHE 211 ; CHE 263 ; HLS 101 ; HLS 245 ; HLS 401 ; HLS 445 ; PHI 107  or PHI 108 ; PHY 151 ; PHY 152 ; PSY 101 ; PSY 211 ; PSY 237 ; PSY 372  or PSY 374; and SOC 307 . Students must earn a grade of B or better in each of the science courses and attain a science GPA and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in order to continue into the graduate DPT program. In order to maintain one’s status as a Health Studies Physical Therapy major, the cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be met by the end of the fall semester, sophomore year. Students who fail to earn a grade of B or better in a required science course may repeat that course to earn a satisfactory grade. However, a student may repeat no more than two science courses and any science course may be repeated only once. Should a student fail to meet these requirements, their major coding will change to Health Studies with no guarantee of acceptance into the graduate DPT program. The student is welcome to re-apply at a later date if all admission requirements have been met. Please see Graduate Degree Programs in this section of the catalog for additional information.

Students who are not accepted as freshmen into the direct entry program (HSPT or HSP4) must complete their undergraduate degree. In addition, the following courses are required prerequisites for admission consideration:

• AGE 214  
• BIO 101  
• BIO 102  
• CHE 211  
• CHE 212  or CHE 263  
• PHY 151  and PHY 152  
• Three Psychology courses
• PSY 211  or SOC 211  

Students must earn a grade of B or better in each of the science courses and attain a science GPA and cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to be considered for admission.

Occupational Therapy

Students admitted into the HS-OT program must complete the following courses with a grade of C or better prior by the end of their junior year: ANT 101  or SOC 151 , ANT 415 . BIO 101 , BIO 102 , BIO 201 , BIO 202 , AGE 101  or BIO 214 , HLS 101 , HLS 245  or PSY 223 , HLS 309 , HLS 381 , HLS 401 , HLS 445 , MAT 112  or PSY 211 , PHI 107  or PHI 108 , PSY 101 , and PSY 361 . In order to continue into the OT course work as seniors, students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better by January of their junior year. In addition, a total of 25 hours of observation with an OT in at least two different settings must be completed. Students may apply to the HSOT program as incoming freshmen or as transfers following three semesters of college work with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Students interested in applying to the MS -OT program with a completed BSHealth Studies degree must complete all prerequisite courses (with a grade of C or better) prior to application into the occupational therapy program. Prerequisite courses include: ANT 101  or SOC 151 , ANT 415 . BIO 101 , BIO 102 , BIO 201  or BIO 202 , HLS 245  or PSY 223 , HLS 309 , HLS 381 , HLS 445 , MAT 112  or PSY 211 , PHI 107  or PHI 108 , PSY 101 , and PSY 361 . In order to meet the admission requirements of the graduate OT program, students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better by January of their senior year. In addition, a total of 25 hours of observation with an OT in at least two different settings must be completed. Those students intending to apply as graduate students with a completed health studies degree should refer to the graduate catalog for application criteria and procedures.

Health studies students interested in occupational therapy must meet with the chair of the occupational therapy program for specific advising as early in their academic career as possible.

Total credit hours required for degree: 120

Learning Objectives

Graduates will:

• Communicate an awareness of and appreciation for the importance of interacting effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the varied interdisciplinary health care roles inclusive of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Therapeutic Recreation and Psychology-Child Life.
• Interpret and apply Human Development concepts across the life span to evaluate and improve the health of individuals with/without various medical conditions.
• Demonstrate critical appraisal skills when utilizing clinical research in order to be critical consumers of research as well as advocates for their future healthcare clients.
• Identify key components of professional ethics and behaviors of health practitioners.