Areas of Study, Allied Health Sciences Major

• This major is designed primarily for the growing number of students who would like to pursue graduate health education programs that require a baccalaureate degree for admission, acknowledging that some students may seek immediate employment following completion of the BS degree.
• Students combine university general education and required coursework in Allied Health Sciences with a curriculum tailored to meet the admission requirements of specific graduate programs.
• Students may choose a Standard Plan or a concentration in Health Sciences, Health Promotion Sciences, or Occupational Safety and Health.

Standard Plan - This interdisciplinary major is designed for students who want broad training in allied health sciences in preparation for health professions that require completion of graduate/professional level programs. Working with an advisor, students design a flexible plan of study that can be tailored to meet their professional and personal goals. 

Concentration in Health Sciences: Students with an interest in health specialties which involve laboratory or diagnostic procedures or who are looking to pursue allied health fields requiring a strong health science and pathology background should consider this concentration. It is designed for students seeking admission to graduate/professional programs such as Physical Therapy, Medical or Dental School, Physician Assistant, Pathology Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Advanced Nurse Practitioners or post-baccalaureate certificate programs in Cytotechnology, Diagnostic Genetics Sciences, or Medical Technology. 

Concentration in Health Promotion Sciences: Students with an interest in working in social service agencies, worksite health promotion programs, government health agencies, hospital wellness programs, business, industry or educational settings that emphasize health promotion should consider this concentration. It is designed for students seeking admission to graduate programs such as the Allied Health Sciences’ Masters Program in Health Promotion Sciences as well as for those interested in graduate/professional programs such as Public Health, Gerontology, Health Education, Health Psychology, Physician Assistant, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, or Midwifery.

Concentration in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): Students with an interest in acquiring knowledge about occupational safety and health issues or applying marketable skills in a broad range of work environments such as manufacturing, construction, health care, research and development, and academia among many others, should consider this concentration. OSH specialists identify, assist in the prevention and control of health and safety hazards related to work environments. They promote health and safety within organizations by developing safer and healthier workplace policies and practices. For those students wishing to pursue a career in OSH, the concentration provides a foundation for professional certification in individual disciplines such as occupational safety, industrial hygiene and ergonomics.

For more information on why and how to declare this major, click here