School of Health Sciences & Education
Health Science, Bachelor of Science
Explore Your Future in Health Science
Choosing the right path in health science can shape your future in powerful ways. At Saint Francis University, we offer a range of Health Science B.S. programs designed to meet the diverse needs of students with various goals, schedules, and passions. From accelerated on-campus degrees to a fully online option, SFU has pathways that aligns with your career ambitions and learning style.
Program Snapshot:
- Career-Focused Tracks: Options for clinical, public health, policy, or administrative careers.
- Accelerated Completion: Graduate in 3 years with summer courses (General or Pre-Professional tracks).
- Flexible Formats: Choose traditional, accelerated, or fully online options.
- Grad School Ready: Pre-Professional track includes prerequisites and clinical prep.
- Broad Health Curriculum: Interdisciplinary courses for diverse health career paths.
Program Pathways at a Glance
Health Science B.S. – Traditional
- Ideal for: Students seeking a traditional 4-year campus experience with broad career options in health fields
- Format: On-campus, 4-year degree
Accelerated Health Science B.S. – General
- Ideal for: Students interested in public health, health policy, or research (not requiring clinical graduate school)
- Format: On-campus, accelerated (3 years with summers)
Accelerated Health Science B.S. – Pre-Professional
- Ideal for: Highly motivated students aiming for medical, PA, PT, or other professional schools
- Format: On-campus, accelerated (3 years with summers
Note: SFU has many exceptional pre-professional pathways. You may also want to explore a Pre-Medicine Concentration or our accelerated direct-entry programs in OT, PA, and PT.
Online Health Science B.S.
- Ideal for: Working adults or non-traditional learners needing flexible, online education
- Format: Online, flexible pace (3–5 years)
Find Your Fit: Comparing Health Science Degree Options at SFU
| Student Type | Recommended Program | Why This Program? | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students seeking a traditional 4-year campus experience with broad career options in health fields | Health Science B.S. – Traditional | Allows more time to explore interests, build liberal arts depth, and pursue health-related roles or grad school later | On-campus, 4-year degree |
| Students interested in public health, health policy, or research (not requiring clinical grad school) | Accelerated Health Science B.S. – General | Offers a broad health science foundation in a condensed timeframe, ideal for early workforce entry or policy careers | On-campus, accelerated (3 years with summers) |
| Highly motivated students aiming for medical, PA, PT, or other professional school | Accelerated Health Science B.S. – Pre‑Professional | Designed with structured prerequisites, clinical shadowing, and a fast-track path to professional graduate programs. Note: SFU has many exceptional pre-professional pathways. You may also want to explore a Pre-Medicine Concentration or our accelerated direct-entry programs in OT, PA, and PT. | On-campus, accelerated (3 years with summers) |
| Working adults or non-traditional learners needing a flexible, online education | Online Health Science B.S. | Fully online program with part-time pacing for those balancing career, family, or distance challenges; strong for administration or community health roles. View Online Health Science program page. | Online, flexible pace (3–5 years) |
Curriuculum
What You’ll Learn as a Health Science Major
The Bachelor of Science in Health Science combines a solid health science core with a general education curriculum infused with Franciscan values. Key courses focus on biology, human anatomy, medical terminology, public health foundations, statistics, ethical/ legal responsibilities, leadership and health policy.
Health Science B.S. – Traditional
Format: In-Person
Total Credits Required: 128 credits
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically 4 years of full-time study
Admission Requirements:
Accelerated Health Science B.S. – General
Format: In-Person
Total Credits Required: 128 credits
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically, 3 years of full-time study, including two summer sessions.
Admission Requirements:
Accelerated Health Science B.S. – Pre-Professional
Format: In-Person
Total Credits Required: 128 credits
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically, 3 years of full-time study, including two full-time summer sessions
Admission Requirements:
Note: SFU has many exceptional pre-professional pathways. You may also want to explore a Pre-Medicine Concentration or our accelerated direct-entry programs in OT, PA, and PT.
Online Health Science B.S.
For information on taking this program 100% online, please visit the Online Health Science program page.
Students are encouraged to talk with their SFU advisor early to align their studies with future graduate school plans.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Science is structured to meet common graduate school prerequisite courses like Anatomy & Physiology, Statistics, and Medical Terminology. However, Pre-Professional concentrations are not available online, and students are guided to select electives strategically for graduate readiness. Many graduate programs require additional lab-intensive courses such as Chemistry. Students who plan to apply to graduate school are recommended to carefully review graduate school admissions requirements to ensure that they are taking courses that meet those requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Critical Thinking and Research Skills: Students will learn to apply critical and scientific inquiry to identify and evaluate health-related issues prevalent in today’s society. From this inquiry, students will identify a gap in the literature, design and conduct a research project to solve a pressing health care issue. (Assess through PUBH 430).
- Healthcare Systems and Practices: Students will develop an understanding of the current U.S. and global healthcare systems and foster a vision to bring forth healthcare reform. (Assess through PUBH 101, PUBH 401)
- Ethical and Legal Responsibilities: Students will apply ethical principles and legal responsibilities to foster effective interventions in the delivery of healthcare. (Assess through PUBH 320, PUBH 430, PHIL 212).
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Students will promote preventative actions and health behaviors to optimize health and wellness across the lifespan. (Assess through PUBH 101,PUBH 202, PUBH 110).
Experienced faculty who love to teach
Program Lead
Dr. Theresa M. Horner
814.472.3357
THorner@francis.edu
Career Outlook with a Degree in Health Science
The career outlook for graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Health Science at Saint Francis University is strong and steadily growing, fueled by expanding opportunities across the healthcare sector.
Job Market Demand: National Growth
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that healthcare occupations will grow by 13% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- This growth translates to 1.9 million job openings each year, largely due to an aging population, chronic health conditions, and workforce turnover.
Top Fields Hiring Health Science Graduates
Graduates of the online Health Science B.S. are well-positioned for roles in:
- Public Health & Health Education
- Healthcare Administration & Coordination
- Community Health & Outreach
- Health Informatics & Data Analysis
- Medical Sales & Customer Support
- Clinical Research Coordination
Ready to take the next step?
We’re here to help you succeed. Our enrollment team is happy to answer your questions, set up a time to meet with faculty, and walk you through the application & financial aid processes.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About the B.S. in Health Science at Saint Francis University
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You can pursue clinical and non-clinical roles with this degree, including health educator, health administrator, clinical research coordinator, public health specialist, and healthcare informatics specialist. Other options include positions like dietitian, nutritionist, and even roles in pharmaceutical sales. You can also use this degree as a stepping stone to a graduate school or professional program in dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, audiology, physical therapy, and much more.
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Yes! The Bachelor of Science in Health Science is structured to meet common graduate school prerequisite courses like Anatomy & Physiology, Statistics, and Medical Terminology. However, Pre-PA and Pre-OT concentrations are not available online, and students are guided to select electives strategically for graduate readiness. Many graduate programs require additional lab-intensive courses such as Chemistry. Students who plan to apply to graduate school are recommended to carefully review graduate school admissions requirements to ensure that they are taking courses that meet those requirements.
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The time varies by student. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete. It can take considerably less time for students who have an associate degree with eligible transfer credits. Some students choose an accelerated 3-year option with summer courses. Other students choose online study at a slower pace to balance family and work challenges.
You can pursue clinical and non-clinical roles with this degree, including health educator, health administrator, clinical research coordinator, public health specialist, and healthcare informatics specialist. Other options include positions like dietitian, nutritionist, and even roles in pharmaceutical sales. You can also use this degree as a stepping stone to a graduate school or professional program in dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, audiology, physical therapy, and much more.
Yes! The Bachelor of Science in Health Science is structured to meet common graduate school prerequisite courses like Anatomy & Physiology, Statistics, and Medical Terminology. However, Pre-PA and Pre-OT concentrations are not available online, and students are guided to select electives strategically for graduate readiness. Many graduate programs require additional lab-intensive courses such as Chemistry. Students who plan to apply to graduate school are recommended to carefully review graduate school admissions requirements to ensure that they are taking courses that meet those requirements.
The time varies by student. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete. It can take considerably less time for students who have an associate degree with eligible transfer credits. Some students choose an accelerated 3-year option with summer courses. Other students choose online study at a slower pace to balance family and work challenges.