Facebook Pixel Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences | Western Kentucky University
  1. WKU
  2. Academics
  3. College of Health & Human Services
  4. School of Health and Social Services

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a health and human sciences related career such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, nursing, and project management. 

The program is an interdisciplinary program with three primary purposes:

  1. Allowing students with a general interest in Health Sciences to pursue a B.S. degree while obtaining a concentration in a specific area of Health and Human Services.
  2. Permitting students to prepare for post-graduate or professional Health Sciences programs. 
  3. Providing an option for students with a health-related associate's degree who wish to continue their education field (approved by the Health Sciences Advisor).

The multidisciplinary nature of this program offers students the opportunity to pursue graduate degrees or careers in diverse health-related settings after graduation.

Apply Now

 

Health Sci Student

 

Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science (564)

  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Health and Human Services
  • Public Health

Overview

The major in Health Sciences, requires 58-68 health sciences credit hours, including a required concentration ranging from 21-27 hours. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a health and human services related career. The program is an interdisciplinary program with three primary purposes:

  1. Allowing students with a general interest in Health Sciences to pursue a B.S. while obtaining a concentration in a specific area of Health and Human Services.
  2. Permitting students to prepare for post-graduate or professional health sciences programs.
  3. Providing an option for students with a health-related associate degree or appropriate Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) in a focused health area who wish to continue their education.

Concentrations

  • Health Sciences Allied Health (AHAH)
  • Preparatory Health Science (APHS)
  • Health Services, Leadership & Management (ASLM)

Students pursuing the major are required to select one of the following concentrations: Preparatory Health Sciences, Health Services Leadership and Management, or Health Sciences Allied Health building on an Associate Degree or appropriate Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) in a focused health field (approved by the health science advisor). Students who transfer to WKU with an applied associate degree (e.g., Associate of Applied Science) from a health-related program and students with an appropriate MOS with American Council of Education (ACE) approved military credit receive a 12-hour waiver from the overall upper-level course requirement for the health science major; these students will need 23 hours in the major upper-division hour requirement. 

Students must earn a “C” or better in each course in the major. Additionally, in accordance with university policy, an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better must be attained upon completion of required curriculum.

Program Requirements (58-68 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

Health Sciences Core 

Course List
HMD 211Human Nutrition3
PSY/PSYS 100Introduction to Psychology3
or PSY/PSYS 220 Introduction to Lifespan Developmental Psychology
or PSY/PSYS 440 Abnormal Psychology
Select one of the following:3-4
BIOL 113
General Biology
BIOL 120
& BIOL 121
Biological Concepts: Cells Metabolism and Genetics
and Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics Lab
BIOL 131
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Select one of the following:3-4
CHEM 105
& CHEM 106
Fundamentals of General Chemistry
and Fundamentals of General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 109
Chemistry for the Health Sciences
CHEM 116
Introduction to College Chemistry
PHYS course
AH/HIM 290Medical Terminology2
Select one of the following:3
PE 310
Kinesiology
PE 311
Exercise Physiology
PE 313
Motor Development
PH 390
Wellness and Fitness Assessment
NURS 335
Health Assessment
MKT 220
Basic Marketing Concepts
MKT 321
Consumer Behavior
MKT 323
Services Marketing
PR 255
Fundamentals of Public Relations
PH 381Public and Community Health3
Select one of the following:3
PH 383
Biostatistics in the Health Sciences
SOCL 300
Social Statistics
BIOL 382
Introductory Biostatistics
STAT 301
Introductory Probability and Applied Statistics
PSY/PSYS 313
Statistics in Psychology
MATH 183
Introductory Statistics
PH 384Introduction to Epidemiology3
Select one of the following:3
PH 447
Human Values and the Health Sciences
FACS 312
Professional Ethics for Family Life
PHIL 322
Biomedical Ethics
PHIL 323
Social Ethics
MGT 305
Ethics and Critical Thinking
SWRK 433
Ethical Issues and Dilemmas in Social Work
LEAD 330
Leadership Ethics and Decision-Making
HCA 340Health Care Organization and Management3
Select one of the following:3-4
HCA 446
& HCA 447
Health Care Informatics
and Information Systems Laboratory
BDAN 305
Data Modeling and Analysis
CIS 321
Emerging Technologies with Artificial Intelligence
HIM 330
Electronic Health Record Systems
Select one of the following:2-3
HCA 441
Legal Aspects / Health Care
HIM 225
Legal Issues in Health Information Management
MGT 200
Legal Environment of Business
MGT 301
Business Law
Total Hours37-41

One of the below-mentioned concentrations is required:

Preparatory Health Sciences Concentration

Course List
Select 24-27 hours of the following courses:24-27
Biology:
BIOL 120
& BIOL 121
Biological Concepts: Cells Metabolism and Genetics
and Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics Lab 1
BIOL 122
& BIOL 123
Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology
and Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology Lab
BIOL 131
Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
BIOL 207
& BIOL 208
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
BIOL 224
& BIOL 225
Animal Biology and Diversity
and Animal Biology and Diversity Lab 1
BIOL 231
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology
Chemistry:
CHEM 107
& CHEM 108
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
and Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 116
Introduction to College Chemistry 1
CHEM 120
& CHEM 121
College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 222
& CHEM 223
College Chemistry II
and College Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 304
Biochemistry for the Health Sciences
CHEM 340
& CHEM 341
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 342
& CHEM 343
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
Health Information Management:
HIM 291
Advanced Medical Terminolgy
HIM 292
Pharmacology and Laboratory Diagnostics
Hospitality Management and Dietetics:
HMD 360
Advanced Nutrition
HMD 361
Life Stage Nutrition
Math:
MATH 117
Trigonometry
MATH 136
Calculus I
Nursing:
NURS 324
Pathophysiology for Nursing
NURS 337
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
NURS 343
Mental Health Nursing
NURS 415
Complementary Health Care
Psychological Sciences:
PSYS 160
Introduction to Biopsychology
Public Health:
PH 365
Human Sexuality
PH 464
Women’s Health
PH 468
Sexuality Education
Physics:
PHYS 201
College Physics I 1
PHYS 231
& PHYS 232
Introduction to Physics and Biophysics I
and Laboratory for Physics and Biophysics I 1
PHYS 233
& PHYS 332
Laboratory for Physics and Biophysics II
and Introduction to Physics and Biophysics II 1
PHYS 255
& PHYS 256
University Physics I
and University Physics I Lab 1
Total Hours24-27
1

Unduplicated.

Health Services Leadership & Management Concentration

Course List
Select 24-27 hours from the following:24-27
Counselor Education:
CNS 110
Human Relations
CNS 432
Helping Skills
Communication:
COMM 348
Interpersonal Communication
Exercise Science:
EXS 455
Exercise and Aging
Family and Consumer Sciences:
FACS 310
Management of Family Resources
FACS 311
Family Relations
FACS 395
Child and Family Stress
FACS 491
Seminar in Family Economics
FACS 497
Family Home Visiting
Finance:
FIN 161
Personal Finance
Gerontology:
GERO 100
Introduction to the Aging Experience
GERO 461
Person-Centered Dementia Management
Health Care Administration:
HCA 345
Long-Term Care Administration
HCA 347
International Comparisons of Health Care Systems
HCA 353
Quality and Patient Safety in Long-Term Care
HCA 446
& HCA 447
Health Care Informatics
and Information Systems Laboratory
Health Information Management:
HIM 100
Health Data Content and Structure
HIM 252
Healthcare Payment Systems
HIM 291
Advanced Medical Terminolgy
HIM 292
Pharmacology and Laboratory Diagnostics
Hospitality Management and Dietetics:
HMD 360
Advanced Nutrition
HMD 367
Nutrition in Aging
HMD 368
Dietary and Herbal Supplements
Interdisciplinary Studies:
IDST 369
Career Related Field Experience
IDST 390
Applications of Interdisciplinary Studies
IDST 395
Investigative Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies
Leadership:
LEAD 200
Introduction to Leadership Studies
LEAD 300
Leadership Theory and Application
LEAD 325
Leading Change
LEAD 330
Leadership Ethics and Decision-Making 1
Management:
MGT 200
Legal Environment of Business 1
MGT 301
Business Law 1
MGT 305
Ethics and Critical Thinking 1
MGT 333
Management of Nonprofit Organizations
Public Health:
PH 100
Personal & Public Health
PH 165
Drug Abuse
PH 261
Foundations of Public Health Education
PH 365
Human Sexuality
PH 410
Global Perspectives on Population Health
PH 443
Health and Aging
PH 444
Death, Dying and Bereavement
PH 464
Women’s Health
PH 467
Drug Abuse Education
PH 468
Sexuality Education
Psychological Sciences:
PSYS 333
Cognitive Psychology
PSYS 423
Psychology of Adult Life and Aging
PSY/PSYS 440
Abnormal Psychology
Sociology:
SOCL 342
Aging in Society
SOCL 440
Sociology of Health and Illness
Special Education:
SPED 200
The Culture of Disability
Social Work:
SWRK 101
Foundations of Human Services
SWRK 300
Diversity and Social Welfare
SWRK 330
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SWRK 326
Services for the Older American
SWRK 357
Case Management
SWRK 375
Social Work Practice I
SWRK 437
Military Social Work
Other courses with advisor approval
Total Hours24-27
1

Unduplicated.

Health Sciences Allied Health Concentration– (Health Related A.S. / A.A. / A.A.S.  or MOS to Health Sciences Allied Health B.S. Concentration)

An associate degree in a focused health area or an appropriate military occupational specialty (MOS) in a focused health area with American Council of Education (ACE) approved military credit may fulfill the concentration requirement with the approval of a Health Sciences academic advisor. Students with a completed A.A. or A.S. degree from a KCTCS college will be considered to have completed the WKU Colonnade general education requirements. Twenty-one credit hours is required within the concentration.

In addition to completing the Health Sciences core, students need to fulfill all other appropriate major and degree requirements.

Finish in Four Plans

 Health Sciences Preparatory Concentration

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 1003COMM 1453
HIM 290 or AH 2902HIST 101 or HIST 1023
PSY 220, PSYS 220, PSY 100, or PSYS 1003Colonnade: Arts & Humanities3
MATH 1163Major/Minor/Elective OR World Language (if needed)3
BIOL 120
& BIOL 121		4Major/Minor/Elective3
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 2003Major/Minor/Elective3
HMD 2113Major/Minor/Elective3
CHEM 109 or CHEM 1163-4Major/Minor/Elective3
Colonnade: Connections (Social & Cultural)3ENG 3003
Major/Minor/Elective3PH 383, SOCL 300, BIOL 382, STAT 301, PSY 313, PSYS 313, or MATH 1833
 15-16 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PE 310, PE 311, PE 313, PH 390, NURS 335, MKT 220, MKT 323, or PR 2553HCA 441, MGT 200, MGT 301, or HIM 2252-3
PH 3813HCA 3403
PH 3843Major/Minor/Elective3
Major/Minor/Elective3Major/Minor/Elective3
Colonnade: Connections (Local to Global)3Major/Minor/Elective3
 15 14-15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PH 447, HCA 247, PHIL 322, MGT 305, or SWRK 4333HCA 446
& HCA 447
, BDAN 305, or CIS 321
3-4
Major/Minor/Elective3Major/Minor/Elective3
Major/Minor/Elective3Major/Minor/Elective3
Major/Minor/Elective3Major/Minor/Elective3
Major/Minor/Elective3Major/Minor/Elective3
 15 15-16
Total Hours 119-122

 Health Sciences Allied Health Concentration

The Health Sciences Allied Health concentration is designed for students who have earned an associate degree in a focused health area or an appropriate military occupational specialty (MOS) in a focused health area with American Council of Education (ACE) approved military credit.  In addition to completing the Health Sciences core, students need to fulfill all other appropriate major and degree requirements.  Students should consult with an advisor in planning their four-year degree program. 

While working on the Health related Associate degree at KCTCS or WKU, students are encouraged to complete the following courses as a foundation for the Health Sciences major. KCTCS Courses: i) NFS 101; ii. (PSY 110 or PSY 223); iii. (MATH 146 or 150 or higher); iv. (CHE 130 or 140 or PHY ***); v. (AHS 115 or CLA 131); and vi. (BIO 112/1121/1122/1123/1124, or BIO 114/115, or BIO 150/151, or BIO 135 or 137 or 139).   Corresponding WKU Courses, if not completed at KCTCS:  i. HMD 211; ii. (PSY 100 or PSYS 100); iii. (MATH 109 or MATH 116 or higher); iv. (CHEM 105/CHEM 106, or CHEM 109, or CHEM 116, or PHYS ***); v. (HIM 290 or AH 290); and (BIOL 113 or BIOL 120/BIOL 121 or BIOL 131). WKU Associate Degree seeking students are also encouraged to complete ENG 100 (FW-1) and Arts & Humanities (E-AH) in the first two years.

Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PE 310, PE 311, PE 313, or PH 3903PH 383, SOCL 300, BIOL 382, STAT 301, PSY 313, PSYS 313, or MATH 1833
PH 3813HCA 3403
Upper Level Elective/Major/Minor9Upper Level Elective/Major/Minor9
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
HCA 441, MGT 200, MGT 301, or HIM 2252-3HCA 446
& HCA 447
, BDAN 305, or CIS 321
3-4
PH 3843PH 447, HCA 247, PHIL 322, PHIL 323, MGT 305, or SWRK 4333
Upper Level Elective/Major/Minor9Upper Level Elective/Major/Minor9
 14-15 15-16
Total Hours 59-61

 Health Services Leadership and Management Concentration

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 1003COMM 1453
HIM 290 or AH 2902HIST 101 or HIST 1023
PSY 220, PSYS 220, PSY 100, or PSYS 1003Colonnade - Arts & Humanities3
MATH 1163Major/Minor/Elective or World Language (if needed)3
BIOL 1133Major/Minor/Elective3
BIOL 1141 
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 2003Major/Minor/Elective9
HMD 2113ENG 3003
CHEM 1053PH 383, SOCL 300, BIOL 382, STAT 301, PSY 313, PSYS 313, or MATH 1833
CHEM 1061 
Connections - Social & Cultural3 
Major/Minor/Elective3 
 16 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PE 310, PE 313, PH 390, MKT 220, MKT 321, MKT 323, or PR 2553HCA 441, MGT 200, MGT 301, or HIM 2252-3
PH 3813HCA 3403
PH 3843Major/Minor/Elective9
Major/Minor/Elective3 
Connections - Local to Global3 
 15 14-15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PH 447, HCA 247, PHIL 322, PHIL 323, MGT 305, or SWRK 4333HCA 446
& HCA 447
, BDAN 305, or CIS 321
3-4
Major/Minor/Elective12Major/Minor/Elective12
 15 15-16
Total Hours 120-122

 

Concentrations

Students pursuing the Health Sciences major are required to select one of the following concentrations:

Students who select this concentration will be required to complete 24 to 27 course hours. This concentration is designed to prepare students for a post-graduate or professional degree in a Health related field. Students who chose this concentration are looking to earn a bachelors degree in Health Sciences to continue their education at the graduate level to move one step closer to their desired career.

The Preparatory Health Sciences concentration is set up to help students obtain the majority of the required courses they will need in order to meet admission requirement for their specific graduate school program of choice. It is up to the student to research graduate schools and know what is needed for admission. The  Health Sciences Advisor will provide guidance and assistance for students  to help them reach their career goals. 

Information about class selections can be found in the Program Requirements of the Undergraduate Catalog.

Please see the informational sheets for different pre-professional health tracks. These flyers have helpful information regarding common prerequisite courses, certification tests, and other insight in pursuing these professional degrees. Remember, different universities and programs have varying prerequisite courses and admission requirements. Always review your desired schools required prerequisite courses when determining what courses you will take.

Additionally, students may use this Health Sciences Template to help track their progress toward post-graduate or professional health program's prerequisites at their desired universities and assist their advisor in understanding the individuals post-graduate goals. This sheet allows students to organize the required prerequisites for any universities they are considering applying for to obtain their professional degree. Below are the steps to utilize this template:

  1. Replace the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th University titles in the first row with the names of institutions you are interested in applying for.
  2. Review the program requirements and prerequisite courses for each institution, and add them in the file below the institution name.
  3. Share this document with your advisor, and they will assist you in identifying what courses you have taken, are currently enrolled in, and any you may still need to complete.

Students who select this concentration will be required to complete 24 to 27 course hours. This concentration is designed to provide students with a general interest in Health Sciences to pursue a Bachelor’s degree by allowing students to take courses supporting a variety of Health and Social Services employment opportunities.

The main focus of the Health Services Leadership and Management concentration is home and community based services. As America’s aging population continues to grow, more elderly individuals, as well as those with mental and physical disabilities, are choosing to receive medical care and support services in their own homes instead of in nursing homes, hospitals, and other institutions. Services typically offered may include nursing, therapies, and personal care services such as respiratory therapy, medical social services, nutritional counseling, home maintenance and modifications, vehicular modifications, moving assistance, respite care, home delivered meals, personal emergency response system, assistive technology, community transitional services and home and community support services.  

The approach to home and community based services is designed to establish and manage networks of service providers capable of meeting these individuals’ daily needs. The goal of home and community health services is to prevent premature and/or unwanted institutionalization by providing a coordinated plan of care and services to individuals of any age who would otherwise require nursing facility care. People who need long-term health care often prefer to live at home or in the community rather than moving to an institution such as a nursing home. 

Home and community based care has been proven to be more cost effective but until recently Medicaid, which is the major payer of long term care has been structures to favor institutional care over home and community care. The Affordable Care Act gives states an incentive to expand home and community based services in Medicaid. Hence, states are changing their Medicaid programs to include more home and community care services. 

Information about class selections can be found in the Program Requirements of the Undergraduate Catalog. 

The Allied Health concentration in the Health Sciences major provides an option for individuals with a health-related associate of applied science degree who wish to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree. Individuals who apply to the health science allied health concentration with an earned Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in clinical laboratory technician, medical assisting, medical information technology, nuclear medicine, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, polysomnographic technologist, radiography, respiratory care, diagnostic medical sonography, surgical technology, or other Health related programs (approved by the Health Sciences Advisor) can continue their education to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. 

Please note: The Health Sciences - Allied Health concentration does not offer an associate or bachelor’s degree in any of the programs listed above. Rather, the concentration is designed for graduates of these programs to continue their education and obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from WKU.

Information about class selections can be found in the Program Requirements of the Undergraduate Catalog. 

 

Certificates

This certificate is an excellent addition to aspiring leaders in nursing, finance, accounting, social work, dietetics, management, healthcare and information technology. As career opportunities in long term care continue to grow, there is a greater demand than ever for individuals with some preparation for leadership roles in long term care organizations.

Learn More

The Family Home Visiting certificate will prepare students to provide home visiting services. Potential clients include those needing parenting skills, those at risk for abusing and neglecting their children, and/or those who need other support services.

Online Option

Learn More

This program is designed for students who want to enhance their leadership knowledge and skills for current or future activities in a broad range of organizations. Various disciplines have addressed leadership and developed a substantial body of related literature.

Learn More

Transfer Students

Students who transfer to Western Kentucky University with an associate of science or an applied associate degree (e.g., Associate of Applied Science) from a health-related program receive a 12-hour waiver from the overall upper-level course requirement for the health science major. Students who transfer to WKU with an associate of science or an applied associate degree from a health-related program will need 23 hours in the major upper-division hour requirement. 

An associate’s degree in a focused health area may be used to fulfill the Health Science Allied Health concentration requirement with the approval of a Health Sciences academic advisor.

Students with a completed Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from a Kentucky Community and Technical College (KCTCS)  will be considered to have completed the WKU general education requirements. All other students need to meet with an advisor.

Students must earn a “C” or better in each course in the major. Additionally, in accordance with university policy, an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better must be attained upon completion of required curriculum.

KCTCS to WKU 

For students who are transferring from a KCTCS school with an Associates of Science or Associates of Applied Science in a Health related field to WKU to complete the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences below you will find documents to aid in the transfer process. 

 

Students may arrive from KCTCS fully-certified in General Education or complete WKU Colonnade General Education requirements.  KCTCS students with an AA or AS are designed as fully-certified in General Education will be credited as meeting WKU Colonnade General Education requirements.  Students with an AAS degrees may stay at KCTCS in order to become General Education certified before transferring to WKU. 

Below are sample academic plans for students to view and utilize. Academic plans will vary from student to student depending on the students previous coursework.  The Health Sciences advisor will work closely with the student to develop an academic plan that fits them best.

 

Related Programs

 


 

Take the next step.

 

Apply Now

 

 

 

 

Loading...

Accreditations/Certifications achieved within the School of Health and Social Services

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - Early Childhood Education Associate Degree

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) - Bachelor and Master of Social Work Degrees

Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) - Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health Degrees

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) - Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) - Bachelor of Science and Master of Environmental & Occupational Health Science Degrees

Board of Certified Safety Professionals Qualified Academic Program (BCSP QAP) - Bachelor of Science and Master of Environmental & Occupational Health Science Degrees

National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) HSE Accreditation - Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration with Long-Term Care Certificate Degree

Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.

 Last Modified 7/14/26