Bachelor of Science in Health Science
Description and Outcomes
The Bachelor of Science in Health Science program builds foundational knowledge and practical skills across the health sciences, health care, disease prevention, and health promotion. The curriculum integrates biological, chemical, environmental, behavioral, and public health concepts to help students understand normal body function, disease processes, and the factors that influence human health across diverse populations.
Coursework emphasizes scientific foundations, quantitative and evidence-based reasoning, social determinants of health, global and environmental health, health behavior, and professional practice. Students develop skills in interpreting health data and scientific literature, evaluating health risks and disparities, and applying evidence-informed strategies to community and public health contexts. The program also supports the development of ethical, professional, interdisciplinary, and leadership skills relevant to health science and healthcare-related settings.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Science program is designed to prepare you for career opportunities or advancement in health-related fields. Additionally, it provides you with a solid undergraduate foundation to pursue graduate-level and/or professional degrees.
Concentration
If you are an active-duty servicemember of the U.S. military, you may choose to personalize your degree with a concentration in Military Physician Assistant Preparation (MPAP). See the Policies section for additional information.
Graduate Program Pathways
If you are interested in earning both a bachelor's and master's degree, consider a graduate program pathway.
Program Length
The Bachelor of Science in Health Science program consists of a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a bachelor of science degree.
Program Outcomes
Discipline-Specific Outcomes
- Knowledge Base: Integrate foundational concepts in biological, chemical, and health sciences across normal body function, disease processes, and factors influencing human health.
- Quantitative and Evidence-Based Reasoning: Evaluate health data, biostatistical findings, and scientific literature to inform evidence-based recommendations in community and public health contexts.
- Social, Behavioral, and Cultural Determinants of Health: Analyze how social, economic, cultural, and behavioral factors influence health outcomes.
- Global and Environmental Health: Evaluate the impact of interrelationships among natural systems, industrial practices, and global health systems on disease patterns, health risks, and public health responses across diverse populations.
- Health Leadership and Behavioral Advocacy: Design evidence-based health promotion and advocacy strategies and leadership principles for health interventions.
- Professional and Interdisciplinary Practice: Prepare a health-related professional development plan that reflects industry skills, ethical standards, and career readiness.
General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies
In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the General Education and Professional Competency Requirements section of this Catalog.
Program Availability
For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.
Policies
Please refer to school-specific policies and the Policy Information section for general Purdue Global policies.
Admissions Requirements
Enrollment in the MPAP concentration is limited to active-duty servicemembers of the U.S. military.
Progression Requirements
If you are enrolled in the MPAP concentration, credit for prior learning for your concentration requirements will be limited to approved sources.
Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams
Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.
Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.
You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.
Completion of the MPAP concentration serves as a preparation for, not a direct qualification for, the Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) offered by the U.S. military. The Purdue Global MPAP concentration includes prerequisite coursework necessary to apply for admission to the IPAP. Completion of a Purdue Global program with the MPAP concentration does not guarantee admission to the IPAP. The military may change IPAP prerequisites.