Health Sciences, B.S.

Two students in splinting lab exercise wearing blue scrubs.

Prepare for a Rewarding Career in Healthcare

As a Health Sciences major, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed for a rewarding career in healthcare or to advance into a graduate program. Our comprehensive curriculum builds on a strong foundation in the sciences, emphasizing patient-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making. With a flexible, career-focused approach, you’ll engage in real-world learning experiences tailored to your professional goals.

Available Concentrations:  

Clinical
The Clinical Concentration integrates coursework in Health Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology, providing a well-rounded foundation in medical knowledge. Core classes such as Human Assessment, Medical Ethics, and Public Health Intervention prepare students for advanced studies and careers in healthcare. Hands-on training opportunities offer practical experience, ensuring readiness for patient care roles.

Community Health 
Prepare for impactful careers in diverse healthcare settings, including community health organizations, medical facilities, long-term care centers, wellness programs, and healthcare administration. This concentration equips students with the skills needed to address public health challenges and improve patient outcomes. 

Gerontology 
Gain specialized expertise in the physical, psychological, and social aspects of aging. This concentration prepares students for roles in long-term care, senior wellness programs, and other aging-related healthcare fields. It also serves as a strong foundation for graduate studies in gerontology and healthcare administration.

Occupational Therapy Assistant
Our Occupational Therapy Assistant concentration, backed by ACOTE Candidacy Status, provides a high-quality educational experience. Students develop hands-on skills in various settings such as hospitals and schools, collaborating with healthcare professionals to design individualized treatment plans. Communication and problem-solving skills are emphasized to ensure effective patient care coordination.

Program Highlights

  • Tailored Concentrations: Customize your education with specialized options
  • Job-Ready Education: Gain skills to enter healthcare or pursue advanced studies
  • Real-World Experience: Gain hands-on skills through community-based learning
  • Expert Faculty: Learn from dedicated, highly qualified professors
  • Interdisciplinary Learning: Build problem-solving skills through collaborative coursework
  • Leadership Opportunities: Strengthen expertise through individual projects

Get Prepared for a Career in the Ever-Changing Medical Field With a Health Sciences Major

Focus on patient wellness as you develop the skills you need for an in-demand career in healthcare settings.

Our Highly Ranked Health Sciences Program Is Designed to Set You Up for Success

  • Three students engaged in an activity in the Simulation Lab.

    Simulation Labs That Mimic Real Situations

    Westfield State University’s simulation lab uses progressive hands-on teaching methods to replicate patient care situations. You’ll work with high-tech mannequins that simulate symptoms, diseases, and conditions you’ll see in a real patient care setting. 

  • Student at Career Fair

    Personalized Plan for Grad School or Career

    With our rigorous core competency courses, including chemistry, anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, research methods, and public health intervention, you’ll develop a solid foundation of knowledge. You can then choose from a variety of targeted elective classes to shape your future—whether it’s entry into the healthcare workforce or graduate school, you’ll be well prepared for what’s ahead.

  • Splinting lab featuring two health science students in blue scrubs with WSU logos testing how to splint on eachother.

    Clinical-Focused Research Learning

    As a Health Sciences major, you’ll take courses that emphasize case-based and problem-based instruction, along with simulation. You’ll gain hands-on experience through individual research projects and team-based problem-solving, all grounded in patient-centered care. Collaborate with clinical care centers to prepare for work in a healthcare environment.

Program Details

Program Mission

The Health Sciences program at Westfield State University provides a rigorous and interdisciplinary education designed to prepare students for professional healthcare careers or advanced studies. Rooted in patient-centered care and team-based problem-solving, the curriculum integrates foundational sciences with specialized coursework, fostering essential clinical, analytical, and interpersonal skills. The program emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and community engagement, as faculty and students work alongside campus departments, healthcare facilities, and community organizations to address public health challenges in Western Massachusetts and beyond. As the healthcare industry shifts from an illness-based to a wellness-focused model, the Health Sciences program is uniquely positioned to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to bridge clinical and community care. The curriculum incorporates wellness theory and disease prevention strategies while integrating interprofessional education values such as teamwork, conflict resolution, and informatics. Group work, case-based learning, and simulation-based instruction are central to the pedagogical approach, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the evolving healthcare landscape.

Students have the opportunity to specialize in concentrations that align with their career aspirations, preparing them for diverse roles in healthcare or continued education in graduate programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, nursing, and more. Graduates may also pursue careers in fields such as cardiac rehabilitation, healthcare management, health informatics, and biotechnology. With a strong commitment to academic excellence, the Health Sciences program cultivates culturally competent professionals who are ready to make a meaningful impact in both clinical and community health settings.

Program Vision

The Health Sciences program at Westfield State University offers a dynamic and personalized education designed to prepare students for professional healthcare careers or advanced studies. Emphasizing patient-centered care and team-based problem-solving, the curriculum blends foundational sciences with specialized coursework tailored to individual career goals. Through immersive learning experiences, students develop essential clinical, analytical, and interpersonal skills necessary for success in the ever-evolving healthcare field. With a strong commitment to academic excellence, the program fosters culturally competent professionals ready to serve diverse patient populations. Students have the opportunity to specialize in concentrations that align with their aspirations, ensuring they gain the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to thrive in a variety of healthcare settings or pursue further education in graduate programs.

Learning Outcomes

Expand Student Exploration in Healthcare

  • Provide interdisciplinary coursework and immersive learning experiences that expose students to various aspects of healthcare.
  • Establish academic and experiential learning opportunities through partnerships across diverse healthcare professions.

Develop Multidisciplinary Problem-Solving and Patient Care Skills

  • Integrate interprofessional education principles to enhance teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving, in patient care.
  • Offer team-based learning experiences, including case studies and simulation based instruction, through collaborations with healthcare professionals.

Cultivate Leadership in the Evolving Healthcare Landscape

  • Incorporate leadership development through applied projects and experiential learning embedded in coursework.
  • Provide students with opportunities to engage in leadership initiatives that align with the wellness-focused healthcare model.

Enhance Communication and Cultural Competence in Healthcare

  • Equip students with the skills necessary to effectively interact with diverse patient populations through coursework and hands-on experiences.
  • Offer experiential learning in varied clinical and community care settings to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity.

Align Curriculum with Current Healthcare Demands

  • Ensure coursework meets prerequisite requirements for admission to graduate healthcare programs.
  • Collect and analyze graduate survey data to assess curriculum relevance and student success.

Increase Accessibility to Graduate School Pathways

  • Integrate essential prerequisite courses within the Health Sciences curriculum to support students’ timely progression toward advanced degrees.
  • Monitor student academic progression and collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of graduate school preparation.

Enhance Student Competitiveness for Graduate Programs and Professional Careers

  • Provide undergraduate experiences that contribute to at least an 80% acceptance rate into graduate healthcare programs.
  • Track graduate admission rates and career placements to assess student preparedness and success.

Expand Faculty Research and Scholarship Opportunities

  • Increase faculty involvement in research and scholarship initiatives by 25%, fostering professional development and academic excellence.
  • Engage students in faculty-mentored research and scholarly projects to enhance their critical thinking and professional experience.

Strengthen Interdepartmental Collaboration

  • Ensure that at least 80% of the curriculum is taught through interdisciplinary faculty collaboration.
  • Monitor faculty workload distribution and participation in Health Sciences courses to optimize educational effectiveness.

What Can You Do With a Health Sciences Degree?

A Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences provides a strong foundation for diverse career paths in healthcare, public health, research, administration, and management. Whether you choose to enter the workforce immediately or pursue advanced studies, this degree prepares you with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for success in the evolving healthcare landscape. With a Health Sciences degree, you’ll have the flexibility to explore career opportunities in direct patient care, healthcare administration, public health, research, and beyond. Whether you’re interested in hands-on clinical work, policy and management, or technological advancements in healthcare, this degree provides the foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career.

  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Nursing
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Medical Laboratory Science
  • Radiologic Technology
  • Surgical Technology
  • Public Health Education
  • Healthcare Administration and Management
A Physician Assistant student in a cap and gown smiles at commencement.

Ready to learn more?

Get Big School Features With Small School Advantages

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a welcoming campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • 17:1

    student-faculty ratio

  • 87%

    of students receive financial aid

  • 700+

    Internship Opportunities

Personalized Attention From Dedicated Faculty

All our faculty hold graduate degrees in the subjects that they teach. You’ll get personalized attention and experience using a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving and patient care. Your professors are committed to increasing your knowledge of healthcare through a combination of relevant coursework and individual leadership project opportunities.

Health Sciences Faculty Member Group Photo

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit SAT/ACT scores or an essay when I apply?

Westfield State University does not require an application essay, SAT and/or ACT scores, or letters of recommendation (except for special program admissions).     

All first-year applicants are reviewed for admission based on their high school record. First-year applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) in order to qualify for admission to a state university.   

Learn more about the application process and admissions here.

How much does Westfield State University cost?

Westfield State University offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost—with many options for financial aid. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more. 

Will I receive academic support?

We’re invested in your success. Whether you need a little help adjusting to college, study strategies, tutoring, or disability services, the team at the Academic Achievement Department is ready to help. Our mission is to provide you with the tools to explore academic opportunities as well as to plot strategies for continued growth. 

Learn more about our student support services here.

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Health Sciences, B.S.