Health Sciences, B.S.

Overview

This program prepares students for diverse careers within in-demand healthcare settings, or for pursuing graduate study in specific healthcare majors.  Students will develop the knowledge and skill necessary for careers in the ever-changing medical/healthcare field. 

  • Simulation Labs

     that mimic real situations

  • Personalized Plan

     for grad school or career

  • Clinical-Focused

    research learning

Requirements

Program Description

The Department of Health Science offers degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. At the undergraduate level, the department offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, including three concentrations in Clinical, Community Health and Gerontology. This program prepares students for diverse careers within in-demand healthcare settings working in community health departments, medical settings, long-term care facilities, wellness environments, or health care management. The undergraduate Health Science major can also prepare a student for graduate study in specific healthcare majors such as PA, OT, PT, Prosthetics, or Public Health. The curriculum includes a core course of health science study, then a personalized program of study to focus on the student's career path. Students will develop the knowledge and skill necessary for careers in the ever-changing medical/healthcare field.

At the graduate level, the Health Science Department offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. The PA program provides students with superior knowledge and skills for the evaluation, monitoring, diagnosis, treatment, and counseling of patients across their lifespan, and successful completion of the NCCPA PANCE exam. For additional information, see the Graduate Catalog or the Physician Assistant web page at westfield.ma.edu/PAstudies.

For program and course availability, please contact the Health Science Department directly.

Requirements of the Health Sciences Major - 58 credits

Students must earn at least a 3.00 GPA in all major core courses and electives required of the Health Sciences program to graduate.

Required Major Core courses - 31 credits

A minimum grade of "B" is required of all major core courses.

Choose 2 courses from the following - 8 credits

Choose one of the following - 3 credits

Additional Required Common Core courses - 16 credits

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

  • Increase student flexibility to explore a variety of aspects of healthcare.
  • Utilize a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving and patient care.
  • Prepare students to be leaders in the new model of healthcare.
  • Increase relevance of university curriculum.
  • Increase accessibility of graduate school prerequisites.
  • Increase marketability of students as they apply to graduate schools and professional positions.
  • Broaden teaching service and scholarship opportunities for faculty members.
  • Promote interdepartmental collaboration.
A Health Sciences student in Gerontology class