Build your Foundation
The curriculum offers a broad interdisciplinary education with foundational courses in natural and social sciences, alongside application-based coursework in aging studies, public health, and healthcare management. The Scientific Foundations Division in the College of Health Professions builds the essential knowledge and skills for future clinical healthcare providers. This unique blend of science and healthcare prepares you for various professional and graduate programs.
The department offers unique experiences, encouraging campus and community engagement. Involvement in the HEALTH student organization fosters leadership in health promotion and policy change. The required applied learning professional portfolio helps build experiential reflections and educational outcomes, giving you an edge in clinical program applications.
- Acquire health knowledge. Health science differs from the basic sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) because those disciplines often explore topics unrelated to health. Students will gain knowledge on health problems and health outcomes, providing broad interdisciplinary education that encompasses both natural science and behavioral science.
- Flexible schedule. Courses in the health science program are offered online and in the evening. This allows students time for science courses typically offered during the day.
- Prepare for clinical studies. Students who complete the Health Science program are prepared to continue to a clinical program in nursing, medical laboratory sciences, dental hygiene, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, chiropractic, etc.
- Caring professors. Compassionate, experienced and student focused faculty.
- Scientific Foundations. Provides building blocks to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to a career in clinical healthcare.
- Applied Learning Portfolio. Professional development activities required to provide applied experiences beyond the classroom.
- Departmental Honors. In-depth exploration of the research area of your choice, one-on-one faculty mentorship and collaboration in scholarly activities.
- Bao Nhu To, Fall 2024, was recongized for outstanding biomedical research at the 2024 Kansas IDeA Netowork of Biomedical Research Excellence Symposium, for her poster presentation on “Microbial Survival and Partitioning in Layered Ices Relevant to Mars.” Bao, was also won 2nd place in Natural Sciences & Engineering research at the 2023 Undergraduate Research and Creativity Forum (URCAF). Bao is one of two recent Health Sciences students to be accepted into the KU School of Medicine Scholars of Urban Health early admission program.
- Addison Barnard, Spring 2024, named AAC Softball Scholar Athlete of the Year. Addison is the first Shocker softball student-athlete to earn scholar-athlete of the year honors since Wichita State joined The American in 2017.
- Chantel Minter, Spring 2024, served as an International Buddy welcoming international students to Wichita State.
- Jacey Arnett, Spring 2024, was feautred by WSU's F1st Gen Shockers. Wichita State University is home to nearly 5,000 first-generation students, individuals whose caregivers weren't able to complete a college degree and who lack the firsthand experience to tackle college life. To help with their transition, Wichita State offers a number of resources to first-gen students to support them during their time in college, including F1RST GEN SHOCKERS.
Students from the health science program go on to a variety of clinical education programs preparing them for a different healthcare careers.
Common programs include:
- Nursing
- Dental Hygiene
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Physician Assistant
- Physical Therapy
- Audiology
- Medical School
- Occupational Therapy
- Chiropractic School
-
Optometry
- Genetic Counseling
- Veterinary School
- Fall, spring or summer entry.
- Accommodates flexible study plans including full-time, part-time, with a combination of in person and online classes.
- Minimum GPA for admission 2.00.
- The Bachelor of Health Science prepared me with a broad understanding of the healthcare system and my specific role as a Physician Assistant. Billing, insurance and management classes have given me a solid understanding of the hospital functions. The undergraduate science classes prepared me for Physician Assistant school and provided foundational knowledge that I use daily. -- Physician Assistant
- Ultimately the Health Science degree helped me discover my passion for population health which inspired me to pursue higher education and obtain the role I have now. -- Data Management Analyst
- Visit the Health Science Alumni Directory to view more alumni stories.