BS in Health Science Handbook

Prepare students to pursue undergraduate or graduate clinical education.

Foundational Clinical Knowledge: Apply broad-based understanding of biological, medical, and social knowledge to solve healthcare issues.

Evidence-Based Practice: Demonstrate skill in using data to analyze and improve healthcare structures, processes, and outcomes.

Health Administration: Examine U.S. healthcare system delivery, management, and operations.

Public Health and Education: Identify strategies for protecting, promoting, and assuring population health outcomes.

Safe and Informed Care: Examine methods to support quality population health outcomes.

Interprofessionalism: Engage in effective interprofessional communication and collaboration.

Alumni Career Outcomes 

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) degree provides a strong foundation for students pursuing professional clinical education, graduate study, and a broad range of careers within healthcare and related fields. Graduates have continued their education at Wichita State University and other institutions nationwide while also securing positions in hospitals, health systems, public health agencies, clinical practices, research organizations, healthcare technology companies, and community-based organizations.

Many BSHS graduates have successfully gained admission to professional and graduate programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Physician Associate (PA), Physical Therapy (DPT), Dental Hygiene, Medicine (MD), Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Public Health (MPH), Health Administration (MHA), Exercise Science, Chiropractic, Veterinary Medicine, and Law programs. A significant number of alumni have pursued these degrees through Wichita State University and other leading institutions across the country.

Common career and educational pathways include:

• Clinical and Allied Health Professions: Registered Nurse, Physician Associate, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Dental Hygienist, Surgical Technologist, Respiratory Therapist, Radiologic Technologist, Medical Doctor, Pharmacist, Chiropractor, and Veterinarian.
• Patient Care and Care Coordination: Patient Care Technician, Care Coordinator, Patient Navigator, Case Manager, Medical Assistant, Rehabilitation Technician, Therapy Technician, and Patient Access Supervisor.
• Public Health and Community Health: Public Health Specialist, Disease Investigator, Health Educator, Program Manager, Epidemiologist, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, Refugee Health Coordinator, and Community Outreach Coordinator.
• Healthcare Administration and Operations: Operations Coordinator, Clinic Manager, Practice Manager, Executive Director, Long-Term Care Administrator, Office Manager, Revenue Cycle Manager, and Director of Operations.
• Health Information and Informatics: Health Information Specialist, Health Information Manager, Clinical Data Analyst, Health Information Coder, Electronic Health Record (EHR) Consultant, and Integration Analyst.
• Research and Clinical Studies: Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Research Manager, Medical Scribe, Residency Coordinator, and Research Program Manager.
• Business, Finance, and Healthcare Consulting: Compliance Specialist, Financial Counselor, Risk Analyst, Healthcare Consultant, Treasury Analyst, Grant Analyst, and Revenue Cycle Professional.
• Sales, Marketing, and Industry Relations: Medical Device Sales Representative, Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist, Clinical Specialist, Business Development Manager, Account Executive, and Enterprise Account Manager.

The diverse career outcomes of BSHS alumni demonstrate the flexibility of the degree and its value as preparation for both professional healthcare programs and careers throughout the healthcare industry. Whether pursuing advanced clinical training or entering the workforce directly, graduates are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to contribute meaningfully to the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Preparing for a career in health science is a four-year journey, starting well before your first major course. The program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours, and choosing a major can be one of the most challenging decisions you make during your college years. By choosing Health Science, you will be admitted to the Health Science program within the College of Health Professions and assigned a College advisor. This advisor will help you meet both the program's graduation requirements and the University’s overall degree requirements. Regular meetings with your advisor are essential to maximize your educational opportunities in health science.

Active involvement in planning your degree path is crucial. Our college advising system is designed to empower and support you throughout this process.

General Education Program Overview

All undergraduate students must complete Wichita State University's General Education Program. Students should work closely with their advisor to ensure timely completion of general education requirements and degree milestones.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) is a preprofessional degree designed to prepare students for admission to a variety of clinical and professional programs, including nursing, dental hygiene, medical laboratory science, physical therapy, physician associate studies, occupational therapy, medicine, dentistry, optometry, and pharmacy.

The curriculum provides a strong foundation in the biological and physical sciences, mathematics, health services delivery, population health, leadership, public health, health services management, and aging studies. Coursework is designed to help students understand both clinical practice and the healthcare systems in which care is delivered.

The program also offers interdisciplinary elective options that allow students to tailor their studies to their career goals. Students may pursue coursework that supports preparation for clinical graduate programs, long-term care administration through an Administrator-in-Training (AIT) practicum, or eligibility for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) credential. This flexibility enables students to explore a variety of career pathways within healthcare while building a strong foundation for future professional education.

The online accelerated bachelor's to master's program in health administration is designed to prepare qualified students for graduate work in health administration at WSU through a coordinated accelerated program leading to both a Bachelor's of Science in health science and a Master of Health Administration (MHA).

A student admitted to the accelerated program will be allowed to enroll in courses for graduate credit (up to 9 credit hours) while also earning undergraduate credit for dual courses. This dual credit allows students an advanced start on the MHA curriculum, while still competing their undergraduate degree in health science. Students can streamline their graduate education with the accelerated bachelor's in health science to Master of Health Administration.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Pathway

The Health Science (HS) program offers a pathway to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program that provides up to six guaranteed seats annually for qualified students. To be considered, students must meet all pathway requirements, including:

• Be on track to earn, or have earned within the previous academic year, a Bachelor of Science in Health Science or Exercise Science from Wichita State University.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.60
• Minimum science GPA of 3.60
• Active participation in the Pre-Physical Therapy (Pre-PT) Club
• Completion of at least 100 hours of physical therapy shadowing across multiple practice settings
• Fulfillment of all additional pathway-specific requirements

Students are encouraged to review the DPT pathway website for complete eligibility criteria, application procedures, and program deadlines.

Important Note:

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee pathway acceptance. Students are responsible for reviewing all pathway criteria and maintaining eligibility throughout their undergraduate studies. Refer to the associated program websites for the most current information and complete pathway requirements.

Master of Physician Associate (PA) Securied Interview Pathway

The Master of Physician Associate (PA) Securted Interview pathway provides eight guaranteed interviews annually for qualified students from the Exercise Science, Health Science, and Health Management undergraduate programs. To be considered, students must meet all pathway requirements, including:

• Be on track to earn, or have earned within the previous academic year, a Bachelor of Science in Health Management, Health Science, or Exercise Science from Wichita State University.
• Maintain a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.70 or higher.
• Complete all required Physician Associate Program prerequisite courses with a grade of B or higher.
• Submit a complete CASPA application and meet all eligibility requirements established by the Wichita State University Physician Associate Program.
• Be an active member of the Wichita State University Pre-PA Club while enrolled at Wichita State University.
• Complete a minimum of 50 hours of healthcare provider shadowing with a Physician Associate, Physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
• Health Science and Health Management Students: Complete the Department of Public Health Sciences Applied Learning Portfolio by August 1st.

Students should consult the MPA pathway website for detailed admission requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.

Important Note:

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee pathway acceptance. Students are responsible for reviewing all pathway criteria and maintaining eligibility throughout their undergraduate studies. Refer to the associated program websites for the most current information and complete pathway requirements.

PHS offers minors in the following subject areas; Aging Studies, Health Science and Public Health. Students can obtain any of the minors in addition to their bachelor degree. Minors require students to take at least one unduplicated course.

An undergraduate certificate allows undergraduate students and working professionals to expand their skill and knowledge of public health practice. The certificates may also be pursued concurrently with degree programs such as anthropology, biology, health management, general business, pre-med, social work and clinical disciplines in the College of Health Professions.

Students are encouraged to use their open electives (fall-through) courses to pursue a minor or certificate program that compliments the BSHM program. Adding a minor can help students develop specialized knowledge and valuable skills that enhance their career opportunities, broaden their understanding of related fields, and strengthen their preparation for graduate study and professional advancement.

Course descriptions for the BSHS program can be viewed in the WSU Undergraduate Catalog: