The program has two major goals: to teach foundational skills to students whose career goal is to work in health care, particularly for those who want to become health care providers, and to teach foundational skills to students who want to work with individuals, groups or communities who face social, economic or health challenges. In addition, interested students have the opportunity to explore a combination-degree program in public health.

The college offers five specializations in the freshman and sophomore years:

General Health Science

For students who want to work in a health care field not mentioned in the other specializations below. The number of electives allowed in this specialization affords the student the opportunity to incorporate a range of prerequisites for different career paths.

Occupational Therapy Accelerated

A combination-degree program that allows students to take first-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program courses during their junior and senior years in the health science program.

Pre-Physical Therapy

Offers a suggested prerequisite course sequence for students interested in pursuing entry-level physical therapy education at the graduate/professional level.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Offers the core health science curriculum plus prerequisites necessary for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at UF.

Pre-Professional

For students pursuing careers in fields such as medicine, physician assistant and dentistry, all of which require significant basic science prerequisites. This specialization is set up to integrate commonly required pre-professional courses with requirements for the health science major.

The general health science, pre-professional and pre-physical therapy specializations collapse into one track beginning in the junior year and follow the same core curriculum, focusing on the health care system, different diseases and disabilities, the role of the health care provider in prevention and treatment, research methods and understanding core public health concepts. The senior year focuses on patient provider communication, effective leadership and critical-thinking skills important to clinical problem solving and the bioethical and legal issues impacting health care.

Regardless of specialization selected, students complement core courses with electives to round out their academic skills and interests.

Upon successful completion of the health science program, students receive the Bachelor of Health Science degree. While the majority of students pursue graduate or professional training in a health field (e.g. occupational therapy, physical therapy, medicine, physician assistant, health administration, dentistry, public health), some students seek employment in hospital or related community organizations after completing the B.H.S.

Course Sequence

While all specializations are designed for students interested in health care, students should select the specialization that most closely approximates their career plans and overall academic performance. Included in specific tracks are typical prerequisites for UF graduate and professional programs.

All course specializations in the health science program require a minimum 3.0 overall and prerequisite GPA for admission at the junior level.

Each specialization incorporates general education math and writing requirements and health science prerequisites. All specializations accept AP, IB, or AICE credit for any prerequisite course. Students must earn a minimum of C in any BHS prerequisite course that is not satisfied by AP/IB/AICE credit. NOTE: While students can use AP/IB/AICE credit to satisfy BHS prerequisites, students should be aware that graduate/professional programs may not accept AP/IB/AICE credits in lieu of letter grades for their respective prerequisites. Students should consult a college advisor if they need assistance or have questions about a specific course schedule.

General Health Science

The general specialization is designed to accommodate students interested in diverse health care fields (e.g., health administration, nursing, clinical psychology).

To be on-track for the junior year, students must meet the critical-tracking criteria listed below, beginning with the first fall or spring term.

To be considered for admission at the junior level, students must:

• Remain on track each fall and spring term, for a total of four semesters.
• Complete the following prerequisites or equivalents by the end of the fourth semester:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credits
  BSC 2005	Biological Sciences	3
  or BSC 2010	Integrated Principles of Biology 1
  PSY 2012	General Psychology	3
  STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1	3
  CLP 3144	Abnormal Psychology	3
  or DEP 3053	Developmental Psychology
  APK 2105C	Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory	4
  ENC 3453	Writing in the Health Professions	3
  or ENC 2210	Technical Writing

• The online application to the BHS program goes live as a link on the BHS website in November. Apply formally to the college by the February 1 deadline. Transfer students must apply separately to UF and to the college so they must submit two different applications.

Off-track UF freshmen and sophomores must speak with a college advisor before registering for the next semester and prior to applying for junior-year admission consideration.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete ENC 1101 or ENC 1102 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 9 credits of general education courses, including ENC 1101 or higher, with minimum grades of C
• 2.3 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

Semester 2

• Complete STA 2023 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete PSY 2012 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 9 additional credits of general education courses for a total of 18, including the university writing requirement
• 2.7 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

Semester 3

• Complete BSC 2005 or BSC 2010 with minimum grade of C
• Complete CLP 3144 or DEP 3053 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete STA 2023 with minimum grades of C
• Complete 9 additional credits of general education courses for a total of 27
• 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
• 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

Semester 4

• Complete all general education courses, including IDS 1161 and all state core courses
• Complete the university writing requirement, which must include ENC 3453 or a substitution approved by a PHHP advisor
• Complete APK 2105C with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 60 cumulative credits
• 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses and minimum grades of C on all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
• 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

Semester 5

• Complete HSA 3111 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete HSC 3502 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete PHC 4101 with a minimum grade of C

Semester 6

• Complete HSC 3057 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete HSC 4558 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete OTH 3416 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 3 credits of College Approved Electives

Semester 7

• Complete HSC 3661 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete RCS 4415L with a minimum grade of C
• Complete HSC 4184 with a minimum grade of C

Semester 8

• Complete HSC 4608L with a minimum grade of C
• Complete HSC 4652L with a minimum grade of C
• Complete HSC 4008 with a Satisfactory grade
• Complete 9 credits of College Approved Electives

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester One		Credits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities)		3
Select one:		3
ENC 1101	Expository and Argumentative Writing (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement)
ENC 1102	Argument and Persuasion (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement)
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences (Critical Tracking)		3
Gen Ed Mathematics (Critical Tracking)		3
Elective		3
	Credits	15
Semester Two
HSC 2000	Introduction to Health Professions (Recommended)	3
PSY 2012	General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)	3
STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics)	3
Gen Ed Composition (Critical Tracking; Writing Requirement)		3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities (Critical Tracking; with International or Diversity)		3
	Credits	15
Semester Three
Select one:		3
BSC 2005	Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
BSC 2010	Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
Select one:		3
CLP 3144	Abnormal Psychology (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
DEP 3053	Developmental Psychology (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Gen Ed Composition (Critical Tracking; Writing Requirement)		3
Electives (with International or Diversity)		6
	Credits	15
Semester Four
Quest 2		3
APK 2105C	Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)	4
ENC 3453	Writing in the Health Professions (Critical Tracking; Writing Requirement)	3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences (Critical Tracking)		3
Electives		2
	Credits	15
Semester Five
HSA 3111	U.S. Health Care System (Critical Tracking) 1	3
HSC 3502	Survey of Diseases and Disability (Critical Tracking) 1	3
PHC 4101	Public Health Concepts (Critical Tracking) 1	3
Electives (3000/4000 level)		6
	Credits	15
Semester Six
HSC 3057	Research Methods and Issues in Health Science (Critical Tracking) 1	3
HSC 4558	Survey of Diseases and Disabilities 2 (Critical Tracking) 1	3
OTH 3416	Pathophysiology (Critical Tracking) 1	3
Approved college elective (3000/400 level; Critical Tracking) 1		3
Elective (3000/4000 level)		3
	Credits	15
Semester Seven
HSC 3661	Therapeutic Communication Skills with Patients, Families and the Health Care Team (Critical Tracking) 1	2
RCS 4415L	Therapeutic Communication Skills Laboratory (Critical Tracking) 1	1
HSC 4184	Health Care Leadership: Skills and Styles (Critical Tracking) 1	3
Approved college elective (3000/4000 level; Critical Tracking) 1		3
Electives (3000/4000 level)		6
	Credits	15
Semester Eight
HSC 4008	Professional Development for the Health Sciences (Critical Tracking)	1
HSC 4608L	Critical Thinking in Health Care (Critical Tracking) 1	4
HSC 4652L	Ethical and Legal Issues in the Health Professions (Critical Tracking) 1	3
Approved college elective (3000/4000 level; Critical Tracking) 1		3
Electives (3000/4000 level)		4
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	120

¹

Minimum grade of C required. 

For semesters 5-8, students must enroll in all semesters and take all core courses in the term/order indicated.

---

The Bachelor of Health Science prepares students for a career in health care systems or organizations that provide health or general human services to individuals/communities with health concerns. Students will learn the foundational interprofessional skills necessary to succeed in the dynamic healthcare environment and/or enter postbaccalaureate academic programs such as medicine, physical therapy and public health.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Receive a satisfactory grade (S) in the BHS capstone portfolio.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Describe key elements of the U.S. healthcare system.
2. Comprehensively describe major chronic illnesses and disabilities.
3. Describe the core functions of public health.
4. Apply knowledge and application of core bioethical principles to contemporary health issues.
5. Develop appropriate professional behaviors for health careers.

Critical Thinking

6. Develop and apply critical analysis skills to contemporary health issues.

Communication

7. Apply effective basic communication skills for health professionals.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Academic Learning Compact 7

Courses	SLO 1	SLO 2	SLO 3	SLO 4	SLO 5	SLO 6	SLO 7
HSA 3111	I, R
HSC 3057						I
HSC 3502		I, R	I
HSC 3661							I, R, A
HSC 4184					R
HSC 4558		I, R	I
HSC 4608L	R				R	I, R, A	R
HSC 4652L			I, R	R			R
OTH 3416		I, R
PHC 4101		I, R	I, R			I
RCS 4415L					I		I
Capstone Exam	A	A	A	A	A	A	A

Assessment Types

• Assignment
• The Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) capstone exam in the final semester
• The degree candidate's exit survey