Build your Foundation
The curriculum allows for broad interdisciplinary education that encompasses foundational courses in natural sciences and social sciences, as well as application-based coursework in aging studies, public health and healthcare management. The Scientific Foundations Division in the College of Health Professions provides the building blocks to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities critical in developing the next generation of clinical health care providers. The distinctive curriculum merger of science and healthcare subject matter prepares you for a variety professional and graduate degree programs.
The department provides unique student experiences encouraging you to become engaged in the broader campus and local community. Involvement with the HEALTH student organization provides opportunities to be involved in leadership efforts for health promotion and health policy change on campus. The required applied learning professional portfolio provides a structure to build experiential reflections and educational outcomes, both of which will provide you an edge as you prepare your clinical program application.
- 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.
- Dawna Raehpour, Sp 21, was awarded the Stanley Z. Koplik Memorial Scholarship, she credits PHS faculty with showing her a career path in health care.
- Health Science students, Saniya Ahmed, Sp 21 and Dawna Raehpour, Sp 21, participated in a video campaign focused on mask compliance on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Morgan Bretches, Fl 20, as part of her leadership class HP 408 Leadership in Self and Society, planned a virtual event focused on inspiring and empowering individuals with disabilities to pursue careers in medicine and science through a national organization called the American Physician Scientists Association (APSA).
- Sarah Buie, Sp 22, triple major in health science, health management and psychology, was featured in the Derby Informer about her experience through the pandemic.
- Yuki To, future Health Science student, winner of the 2021 Lenora N McGregor Endowed Scholarship chose WSU because of the strong health science program and he diverse, tight-knit community at WSU.
- Saniya Ahmend, Sp 21, was awarded the Phenomenal Women award by the Office of University and Inclusion.
- Health Science Capstone students worked with the Wichita LGBT Health Coalition on three projects to help identify and rate LGBTQ+ friendly health care providers, locate resources for LGBTQ+ older adults and train providers to work with LGBTQ+ patients.
According to the The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook employment in healthcare occupations is expected to grow 13% from 2021-2031, much faster than average for all occupations. This increase will amount to 2 million new jobs over the decade, plus 1.9 million jobs vacated by workers who leave permantely. You can view a list of different occupations and their salary inforamation on the website. The median wage for technical healthcare occupations was $75,040 in May 2021. Occupations included registered nurses, physicians, surgeons, and dental hygenists.
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.
- Complete is as little as 26 months!
- Accommodates flexible study plans including full-time, part-time, with a combination of evening and online synchronous and asynchronous classes.
- Minimum GPA for admission 2.00.
- Acceptance Fee. A one- time acceptance fee of $50 will be assessed; the fee is collected by the Registrar's Office.
- 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, Spring 2015
- 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, Summer 2015
- Morgan Bretches, Fl 20, started the Pre-Jays program at the KU School of Medicine - Wichita. The program is a unique partnership with WSU and KUSM-W, matching pre-med students at WSU with student ambassadors in the medical school.
- Visit the Health Science Alumni Directory to view more alumni stories.
Spring 2015
Health Science Graduation Awards
Katie Dunlop, Fall 2022
Katie graduated in Fall 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. During her time at WSU she served as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for anatomy and physiology, and a Resident Assistant in Shocker Hall. She enjoyed being involved in the Community Service Board and the Pre-Physician Assistant Student Organization. She was recently accepted into the WSU Physician Assistant Program and will start this coming June.
Shazia Ahmed, Fall 2022
Shazia graduated in Fall 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with minors in women's studies, biological science, chemistry and public health. She participated in the HEALTH Student Association and Premedical Student Association. Through these opportunities and others she has learned and grown with at WSU. The College of Health Profession has increased her passion for healthcare and taught her to work collaboratively with professionals in different fields. She participated in research on accessibility of treatment and resources for gestational diabetes in Sedgwick County. There were six health care facilities that she focused on and learned that there are only a limited number of providers that specialize in gestational diabetes treatment, which could cause hardships for people living with this condition. After graduation, she aspires to become a physician and implement all of my knowledge about public health to ensure proper care in the medical field.
Sarah Buie, Fall 2022
Sarah graduated in Fall 2022 with a triple major in Health Science, Psychology, and Health Management with an aging studies concentration and honors leadership track. During her time at Wichita State, she served as a Student Ambassador for the Office of Admissions where she helped recruit prospective Shockers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered for Wichita State’s asymptomatic COVID testing site. Additionally, she spent time as a research assistant for the Institute for Health Equity Advances and the INSPYRE Research Lab. She currently works full-time as the Transfer Communications Assistant for the Wichita State Office Of Admissions. In this role, she manages the marketing and communications efforts for nontraditional prospective students and plans recruitment events. After graduation, she plans to stay at Wichita State and obtain her MBA in Marketing.