Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP), offered by the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, helps students prepare for their chosen professional graduate program. The BSHP allows students to obtain the prerequisites necessary for many health professions including physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant practice, certified anesthesiology assistant, etc. The BSHP provides a broad course of study, while also allowing students to tailor their electives toward their career of choice. For those students interested in medicine or dentistry, we recommend pursuing a degree from Temple University's College of Science and Technology.

The BSHP program provides an academically rigorous set of required core courses with unique interdisciplinary and inter-professional electives that will help set the student apart in the selection process. Drawing from the philosophy of "acres of diamonds," the program utilizes courses from across the College of Public Health (CPH), providing students with an expanded view of health professions. Courses drawn from the disciplines in the CPH give students a more inclusive view of the field, reinforcing the team approach so widely used in healthcare today. Most of the core courses provide students with the prerequisites for the tracks toward professional clinical degrees, i.e., Biology 1 and 2, Chemistry 1 and 2, Physics 1 and 2, Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, and statistics. In addition, some programs require additional courses like Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics (particularly for certified anesthesiology assistant), or Medical Terminology (e.g., Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy).

Note: Depending on the program, students may be required to take advanced courses in psychology or sociology, which have been factored in as well. It is important to note some schools may require additional coursework over and above the courses mentioned here; and some professional healthcare programs may require very different prerequisite courses. Your academic advisor will assist you in choosing courses to meet your professional objectives.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: HP-HPRF-BS

Accelerated Programs

Contact Information

Wendy Cheesman, DPT, MPH, ATC, Program Director
Pearson Hall, Room 243
215-204-2789
wendy.cheesman@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Health Professions.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

University Requirements

All new students are required to complete the university's General Education (GenEd) curriculum.

All University GenEd courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C- in order to count toward graduation; however, students are encouraged to aim for the B grade or higher to improve their chances for successful admission to their graduate program of choice. It should be noted that the Department of Kinesiology requires KINS 1223 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and KINS 1224 Human Anatomy and Physiology II to fulfill the GenEd Science & Technology requirement. Further note that KINS 1223 and KINS 1224 are required prerequisites for admission to the majority of health profession graduate programs, and students are encouraged to earn a B or better in those classes.

All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific writing-intensive courses for this major are HRPR 3096 and HRPR 3197.

College Requirement

All College of Public Health undergraduates must successfully complete the College Core Course, HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play .

Major Requirements

All program courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C. However, if a student wants to be successful when applying for a graduate program in the Health Professions, it is recommended that all program courses be completed with a minimum grade of B. This is especially important for the core courses in math and science.

It should also be noted that some electives are 3 credits and others are 4 credits. In planning the course of study, the student needs to be mindful of the 120-credit requirement for graduation when choosing electives. It is expected the student will work with his/her advisor to ensure the 120 credits are reached and timely completion of the BS in Health Professions program is on track.

Required Courses
KINS 1223Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
KINS 1224Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
Core Courses
HIM 1101Medical Terminology3
HPM 2214Politics and Payments in US Healthcare System3
HRPR 3096Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare3
HRPR 3197Understanding and Applying Research in Health Professions3
SBS 2101Disease Prevention and Control3
SBS 2103Health Psychology and Human Behavior3
PSY 1001Introduction to Psychology3
KINS 4242Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior3
or KINS 4001 Physical Activity Promotion for Health Professionals
Math and Science Requirements
MATH 1021College Algebra4
EPBI 2219Biostatistics and Public Health3
BIOL 1011General Biology I4
or BIOL 1111 Introduction to Organismal Biology
BIOL 1012General Biology II4
or BIOL 2112 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
CHEM 1031General Chemistry I3
CHEM 1033General Chemistry Laboratory I1
CHEM 1032General Chemistry II3
CHEM 1034General Chemistry Laboratory II1
PHYS 1021Introduction to General Physics I4
or PHYS 1061 Elementary Classical Physics I
PHYS 1022Introduction to General Physics II4
or PHYS 1062 Elementary Classical Physics II
Electives
Choose 6-7 courses. Check with advisor for other options based on educational goals. 122
KINS 2000 - 4999
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
Biochemistry I
Introduction to Public Speaking
International Health
Movement Injuries: Prevention and Care
An Introduction to Holistic Practices and Integrative Medicine
First Aid and CPR for Health and Exercise
Honors Special Topics
Emergency Medical Technician
Assessment of Head, Neck, and Spine Injuries in Sport
Independent Study in Health Professions
Directed Readings and Study in Health Professions
LGBTQ+ Health Through the Lifespan
Motor Behavior
Biomechanics of Physical Activity
Precalculus
Calculus I
Calculus II
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
Statistics for Psychology
Social Statistics
Nutrition and Health
Counseling Techniques for Health Professionals
Total Credit Hours85
1

Students taking at least four 4-credit courses, or HRPR 3001 (6 credits), will only need 6 courses to meet the 22 credit Electives requirement.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Health Professions

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
4
MATH 1021 College Algebra 4
HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play 3
KINS 1223 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
 Credit Hours15
Spring
GenEd Quantitative Literacy GQ 4
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
PSY 1001 Introduction to Psychology 3
HIM 1101 Medical Terminology 3
KINS 1224 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
 Credit Hours17
Year 2
Fall
GenEd Breadth Course 3
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
Elective (based on education goals) 1 3
CHEM 1031 General Chemistry I 3
CHEM 1033 General Chemistry Laboratory I 1
SBS 2103 Health Psychology and Human Behavior 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective (based on education goals) 1 3
CHEM 1032 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 1034 General Chemistry Laboratory II 1
HPM 2214 Politics and Payments in US Healthcare System 3
EPBI 2219 Biostatistics and Public Health 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective (based on education goals) 1 3
SBS 2101 Disease Prevention and Control 3
HRPR 3096 Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare [WI] 3
Select one of the following: 4
General Biology I  
Introduction to Organismal Biology  
 Credit Hours16
Spring
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective (free) 2 2
Elective (based on education goals) 1 4
Select one of the following: 4
General Biology II  
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology  
 Credit Hours13
Year 4
Fall
HRPR 3197 Understanding and Applying Research in Health Professions [WI] 3
Elective (based on education goals) 1 3
Select one of the following: 3
Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior  
Physical Activity Promotion for Health Professionals  
Select one of the following: 4
Introduction to General Physics I  
Elementary Classical Physics I  
 Credit Hours13
Spring
Elective (based on education goals) 1 3
Elective (based on education goals) 1 3
GenEd Breadth Course 4
Select one of the following: 4
Introduction to General Physics II  
Elementary Classical Physics II  
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours120
1

Please note that electives have various credit hours (i.e., 3, 4 or 6 credit hours). In planning the course of study, the student needs to be mindful of the 22-credit elective and 120-credit total requirements for graduation when choosing electives. It is expected the student will work with his/her advisor to ensure the 120 credits are reached and timely completion of the BS in Health Professions program is on track.

2

Please note that free elective credits will vary depending on the number of major-related elective credits that have been or will be taken. It is expected that the student will work with his/her advisor to ensure the 120 credits are reached and timely completion of the BS in Health Professions program is on track.

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated programs have additional admissions requirements for students in the Health Professions BS:

College of Public Health