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, Pharmacy, etc. The BSHP provides a broad course of study, while also allowing students to tailor their electives toward their career track 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 and you should research requirements of individual programs in which you are interested.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: HP-HPRF-BS
Accelerated Programs
- 3+3 Physical Therapy Program (BS/DPT)
- Direct Entry MS in Athletic Training
- Health Informatics MS
- Doctor of Chiropractic Program articulation agreement with Northeast College of Health Sciences
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 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| KINS 1223 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| KINS 1224 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| Core Courses | ||
| HIM 1101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HPM 2214 | Politics and Payments in US Healthcare System | 3 |
| HRPR 3096 | Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare | 3 |
| HRPR 3197 | Understanding and Applying Research in Health Professions | 3 |
| SBS 2101 | Disease Prevention and Control | 3 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| KINS 4242 | Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior | 3 |
| or KINS 4001 | Physical Activity Promotion for Health Professionals | |
| Math and Science Requirements | ||
| MATH 1021 | College Algebra | 4 |
| EPBI 2219 | Biostatistics and Public Health | 3 |
| BIOL 1011 | General Biology I | 4 |
| or BIOL 1111 | Introduction to Organismal Biology | |
| BIOL 1012 | General Biology II | 4 |
| or BIOL 2112 | Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology | |
| CHEM 1031 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 1033 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 1032 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 1034 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| PHYS 1021 | Introduction to General Physics I | 4 |
| or PHYS 1061 | Elementary Classical Physics I | |
| PHYS 1022 | Introduction to General Physics II | 4 |
| or PHYS 1062 | Elementary Classical Physics II | |
| Electives | ||
| Choose 6-7 courses. Check with advisor for other options based on educational goals. 1 | 22 | |
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 | ||
or PSY 1003 | Statistics for Psychology | |
or SOC 1167 | Social Statistics | |
| Nutrition and Health | ||
| Counseling Techniques for Health Professionals | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 85 | |
- 1
Students taking at least four 4-credit courses, or HRPR 3087 (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 2025-2026 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit 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 Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy GQ | 4 | |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | 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 Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | 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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 13 | |
| 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 Hours | 13 | |
| 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 Hours | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 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
- Athletic Training MSAT
- Health Informatics MS
- 3+3 Accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Students must also register with the Pre-Professional Health Advising unit.
- Learn more about the timeline and recommended courses for this pathway.