Bachelor of Science in Health Professions
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Health Professions.
Wendy Cheesman, DPT, MPH, ATC
Program Director
Pearson Hall 243
215-204-2789
wendy.cheesman@temple.edu
The Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) is a degree which helps students prepare for their chosen professional graduate program with the prerequisites necessary for many health professions, e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant practice, certified anesthesiology assistant, etc. The BSHP provides a broad course of study, while also allowing the student to tailor their electives toward their career of choice. For those students interested in Medicine or Dentistry, we recommend pursuing a degree from the 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 them with an expanded view of health professions. Courses drawn from the disciplines in the CPH give the student a more inclusive view of the field reinforcing the team approach so widely used in healthcare today. Most of the core courses provide the student with the prerequisites for the professional clinical degrees: 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., PT and OT).
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.
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 4096.
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 HP degree is on track.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 1001 | Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play | 3 |
| HRPR 3096 | Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare | 3 |
| SBS 2101 | Disease Prevention and Control | 3 |
| HRPR 4096 | Introduction to the Narrative in Patient-Centered Health Care | 3 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| KINS 4242 | Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior | 3 |
| 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 7 courses. Check with advisor for other options based on educational goals. | 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 | ||
| Motor Behavior | ||
| Biomechanics of Physical Activity | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
or PSY 1167 | ||
or PSY 1003 | Statistics for Psychology | |
or SOC 1167 | Social Statistics | |
PHIL 1000 - 4999 | ||
PSY 2000 - 4999 | ||
| Nutrition and Health | ||
| Counseling Techniques for Health Professionals | ||
| Independent Study in Health Professions | ||
| Directed Readings and Study in Health Professions | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 88 | |
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Science in Health Professions
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| KINS 1223 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| HRPR 1001 | Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play | 3 |
| MATH 1021 | College Algebra | 4 |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HIM 1101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| KINS 1224 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy [GQ] | 4 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 1031 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 1033 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective (based on education goals)1 | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 1032 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 1034 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| EPBI 2219 | Biostatistics and Public Health | 3 |
| HPM 2214 | Politics and Payments in US Healthcare System | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective (based on education goals)1 | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SBS 2101 | Disease Prevention and Control | 3 |
| HRPR 3096 | Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare [WI] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective (based on education goals)1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Biology I | ||
| Introduction to Organismal Biology | ||
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective (free)2 | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective (based on education goals)1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Biology II | ||
| Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology | ||
| Term Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| KINS 4242 | Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior | 3 |
| HRPR 4096 | Introduction to the Narrative in Patient-Centered Health Care [WI] | 3 |
| Elective (based on education goals)1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to General Physics I | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Term 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 | ||
| Term Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 120 | |
| 1 | Please note 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 B.S. in Health Professions degree 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 B.S. in Health Professions degree is on track. |