Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies, offered by the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple's College of Public Health, is a degree completion program for students interested in health fields which do not require a breadth of bench sciences. Generally, these are students who have at least 60 credits and a GPA at or below a 3.0 out of 4.0 scale. Students can utilize the flexibility of this program to explore a wide range of interests and to tailor their degree to their own interests in areas such as public health, health information management or psychology (just to name a few). Note: This program is intended for internal and external transfer students, not direct admit for incoming students. Incoming first year students interested in health professions should consider the BS in Health Professions. The BA is not intended for students who wish to pursue graduate programs which require success in bench sciences such as chemistry and physics.
Students in the BA in Health Studies will take a wide range of courses in public health, anatomy and physiology, statistics, and health care. This interdisciplinary approach will help prepare students to become professionals who seek healthcare solutions focused on interdisciplinary approaches and upstream interventions resulting in innovative solutions to patient and health care issues.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: HP-HLST-BA
What makes this program special?
Flexible Curriculum: Students will have the opportunity to work with academic advisors and tailor their degree to their goals and interests.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Coursework will provide background in the science of the human body, determinants of health, health communication, nutrition, health care systems, and much more.
Extraordinary Educators: Students take courses from leaders and innovators across fields in the College of Public Health. These educators use innovative classroom approaches and a wealth of practical experience to bring real world lessons and skills to the curriculum.
Special Admissions Information
Transfers only (internal and external). Generally minimum 60 credits and GPA at or below a 3.0 out of 4.0 scale.
Distinction in Major
Degree completion initiative.
Contact Information
Wendy Cheesman, DPT, MPH, ATC, Program Director
Pearson Hall, Room 243
215-204-2789
wendy.cheesman@temple.edu
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 related 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 related fields, it is recommended that all program courses be completed with a minimum grade of B. This is especially important for the core courses and required prerequisites.
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 BA in Health Studies program is on track.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Requirement | ||
| HRPR 1001 | Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play | 3 |
| Required Core | ||
| HIM 1101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| KINS 1223 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| KINS 1224 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| SBS 2101 | Disease Prevention and Control | 3 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| EPBI 2219 | Biostatistics and Public Health | 3 |
| HPM 2214 | Politics and Payments in US Healthcare System | 3 |
| KINS 4242 | Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior | 3 |
| HRPR 3096 | Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare (WI) | 3 |
| HRPR 3197 | Understanding and Applying Research in Health Professions | 3 |
| Content Electives | ||
| Select from the following content electives: | 31 | |
| Introduction to Mindfulness | ||
| Contemporary Aspects of Disability | ||
| Introduction to Clinical Health Professions | ||
| Movement Injuries: Prevention and Care | ||
| An Introduction to Holistic Practices and Integrative Medicine | ||
| First Aid and CPR for Health and Exercise | ||
| Basic Assessment of Musculoskeletal Injuries | ||
| 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 | ||
| International Health | ||
| Public Health Beyond Borders | ||
| Epidemiology 360: Determinants, Disease and Health-related Outcomes | ||
| Introduction to Epidemiology | ||
| Introduction to Research Methods | ||
| Health Information Management IT Fundamentals | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Motor Behavior | ||
| Biomechanics of Physical Activity | ||
| Health Geography | ||
| Introduction to Sociology for Health Professions | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Community-Based Participatory Research I | ||
| Counseling Techniques for Health Professionals | ||
KINS 2000+ choice of Kinesiology courses | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 69 | |
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 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 |
| KINS 1223 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| HRPR 1001 | Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| HIM 1101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| KINS 1224 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| SBS 2103 | Health Psychology and Human Behavior | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPBI 2219 | Biostatistics and Public Health | 3 |
| HPM 2214 | Politics and Payments in US Healthcare System | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2,3 | 4-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SBS 2101 | Disease Prevention and Control | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ | 4 | |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| HRPR 3096 | Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare [WI] | 3 |
| KINS 4242 | Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior | 3 |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HRPR 3197 | Understanding and Applying Research in Health Professions [WI] | 3 |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 4 | |
| Elective (Based on educational goals) 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| 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 their advisor to ensure the 120 credits are reached and timely completion of the BA in Health Studies 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 their advisor to ensure the 120 credits are reached and timely completion of the BA in Health Studies program is on track.
- 3
Students may work closely with their advisor to plan out a suggested minor or certificate to meet their educational goals. While the minor or certificate is not required, it is strongly recommended due to the flexibility of the BA in Health Studies.