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

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies.

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.  

College Requirement
HRPR 1001Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play3
Required Core
HIM 1101Medical Terminology3
PSY 1001Introduction to Psychology3
KINS 1223Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
KINS 1224Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
SBS 2101Disease Prevention and Control3
SBS 2103Health Psychology and Human Behavior3
EPBI 2219Biostatistics and Public Health3
HPM 2214Politics and Payments in US Healthcare System3
KINS 4242Exercise, Nutrition and Behavior3
HRPR 3096Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare (WI)3
HRPR 3197Understanding and Applying Research in Health Professions3
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 Hours69

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies

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
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 Hours14
Spring
HIM 1101 Medical Terminology 3
KINS 1224 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
IH 0851
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 Hours16
Year 2
Fall
IH 0852
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
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 Hours15
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 Hours13
 Total Credit Hours120
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.