The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is a versatile degree that provides students with extensive preparation for work in any field that addresses people’s health.  The objective of this program is to address the needs of those students seeking a broad understanding of the science of human health and its application to their chosen career. 

Health Sciences provides education to help prepare individuals to maintain and improve the health, quality of life and well-being of people; to prepare students to acquire knowledge of various health care related subjects and apply this knowledge to improve the health of those they come in contact with. The curriculum is structured to allow students to complete graduate prerequisites and courses for continued education in health professional programs.

The health sciences field is the single largest industry in the country, accounting for more than 14 million jobs. Many of the fastest growing occupations today are in health sciences. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, health sciences occupations are expected to generate as many as 3 million new jobs by 2018. In addition, the field of health education is expected to grow by 20 percent, or roughly 25,000 new jobs, in the next decade.

This highly interdisciplinary degree offers coursework that promotes an understanding of the biological, social, behavioral, economic and ethical factors that influence health care today. This degree offers courses from departments throughout the University and has a flexible curriculum so students can choose an area of specialization to suit their career interests.

Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree that meets the needs of three student groups: (1) students who want to prepare for careers in Health Promotion, Exercise and Sport Science, or Nutritional Sciences; (2) students who want to apply to graduate programs; and (3) health care professionals who have already obtained an associate’s degree and would like to obtain a baccalaureate degree.  Students majoring in Health Science will have the opportunity to prepare for entry and mid-level positions at for profit and not-for profit health care organizations such as community/public health, hospitals, fitness centers, and health clinics.

The primary goal of the degree is to provide students the basic, technical and applied aspects of health science.  Another goal is to help students apply this knowledge to a variety of career opportunities.  A baccalaureate degree in Health Science will enable students to gain knowledge of problem solving skills relevant to health related professions, medicine and interrelated fields of health and wellness care.

Health Sciences Concentrations:

IU Kokomo offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with three concentrations: (1) Health Promotion; (2) Exercise and Sport Science; and (3) Nutritional Science. These three concentrations provide students the knowledge and skills that enhance awareness about healthy lifestyle behavior, increase health-enhancing behaviors, decrease health risk behaviors, and create environments supportive of healthy lifestyles. Students are prepared to pursue the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification.

Health Promotion is the science of helping people, organizations, and communities change lifestyle behaviors to move toward a state of improved health resulting in decreases in chronic disease and health care costs. To accomplish this objective, students learn the science of health through the study of nutrition, biology, anatomy and physiology, and psychology combined with program planning for health promotion by learning how to assess, implement, and evaluate programs that effectively achieve the outcome of improved health.  What can Health Promotion concentration graduates do? 

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm

Exercise and Sport Science is appropriate for students interested in personal training, sports administration/management, sport leadership, exercise science, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, athletic coaching, and fitness specialties. Upon completion, a number of students apply and are accepted into the following professional schools: physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy and athletic trainer. To accommodate these careers, we offer courses that are both academically and physically challenging. This unique degree offers science based courses in the field of health and nutrition as well as performance based activity courses. What can Exercise and Sport concentration majors do?

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers-and-exercise-physiologists.htm

Nutritional Science is an important component of a well-rounded Health Sciences undergraduate degree.  The nutritional science concentration allows for the Health Sciences major to understand the value of food, food preparation and substances within what is consumed and the relationship to personal and community health. 

A concentration in nutritional science provides a foundation for Health Science majors to pursue careers that improve lives, prevent diseases, and promote general healthy living in individuals and our communities.  What you eat not only has the ability to promote health, it also influences your risk of many diseases. Students who earn this concentration develop a knowledge based in science and nutrition to understand and explore the relationship between what we eat and health. Courses specific to this concentration emphasize the fundamentals of nutrition, food preparation, and the metabolism of nutrients in health and disease.  If you want to make a difference in helping people lead healthier lives a concentration in nutritional science may be for you.

This concentration may lead the Health Sciences graduate to being eligible for graduate programs in Dietetics.  Dietetics is a specialized area of nutrition.  Registered Dietitians (RD) need a program that includes additional chemistry courses as well as an internship.   Dietetics’ focus is on prevention of disease and chronic processes.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm

Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Occupational Therapy

Students interested in Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy should enroll in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (concentration in Exercise and Sport Science) at IU Kokomo. By selecting appropriate elective courses, students can then complete the admission requirements for the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) at IUPUI https://shrs.iupui.edu/index.html

Students are advised to consult with their advisors, Health Science faculty members, and the IUPUI DPT website regarding admission requirements including courses, required grades and other admission requirements. Nutritional Science is another key component to a healthy life.  Everyone needs food and nutrition to sustain life. Courses in this concentration include both traditional didactic material and experiential learning through our nutrition laboratory.  Students study a variety of nutritional science that include how the body metabolizes of nutrients, food preparation, global sustainability, medical therapy, food as an art, and nutrition for chronic diseases and weight management