Health Sciences, Master of Science

The M.S. in Health Sciences is a fully online graduate degree that prepares students for a professional program in health sciences. This 30-credit-hour, non-thesis degree may be completed in one year, allowing for students to be eligible to apply or re-apply to their desired professional program. Health Sciences graduates are equipped to demonstrate tangible success with an intensive health sciences curriculum.

Core courses in biology pair with interdisciplinary elective options to provide the necessary foundation for future professional and academic success. The program is offered via a cohort model, with student groups beginning each summer.

Masters of Health Sciences Admission Criteria

Admission to the Master of Science in Health Sciences program is based on the completed undergraduate degree and GPA, academic preparation, and letter of intent.  Screening of applicants will include an assessment of the student’s ability to be successful, given the rigorous nature of this program and their career goals. Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of the Program Director and a minimum of three faculty members that teach in the program. An applicant interested in pursuing an MS in Health Science should meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the requirements for admission set forth by the Office of Graduate Studies,

2. Have prerequisites to include one introductory course in each of the following areas:

General Biology (2 semesters)

General Chemistry (2 semesters)

Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters)

Organic Chemistry

Physics

Statistics or Biostatistics

Microbiology

A course in medical terminology is recommended,

3. An entrance exam score is required if the combined GPA from the above listed courses is less than 3.0.  (Entrance exam examples could include but not limited to:  GRE, GMAT, MCAT, DAT, OAT or PCAT.)

4. Submit within the application a letter of intent to the Program Director that describes the applicant’s interests, goals, and plan for obtaining an MS in Health Sciences degree. The letter of intent should address any deficiencies that may hinder the student’s success in the program and explain how this is to be or has been rectified.  The letter of intent will be evaluated to determine (a) if the candidate has realistic professional school goals for which the program will improve competitiveness and (b) high probability for the student’s potential success in this program.

Offered by Department of Biology

This program is offered online.

Non-Thesis (online program)

In lieu of a defense of thesis, students completing will be required to pass a written comprehensive examination covering the courses taken during their enrollment.

Degree Requirements (30 hours)
Core Required Courses (12 credits)
BIOL 801Principles of Immunology3
BIOL 838Essential Human Anatomy3
BIOL 839Human Physiological Systems3
BIOL 861PHuman Genetics3
Electives (18 credits)18
Microbial Diversity
Issues in Bioethics
Biological Statistics
Special Topics in Biology
Infectious Diseases
Virology
Cancer Biology
Human Histology
Physiology of Stress
Biology of the Brain
Internship in Biology
Principles of Biochemistry
Counseling Skills
Health Care Delivery: Systems and Policies
Gross Anatomy of Movement
Applied Physiology of Exercise
The Politics and Policy of Health Care
Healthcare Ethics
Health Psychology
Adult Development and Aging
Aging Services
Total Credit Hours30