Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Online Degree Completion

Concentrations

SCU’s flexible curriculum offers multiple concentration choices and three accelerated pathways. The concentrations take place in the last term of the program

Pre-Professional Customized Concentration

Students have the opportunity to work with the Program Director or their Academic Advisor to identify 12 or more credits from a list of elective courses to create a customized concentration. Note: this is also for those students who need to fill a deficiency in the required prerequisite courses necessary to apply to a professional degree program.

Health Education – CHES® preparation (online)

Consisting of four courses (12 credits), Health Education concentration prepares students to collect and analyze data to identify community needs before planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. Students who complete this concentration will be prepared to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) examination from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and, upon passing, will be awarded the title Certified Health Education Specialist.

Learn more about the value of a Health Education Specialist certificate by visiting the Health Educator Career Resource – NCHEC.

Health Promotion (online)

This concentration will provide an introductory background to the concepts of evidence base integrative health and therapies for improving personal and community wellness. Ideal for students with an interest in careers in public health.

Human Genetics and Genomics (online)

The Human Genetics and Genomics concentration, which consists of four courses (12 credits), provides students with an introduction to the principles of human heredity in health and disease with an emphasis on clinical applications. Upon graduation, students may elect to continue and apply their concentration credits directly into the MSHGG program. Accelerated pathway students will be required to apply to the MSHGG program.  In addition, students who meet the admissions standards for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program will be guaranteed an interview with the MSGC program admissions team. Applicants will still be required to participate in the National Match Service for Genetic Counseling (NMS).

Functional Anatomy (online)

Functional Anatomy uses the basic structural knowledge provided in Human Anatomy to develop an understanding of the functional significance of the structures of the musculoskeletal system, within a movement setting (covering mechanical properties and functional characteristics). Ideal for students with an interest in medical careers like Physician Assistant, Chiropractor, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Medical Doctor. Students enrolled in the BSHS program are preferentially provided an interview with the Master of Science: Physician Assistant (MSPA) Program and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program if they meet all minimum admissions requirements.

Chiropractic Sciences (on-campus)

The Chiropractic Sciences concentration, which consists of four courses (12 plus credits), focuses on the basic sciences to provide an introductory understanding of how the body is organized on a cellular, tissue, and organ level, along with regional interrelationships. Chiropractic procedures and theories are covered providing students an excellent introduction to methods and benefits. The last term (12 plus credits) of the BSHS program is a portion of the credits taken by DC students in their first term. Students will be required to take the last 12 plus credits on the SCU campus. Upon graduation, students can elect to apply their concentration credits directly into the DC program. Accelerated pathway students will be required to apply to the DC program.

Eastern Medicine (on-campus)

The Eastern Medicine concentration, which consists of four courses (12 credits), provides students with an introduction to acupuncture and meridians, Chinese herbology, and Eastern medicine theory. It also provides an introduction to basic sciences, establishing a wide-ranging and comprehensive foundation of the body’s organization on a cellular, tissue, and organ level, along with regional interrelationships. The last 12 credits of the BSHS program are the same as the first 12 credits of the Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) program. Students will be required to take the last 12 credits on the SCU campus and, upon graduation, can elect to apply their concentration credits directly into the MAcCHM/DAcCHM program. Accelerated pathway students will be required to apply to the MAcCHM/DAcCHM program.

Ayurvedic Sciences (on-campus)

This concentration provides a basic understanding of the foundational principles of Ayurveda, the Ayurvedic approach to diet and lifestyle practices for health promotion and wellness care. These courses are a pathway into the Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate program where students would enter with advanced standing.

PRE-GENETIC COUNSELING (ONLINE)

This concentration is designed by certified genetic counselors for students who aspire to enter a genetic counseling master’s program. The four courses in this concentration introduce students to fundamental concepts in genetic counseling while allowing students to explore the professional field. The Pre-Genetic Counseling Concentration will support prospective graduate-level students as they prepare for competitive admissions applications by enhancing their understanding and broadening their appreciation of the role of a genetic counselor in healthcare.

Students who complete the Pre-Genetic Counseling concentration and meet the admissions standards for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program will be guaranteed an interview with the (MSGC) program admissions team.

Integrative Nutrition and Wellness (online & On-Campus)

Integrative Nutrition and Wellness is a blend of traditional nutrition therapy with other approaches that teaches students to look beyond symptoms to investigate the root cause and includes practices not traditionally part of conventional medicine.

Psychology (online)

This concentration emphasizes helping individuals cope with everyday life stressors and challenges. Students in the Psychology concentration learn how to provide guidance and support to clients dealing with personal issues, relationship problems, and motivational interviewing skills.