Bachelor of Health Science [B.H.S] From University of Florida

The program has two major goals: to teach foundational skills to students whose career goal is to work in health care, particularly for those who want to become health care providers, and to teach foundational skills to students who want to work with individuals, groups or communities who face social, economic or health challenges. In addition, interested students have the opportunity to explore a combined-degree program in public health.

The college offers four specializations in the freshman and sophomore years: health science general, preprofessional, pre-occupational therapy, and pre-physical therapy.

The health science general, preprofessional and pre-PT specializations collapse into one track beginning in the junior year and follow the same core curriculum, focusing on the health care system, different diseases and disabilities, the role of the health care provider in prevention and treatment, research methods and understanding core public health concepts. The senior year focuses on patient provider communication, effective leadership and critical-thinking skills important to clinical problem solving and the bioethical and legal issues impacting health care.

Regardless of specialization selected, students complement core courses with electives to round out their academic skills and interests.

Upon successful completion of the health science program, students receive the Bachelor of Health Science degree. While the majority of students pursue graduate or professional training in a health field (e.g. occupational therapy, physical therapy, medicine, physician assistant, health administration, dentistry, public health), some students seek employment in hospital or related community organizations after completing the B.H.S.

• The health science general specialization is designed for students who want to work in a health care field not mentioned in the other specializations below. The number of electives allowed in this specialization affords the student the opportunity to incorporate a range of prerequisites for different career paths.
• The health science preprofessional specialization is designed for students pursuing careers in fields such as medicine, physician assistant and dentistry, all of which require significant basic science prerequisites. This specialization is set up to integrate commonly required preprofessional courses with requirements for the health science major.
• The pre-occupational therapy specialization offers the core health science curriculum plus OT prerequisites necessary for the Master of Occupational Therapy program at UF.
• The pre-physical therapy specialization offers a suggested prerequisite course sequence for students interested in pursuing entry-level physical therapy education at the graduate/professional level.