Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
The College of Health Sciences has designed the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program for students who are interested in human health and plan to enroll in graduate programs or advance their careers.
It’s also a great choice if you want to pursue a health care career but aren’t sure which one. You’ll get lots of opportunities to explore options before choosing a career track.
Social:
Several tracks are aimed at preparing students for specific graduate programs at UM-Flint. But whatever track you choose, you’ll get a great foundation for pursuing graduate studies to become a physician, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, environmental scientist, dentist, pharmacist, optometrist, or chiropractor.
You’ll have the chance to grow and learn with students who share your interests and career aspirations in a variety of clubs. Options include the Pre-Dental Club, Pre-Med Club, MCAT Preparedness Club, Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, Pre-Occupational Therapy Club, Pre-Physician Assistant Club, Pre-Physical Therapy Club and Public Health Student Organization.
ON THIS PAGE
How the Program Works
All students in the BS in Health Sciences program take 21 prerequisite credits and 37 health sciences credits. Then they follow one of nine tracks depending on their career interest:
Pre-Physician Assistant
Prepares students for UM-Flint’s Master of Science Physician Assistant program and the dual Master of Science Physician Assistant/Master of Business Administration program. Graduates of the Health Sciences program who meet all of the requirements for the PA program will receive a guaranteed interview for potential admission.
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Dental
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Chiropractor
Pre-Physical Therapy
Designed to be preparation for UM-Flint’s physical therapy doctoral programs: the Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program, the dual Doctor of Physical Therapy/Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Therapy program, and the dual Doctor of Physical Therapy/Master of Business Administration program.
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Prepares students for UM-Flint’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program and the dual Doctor of Occupational Therapy/Master of Business Administration program.
Environmental Health and Safety
Graduates are ready to work as environmental scientists and specialists for public agencies like local and state health departments or in private sector settings such as chemical plants and remediation companies.
Why Flint Online?
We provide the program in two formats: online or a face-to-face setting. This gives you maximum flexibility to fit classes into your busy life. It also lets you choose a format that best fits your learning style.
We also offer year-round enrollment opportunities, a dedicated in-house advising staff, an internship coordinator, and faculty experts in public health, health care, and administration who welcome opportunities to serve as mentors.
You’ll have the option to conduct research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program or the Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. In a paid or volunteer role, you can develop your research skills while working side-by-side with faculty on state-of-the-art research.
Health Sciences Degree Programs
Besides the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program, the Department of Public Health & Health Sciences offers three other options:
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Master of Public Health
The joint Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Master of Public Health program is designed for undergraduate Health Sciences students who want to pursue an MPH degree. You can earn both degrees with up to 17 fewer credits than if you completed them separately.
Physical Therapy Accelerated Pathway
The Physical Therapy Accelerated Pathway allows you to complete the requirements for a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences in three years instead of four, allowing you to apply to UM-Flint’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program sooner, saving one year of time and money. The bachelor’s degree will be awarded after the first year in the Physical Therapy program.
Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway
The Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway allows you to complete the requirements for a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences in three years instead of four, allowing you to apply to UM-Flint’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program sooner, saving one year of time and money. The bachelor’s degree will be awarded after the first year in the Occupational Therapy program.
Free Tuition with the Go Blue Guarantee!
UM-Flint students are automatically considered, upon admission, for the Go Blue Guarantee, a historic program offering free tuition for high-achieving, in-state undergraduates from lower-income households. Learn more about the Go Blue Guarantee to see if you qualify and how affordable a Michigan degree can be.
Career Outlook
With the aging U.S. population driving growing demand for medical care, health care professionals should enjoy excellent career prospects. More information about careers in health care is available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consider these examples:
$121,530
Median annual wage for Physician Assistants
Job growth for physician assistants who practice medicine as part of health care teams should be 28 percent through 2031, the BLS says. That translates into about 12,700 job openings annually through 2031.
17%
Project employment growth
Physical therapists earn a median salary of $95,620 annually, and there should be about 15,400 job openings each year through 2031.
$85,570
Median annual wage for Occupational Therapists
The BLS projects about 10,100 job openings for occupational therapists each year through 2031.
“Because of what I’ve learned in real-world settings, my college experience was even more impactful than if I had graduated at 21 years of age. The AODC programs are special because they are specifically tailored for working adults. AODC acknowledges and values our life experiences. It was a great program, and I highly recommend it to everyone.”
Learn more about 2022 graduate Fares Siddig, who co-founded the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students on campus, and received several national honors, including a prestigious fellowship at the National Institutes of Health while applying to medical schools.
Advising
UM-Flint’s academic advisors are devoted to helping you succeed. They can answer your questions about program requirements, help you choose courses and much more.
Academic Advisor
Scholarships
Besides being eligible for financial assistance through UM-Flint’s Office of Financial Aid, you can apply for CHS scholarships.
Numerous scholarships are available to CHS students, each with its own requirements. They’re made possible through generous donations.