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Program:
The baccalaureate degree in health sciences provides a foundation in liberal arts and sciences required for professional practice and graduate study. The BS in Health Sciences major includes coursework in the social, biological, and behavioral sciences. The major builds on the 48-credit general education requirement and includes 36 additional credits in the Natural Sciences, the Social Sciences and the Health Sciences. Later coursework helps students to develop the skills and strategies needed to successfully work in the health arena.
Electives may be employed to pursue further study in a discipline specific health field, or to explore broader-based interests. Students preparing to enter graduate programs in the Health Professions should coordinate their plan of study with their advisor.
Many of the faculty teaching courses in the Health Science concentration also teach within the professional graduate programs and have extensive clinical experience allowing students to gain insights regarding areas for future practice. This pre-professional program allows students to develop the knowledge, values and interpersonal skills needed for success in today's health and human service settings.
"I decided to complete my BS degree at Mercy College because of the reasonable tuition, commutable driving distance, and most importantly it's well developed Graduate Occupational Therapy Program. The professors are dedicated to teaching and ensuring that students learn the necessary course material. The BS courses, such as neuroscience, are structured to suit students intending to pursue a master's in professions of rehabilitation. Lastly, the BS courses were developed to prepare me to succeed in the Graduate Occupational Therapy Program at Mercy College. The dedicated professors and my personal drive helped me to eventually to enroll as a graduate student at Mercy College. With the appropriate drive and support anyone can succeed at Mercy College."
Megan Melrose, '05
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Download a PDF version of our Program Brochure
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Program Contacts:
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Dyan Atkins
Advisor
datkins@mercy.edu
Telephone: 914-674-7784
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Patricia Chute, EdD
Chair, Division of Health Professions
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"What encouraged me to transfer to Mercy College and pursue a BS in health science degree was the professionalism of my advisor. She took the time to go through my transcript and explained in detail what I needed to do to complete my degree. She answered all my questions and mapped out a degree plan with the credits I have already earned. Acquiring a BS in Health Science at Mercy College with a full time job and a family was very challenging. However, it has prepared me with the education and credentials that I needed to work towards a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy. The coursework such as anatomy with cadaver, neuroscience, pathology etc. were taught by experienced professionals in the health field. Most importantly the faculty and staff at Mercy College encourage their students and provide assistance for students' success. The professors were able to relay the information in a way that was applicable to real life situations. This was very helpful as I am now able to carry over those pre-requisite courses in the OT Master's program. I would highly recommend Mercy College to anyone looking to obtain a BS in Health Science."
Carol Sandy, '05
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Career Opportunities:
Graduates from the Health Science Program may pursue employment in the health care field (e.g. public health or other community agencies, insurance industry, hospitals, or pharmaceutical industry) or may pursue graduate level education in a health professional field (e.g. occupational or physical therapy), medical sciences, health administration, or laboratory science. Careful selection of available courses will optimize admission to desired graduate degree.
The majority of the courses within the Health Science Program are pre-requisites for other professional degrees within Mercy College (e.g., Occupational Therapy Assistant [AAS], occupational therapy [MS], and physical therapy [BS/MS]). For students preparing to enter the Graduate Occupational Therapy Program who already hold a bachelor's degree, it is possible to earn a B.S. in Health Science, pre-OT major, if at least 30 prerequisite undergraduate credits, (18 in major concentration area), are taken at Mercy College.
"Achieving the degree of BS in Health Science at Mercy College was a great accomplishment that I will never regret. The professors were always ready to modify their teaching styles to accommodate each student's learning styles. They motivated and guided me to the right path of my intended career. They made it possible for me to continue my education to the graduate level in which I chose the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program at Mercy College."
Abegail Magale, '05
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Curriculum:
The 120 credit Bachelor of Science degree consists of 48 credits of General Liberal Arts and Sciences, a 3 credit Junior Seminar, 31-32 credits from the Major Concentration and 37-38 Open Electives.
Students preparing to enter grade programs in the health professions should coordinate their plan of student with their advisor.
For a complete listing of the courses of study please click on the course curriculum link under the related link section of this page.
For the complete course curriculum click here.
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Campuses where program is offered:
Dobbs Ferry
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Facilities:
The 48 general education credits may be take at any of the college's campuses or online. The major concentration courses (HLSC coded courses) are primarily offered on the Dobbs Ferry campus. Some of the upper level Natural Science courses are offered only on the Dobbs Ferry campus due to laboratory space and equipment.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to obtain a BS in Health Sciences to apply to a graduate health professions program?
This is program dependent. The Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy does not specifically require a BS in Health Sciences. Applicants with a bachelor's degree are required to complete specific undergraduate pre-requisites to apply for the graduate program. Since the OT prerequisites are included within the BS in Health Sciences degree, some students choose to obtain a second BS in Health Sciences while taking the pre-requisites for the OT Program. Students who do not have a bachelor's degree are recommended to complete the BS in Health Sciences. Some of the programs (such as Physical Therapy) award the BS in Health Sciences as part of a dual degree program (i.e., BS in Health Sciences / MS in Physical Therapy).
What type of job does a BS in HS qualify me to obtain?
The BS in health science major provides an excellent foundation for or professional studies in areas such as licensed rehabilitation professions, environmental and occupational health, public health or health promotion. Graduates may also pursue careers related to health care and health promotion in various public and private, clinical and non-clinical settings.
What are the benefits of obtaining a BS in Health Sciences?
If an employer requires a college degree with a health care focus, a BS in Health Sciences is usually preferred. A BS in Health Sciences is the most effective route to completing a Bachelor's degree that includes all the graduate program prerequisite courses for programs such as the Occupational Therapy Program. Being in a matriculated undergraduate program may help the financial aid process. For someone who already has a BS or BA in another field, working toward a BS in Health Sciences can serve as a useful interim goal before completing a master's in a rehabilitation profession graduate program.
Is the schedule for classes to complete the BS in Health Sciences flexible?
You can take classes as a part-time or full-time student, at various times including evenings and weekends, to enable a great deal of schedule flexibility.
I've taken classes at another college. What is the policy regarding transfer credit to complete the BS in Health Sciences?
You should provide a copy of the course description at the time you provide official transcripts when applying as an undergraduate to Mercy College. Acceptance of transfer credits is determined by Admissions in consultation with any graduate program to which you intend to apply. To be eligible for a BS in Health Sciences, which is a 120 credit degree, students must complete a minimum of 30 undergraduate credits at Mercy College. Mercy may transfer up to 90 undergraduate credits from a 4-year college and up to 75 credits from a 2-year community college. Acceptance of transfer credit and exemption criteria for any of the above courses may require passing a competency exam. It may also be possible to test out of undergraduate courses, and achieve credit for having done so. Students who have extensive work or life experience may be eligible to apply for life achievement credits for elective courses for the BS in Health Sciences.
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