Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences

Embark on a journey that merges your love for science with your desire to improve healthcare and health outcomes for individuals and communities. Our Health Sciences program is designed to prepare students for the diverse and dynamic field of healthcare, offering both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) option.

Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

Why Choose Health Sciences at Arcadia?

Comprehensive Curriculum: Our interdisciplinary approach combines medical and clinical knowledge with insights into the broad health ecosystem and social determinants of health, providing you with a holistic understanding of health and health systems.
Flexibility and Versatility: Choose between the BS and BA tracks based on your interests and career aspirations. The B.A. option allows for a lighter credit load and more flexibility to pursue double majors or minors, while the BS track offers a curriculum aligned with the pursuit of advanced studies in healthcare.
Tailored Pathways: Whether you’re interested in pursuing graduate studies in clinical fields such as Physician Assistant (PA) or Physical Therapy (PT), or you’re drawn to non-clinical roles addressing population health needs, our program offers specialized pathways to match your career goals.

Program Highlights

Interdisciplinary Approach: Engage with coursework in health sciences, healthcare administration, public health, biology, chemistry, and more, providing you with a well-rounded foundation for a career in healthcare.
Seamless Transitions: Our curriculum is designed to facilitate smooth transitions between majors within the health sciences realm, empowering you to adapt your career goals as you progress through your academic journey.
Career Opportunities: Whether you aspire to work in clinical settings, contribute to health policy, or pursue research in the field, our program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the ever-evolving health industry.

Your Path to Graduation

Arcadia’s curriculum allows for individualized choices and inquiry-based learning inside and outside of the classroom. With a total number of 120 credits required for graduation, you have options to pace out your degree plan.

Career Outcomes

At Arcadia, we create professional pathways to success after graduation. Whether you plan to enter the health field, pursue non-clinical health programs, or continue into a clinical or professional program, Arcadia students are prepared to make a meaningful impact.

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Healthcare

At Arcadia University, we believe in empowering the next generation of healthcare leaders. Join us in making a meaningful impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Explore the possibilities with Arcadia’s Health Sciences program and embark on a rewarding journey toward a fulfilling career in healthcare.

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Start Your Healthcare Career Faster

Not ready to commit to a full bachelor’s degree? Arcadia also offers online Healthcare-focused workforce certificates you can complete in as little as 2–6 months. Build clinical skills, gain hands-on knowledge, and start working in healthcare sooner. Explore online certificate programs such as Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG Technician, Patient Care Technician and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Health Sciences a good major?

Yes. Health Sciences is a strong major if you are interested in healthcare but want flexibility to explore different paths. At Arcadia, the major can prepare you for clinical graduate programs, public health, healthcare administration, research, policy, community health, and other health-related careers.

What jobs can you get with a Health Sciences degree without graduate school?

With a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, you may pursue entry-level roles in healthcare administration, care coordination, public health, community health, health education, clinical research support, patient advocacy, healthcare operations, or medical sales. Most clinical careers require graduate or professional school, but the major also supports non-clinical healthcare pathways.

Do Health Sciences majors need graduate school?

Not always. Some healthcare careers require graduate or professional school, including physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, dentistry, and many licensed clinical roles. Other careers in healthcare administration, public health, community health, research support, patient advocacy, and healthcare operations may be available with a bachelor’s degree.

Is Health Sciences a good major for PA school?

Yes. Health Sciences is a strong major for students interested in physician assistant programs because it combines science coursework with broader healthcare-focused study. The Health Sciences program meets most of the required prerequisites for PA school, including Biology 101 and 102, Chemistry 101 and 102, anatomy, physiology, and statistics. Additional required courses may include organic chemistry, psychology, and microbiology.

At Arcadia, students can use the Health Sciences major to build a foundation in human health, healthcare systems, and graduate-level preparation while working with advisors to plan for any remaining prerequisite courses.

Is Health Sciences a good major for Physical Therapy school?

Yes. Health Sciences helps prepare you for physical therapy graduate programs by building knowledge in human health, science, healthcare systems, and patient-centered care. Students interested in PT should work closely with advisors to complete prerequisite courses and prepare for graduate admission requirements. Most prerequisites are met with the major.

Is Health Sciences a good major for students who are undecided about healthcare careers?

Health Sciences can be a strong major for students who are interested in healthcare, rather they have a career in mind or are still exploring where they want to go within the field. The program includes coursework from several areas, including public health, biology, chemistry, math/statistics, healthcare administration, and core health science courses. This gives students broad exposure to the healthcare landscape while building a strong foundation for graduate study or health-related careers.

That flexibility can be especially helpful for students whose interests evolve over time. For example, a student may begin interested in becoming a physician assistant and later discover an interest in genetics counseling, public health, healthcare administration, or another health-focused field. Because the curriculum supports several pathways, students can often shift direction while still making meaningful progress toward their goals.

Overall, Health Sciences is a good fit for students who enjoy learning about health broadly and want room to explore clinical, direct patient care roles as well as other areas of healthcare, such as public health, health systems, community health, or graduate study.

What is the difference between a BA and BS in Health Sciences?

At Arcadia, both the BA and BS in Health Sciences help you explore healthcare careers and graduate study. The BA in Health Sciences offers more flexibility for minors, electives, study abroad, or interdisciplinary interests. The BS in Health Sciences includes a stronger science-focused foundation and is designed for students planning to pursue advanced study in healthcare fields such as physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, or other clinical graduate programs.

What is the difference between Health Sciences and Biology?

Health Sciences is broader and focuses on healthcare, health systems, public health, patient care, and community health. Biology focuses more on living systems, lab science, research, genetics, ecology, and molecular or cellular processes. If you want a healthcare-focused major with flexible career paths, Health Sciences may be a better fit. If you want deeper study of life sciences or lab-based research, Biology may be the stronger option.

What is the difference between Health Sciences and Public Health?

Health Sciences covers a broad range of healthcare topics, including clinical preparation, healthcare systems, administration, public health, research, and community health. Public Health focuses more specifically on population health, disease prevention, health policy, epidemiology, and improving outcomes across communities. Health Sciences may be a good fit if you want to keep both clinical and non-clinical healthcare options open.