Health Sciences

Health Sciences (B.S.)
At-a-Glance

Degree Granted: Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Admission to major: Any student who has been accepted by Cleveland State University and who is in good academic standing can choose to major in Health Sciences. Only the Pre-Podiatry track has admissions requirements.

Admission to the Pre-Podiatry Track: Students must apply for admission into the Pre-Podiatry Track. If a student enters Cleveland State University (CSU) with a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher and an ACT score of 29 or higher or SAT score of 1270 or higher, and maintains a GPA of at least a 3.2 at CSU, the student will automatically be admitted into the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) curriculum after three years at CSU and completion of 92-96 semester credit hours of the pre-professional courses and health sciences core courses. Students who enter CSU with less than a high school GPA of 3.75, standardized scores beneath the stated limits, or if a cumulative 3.2 GPA is not maintained at CSU, then they will enter the regular applicant pool for admission to OCPM, must complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and have completed or nearly completed the 92-96 semester credit hours of CSU pre-professional courses and health sciences core courses at the time of application.

Minimum hours required for major: Students must complete the core courses and 53 credit hours in an area of emphasis. Areas of emphasis for the Pre-therapy and Pre-Podiatry tracks are described below. The course of studies for students in the General Interest and Associate Degree/Bachelor of Science completion track is designed based on individual interests and must be approved by an HSC adviser.

Four tracks are offered: Associate Degree/Bachelor of Science Completion Program for the student already holding an associate degree in a health-related field who wishes to complete a baccalaureate degree; General Interest for the student interested in health-related careers but who is uncertain about which health profession to pursue; Pre-Therapy for the student planning to enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program or Master of Occupational Therapy Program; and Pre-Podiatry (Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine with the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine), where qualified students complete three years of study at CSU and four years of study at the OCPM.

Upper-Division Honors Program: Qualified Health Sciences majors may pursue admission into the Health Sciences Upper Division Honors Program (available for all tracks). All credits earned through the Health Sciences Upper Division Honors Program will be applied to the Area of Emphasis.

Special requirement: Students pursuing a B.S. in Health Sciences must earn grades of "C" or above in order for courses to count toward satisfying the requirements for the health sciences major. Students in the Pre-Podiatry track may apply for a B.S. in Health Sciences once they successfully complete their first year of course work at OCPM.

Advising: Students must call the department for an appointment with an adviser.

Department of Health Sciences Telephone: (216) 687-3567

Internet: http://sciences.csuohio.edu/dept/healthscience/

E-mail: healthsci@csuohio.edu

 

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Major-Field Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the general course requirements of the university and the college, B.S. in Health Sciences majors are required to complete the Health Sciences Core and 53 credits specific to an area of emphasis within one of four tracks: Associate Degree/Bachelor of Science Completion, General Interest, Pre-Therapy, or Pre-Podiatry.

Areas of Emphasis

Students in the Associate Degree/Bachelor of Science Completion, General Interest, and Pre-Therapy tracks are required to establish an Area of Emphasis. Students work with an adviser to design an Area of Emphasis reflecting their particular interests and the skills required for the kinds of positions they wish to pursue. Students are encouraged to explore with their HSC adviser minors and certificate programs which may be applied toward their Area of Emphasis. Highly recommended certificate programs are the Gerontology Studies Certificate; the Certificate in Culture, Communication and Health; and the Bioethics Certificate.  The program has identified pre-approved electives and a listing of these is available on the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Web site or from the Department. Students are required to update their program of study at least annually in collaboration with their adviser. The number of credits in the Area of Emphasis must be at least 53 and will vary depending on the specific track and area of interest the student wishes to pursue. Advising will be provided by faculty in the Department of Health Sciences or by an adviser in the College of Science Dean's Office, and every student must have an approved program of study by the end of his or her first semester in the major.

The curriculum includes:

  • Completion of university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree;
  • Completion of a core of health sciences courses;
  • A minimum of 53 credits of concentration in a health-care area of emphasis or all required courses for the specific track;
  • Completion of required upper-division credits;
  • Completion of a minimum of 128 semester hours of study
Required health sciences core courses (all tracks):
Required Capstone Project (all tracks except Pre-Podiatry):  Required for students graduating after December 2008.
Recommended Courses (all tracks):

Tracks

Associate Degree/Bachelor of Science Completion Track

Designed for the student already holding an associate degree in a health-related field who wishes to complete a baccalaureate degree. In addition to the health sciences core, students interested in this track must complete a minimum of 53 credits in an area of emphasis. Students are encouraged to explore with their HSC adviser minors and certificate programs which may be applied toward their area of emphasis. Highly recommended certificate programs are the Gerontology Studies Certificate; the Certificate in Culture, Communication and Health; and the Bioethics Certificate. Concentrations in Health and Wellness, Community Health, and Human Factors are also recommended.

A special articulation agreement is applied to students who have completed an Associate's Degree in Allied Health from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) or Lakeland Community College. Students must complete Cleveland State University General Education Requirements, a minimum of 53 credits in an area of emphasis toward the Health Sciences Major in addition to the health sciences core.  The 2+2 Agreement streamlines the process for students who have completed any one of the twenty-one allied health majors at Cuyahoga Community College and Lakeland Community college by predetermining coursework that may be applied toward the Health Sciences major.  Depending on the allied health program completed at Tri-C or Lakeland, students will need to complete anywhere between 16 – 24 additional credits toward their major, the Health Sciences core courses, and General Education Requirements, which include a minimum of 42 upper division credit hours (300-400 level courses).  It is recommended that students select from an array of courses offered through the Department of Health Sciences or minor and/or certificate programs offered at CSU to apply toward their Health Sciences major and upper division course work.  HSC 200 (Introduction to Health Sciences) is waived for all students entering the Health Sciences major through this 2+2 Agreement.

General Interest Track

Designed for students interested in health-related careers but who are uncertain which profession they prefer at this time. Students must complete a minimum of 53 credits in an area of emphasis, in addition to the health sciences core. Students are encouraged to explore with their HSC adviser minors and certificate programs which may be applied toward their area of emphasis. Highly recommended certificate programs are the Gerontology Studies Certificate; the Certificate in Culture, Communication and Health; and the Bioethics Certificate. Concentrations in Health and Wellness, Community Health, and Human Factors are also recommended. Students are also encouraged to visit the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Web site.

Pre-Therapy Track

A student choosing the Pre-Therapy Track must complete the 53 credits of programmatic prerequisites for either the Master of Occupational Therapy Program (MOT) or Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT), including the required health sciences core.

Students interested in entering the Master of Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Physical Therapy must complete the following:

Pre-Occupational Therapy Area of Emphasis: Students interested in the Master of Occupational Therapy Program must also complete the following, plus 18 credits in an area of emphasis:

Students choosing this Area of Emphasis may sign an Intent to Enroll in the Master of Occupational Therapy Program Form as early as the end of freshman year if they have an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 or above. For additional information concerning the Master of Occupational Therapy or the Intent to Enroll Form, consult the Graduate Catalog, or contact the Health Sciences Department.

Pre-Physical TherapyArea of Emphasis: Students interested in entering the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program must also complete the following:

*Slight course requirement variations may occur for pre-physical therapy students enrolled in the Honors Program. Consult an HSC adviser for more information.

For additional information regarding the Doctor of Physical Therapy, consult the Graduate Catalog or contact the Health Sciences Department.

Pre-Podiatry Track

Offered in collaboration with the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM). Consists of three years of study at the pre-professional undergraduate level at Cleveland State University, including the health sciences core (except students do not need to take HSC 200). Qualified students then complete four years of study at the professional and clinical level at the OCPM. Upon completion of required course work during their first year of study at OCPM, students may apply for a B.S. degree in Health Sciences. With four additional years of study at OCPM beyond the three-year program at Cleveland State, students may qualify to receive the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.

In addition to the general university and college requirements and the Health Sciences Core, except HSC 200, students take a series of pre-professional courses in biology, chemistry, physics, English, and General Education course work as listed below:

Required Pre-professional Courses:

Required Professional Courses: Maximum transfer of 34-36 credits from OCPM to reach required 128 credits for the B.S. in Health Sciences. Health Sciences will accept 34-36 credits from the OCPM first-year program:

  • BSC 111: Gross Anatomy
  • BSC 112 Histology
  • BSC 113 Biochemistry
  • PMD 111 Podiatric Medicine I
  • BSC 124 Lower Extremity Anatomy
  • BSC 125 Neurobiology
  • BSC 126 Physiology
  • BSC 127 Basic Microbiology & Immunology

If needed, Health Sciences may accept some credits from the OCPM second-year program:

  • BSC 216 Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
  • BSC 218 Pathology
  • BSC 219 Pharmacology & Therapeutics
  • BSC 228 Pathology
  • BSC 229 Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Upper Division Honors Program

The Health Sciences Upper Division Honors Program is designed for the Health Sciences major who is considering graduate-level training and seeks engaged learning opportunities in research, clinical, or cultural competency tracks.  Application for admission to the Program must be made at least 30 days before the semester in which the applicant wishes to enter, typically the spring or summer semester before their junior or senior year. A minimum overall GPA of 3.5 is required for admission.  University Honors students and other students majoring in Health Sciences who meet the minimum GPA requirement may enter the Honor’s Program.  Credits earned in the Honors Program will apply towards the major.

Research Track: (9 credits): Consists of the following:
Clinical Track: (8-13 credits minimum): Consists of the following:

Option 1:

  • ONE contract* course in Health Sciences. Students must arrange to complete the Honors Contract form for a 300-400 level HSC PRIOR to taking the course. The course and contract must be approved by the HSC Honors Adviser.
  • ONE graduate level course in Health Sciences (6-9 credits)
  • HSC 440H:  Honors Clinical Track (2-4 credits). An approved cooperative education experience. As a prerequisite to the cooperative education experience, students are required to take CSC 321 (Career Strategies Orientation)

Option 2:

Cultural Competency Track (9 – 11 credits): Consists of the following:
  • HSC 505:  Culture and Health Care (3 credits)
  • ONE contract* course in Anthropology, Sociology, Communication, or Psychology relevant to culture
  • HSC 441H:  Honors Cultural Competency Cooperative Education Experience  (2-4 credits). An approved cooperative education experience.  As a prerequisite to the cooperative education experience, students are required to take CSC 321 (Career Strategies Orientation: 1 credit/online).

*Contract Courses:  The Honors Contract Course compromises the community of an honors course, but it permits both students and faculty to pursue the creativity, uniqueness, independence, and academically enhanced standards of honors in a special setting. Students must initiate an Honors Contract Course Petition in writing by consulting with the advisor and faculty member, proposing a course of study, identifying appropriate outcomes or experiences, and specifying criteria for evaluation. A form, available on the University Honors Web site is provided to help students and instructors formalize the Honors Contract Course. The petition for Honors Contract Course should be submitted at the time of pre-registration, with final proposal due prior to the end of the semester before the term in which the Honors Contract Course will be taken.

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This page last modified Monday, 19-May-08 10:34:03