Health Sciences (B.S.)
Healthcare and wellness careers are expanding rapidly with high demand for professionals who can educate, support, and lead healthier communities and workplaces. Keene State College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences offers a unique and forward-thinking approach, emphasizing prevention, holistic health, and public health as central pillars of the curriculum. This flexible program provides a strong foundation in health and wellness, preparing students for both immediate entry into the health workforce and advanced study in today’s fastest-growing healthcare fields. It is especially well-suited for students interested in careers in public health, health education, addiction, physician assistant, occupational therapy, nursing, radiologic and ultrasound technology, as well as other allied health professions.
To complete the Health Sciences major, students select one of three options: Pre-Health Professions, Health and Wellness, or Addiction. Students learn environmental, socioeconomic, and personal factors that influence the health of individuals and populations while creating targeted interventions and take courses in Wellness, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Epidemiology, Resilience, Addiction, Population Health, and other related fields. All students will complete a Capstone course and have the opportunity to complete a Practicum.
With hands-on learning, close faculty mentorship, and a career-focused curriculum, Health Science majors graduate ready to make a meaningful difference in others' lives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (52-60 including Option) | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| HLSC-101 | Health and Wellness | 4 |
| HLSC-175 | Essentials of Nutrition Sci | 4 |
| HLSC-285 | Health in Society | 4 |
| HLSC-304 | Research and Epidemiology | 4 |
| HLSC-330 | Resiliency for Well-Being | 4 |
| HLSC-380 | Addiction | 4 |
| HLSC-494 | Health Sciences Capstone | 4 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
Pre-Health Professions Option
The Pre-Health Professions Option in Health Sciences is a flexible track that will allow students to complete elective courses that help to fulfill pre-requisites for pursuing advanced study in nursing, physician's assistant, chiropractic, occupational therapy, or other health-related professions.
Students interested in the Pre-Health Professions option should meet with a Health Sciences faculty advisor to declare. Students who pursue this option are encouraged to meet with a faculty advisor to discuss career goals and determine if additional coursework may be required for admission to post-baccalaureate professional programs.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Health Professions Option Requirements (32 Credits) | ||
| Option Specific Courses | ||
| HLSC-240 | Microbio for Health Profession | 4 |
| HLSC-325 | Health Leadership and Mgmt | 4 |
| Allied Courses | ||
| BIO-230 | Human Anat & Phys I | 4 |
| BIO-332 | Human Anat & Phys II | 4 |
| CHEM-111 | General Chemistry | 4 |
| HP-220 | Physical Activity and Disease | 4 |
| MATH-141 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
| PSYC-312 | Lifespan Psychology | 4 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Health and Wellness Option
Health and Wellness graduates work to change policies, environments, attitudes, and behaviors that affect health and prepares students for professional careers in community health, health promotion/coordination, health coaching, global health, or for graduate programs in public health or health education. Graduates may work for non-profits, public health departments, hospitals, schools, or private businesses. This flexible option offers students an opportunity to pursue a second major.
Students interested in the Health and Wellness options should meet with a Health Sciences faculty advisor to declare the major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Wellness Option Requirements (24 Credits) | ||
| Option Specific Courses | ||
| HLSC-325 | Health Leadership and Mgmt | 4 |
| HLSC-482 | Counseling and Behavior Change | 4 |
| Allied Courses | ||
| BIO-110 | Molecules & Cells | 4 |
| or BIO-230 | Human Anat & Phys I | |
| HP-220 | Physical Activity and Disease | 4 |
| Select two of the following: (one must be at the 300-level or above) | 8 | |
| Workplace Comm & Writing | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Microbio for Health Profession | ||
| International Health | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Practicum | ||
| Psycho-Social Aspects of Sport | ||
| Exercise Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Management | ||
| Ethics | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Lifespan Psychology | ||
| Hospital Safety | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Addiction Option
The Addiction option at Keene State College is an academic program that provides a foundation for further studies in the field of addiction or entry-level employment in addiction. Students will take courses such as alcohol and other drug fundamentals, counseling skills, addiction theory, co-occurring disorders, and apply to an internship. This area of study helps prepare students to work in community behavioral health settings limited to pre-professional roles such as entry-level addiction professionals, case manager, residential counselors, research assistants, and other related jobs.
Students will learn what is necessary to obtain licensure and certification in substance use disorders/addiction for the state of New Hampshire or where to find this information for other states. Most states require a Master’s level counseling degree that includes Master’s level addiction and related courses, along with other requirements, to be eligible to apply for a Master’s level addiction counseling license. In some states, the courses in this option may be applied toward becoming a Bachelor’s licensed or certified alcohol and drug abuse professional. However, there are other requirements. This process for licensure or certification is pursued separately through the student’s State Bureau of Substance Use Disorder/Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services. Students must officially declare their major through a faculty advisor in Health Sciences.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Addiction Option Requirements (32 Credits) | ||
| Option Specific Courses | ||
| HLSC-200 | AOD: The Fundamentals | 4 |
| HLSC-482 | Counseling and Behavior Change | 4 |
| HLSC-491 | Addiction: Critical Issues | 4 |
| HLSC-493 | Co-Occurring Disorders | 4 |
| Allied Courses | ||
| BIO-230 | Human Anat & Phys I | 4 |
| BIO-332 | Human Anat & Phys II | 4 |
| CHEM-111 | General Chemistry | 4 |
| HP-220 | Physical Activity and Disease | 4 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Institutional Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Explorations Requirements | 40 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Requirements | 120 | |
| Electives must be taken to reach at least 120 credits, (including GEE, major or minor credits), to satisfy degree completion requirements for the college. | ||
| 40 credits must be at the 300 or 400-Level. | ||
Upon Completion of the Health Sciences B.S. degree, students will be able to:
- Examine principles of health and resilience as they relate to well-being at both individual and population levels.
- Evaluate the impact of social, behavioral, and environmental factors on individual and population health.
- Effectively communicate health-related information.
- Apply behavior change theories to support individuals and communities.
- Utilize research methods to evaluate health information, programs, policies, interventions, and practices
- Develop evidence-based policy, educational programs and interventions to enhance individuals and community well-being.
- Recognize and apply ethical principles in health science practice, research, and decision-making.
- Develop a professional identity and academic portfolio.
- Engage in experiential learning to integrate academic knowledge with practical skills