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Health Sciences

The demand for healthcare professionals is expanding rapidly. Earn a degree that helps you meet industry needs.

Enter the growing healthcare field with the skills and knowledge needed to provide quality care to patients, or support to other healthcare professionals. Whether you are entering college for the first time or looking for growth opportunities within your current career, there’s a place for you in the Health Sciences major.

With three concentrations to choose from within the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree, you can follow the path that aligns most closely with your personal goals. Available concentrations are: 

  • Professional — Pursuing this concentration will provide a gateway for students interested in graduate healthcare careers, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and pharmacology. 
  • Business — The Business concentration prepares students with administrative, management, and marketing skills needed for careers like medical sales, healthcare marketing, or leadership positions.
  • Social/Behavioral — This concentration supports healthcare in community settings. Students build professional skills in areas like psychology, sociology, and human services.

Regardless of which focus area you select, studying Health Sciences will set you up for a rewarding career that can make a real difference in your community.

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A young man takes notes on a clipboard during a community health event. He wears a stethoscope around his neck.

Majoring in Health Sciences

  • Key Courses

    Health Sciences Degree Courses

    With close academic advising and three areas of concentration to choose from, the Health Sciences major offers you a customized approach to entering the healthcare field. This is an interdisciplinary and self-directed program that allows you to follow your personal interests and research topics that you’re passionate about.

    The course sequence for the Health Sciences degree depends on your area of concentration, but some of your core courses may include:

    • HSC 101: Exploration of Health Professions
    • BH220: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    • BEH 260: Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
    • HSV 316: Ethical Aspects of Human Services
    • MGT 380: Leadership and Change in Organizations
    • BHA 414: Research and Evidence Based Practice

    In addition to the core courses required for the major, you’ll need to complete York College’s constellation requirements prior to graduation. The constellation portion of the curriculum is unique to YCP and is designed to provide you with a well-rounded education through broad subject matter, beyond the standard topics that fall within your chosen major.

  • Career Opportunities & Benefits

    Careers in Health Sciences

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16 percent within a decade. This industry expansion will add approximately 2.6 million new jobs in the field of health and wellness.

    Examples of careers in this field include:

    • Medical Sales Representative
    • Physical Therapy Assistant
    • EMT
    • Wellness Manager
    • Health Educator
    • Researcher
    • Laboratory Technologist

    Graduates of the Health Sciences major will also be well prepared to continue their education in graduate school for occupations like physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistantship, and pharmacology. 

    York College is uniquely positioned to aid in your career development. With a number of leading healthcare facilities in the geographical region, YCP students can easily pursue internships or other hands-on learning opportunities at nearby hospitals and research centers. In some instances, these résumé-building experiences can translate into full-time job offers following graduation.

    Health Sciences Degree Salary Information

    Because Health Sciences is such a broad field of study, the potential career paths and salary ranges vary widely. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, laboratory technologists and technicians earn an average of $54,180 per year and physical therapist assistants have a median salary of $49,970. 

    Students who go on to obtain graduate degrees in certain fields often have even greater earning potential, with occupational therapists earning $86,280 per year and physician assistants making $115,390.

    Benefits of a Health Sciences Degree

    A Health Sciences bachelor degree will prepare you to enter the workforce or transition to graduate school. 

    Earning a Health Sciences degree has a number of benefits. Here are a few examples:

    • Skills in health sciences are always in demand
    • The knowledge you’ll gain in this degree can be applied to many different roles in the healthcare arena
    • Most job positions in the healthcare field offer good salaries
    • If you want to transition to a master’s program, a bachelor’s degree in health sciences will serve as a gateway to graduate school

    To learn more about the career potential for graduates of the Health Sciences degree program, or to obtain assistance in developing your résumé, reach out to our Career Development Center.

    Visit the Career Development Center
  • Internships & Work Experience

    Internships & Work Experience

    York College has long-standing relationships with a number of major healthcare providers in the area, many of which provide students with internship and clinical experiences. Courses in the Health Sciences major also emphasize professional development and ethical practice in healthcare roles, ensuring that graduates are prepared for entry-level positions and/or graduate study. 

    Students in this program benefit from a strong network of local and regional partner organizations, faculty experts, and Department of Health Professions alumni who are now employed throughout the industry.

  • Mentorship & Community

    Mentorship & Community

    At YCP, we strive to foster healthy relationships and collaborations. Our faculty and staff work to empower students to thrive personally, academically, and professionally. 

    As you pursue your Health Sciences degree, you’ll find support and resources readily available. The mentorship and expertise of your professors, as well as the close-knit campus community, can help you to make the most of your education and your YCP experience.

  • High-Demand Skills

    Health Sciences Degree Skills and Requirements

    When you earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from York College, the benefits of your education extend far beyond the classroom. You’ll graduate with a versatile set of skills that will position you for professional success. 

    As a program graduate, you will enter the workplace equipped with technical skills, scientific knowledge, and high-value “soft skills” to maximize your employability. These skills include:

    • An understanding of ethics in healthcare
    • Critical thinking
    • Working knowledge of professional lab and medical equipment
    • An understanding of the business and organizational structures of healthcare
    • Specializations tailored to your specific area of concentration

    Best Minors for Health Sciences Majors

    Declaring a minor is an excellent way to expand your education and explore your interests, while also enhancing your résumé. York College offers numerous minor programs that complement a Health Sciences degree, including: 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can you become a doctor with a health science degree?

    While a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences is a good jumping-off point to become a medical doctor, further study and credentials (including medical school and residency) are required to obtain a position as a physician.

  • What is a health science degree?

    The Health Science degree at York College is a four-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree that covers a broad spectrum of health-related topics. 

    This program can be applied to a wide range of careers. With three concentrations available (Professional, Business, and Social/Behavioral), you can select the path that aligns best with your interests and goals.

  • What job can I get with a bachelor's degree in health science?

    Whether you want to work directly with patients in a healthcare facility or handle managerial or administrative tasks related to healthcare, the B.S. in Health Sciences offers a track for you to pursue your area of interest. 

    According to Indeed.com, some of the jobs you can get with a Health Science degree include health educator, health services administrator, surgical technician, and nutritionist.

Contact Us
Department of Health Professions
Elizabeth Shearer, M.S.
Department of Health Professions, Chair

Phone: 717.815.1740
healthprofessions@ycp.edu