Health Sciences

Department of Health Sciences

The Department of Health Sciences offers dynamic, interdisciplinary programs that prepare students to become leaders in promoting individual and community well-being. With a program in Health and Wellness as well as a minor in Public Health, the department equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to address today’s most pressing health challenges. These fields play a vital role in advancing preventative care, improving health outcomes, and enhancing health literacy-making them central to the future of healthcare and public policy.

As the demand for skilled professionals in health-related fields continues to grow, our graduates are well-prepared for diverse and rewarding careers. Examples include health educators, wellness coaches, exercise and health professionals, and health communication specialists. Alumni can have future career opportunities in hospitals, community health organizations, corporate wellness programs, government agencies such as the CDC or local health departments, nonprofit advocacy groups, pharmaceutical companies, or fitness industry markets.

Graduates with health science degrees are well-prepared for a range of impactful roles in the health industry and possess the strong academic grounding necessary to successfully apply to and thrive in health science or related graduate and terminal degree programs.

Faculty

Department Chair: C. Orozco Nevers; Clinical Lecturers: L. Hoepner, C. Orozco Nevers

Mission

The Department of Health Sciences prepares students to promote wellness, prevent disease, and improve health outcomes through interdisciplinary education in Health and Wellness. We equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to address real-world health challenges and thrive in a variety of professional settings.

Program Goals

Our primary goal is to deliver high-quality, interdisciplinary education that prepares students for diverse careers in health and wellness and associated career fields, and to integrate experiential learning opportunities such as internships, service-learning, and community partnerships into all programs. We meet our goals by:

Emphasizing hands-on learning experiences, evidence-based practice, and providing strong mentorship to promote and foster student success and career readiness.
Providing academic opportunities that will cultivate cultural humility and health equity awareness in students.
Preparing students to serve diverse populations effectively through curricular, co-curricular, and interdisciplinary activities, including an understanding of the importance of interprofessional education and campus wellness initiatives.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Health and Wellness, BS (1201)

Non-Degree

Public Health Minor