Mechelle Perea-Ryan, R.N., FNP-BC, Ph.D, Program Director
The Health Science major provides undergraduate students with a broad-based curriculum designed to prepare them with the foundational knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary to succeed in a variety of health-related careers and fields that advance health in their communities and globally. Courses within the curriculum prepare students with a comprehensive understanding of epidemiology, health program planning, health research, health policy and systems, professional standards, and an exploration of local and global health issues within a multicultural society. The Health Science degree provides appropriate undergraduate education to pursue graduate work in public health, health services, health policy, and other professional health degrees, such as Nursing, Physician Assistant, Social work, etc.
Health Leadership and Administration Concentration
The concentration in Health Leadership and Administration (HLA) provides students with an interdisciplinary education that will support them in a wide range of entry and middle management careers within the private/community/public health workforce sector. Students in the HLA concentration will be prepared to provide leadership, advocacy, budgeting, communication, management, and evaluation of services in health settings. This concentration also provides the education needed to pursue graduate work in health care, public, and business administration.
Health Informatics and Data Analytics (HIDA) Concentration
Health Informatics and Data Analytics (HIDA) focuses on the intersection of healthcare, information technology, and data analysis. This specialization prepares students to harness data to improve health outcomes, streamline operations, and support decision-making in healthcare settings. Students will gain proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, R, Python), an understanding of health information systems and database management, and knowledge of health regulations and ethical considerations. HIDA graduates may find career opportunities in hospitals, health agencies, insurance companies, and health tech firms as health data analysts, informatics specialists, health IT consultants, and clinical informaticists.
Speech, Language, and Hearing Science Concentration
The Speech, Language, & Hearing Science concentration within the B.S. in Health Science provides students with foundational knowledge in communication sciences and disorders. Designed specifically for transfer students, including those with an Associate of Arts in SLPA (Speech-Language Pathology Assistant), this concentration offers a clear academic pathway toward a career as a licensed speech-language pathologist. The curriculum prepares students for entry into graduate speech-language pathology programs required for professional licensure. The program is designed to prepare students for graduate study in speech-language pathology through comprehensive coursework in anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms, speech and hearing science, language development, phonetics, clinical methods and diagnostics, neuroanatomy, audiology, and aural rehabilitation.