The Health Sciences Comprehensive Major with all of the different tracks within the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance share a common Basic Curriculum as listed below. Students in this major must complete the courses listed below and the major curriculum.
Health Sciences Comprehensive Major
The goal of the Health Sciences Comprehensive Major is to provide students with a bachelor's degree preparing them for clinical careers in health sciences at the undergraduate level or competitive admission to professional schools in the health sciences or toward other non-clinical careers, including pharmaceutical sales, wellness coordination, medical equipment sales, healthcare advocacy or medical office administration. While students may take the required courses needed for their desired area of professional pursuit in addition to other majors at UWA, this major is designed specifically to meet the needs: 1) of those students clearly focused on a career in athletic training, occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant/physician associate programs beyond the baccalaureate level and allows the flexibility to design their program via major electives to meet the varied requirements within these areas and between different universities or 2) those students desiring to pursue professional careers at the undergraduate level in medical laboratory science or respiratory therapy. Additionally, professionals already working in the health science fields at the associate degree level may consider this degree to assist in advancing their careers in health science administration and related areas. Professional school admission requirements vary for each program and school. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the specific requirements, deadlines, application processes, etc. of the desired professional program and to work closely with their Health Sciences advisor at UWA to ensure appropriate progress. The Health Sciences Basic Curriculum and Major contain the required prerequisite courses for essentially all athletic training, medical laboratory science (MLS), occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant/physician associate and respiratory therapy programs. Additional courses should be chosen from the Health Sciences Electives based upon the requirements of the specific programs and schools to which admission is desired. Additional elective courses are provided for further insight, background, and experiences in specific areas of practice. Each student must be aware of the non-academic qualifications necessary for his or her chosen field. Students utilizing this degree toward advanced studies in other health related areas or toward other non-clinical careers, including pharmaceutical or medical equipment sales, wellness coordination, healthcare advocacy or medical office administration should work with their advisor in selecting elective courses most appropriate to their specific needs.