Health Sciences, Public Health Concentration, B.S.

Bachelor of Science Degree Program

Faculty: R. Briggs, E. Brown, W. Burrell, C. Brown, J. Gishe, W. Inman, O. Johnson, M. Kanu, K. Patel,  F. Pleban, I. Ridda, R. Theriot and E. Williams

The Department of Public Health, Health Administration and Health Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences (HS). Students may obtain the BS in Health Sciences by completing a total of 120 credit hours. The BS in Health Sciences will provide: (1) the knowledge base and skills development for those seeking entry and intermediate-level professional and service positions in health care agencies, organizations, and institutions in the public, private, and non-profit sectors; (2) a degree completion program for associate-degree credentialed healthcare practitioners pursuing career advancement or  a career change; and (3) a pre-professional program for students preparing to enter programs for which the master’s degree is the licensing credential. Students may choose concentrations in Physical Sciences, Public Health, Therapeutic Studies, Communications and Sciences Disorders and a General track.

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to pursue the Health Sciences major must first be accepted for admission to Tennessee State University. Applications are accepted year round from students who have completed all general education prerequisites (including transfers).

The Health Sciences Admission Committee will consider applications of candidates who present the following qualifications:

1. Acceptance to Tennessee State University.
2. Completion of the first year Health Sciences curriculum with a grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
3. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have known the applicant for at least two years (the time requirements will be waived for recommendations from employers).
4. A personal goals statement
5. A recent transcript

Retention Policy

The Health Sciences retention policy requires the following:

1. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.0(on a 4.0 scale).
2. Students must earn a grade of a “C” or better in all major courses, supporting Science, Business, English, and Mathematics courses. Failure to maintain a C in any of these courses will result in repeating the course the next semester the course is offered with the Advisor’s approval.     
3. Students who earn a grade less than a “C” in Health Sciences courses for more than one semester will be dismissed from the program.
4. Students who have been dismissed from the Health Sciences program may apply for readmission.
5. Students who request readmission should present evidence to the Admissions Committee of a substantial change in circumstances which warrants reconsideration.

Suggested Four-Year Plan

*Recommended Electives (choose one)

• COMM 4230 - Organizational Communication (3)
• COMM 3340 - Health Communication (3)
• HCAP 3800 - Introduction to Public Health (3)
• HPSS 3180 - Health Fitness Assessment and Program Design (3)
• HPSS 3330 - Principles of Resistance Training (3)
• SOCI 3450 - Cultural and Social Aspects of Health (3)
• SOWK 4700 - Gerontological Social Work (3)
• HCAP 3310 - Sociology of Health, Illness, and Disease (3)
• BIOL 4270, 4271 - Physiology and Pathophysiology I and Laboratory (4)