Health Sciences

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Department Chairperson - Dr. Emily Houseknecht

Enrollment in this degree is dependent upon completing an Associate degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) which requires four semesters with a summer clinical semester and 70 credits. Completion of the Health Sciences B.S. degree requires an additional 72 credits. Both the PTA A.S. and Health Science B.S. degrees can be completed in four calendar years.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program meets the needs of students who want to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduate degree after undergraduate graduation. The program has been designed to respond to the changing healthcare environment by helping students further their knowledge in the areas of healthcare delivery, evidenced based practice, and health promotion, as well as, human behavioral, biological, and physical development. Upon graduation, students are uniquely prepared to apply to a DPT graduate program of their choice as they will possess the skills and knowledge required of a PTA and have successfully completed the undergraduate requirements of a DPT program.

In addition to preparing students to apply for a DPT graduate program, a Health Sciences B.S. degree may help students gain the knowledge, experience, and prerequisites for other careers and graduate programs. Students are encouraged to examine professional/graduate school prerequisite requirements and discuss future goals with the Department Chairperson and their academic advisor.

Students who have completed an Associate of Science degree in an allied health program at Mount Aloysius College should meet with the Department Chairperson to discuss interest in completing the Health Sciences B.S. degree.

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Mount Aloysius College Health Sciences B.S. program is to provide quality education through a technical, science, and liberal arts curriculum. The curriculum design is intended to prepare students, who have completed an associate degree in Physical Therapist Assistant, to apply to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program of their choice as well as being well prepared to engage in healthcare delivery as knowledgeable and compassionate professionals.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

Apply knowledge of behavioral, biological, and physical sciences as they apply to human development across the lifespan;
Demonstrate effective communication skills, both verbal and written, in a manner of culturally competent healthcare professionals;
Apply analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills to make informed decisions regarding the healthcare ethics, contemporary healthcare environments, health equity, and health advocacy;
Critically analyze scholarly data using statistical analysis, the scientific method, and evidence based healthcare practices;
Describe the integral role of information technology by reviewing the benefits and liabilities of informatics in healthcare.

Admissions Criteria

Enrollment in this degree is dependent upon completing an Associate degree in Physical Therapist Assistant.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree may also be completed by students who have completed an Associate degree in an allied health program at Mount Aloysius College. Students who meet these criteria must meet with the Department Chairperson to discuss academic preparation, requirements, and suggested course sequencing.

Students who have graduated with an Associate of Science Allied Health degree from another institution will have applicable allied health credits applied towards their degree as transferred credit. Additionally, each student will have his or her transcript evaluated for transferable coursework towards core and other degree requirements. For a course to be eligible to transfer, it must be completed with a grade of C or better. A student may have more than 60 credits to complete depending on the courses completed in the associate degree program. All efforts will be made to maximize the transferability of the student’s previous coursework. Free elective requirements will be variable and will be determined upon the completion of the student’s transfer evaluation. Students who meet these criteria must meet with the Department Chairperson to discuss academic preparation, requirements, and suggested course sequencing.