Duquesne's Health Sciences major is a four-year (120 credits) program resulting in students earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. The Health Sciences major will provide students with an interdisciplinary experience where they are prepared to pursue career opportunities in health & exercise science, medical sciences, and global healthcare. Our graduates will be positioned to pursue health science industry certifications and credentials, seek gainful employment in the health sciences, and/or pursue professional graduate education programs in health science-related disciplines.

The overarching objective of the Health Sciences major is to prepare evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare professionals who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to shape and actively contribute to the dynamic healthcare system. The program offers both traditional freshmen admissions, as well as a secondary admissions process, to capture students that are considering careers in the health professions.

The Health Sciences program will offer students a curricular framework that will enable them to complete University general education requirements, basic science coursework and foundational health science coursework, while customizing their educational plan in preparation for a health-related career or healthcare professional degree pursuit. Further, students will have opportunities to complete coursework that will equip them with marketable skill sets, making them employable both while in school (i.e. EMT certification) and following degree completion.

Duquesne University admits students directly into the Health Sciences major as freshmen. Admitted students must meet all Rangos School of Health Sciences (RSHS) admissions requirements, have evidence of extracurricular and/or work experiences during high school, and have the ability to meet all the programmatic, medical and performance/technical standards of the program. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and must maintain a 2.0 major GPA. Additionally, students must achieve a ‘C' grade or better in all courses required for the major. Students may transfer into the program based upon their academic standing, ability to meet the programmatic, medical and technical standards of the program, and appropriate past course work. Transfer and second degree students must have a minimum QPA of 2.75 and have demonstrated "B" grades or better in their science courses.

Health Sciences Program Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate an applied understanding of human anatomy and physiology and their applications to comprehensive health, wellness and fitness assessments, and exercise/wellness programming across the lifespan.
  2. Students will appreciate the value and implication of lifelong physical activity and exercise in culture and society.
  3. Students will demonstrate a specialized understanding of exercise and conditioning in the context of performance, injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, and working with apparently healthy and those with chronic illness/controlled disease.
  4. Students will demonstrate a specialized understanding of nutritional concepts and their implications with respect to wellness, injury prevention, and performance.
  5. Students will be able to use current information technologies to locate and critically evaluate health & exercise science research and information in order to design and execute evidence driven health-related initiatives.

Health Sciences Curriculum

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - 120 Credits

Bridges Common Learning Experience - 30 Credits

  • Writing & Analysis (BRDG 101) 3 cr.
  • Writing & Literature (BRDG 102) 3 cr.
  • Essential Questions (EQ XXX) 3 cr.
  • Intro to Ethical Reasoning (BRDG 105) 3 cr.
  • Cultural Fluency & Responsiveness 3 cr.
  • Communication & Creative Expression 3 cr.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 3 cr.
  • Ethical Reasoning & Moral Responsibility 3 cr.
  • Theology Requirement 3 cr.
  • Philosophy Requirement 3 cr.

Science, Math & Humanities Courses- 36 Credits

  • Biology I: Cells, Genetics, Development/Lab (BIOL 111/111L) 4 cr.
  • Biology II: Diversity, Ecology, Evolution/Lab (BIOL 112/112L) 4 cr.
  • Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab BIOL 207/208 (BIOL 207/208) 4 cr.
  • Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab BIOL 209/210 (BIOL 209/210) 4 cr.
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry I/Lab (CHEM 131/131L) 5 cr. AND Fundamentals of
  • Chemistry II/Lab (CHEM 132/132L) 5 cr. OR
  • General Chemistry I/Lab (CHEM 121/121L/121R) 5 cr. AND General Chemistry II/Lab (CHEM 122/122L/122R) 5 cr.
  • Physics for Life Sciences I (PHYS 201/201L) 4 cr.
  • Introduction to Biostatistics (MATH 225) 3 cr.
  • Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101) 3 cr.

RSHS Courses - 16 Credits

  • Introduction to Health & Exercise Science (HLTS 115) 1 cr.
  • Elements of HS, Info Literacy & Scientific Terminology (HLTS 120) 3 cr.
  • Current Concepts in Sports Medicine/Lab (HLTS 225/225L) 3 cr.
  • Tests & Measures/Lab (HLTS 311/311L) 3 cr.
  • Nutrition & Weight Management with Lab (ATHT 402W/402L) 3 cr.
  • Principles of Research (HLTS 430W/430L) 3 cr.

Concentrations - 21/27 Credits

Students will choose one of the following concentrations and must take all credits within that concentration as well as 6 credits from the other concentration

  • Health Science Concentration
    • Introduction to Epidemiology (PBHL 301) 3 cr.
    • Healthcare Delivery and Organization (PBHL 318) 3 cr.
    • Foundations of Health Promotion (HLTS 285) 3 cr.
    • Psychosocial Aspects of Healthcare 3 cr.
    • Theory to Practice 3 cr.
  • Exercise Science Concentration*
    • Strength & Conditioning/Lab (HLTS 312/312L) 3 cr.
    • Kinesiology & Functional Biomechanics/Lab (HLTS 437/437L) 3 cr.
    • Physiology of Exercise/Lab (ATHT 407W/407L) 3 cr.
    • Integrated Training & Performance (ATHT 420/420L) 3 cr.
    • Motor Learning 3 cr.

*Students completing the Strength & Conditioning Concentration will take the Exercise Science Courses above in addition to two Site Experiences (6 credits)

Open Electives - to reach at least 120 Credits

Health Sciences Graduation Requirements

A student who has completed all requirements with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA will receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree.