Become an advocate for human health and wellness. Health Science

All along the healthcare continuum, there’s a need for caring compassionate professionals. A bachelor’s degree in Health Science (HS) prepares you for an array of careers in the health, wellness, nutrition, fitness, and sports medicine fields.

It also builds a strong foundation for medical school and graduate and professional programs in physical therapy, physician assistant, chiropractic medicine, nursing, health administration, public health, and other disciplines related to human health and movement sciences.

Credential Type

    BS

Credits Required

  • 124

Offered As

  • Major

98.9% employed or in graduate school

Within six months of graduation, nearly 99% of Wheaton’s Class of 2021 found work in their field or continued their education.

13% increase in demand

The U.S. Department of Labor expects faster-than-average growth in healthcare occupations through 2031.

10:1 student-faculty ratio

Small class sizes mean individualized attention and greater access to faculty.

Connect with Admissions

You can reach us anytime via admissions@wheaton.edu.

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Health Sciences Students and Prof in Lab

Program Highlight What is Health Science?

The Health Sciences major is human-centered and clinically focused. And it’s a field that encompasses many career paths, from public health and wellness promotion to disease prevention and rehabilitation. 

As an HS major, you’ll get to choose courses and electives that align with your career goals; if you’re on the pre-med or pre-professional school track, you’ll also take classes that will prepare you for successful entry into these programs.

Benefit From an Integrative Approach

Health Science is part of the Biological and Health Sciences Department, which also includes Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Neurology, Biololgy, and Conservation & Ecological Health. Together, these five majors share a core curriculum designed to introduce you to the underpinnings of biological and health sciences and teach you how to read, write, produce, and speak about science. With this firm foundation, you will be well-positioned to pursue the major of your choice

Our interdisciplinary approach also allows us to creatively leverage existing relationships with other departments such as Chemistry, Geology & Environmental Science, and Psychology, to provide an integrated, robust learning experience that prepares you well for graduate school, medical school, or any number of careers in the field of biological and health sciences.

Faces & Spaces Where You’ll Learn, Who You’ll Meet

Scott Ickes Health Sciences Professor

Our Faculty

Health Science faculty represent expertise in their fields, including physicians, nurses, and those who have taught at medical schools. They have a wide range of professional experience and research interests, including sports ministry, theology and health, maternal and child nutrition, family planning, diabetes, and fitness.

Student Walking Outside Meyer Science Center

Our Facilities & Equipment

The Meyer Science Center is home to state-of-the-art labs and learning spaces filled with modern equipment and instrumentation, including a dedicated health science lab.

Learn About the Meyer Science Center

Lucy Browning with Award-Winning Health Sciences Poster presentation

Our Experiences

Our students get hands-on experiences from lab classes, healthcare internships, research opportunities, and campus organizations. Every student has the opportunity to perform biomedical research as part of a class project, often resulting in presentations at national and international scientific meetings. It’s not uncommon for HS majors to co-author journal articles or co-present papers with their faculty mentors. 

WITH Wheaton Opportunities Across Campus & Beyond

Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. Aside from your work within your chosen major, you can enrich your educational experience and connect with peers and professors across campus (and beyond) in many ways.

 


Real-World Learning at Wheaton & Beyond

  • Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR Program)
  • Wheaton Summer Research Program

Other Opportunities

  • Hands-on biomedical research
  • Medical internships and other opportunities to accumulate patient contact hours
  • Teaching and lab assistantships
  • Summer or semester international and domestic travel programs  

Related Centers, Organizations & Co-Curriculars

  • Pre-Health Sciences Club
  • The Creation Society
  • Society of Women in STEM
  • Wheaton Pre-Dental Society

 Additional Academic Opportunities: Common Minors, Certificates & Second Majors


 

Meyer Science Center Sign
HEALTH SCIENCE for Christ & His Kingdom

Faith & Learning

A Wheaton education is built on the foundation of our unique Christ at the Core general education curriculum. The health science curriculum is designed to help students develop both a Christian and scientific perspective for their careers in the health professions. We’ll advise you, encourage you, and mentor you as you develop your full, God-given potential to become a whole and effective Christian.

More About Christ at the Core

Success After Wheaton What You Can Do With a Health Science Degree

Wheaton health science students are well-prepared for further professional training to ultimately pursue careers as healthcare practitioners, research scientists, and educators. Many graduates head right into the workforce, landing roles in a variety of industries.

Wheaton health science majors find positions such as:

  • Clinical research coordinator
  • Community liaison
  • Dental assistant
  • Diabetes educator
  • Director of quality
  • Emergency room nurse
  • Footwear product line manager
  • Healthcare recruiter
  • Medical research assistant
  • Patient safety assistant
  • Pediatric care manager
  • Population healthcare manager
  • Program manager
  • Registered dietician
  • Science teacher
  • Site manager

Students who continued their education did so at schools and programs such as:

  • Boston University School of Medicine (MS, Medical Science)
  • East Tennessee State University (MA, Sport Physiology & Performance)
  • Georgetown University (MS, Physiology and Biophysics)
  • Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (PA)
  • Rush University (MS, Clinical Nursing Leadership)
  • University of Oregon Lundquist School of Business (MS, Sports Product Management)
  • Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (MSN)
  • Washington University St. Louis (MS, Occupational Therapy)

Next Steps

Interested in studying health science at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.