Health Studies, BA

Health Studies, BA

Jumpstart a career in helping people thrive.

The Health Studies, BA provides students the flexibility to undertake a minor, prepare for a single-subject teaching credential, or complete courses for graduate school. The courses that fulfill the Health Studies, BA allow students to acquire scientific knowledge, integrate that knowledge among different fields of science, and apply it in the professional environment.

With our small class sizes and numerous opportunities for clinical experience or hands-on research, you can make lasting connections in our tight-knit community of difference-makers.

 

Curriculum

Health Studies, BA

BA

Learning Outcomes

  • DEMONSTRATE understanding of the biological workings of the human body and its relevance to human health.
  • UNDERSTAND and practice scientific inquiry through observation and/or experimentation including logic of experimentation, data analysis and ethical implications.
  • ANALYZE, interpret, integrate and evaluate scientific literature with the ability to communicate findings in a written format.
  • DEMONSTRATE a high degree of professional integrity and social awareness through consideration of social inequities and respect for the value of individuals, communities and perspectives of difference.

Requirements

Lower Division

  • The following lower-division courses are required for the major.
  • Take one chemistry course and its corresponding lab
  • Survey of Chemistry (3 units)
  • Survey of Chemistry Lab (1 units)
  • General Chemistry I (4 units)
  • General Chemistry I Laboratory (1 units)
  • Take one biology course and its corresponding lab
  • Introduction to Biology for Kinesiology (5 units)
  • Introduction to Biology Laboratory
  • Introductory Microbiology (4 units)
  • Introductory Microbiology Lab
  • Intro Cell Bio, Molecular Bio, & Biochem (5 units)
  • Intro to Cell Bio, Molecular Bio Lab
  • Introduction to Organisms and Evolution (5 units)
  • Intro to Organisms and Evolution Lab
  • Take Statistics and Introduction to Psychology
  • Intro Probability & Statistics (3 units)
  • Introduction to Psychology (4 units)
  • Take one of the following Psychology courses
  • Human Development (4 units)
  • Helping Professions: Foundations & Skills (3 units)

Health Writing Course

  • Take one of the following Health courses
  • Nutrition (4 units)
  • Environmental Health (4 units)

Upper Division Electives

  • Take at least 18 units from the following list of classes, of which 3 units must be from the Biology, Health Science, Kinesiology, or Psychology departments. Some courses may require prerequisite courses that are not contained in the Health Science major. Courses not on this list may be allowed by petition to the Health Science Director.
  • Medical Anthropology: Culture, Health, and Healing (4 units)
  • Genetics (5 units)
  • Genetics Lab
  • Research Design and Biostatistics (5 units)
  • Research Design and Biostatistics Lab
  • Cell Biology (5 units)
  • Cell Biology Lab
  • Microbiology (5 units)
  • Microbiology Lab
  • Immunology (5 units)
  • Immunology Lab
  • Developmental Biology and Embryology (4 units)
  • Developmental Biology and Embryology Lab
  • Special Topics in Organismal Biology (3-4 units)
  • Independent Study in Biology (1-4 units)
  • Field/Laboratory Research in Biology (1-4 units)
  • Intercultural Communication (4 units)
  • Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
  • Critical Race Theory
  • Environmental Justice (4 units)
  • Women in Sport (4 units)
  • History of Sport (4 units)
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology (4 units)
  • Community Health (4 units)
  • Global Impact of Physical Inactivity (3 units)
  • Nutrition for Sport and Physical Activity (4 units)
  • Sport Sociology (3 units)
  • Health Promotion Planning & Evaluation (4 units)
  • Multicultural Health and Wellness (4 units)
  • Internship (3-4 units)
  • Independent Study (3-4 units)
  • Ethics (4 units)
  • Modern Ethics (4 units)
  • Introduction to Public Policy (3 units)
  • Environmental Politics (3 units)
  • Environmental Law and Regulation (3 units)
  • Gender Politics (3 units)
  • Gender Politics EL (1 units)
  • Psychobiology (4 units)
  • Psychobiology Lab
  • Cross-Cultural Psychology (3 units)
  • Cross-Cultural Psychology EL (1 units)
  • Human Sexualities (4 units)
  • Psychopathology (4 units)
  • Health Psychology (3 units)
  • Independent Study (1-4 units)
  • Sociology of Families (4 units)
  • Race and Ethnicity (4 units)
  • Urban Studies (4 units)
  • Wealth and Poverty in the United States (4 units)
  • Global Migration (4 units)
  • Health and Illness (3 units)
  • Ethnic Groups in the United States (4 units)
  • Gender and Society (4 units)
  • Crime and Delinquency (4 units)
  • Christian Ethics (3 units)
  • Christian Ethics EL (1 units)
  • Medical Ethics (3 units)

Learn More About Our Health Science Program

Get to know our well-respected faculty and their specialties. Or explore scholarship opportunities and an array of research possibilities.

What can you do with a degree in Health Studies?

A degree in Health Studies provides students with a foundation in science, community health, ethics, and communication for roles across healthcare and public service
(*Some careers may require additional certification or graduate study)

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students in coats pointing with gloves

Community Health Educator
Design and deliver prevention programs, adapting evidence-based content to the needs and cultures of local populations

Health Program Coordinator
Support planning, outreach, scheduling, budgets, and outcome tracking for clinic or nonprofit wellness initiatives

Patient Navigator / Care Coordinator
Help clients access services by explaining options, arranging referrals, and reducing logistical and cultural barriers to care

Health Communication Specialist
Translate scientific findings into plain-language toolkits, campaigns, and digital content that motivate healthy behaviors

Wellness Coach
Guide individuals on nutrition, activity, stress management, and goal-setting using behavior-change strategies

Public Health Advocate
Collect community input, synthesize data, and advance policies that address environmental, social, and access inequities

Clinical Research Assistant
Recruit participants, manage IRB documents, collect data, and maintain quality control for health studies

Healthcare Administration Assistant
Handle front-line operations—scheduling, records, billing support, and compliance, while improving patient experience

Saint Mary's Testimonials

“My experience as a health science major has opened my eyes to the wide range of career opportunities in the health field. Most importantly, the courses were beneficial for my future goals because they provided me with the knowledge and inspiration to help others be the best and healthiest version of themselves.”

Alyssa Vessel, '22

School and Department Information