Health Science, Health Promotion Concentration, B.S.

Ferdinand Esser, D.C., Program Co-Director
914-674-7857
fesser@mercy.edu
Charis Davidson, DrPH, MPH, CHES, Program Co-Director
cdavidson7@mercy.edu

Bachelor of Science

General Education Requirements	60 credits
Major Concentration	53 credits
Open Electives	7 credits
Total	120 credits

Any student who receives a grade below a C in a major course, which includes all Health Science courses as well as the required courses in the Natural Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences and Mathematics, will be required to retake the course. Major courses may be retaken once.

There is an 18-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of health sciences.

Students who select the Health Science Health Promotion Concentration must successfully complete:

39 credits

The following related courses in Natural Science and Social and Behavioral Science:

14 credits

Recommended Open Electives:

Choose 7 credits from the following list of courses

7 credits

Total Program Credits: 60

Additional Program Information

The baccalaureate degree in health science provides a comprehensive and innovative curriculum in the evidence-based factors that affect human health including human biology, personal behavior, social and environmental determinants of health as well as the structure of and access to health care. Students are broadly trained in the application of basic science to health, coupled with the development of the values, inter-personal and inter-professional skills required for success in professional practice and graduate study. The major builds on the 60-credit general education requirement and includes additional credits in the Basic Sciences, the Social Sciences and the Health Sciences. Students select a focused concentration of study that will prepare them for careers in health care and targeted graduate study. Students preparing to enter graduate programs in the Health Professions at Mercy College or elsewhere should coordinate their plan of study with their PACT mentor. Exceptional students who are seeking graduate education in Physician Assistant may also elect to accelerate and condense their studies by applying to Mercy College’s Multiple Degree Programs in Physician Assistant (B.S. in Health Science/M.S. in Physician Assistant), in consultation with the Program Director.

Health Promotion Concentration: The health promotion concentration emphasizes disease prevention and both public and personal health promotion. The general health concentration prepares students for entry-level positions in a variety of health care settings as well as for graduate study in public and community health. The health promotion concentration also prepares students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Exam.

Major Requirements

Any student who receives a grade below a C in a major course will be required to retake the course. Major courses may be retaken once.
Students who have selected the Health Promotion Health Science Concentration must adhere to the Mercy College policy regarding maintenance of a minimum cumulative and major GPA of 2.0.
Any exceptions to program guidelines require approval by the Program Director.

Note, successful completion of the Health Promotion Studies Concentration does NOT guarantee acceptance into the Mercy College Multiple Degree Program.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the Health Science Major, students are expected to:

Master the foundational core concepts and competencies necessary for preparation for the role of a health care professional.
Demonstrate professional behaviors that encompass strong interpersonal/interprofessional skills, cultural competence, ethical practice and a commitment to diversity.
Apply professional/scientific literature and materials to support professional decision making related to clinical practice and health care issues.
Acquire knowledge of the current health care system as well as challenges and changes in the delivery and funding of health care regionally and globally.

The Health Science Minor

15 Credits

Students seeking a Minor in Health Science should coordinate their plan of study under the guidance of their PACT mentor.

The Health Science Minor is designed for students seeking a foundation in public health and health promotion. Students who elect to minor in Health Science must complete HLSC 250 - Global Health and HLSC 275 - Health Policy and Advocacy , which provide a framework for understanding major issues in public health and health promotion in the United States and around the world. For the remaining 9 credits, students must select from the following Health Science courses: