A degree in health sciences provides you with knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of health care fields. Gain real-world experiences and a foundation in health care as you begin the path to your future career.
In the B.S. in health sciences program at USD, you will gain an interdisciplinary foundation in health care, including knowledge of a variety of health care fields and development of skills that are essential for quality patient care. This flexible degree is offered fully online, as well as in-person at the Vermillion and Sioux Falls campuses. If you are unsure which health care profession interests you most, or if you want a broad understanding of the field, this program is the right fit for you. You can choose an individualized pathway to a specific profession; we offer close mentorship and advising to help you meet pre-professional program prerequisites in addition to the core health sciences courses. Whether you want to focus on health care studies, health care advancement, professional studies, clinical informatics, or clinical research, you'll find the classes and experiences you need to start your career or to continue your education.
Become a health care leader who can face tomorrow's challenges with expertise, poise, and thoughtfulness with a degree in Health Sciences.
Your degree in health sciences will help you start your path to graduate school, launch your career in the health care field or advance your existing career. You'll gain real-world experience through service learning and hands-on practice, and you can personalize the degree to fit your unique interests. USD offers the most options for health care degrees in South Dakota, which means you're right where you need to be to take the next step.
This 3+3 program is available to current USD students pursuing a B.S. in health sciences with a specialization in clinical studies; a B.S. in kinesiology and sport management with a specialization in exercise science; or a B.S. in neuroscience with a specialization in cognitive neuroscience. The accelerated track will allow the undergraduate program to count 20 hours of the first year of a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree toward the electives in the B.S. degree. The student will complete 100 hours by the end of the third year toward the undergraduate degree.
Students can complete the clinical research coordinator certificate to begin a career in clinical research. The certificate encompasses the six areas of clinical research: research design, ethics and patient safety, product development and regulation, clinical trial operations, study and site management, and data management and informatics. Clinical research coordinators facilitate and coordinate the daily research activities in clinical trials. Clinical research coordinators work with the principal investigator to support the compliance, financial and personnel aspects of clinical research studies.
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As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.
A unique part of your USD education is access to undergraduate research opportunities. As a health sciences student at USD, you will have the chance to explore your interests and conduct innovative research with the support of professors who care about your success. Grants and travel funding are available through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the Department of Public Health and Health Sciences. You may be interested in joining pre-professional clubs or Sigma Delta Honor Society to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.
The Department of Public Health and Health Sciences emphasizes collaborative learning, equipping students with a rich understanding of the health care field and preparing them to excel in careers such as advocating for health policy, promoting health through education, managing health data analytics and leading collaborative health care teams. The department offers degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctorate levels.
Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Undergraduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees.
Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.
USD awards nearly $9.5 million in scholarships each year. View our scholarships to see which ones you may qualify for and how you can apply.
I chose the health sciences program at USD so I could learn about different aspects of health care, and to figure out a direction for myself. I enjoy my staff, the residents and the families I work with. The team I work with is terrific. USD's health sciences program was my foundation. It had lots of hands-on projects and it gave me lots of leadership coursework and experience.
Celina Lohre
