Bachelor of Health Sciences
Complete your bachelor's degree in as little as 20 months with our flexible BHS program, crafted to prepare you for rewarding clinical and non-clinical career opportunities.
Join the Rapidly Growing Health and Wellness Sector
About the Program
The BHS program is designed for students who have already completed most of their lower-division course work. Adult students who have healthcare work experience and are looking to complete their undergraduate degree are highly encouraged to apply.
Endless Possibilities
The BHS program offers three distinct pathways to help you achieve your goals. You can earn a bachelor’s degree and launch your career, use your degree as a stepping stone to a clinical pathway, or fast-track your education by applying select courses toward both your BHS and SMU’s Master of Health Administration (MHA). With this flexibility, you can shape your future on your terms and unlock new opportunities in the healthcare field.
Our Philosophy & Goals
We embrace inclusion, collaboration, and innovation to positively impact healthcare delivery. Our goal is to transform healthcare through innovative learning and produce graduates capable of improving health services locally and globally.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirement:
- Complete the 24 prerequisite units with a grade of C or higher.
To earn the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) degree, students must:
- Complete a total of 120 units, including 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) completed outside of Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and the 60 units in the BHS curriculum.
Transfer Credit:
- Students may request transfer credit for coursework equivalent to a course in the BHS curriculum.
- If approved, the transfer credit will apply toward the 60-unit BHS curriculum.
- Students must still complete a total of 60 semester units outside of SMU to meet degree requirements.
Samuel Merritt University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; 510.748.9001.
SEQUENTIAL COURSE CURRICULUM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Course Number | BHS Course List | Units |
HS 3101 | US Healthcare System | 3 |
HS 3102 | Careers in Healthcare | 3 |
HS 3104 | Professional Ethics and Integrity | 3 |
HS 3106 | Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
HS 3110 | Intro to Public Health | 3 |
HS 3111 | Structural and Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
HS 3112 | Advocacy & Social Policy in Health | 3 |
HS 3115/3116 | Human Anatomy + Lab | 4 |
HS 3118 | Pharmacology | 3 |
HS 3119 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
HS 3121 | Health and Culture | 3 |
HS 3122 | Health Across the Lifespan | 3 |
HS 3123 | Current Trends in Health | 2 |
HS 3125/3126 | Human Physiology and Lab | 4 |
HS 3135/3136 | Neuroscience and Lab | 4 |
HS 3140 | Communications for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
HS 3150 | Principles of Nutrition | 3 |
HS 3191 | Student Success: Learning and Teaching | 1 |
HS 3192 | Student Success: Wellness | 1 |
HS 3193 | Student Success: Professional Development | 1 |
HS 3197 | Capstone Preparation | 1 |
HS 3198 | Capstone Project | 3 |
Total Units | 60 | |
Application Fees
Application fees are payable to Advancing Health Professions (AHCAS). Samuel Merritt University does notcharge an additional admission fee.
Application Fee = $72
Non-Refundable Deposits and Fees
Students offered admission pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $350 to secure their seat in the class. Application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable, whether or not the student withdraws in the first week of the term.
Tuition
For a detailed summary of annual tuition, all fees for the program, and a cost estimator for the entire program, visit Student Accounts.
Detailed information about financial aid, budgeting, total cost, and application processes is available using the button below.
We realize that the financial aid process can be difficult and overwhelming. We are here to help. The Financial Aid staff can assist with budgeting, understanding your awards, and understanding the process. The SMU staff is committed to each and every prospective student and enrolled student. We have an open door policy and are available via email or phone at finaid@samuelmerritt.edu or 510.879.9200.
Join the Rapidly Growing Health and Wellness Sector
About the Program
The BHS program is designed for students who have already completed most of their lower-division course work. Adult students who have healthcare work experience and are looking to complete their undergraduate degree are highly encouraged to apply.
Endless Possibilities
The BHS program offers three distinct pathways to help you achieve your goals. You can earn a bachelor’s degree and launch your career, use your degree as a stepping stone to a clinical pathway, or fast-track your education by applying select courses toward both your BHS and SMU’s Master of Health Administration (MHA). With this flexibility, you can shape your future on your terms and unlock new opportunities in the healthcare field.
Our Philosophy & Goals
We embrace inclusion, collaboration, and innovation to positively impact healthcare delivery. Our goal is to transform healthcare through innovative learning and produce graduates capable of improving health services locally and globally.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirement:
- Complete the 24 prerequisite units with a grade of C or higher.
To earn the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) degree, students must:
- Complete a total of 120 units, including 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) completed outside of Samuel Merritt University (SMU) and the 60 units in the BHS curriculum.
Transfer Credit:
- Students may request transfer credit for coursework equivalent to a course in the BHS curriculum.
- If approved, the transfer credit will apply toward the 60-unit BHS curriculum.
- Students must still complete a total of 60 semester units outside of SMU to meet degree requirements.
Samuel Merritt University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; 510.748.9001.
SEQUENTIAL COURSE CURRICULUM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Course Number | BHS Course List | Units |
HS 3101 | US Healthcare System | 3 |
HS 3102 | Careers in Healthcare | 3 |
HS 3104 | Professional Ethics and Integrity | 3 |
HS 3106 | Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
HS 3110 | Intro to Public Health | 3 |
HS 3111 | Structural and Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
HS 3112 | Advocacy & Social Policy in Health | 3 |
HS 3115/3116 | Human Anatomy + Lab | 4 |
HS 3118 | Pharmacology | 3 |
HS 3119 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
HS 3121 | Health and Culture | 3 |
HS 3122 | Health Across the Lifespan | 3 |
HS 3123 | Current Trends in Health | 2 |
HS 3125/3126 | Human Physiology and Lab | 4 |
HS 3135/3136 | Neuroscience and Lab | 4 |
HS 3140 | Communications for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
HS 3150 | Principles of Nutrition | 3 |
HS 3191 | Student Success: Learning and Teaching | 1 |
HS 3192 | Student Success: Wellness | 1 |
HS 3193 | Student Success: Professional Development | 1 |
HS 3197 | Capstone Preparation | 1 |
HS 3198 | Capstone Project | 3 |
Total Units | 60 | |
Application Fees
Application fees are payable to Advancing Health Professions (AHCAS). Samuel Merritt University does notcharge an additional admission fee.
Application Fee = $72
Non-Refundable Deposits and Fees
Students offered admission pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $350 to secure their seat in the class. Application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable, whether or not the student withdraws in the first week of the term.
Tuition
For a detailed summary of annual tuition, all fees for the program, and a cost estimator for the entire program, visit Student Accounts.
Detailed information about financial aid, budgeting, total cost, and application processes is available using the button below.
We realize that the financial aid process can be difficult and overwhelming. We are here to help. The Financial Aid staff can assist with budgeting, understanding your awards, and understanding the process. The SMU staff is committed to each and every prospective student and enrolled student. We have an open door policy and are available via email or phone at finaid@samuelmerritt.edu or 510.879.9200.
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Additional Information
Applicants are required to complete and submit transcripts for 60 units of undergraduate coursework before graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) from SMU. Students may matriculate in the BHS program if they have a minimum of 24 units, preferably all of the courses listed below, and meet all other admission criteria.
Transcripts for all the following courses must be submitted with the application to the BHS program. Each of these undergraduate courses should be at least 3 units. Students wanting advice on how to select courses for the remaining 36 undergraduate units should reach out to an admissions counselor.
One English Composition Course and one Critical Thinking course (2 English Composition courses accepted)
Intro to Sociology or General Sociology (General Psychology accepted)
2 Social Science Electives (Cultural Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, History…). If interested in pursuing a nursing degree, then one of these should be Lifespan Developmental Psychology that covers the full lifespan.
One Humanities course (literature, philosophy, religion, languages, arts…)
One General Biology with lab or Chemistry with lab (If interested in pursuing a nursing degree, then take Chemistry with lab)
One Math course (If interested in pursuing a graduate degree, then this should be a statistics course)
Note: If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree after completing your BHS, please refer to the website of your graduate program of interest to determine which prerequisites you will need before applying. Reach out to an admission counselor for assistance.
- Integrate theoretical knowledge, scientific evidence, and practical skills to mitigate illness and injuries and optimize health for individuals of diverse abilities and backgrounds
- Identify healthcare industry dynamics and trends influencing the provision, coverage, and access to care
- Apply principles of ethical decision-making to navigate complex scenarios and challenges within the field of health science
- Use research methods to analyze data for informed decision-making in diverse healthcare settings
- Construct and express ideas, thoughts, and concepts through written and verbal communication in professional settings.
- Analyze the interplay between the contextual factors influencing health outcomes and their impact on individual and community health
- Explain how cultural competence and humility can improve health access and outcomes within diverse populations
- Describe the breadth of occupations in the healthcare industry and engage in personal and professional strategies to achieve and sustain career satisfaction and well-being
