The demand for physical therapists is skyrocketing. It is a rewarding and secure career option that requires advanced course and lab work in the sciences, as well as an advanced degree — a doctorate, or master’s at a minimum. Pre-Physical Therapy is a concentration in the B.S. in Health Sciences. It is a highly rigorous program designed to prepare graduates for admission to doctorate of physical therapy (D.P.T.) programs. In addition, this intensive, science-packed program paves the way for chiropractic and physician-assistant graduate study. Courses include chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, biology, psychology and statistics, and an internship under the supervision of a physical therapist, chiropractor or physician assistant is required. While the work is demanding, JSC’s small classes, state-of-the-art lab facilities and student-centered faculty support your success. You'll take a wide range of demanding science and psychology courses and graduate prepared to apply for admittance into D.P.T. programs in physical therapy and graduate programs in chiropractic medicine, physician-assistance and other allied health fields.

College of St. Joseph offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. The program will prepare you for your future career in the health science field, with courses in topics including anatomy and physiology, genetics, and more. The Health Science program is a pre-professional program that provides a strong foundation in biomedical and clinical sciences knowledge and best practices. The major also prepares students for Physician Assistant Master’s programs and is the basis for a Radiologic Sciences track. CSJ has an articulation agreement with University of Western States in Portland, Ore. that offers our graduates (that complete the prerequisites) preferred admission into UWS’s chiropractic program and allows them to earn their bachelor and doctorate of chiropractic degrees in just seven years.

The School of Continuing Education Certificate in Pre-Med/Pre-Health Studies is designed for college graduates who wish to prepare for graduate study in a health care profession, but who did not take the required coursework as part of their undergraduate program. The program provides most of the prerequisite science and math courses for admission to schools in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, physician assistant, physical therapy, and other allied health professions. If you already have a bachelor’s degree but not the required undergraduate classes to get into medical school or other health-related graduate program, our Pre-Med/Pre-Health Certificate is for you.

Considering a career in the health sciences? There are plenty of choices. Health science encompasses a broad range of occupations and specializations responsible for 9 percent of jobs in the US economy. The need for skilled professionals in these areas is booming, with projected job growth of almost 20 percent by 2024. In this integrative, multidisciplinary program, you’ll start by exploring the basic sciences that relate to health and wellness. Then you’ll delve into nutrition, exercise science, psychology, sociology, public health and economics, and discover their importance to healthcare delivery. Collaborate with other students as you would on a health and wellness team in the field, to improve individual and community outcomes. Gain problem-solving and technological skills to adapt to the changing marketplace and learn how to communicate across diverse populations with empathy and respect. Finally, you’ll synthesize the results of inquiry and research to propose solutions to problems in health and wellness areas that interest you. You’ll have the opportunity to perform health research and epidemiology through internship opportunities that range from local community health agencies to national and international organizations. This flexible program satisfies requirements for a wide variety of pre-health professions. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to pursue entry-level positions in areas such as health science and health research. Or choose to pursue graduate study in physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, counseling, healthcare management and health informatics. The Health Science bachelor's degree program prepares graduates for entry-level health-profession careers in such areas as health science, health promotion, public health, and health and policy administration. Additionally, it prepares graduates seeking post-baccalaureate entry into graduate programs such as physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, counseling, general MBA and health informatics. The curriculum is based on a strong foundation in the basic sciences along with the core public health subject areas. Content in the areas of health and wellness are emphasized. An interdisciplinary team of educators provides a holistic exposure to nutrition, exercise science, psychology, sociology, public health and economics, and their importance to patient-centered, humanistic healthcare delivery. The Health Science degree emphasizes the application and synthesis of knowledge and develops graduates who are the problem solvers and critical thinkers of tomorrow. Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to: Apply fundamental biologic, socio-economic, behavioral, ethical, cultural and spiritual principles to the practice of health and wellness. Synthesize foundational knowledge and the results of inquiry and research. Effectively communicate health and wellness principles to diverse populations. Demonstrate empathy and respect inherent to humanism within health and wellness domains. Work collaboratively as a member of a health and wellness team to improve individual and community outcomes. The Health Science or pre-professional pathway contains specific physical science courses in biology, anatomy, physiology and chemistry. In consultation with their advisor, students choose additional courses that will prepare the student for their individual career goals. Students in health science are prepared for jobs in medicine and research or for applying to graduate and professional schools in a number of areas.

The College of St. Joseph and the University of Western States have established a 3+1 Pre-Chiropractic program. Under the program, students will matriculate at the College of St. Joseph for a minimum of 90 semester credits in course work leading toward a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. Acceptance of transfer credits or testing toward the completion of the degree requirements will be determined by current College of St. Joseph policies. Following completion of course work at CSJ, the University of Western States shall accept, for the entrance date of their choice, all students who have successfully completed the Pre-Chiropractic Program with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and meet all other criteria for admission, including letters of recommendation, personal interview, etc. Students who earn less than a 3.25 GPA, but at least a 2.75 GPA will be eligible for admission to UWS and will receive appropriate consideration in the admission process for having completed the Pre-Chiropractic Program, but will not receive the assurance of a seat reserved for students earning a 3.25 or higher GPA. Students must apply to the University of Western States one year in advance of the desired entrance date and must complete all required application procedures in a timely manner including submission of recommendation and a satisfactory interview. Students enrolled in the 3+1 Pre-Chiropractic program who successfully complete all course work in the first 3 quarters at UWS with C’s or better will be granted the Bachelor of Science from the College of St. Joseph, provided all graduation requirements have been satisfied. Students will pay the appropriate tuition and fees to each institution for all course work taken at that institution. During the first year of study at UWS, students will not be registered for courses at CSJ but will pay any fees required to maintain their registration toward the baccalaureate degree. Upon completion of the first year of study at UWS, students will be responsible for any fees regularly charged by CSJ for transfer of credits and awarding the Bachelor of Science degree.

Accomplished educators guide you as you create your path among the five tracks of our Biology major: General Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Pre-Health, Research Intensive, or Ecology and Conservation. Work closely with faculty in small classes and state-of-the-art labs. Biology, the study of life, is the most all-encompassing of the sciences. Understanding basic life processes requires working in many areas in an integrated way. Students who major in Biology engage in a curriculum that explores the breadth of the biological sciences. They develop hands-on laboratory skills, and have the opportunity to participate in laboratory and field research projects, under the direction of a faculty mentor. The biology program provides a solid foundation in basic scientific knowledge. Every student will take a common set of core classes providing this initial set of core competencies that will be built upon and reinforced as you progress through intermediate level courses. Once the core is complete, students can enter into one of the five advisory tracks to complete the remaining credits required for the major that are designed to assist in course selection based on individual career goals and needs. These tracks are general biology, cellular and molecular biology, pre-health, ecology and conservation and research intensive. With our multiple track program, Biology majors are prepared for a wide array of opportunities including careers in the health sciences, biomedical research, physical therapy, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, environmental biology, food science, and industrial research.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Sciences (BS in RS) provides students with expanded knowledge of contemporary rehabilitation practice. Highlighting the use of assistive technology interventions, this innovative interprofessional program allows students from various backgrounds, such as the health sciences, engineering, and interior design, to support individuals with disabilities to regain functional independence. Individuals of all ages affected by a disability are interested in achieving their life goals and re-engaging in meaningful activities in their lives. Students will be able to effect change in the lives of individuals through the analysis of physical, cognitive, and perceptual skills and provide interventions using clinical reasoning and advanced analytical processes. Students will engage in hands-on learning to maximize an individual’s engagement in activities within their home, work, school and community environments.

The Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) major provides students with broad exposure to four key liberal arts fields: English, history/social sciences, mathematics, and science. While open to all students, the MDS major is particularly designed for students seeking to become elementary education teachers. (Such students must also complete the courses for Elementary Education Licensure.)

The Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) major provides students with broad exposure to four key liberal arts fields: English, history/social sciences, mathematics, and science. While open to all students, the MDS major is particularly designed for students seeking to become elementary education teachers. (Such students must also complete the courses for Elementary Education Licensure or Elementary Education Licensure with Special Education Endorsement.)

Our program emphasizes the importance and effect of physical activity and exercise on the health and well-being of all individuals, and expands into related areas such as coaching and leadership under the umbrella of Professional Physical Education. The Sports Leadership and Physical Education program contains the Physical Education licensure major, the Exercise and Sport Science concentration, the Coaching minor and elements of the Sport Management minor. The Physical Education major qualifies candidates for licensure to teach in grades PreK-12. Course work around the theme “Moving and Learning” includes a series of courses designed to provide a background to the field of physical education. Specialty courses assist the student in the development of Physical Education major content and teaching skills important in providing developmentally appropriate aspects of physical education to children and youth in today’s schools. Laboratory experiences in schools throughout the course of study aid students in recognizing the relationship between theory and practice. Students also receive a solid foundation in exercise science allowing a broader depth of knowledge in physical activity. The opportunity to pursue a concentration in exercise and sport science is available. The Sports Leadership and Physical Education program also boasts of a Coaching minor (non-licensure) that is available to all University students. Contact the program coordinator for more information. Courses in general education and professional education as well as a liberal arts and sciences major concentration are required. A major concentration in Exercise and Sport Science is available to students in the Physical Education major. It is possible to have one course fulfill two requirements but the credits only count once.