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UVM Medical Center

What is Health Science?

The field of Health Sciences encompasses a variety of sub-disciplines relating to the protection and promotion of health and well-being, including the study of public health, global health, epidemiology, health promotion and education, nutrition, health communication, rehabilitation and the study of disease.

The UVM Health Sciences program is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health. The accreditation review will address the Health Sciences B.S. Other degrees and areas of study offered by this institution will not be included in the unit of accreditation review. Please visit https://ceph.org for more information.

PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of the UVM health sciences program is to strive for health equity by preparing the next generation of leaders to improve the health of individuals and communities through basic science and applying the principles of population health.

A Path With Vision

Health Sciences students complete an interdisciplinary program with courses designed to align with public health learning standards, practicing foundational skills that transfer to entry-level employment and will prepare them to pursue graduate education in the basic and medical sciences and public health. Career-focused electives, recommended prerequisites for graduate school, research with a faculty mentor or an optional minor or certificate can be incorporated into the four-year degree. The program also provides the added flexibility of online course options.

Students interested in  medicine, occupational or physical therapy, nursing, athletic training, pharmacy, public health or other graduate programs work with their academic and pre-health advisors to incorporate the recommended requirements into their curriculum plans. View full health sciences curriculum (PDF) >>

What Are Students Doing With A Health Sciences Degree?

Graduates are prepared for employment with non-profits, local and international agencies, educational institutions, health care facilities and other public-serving organizations. Some job titles may include: medical and health services/program manager, health educator, health coach, research assistant, community health worker, disease prevention specialist, social and community service manager and substance abuse and behavioral disorders counselor.

Major requirements

120 credits

Beyond the classroom

Study Abroad, Internship and Research Opportunities

Study Abroad

UVM hosts a full-semester Health Sciences exchange program with Maastricht University in The Netherlands; and offers a variety of health-related short-term travel options in locations including Belize, Cuba, Mexico, Mongolia and Iceland. Learn more about UVM study abroad options >>

Internships and Field Experience: Partnering with Communities to Improve Health

In their final year, students contribute directly to the health of populations through a culminating, integrated service-learning capstone experience during which they are paired with a local community partner agency for a semester. Selected community partners and past student projects include:

  • RiseVT works with individuals, employers, schools and municipalities to promote healthy lifestyles.Project title: A mobile farmers market combating food insecurity in Richmond Vermont
  • Spectrum Youth and Family Services empowers teens, young adults and their families to make and sustain positive lifestyle changes. Project title: The Effects of Adequate Data Collection on Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
  • Northern Vermont Area Health Education Center programs inspire young people to consider health care careers. Project title: Creating a Diverse Health & Healthcare Workforce
  • Pride Center of Vermont celebrates, educates and advocates with and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Vermonters. Project Title: HIV in Rural Vermont: Determinants, Barriers, and Methods to Improving Care
  • Planned Parenthood of Northern New England offers free, confidential family planning services. Project Title: Unintended Pregnancies in Vermont College Aged Students

Students are also encouraged to seek extracurricular internship opportunities to complement their academic coursework. Students may seek to obtain credit for their experiences with prior approval from the Health Sciences program director. Internship settings may include health care organizations, public health offices and community-based and non-governmental global health organizations.

Research

Students have the option to work directly with UVM faculty in their research laboratories. Learn more about research opportunities >>

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Pre-Health Advising

Students who plan to pursue graduate school in the health professions may work with their academic and pre-health advisors to incorporate prerequisite requirements into their curriculum plans.

Kyle Bodge

Meet Kyle Bodge, Health Sciences '19

Kyle works for Population Media Center (PMC), a nonprofit that creates TV and radio shows to raise awareness about critical issues such as women’s rights, reproductive health, and girls’ education.

Graduate employment rate

95%

Employed or continuing their education within six months of graduating.

Careers

  • Health benefits navigator
  • Global health program associate
  • Policy analyst
  • Health educator
  • Research assistant
  • Health communication associate
  • Disease prevention specialist

Related Information

Similar Majors

Popular Courses

Is the B.S. in Health Sciences or B.A. in Health and Society right for me?

Both the B.S. in Health Sciences and B.A. in Health and Society degrees require a total of 120 credits to graduate. The B.S. in Health Sciences requires 54 credits in health-related courses plus 18 credits in the life and physical sciences; the remaining 58 credits are distributed through other academic disciplines. The B.A. in Health and Society requires 33 credits in health-related courses, allowing students the flexibility to take 87 credits in other topic areas.

Learn more