Health Sciences, School of

Haifa A. Samra, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Dean
Ranelle Nissen, Associate Dean of Academics
Kory Zimney, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs
School of Health Sciences
Lee Medical Building 302
Phone: (605) 658-6500
health@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/health

The following undergraduate majors, minors, and certificates are available from the School of Health Sciences at the University of South Dakota. Our undergraduate programs prepare students for admission to graduate programs with accelerated options for some programs.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.)

MAJORS:

Addiction Counseling and Prevention
Dental Hygiene
Health Sciences
Medical Laboratory Science
Nursing
Public Health
Social Work

MINORS:

Addiction Counseling and Prevention
Health Sciences
Interprofessional Disabilities Services
Medical Laboratory Practices
Public Health

CERTIFICATES:

Addiction Counseling and Prevention - Online Only
Clinical Research Coordinator - Online Only
Healthcare Analytics - Health Sciences
Healthcare Leadership - Health Sciences

SPECIALIZATIONS:

Child Welfare - Social Work
Clinical Studies - Health Sciences
Health Education - Public Health
Prevention - Addiction Counseling and Prevention
Treatment - Addiction Counseling and Prevention

Pre-professional majors: Students seeking admission to the undergraduate Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Social Work, and Addiction Counseling and Prevention programs at USD are strongly encouraged to declare as a Pre-professional Major in their chosen field. The Pre-major is usually equivalent to the first two years (Freshman and Sophomore) of the bachelor’s degree program in the chosen field of study and leads to a degree in that field. Declaring as a pre-professional major does not guarantee admission into the degree program.

Pre-Health Professions Career Interest Programs

Career interest programs are undergraduate programs with tracks offering specialized courses that prepare students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary for them to pursue an advanced degree or a degree beyond the undergraduate level to become a certified or licensed professional in a specified field such as Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, etc. At the University of South Dakota, the pre-health professions programs are not a major. Rather, these programs provide an educational track or pathway that prepares students for their professional or advanced degree of interest. Students completing a pre-health professions program must declare a major in an academic discipline and complete the requirements for graduation for the major they declare. There is no specific discipline in which a student planning on a degree in the health professions must major; however, there are undergraduate majors that offer an accelerated path to a graduate degree in certain health programs. Students should consult the graduate professional program of their choice for recommended bachelor’s degree programs, required pre-requisite courses, admission criteria, etc.

In general, students who desire to pursue a degree in any of the health professions must have a good academic record, a well-rounded education with critical thinking skills, a basic understanding of the profession in which they desire to pursue a degree, effective communication and interpersonal skills, and interest in helping others.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Click here for Pre-Occupational Therapy requirements

Pre-Optometry

Click here for Pre-Optometry requirements

Pre-Pharmacy

Click here for Pre-Pharmacy requirements

Pre-Physical Therapy

Click here for Pre-Physical Therapy requirements

Pre-Physician Assistant Studies

Click here for Pre-Physician Assistant Studies requirements

Pre-Podiatry

Click here for Pre-Podiatry requirements

SCHOLARSHIPS

School of Health Sciences Coyote Commitment Scholarship
Dean of Health Sciences Scholarship
Cheryl & Craig Colton Scholarship - Medical Laboratory Science
Dr. Walter Anyan Scholarship
Dr. Frank O. Brady Memorial Scholarship-(Odd years)
Faithe Family Scholarship - Health Sciences (Undergraduate Departments)
Faithe Family Scholarship - Public Health
James J. Herman Memorial Scholarship
Leonard & Viola Strutz Health Sciences Scholarship
Lulu B. Wheeler-Health
Several program specific scholarships are also available to qualified students