Health Sciences Program

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June Larson, Director
School of Health Sciences
Lee Medical Building #302E
Phone: (605) 677-5000
healthsciencesmajor@usd.edu  
http://usd.edu/healthsciencesmajor   

FACULTY

Professor:

June Larson, Nursing Education
Carole South-Winter, Radiology and Education

Instructor :

Beth Freeburg, Basic Biomedical Sciences and Education
Audrey Ticknor, Registered Dental Hygienist

Adjunct:

Amy Jacobsen, EdD
Laurie Lind, MS, OTR/L
Cindy Mulder, RNC, MS, MSN, CNP
Heather Smith, RN, BSN, MHA
Staci AG Wietfeld, DPT, OCS
Brenda M. Wilson-Fernen, PhD
Lisa T. Harrell, PT, MAEd, DPT

Advisor:

Audrey Ticknor, Registered Dental Hygienist

MAJOR:

Health Sciences, B.S.

MINOR:

Health Sciences 

The University of South Dakota is the only university in the regental system to offer a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. This dynamic major is interdisciplinary in nature and provides flexible options that allow students to prepare for many kinds of careers related to health. This major is appropriate for any student planning to enter graduate health programs. The major also provides the opportunity for students with a general but unfocused interest in the health professions to explore the many opportunities in the field and to develop the knowledge, values and interpersonal skills needed to be successful in today’s health and human service settings. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences will qualify students for:

• Entry into graduate programs in a specific health profession.
• Entry-level employment in health care or health care-related positions.
• Career mobility and advancement for individuals with a health care background who are returning to school.

Option One: Pre-Professional Studies

The pre-professional pathway provides a foundation for study in a health profession program. In addition to the major courses, these students will take coursework needed for entry into an undergraduate or graduate health sciences program. USD offers the health sciences majors listed below. Please refer to the program page in the catalog or their respective websites.

Associate Degree Programs 
 

Baccalaureate Degree Programs  
 

 Graduate Degree Programs 
  

 Doctoral Degree Program   
 

In addition to USD’s Health Science programs, pre-professional studies students can take coursework that prepares them for entry into graduate programs offered at other universities, including pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, medicine, chiropractic medicine, public health, etc.

 Option Two: Health Care Studies

This emphasis is for individuals who desire a career in the health care industry rather than in a clinically-based profession. The student’s course of study will build a solid academic foundation in humanities, math, science and healthcare. The student will be encouraged to earn up to two minors in addition to the Health Sciences major to create a unique program that will be geared toward individual goals and to increase marketability when seeking employment. The graduate will be prepared for entry-level employment in health care or health care related careers.

Option Three: Health Career Advancement Studies

The Health Sciences Major at The University of South Dakota provides health career advancement for individuals who are already health care workers and who hold an AA, AS, or AAS degree and wish to advance in their current positions or in a related area of health care. After completing this degree, the graduate may go on to pursue graduate work in a specific area of health sciences if desired.

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