Sep 26, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Health Sciences (B.S.)


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44 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours


Departmental Requirements (27 hours)


Additional Major Requirements (17 hours)


Optional Clinical Studies Specialization (10-11 hours)


This specialization is intended for students interested in pursuing careers in disciplines such as medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic. Students who desire to become clinicians in these healthcare professions must complete a rigorous graduate-level program. This specialization offers students coursework to prepare them for the rigorous demands of graduate programs in clinical fields. 

Optional Radiologic Technology Specialization (48 hours) ##Pending HLC approval


Radiologic technologists are trained in the use of different types of medical diagnostic equipment. Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform x-rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations on patients.  This specialization will include coursework that transfers from area hospital-based radiologic technologist programs, including Avera McKennan School of Radiologic Technology and Sanford Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology.

USD Health Sciences currently has articulation agreements with the Avera McKennan’s and Sanford Medical Center’s hospital-based programs for transfer of credits toward a BS in Health Sciences degree. With this Radiologic Technology specialization, students will attend USD for two years, and then attend the hospital-based radiologic technology program for two years. Admission to the radiologic technology hospital-based program is competitive and is not guaranteed.  

##Pending Higher Learning Commission (HLC) approval

Note:


  • Minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken from USD. 
  • Maximum of 90 transfer credit hours may be applied to the degree. 
  • Please contact the School of Health Sciences (605-658-6500) if you have questions. 

Fast Track Health Sciences, B.S. with Clinical Studies Specialization to Occupational Therapy, O.T.D. [3+3 accelerated program]


The 3+3 accelerated program allows qualified students enrolled in the B.S. in Health Sciences plus Clinical Studies Specialization at the University of South Dakota (USD) to begin the USD Occupational Therapy Doctorate program (OTD) early as a senior and use the first year of OTD coursework to complete their bachelor’s degree. The program allows the student to graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and OTD in six years rather than seven, saving time and money. The B.S. in Health Sciences with Clinical Studies Specialization is an approved 3+3 arrangement with USD Occupational Therapy.

Notes:

  • Meeting all requirements does not guarantee admission to USD Occupational Therapy, O.T.D. All students must apply and be considered on the merits of their applications. Students in the 3+3 track should apply to the O.T.D. program early fall of their junior year.  
  • Students must complete a letter of intent during the add/drop period of the first semester of their sophomore year. 
  • Students must complete 100 credit hours of undergraduate coursework by the end of the 3rd year.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs


USD encourages students to complete 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.

Related Programs:

Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs


This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.

USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.

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