SAR: Health Science

Sample Pathway

This is a good major if you are interested in pursuing a graduate program in public health, health administration, nursing, physician or physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or if you wish to work with community or non-profit organizations. A number of our students pursue careers such as law, teaching or business administration. Prof. Shelley Brown is the program director.

Post Baccalaureate Physician Assistant and Nursing programs do not have standardized prerequisites in the same fashion as medical schools. Students interested in these professions should consult advisors in the Pre-Professional Advising Office (100 Bay State Road, room 428) for information on the selection and sequencing of courses.

Below is an example of a four-year plan of a College of General Studies student pursuing a degree in health science. This program allows for scheduling flexibility and courses are taught during both the fall and spring semesters. Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and Sargent College to plan their own pathway to a health science degree.

*Sargent recommends that students take the specific CGS courses to fulfill the greatest number of major and BU Hub requirements. Alternatively, students may take CGS SS 103, CGS SS 104, and CGS SS 201. Effective Fall 2021, CGS SS 201 will fulfill a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy. Please note that external courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit.

**Students’ choice of chemistry courses should be determined by career goals. Students planning to attend medical school or other professional schools should consult advisors in the Pre-Professional Advising Office.

Note: Students interested in pursuing a graduate program in nursing or PT/AT should take CAS BI 105 in place of CGS NS 201.

College of General Studies Program Requirements

• Two rhetoric courses: CGS RH 103 and CGS RH 104
  • CGS RH 104 is taken during the London semester
• Two natural science courses: CGS NS 201 and CGS NS 202
  • CGS NS 201 fulfills the Introduction to Biology requirement for the major. Health science majors in good standing will take a biology course (see below) in place of CGS NS 202.
• Three social science courses:
  • CGS SS 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
  • Students select at least two additional SS courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection
• Three humanities courses:
  • CGS HU 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
  • Students select at least two additional HU courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection

Note: Students who are exempt from CGS NS 202 must enroll in at least one CGS course in semester II of sophomore year.

Continuation Requirements

• Completion of the CGS required courses and appropriate electives
• Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00

Graduation Requirements

• BU Hub requirements 
  • Students who take the specific CGS courses noted on the pathway above will fulfill all BU Hub requirements except the units listed below. These remaining Hub units will be fulfilled through the following courses:
  • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy (1 unit) fulfilled by SAR HS 325 or SAR HS 345
  • Quantitative Reasoning II fulfilled by CGS/CAS MA 113 or CAS MA 115 or SAR HS 300
  • Teamwork/Collaboration (2 units) fulfilled by SAR HS 325 and SAR HS 440
  • Writing Intensive Course (1 unit) fulfilled by SAR HP 252
  • You will owe one remaining Hub unit – Creativity/Innovation (1 unit)
• Health Science major requirements

Advising

If you would like advice, help with planning, or simply need more information on SAR programs, please make an appointment with Academic Counselor, Roz Abukasis on rozabu.youcanbook.me. Further details can also be provided by contacting the program directors directly.

This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.

It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.

Last revised: 2/11/2025