Integrated Health Studies - B.S. Download to print

The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Health Studies is designed for students interested in pursuing studies related to the health and medical professions.  The primary mission of the Integrated Health Studies program is to educate individuals to serve present and future needs of an increasingly diverse society in the professional fields associated with health and/or medical services.  Fundamental to its mission is the education of students to excel as practitioners and provide leadership to their respective disciplines.

All students complete the university’s Kent Core.  Integrated Health Studies (IHS) students also take a core of courses that relate to health and medical studies.  The core consists of coursework related to medical terminology, health care ethics, health care policy and delivery systems, research design and statistical analysis, quantitative statistics, a writing intensive class and a professional seminar class at the end of the program.  The program culminates in a practicum experience consistent with the student’s career goals.  The knowledge and understanding gained from the core coursework then are applied within the context of a specific concentration selected by the student based upon the student’s interests.  Each of the three concentrations, health sciences, health services, health care administration and services,  prepares the student for specific occupational opportunities and/or advanced study in the health and medical fields. 

The health sciences concentration includes a strong basic science core (biology, chemistry, physics) as well as an applied science core (physiology of exercise, nutrition).  Integrated Health Studies majors in the health sciences concentration will be prepared for science-based graduate programs, especially physical or occupational therapy, and other advanced study options (such as physicians assistant programs).

The health services concentration provides comprehensive study of health professions, human development, and human services.  The students completing this program find careers in the service delivery sector of the health care industry such as non-profit and/or government agencies (e.g., health departments, national/state/local health organizations).  This health services program is designed to offer more flexibility in coursework selection for minors/certificates (eg. health educator, non-profit management, psychology); pre-nursing coursework; and provide students in associate degree programs in the allied health areas, such as physical or occupational therapy assisting technology, with the opportunity to obtain a highly relevant bachelor’s degree. 

The health care administration and services concentration is designed to prepare students for administrative positions in the health care industry.  This concentration includes courses consisting of marketing, management, finance, economics, and computer applications, as well as specialized courses related to long term care administration and social welfare policy.  The students completing this concentration assume positions in the business sector of a health related industry.  Other students may wish to pursue graduate study in such fields as business administration, health administration, exercise/leisure/sports administration, and public health.   

Note: State/Federal background checks may be required for practicum/internship experiences. See Program Coordinator for more information.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health and human services areas will grow faster than average through 2022.  Students completing the IHS health services concentration are prepared to assume a role in the service delivery sector of the health care industry.  Others may wish to pursue graduate study leading to advanced professional credentials.  Students completing the IHS health care administration and systems concentration are prepared for careers in the business sector of the health care industry though others may wish to pursue graduate study to obtain mid-management administrative credentials.  Students completing the IHS health sciences concentration are prepared to pursue graduate study in health-medical fields.  Possible graduate programs for IHS concentrations may include:  Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, Sports Medicine, Physician Assistant, Gerontology, Business Administration, Health Administration, Public Health, Health Education, Clinical Psychology, Nutrition, and Exercise/Leisure/Sport Administration.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

For admissions, the College of Education, Health and Human Services considers a student to have established a Kent State University GPA after the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours. Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for admission into programs, Advanced Study, and the Professional phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen, or transfer GPA for transfer students. Once a student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours, only the student’s Kent State cumulative GPA will be considered for admission into a program, Advanced Study, and Professional Phase.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.75 high school GPA and 16 units of college preparatory curriculum or a 21 ACT or 980 SAT score. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements of their intended major may enroll into EHHS General until which time they have the required 2.75 GPA.

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Minimum 120 credit hours, minimum 39 upper-division credit hours. Minimum 2.250 major and 2.000 cumulative GPA. Minimum 2.500 cumulative GPA to declare and graduate with a Business minor.