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 and health care administration and services) prepare 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.  A business minor can be obtained with additional coursework and GPA requirements 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)

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Admission Requirements at the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy at the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: overall grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

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 overall GPA. Minimum 2.500 overall GPA to declare and graduate with a Business minor.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Integrate and apply knowledge, values, and skills from their coursework across the health and human services fields to applicable work settings.
2. Identify, present, and critique the role of health care professionals and policies/issues facing the health and human services fields in order to better meet the needs of individuals, communities, and society in the provision of services.