Health Science, B.S.
The B.S. in Health Sciences at National Louis University prepares students for diverse careers and graduate education in the fast-evolving healthcare field. Designed as a flexible, interdisciplinary program, it offers a strong foundation in the biological and health sciences—equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values to address complex health challenges across clinical, community, and global settings.
Students explore core concepts in human biology, healthcare systems, ethics, and public health while developing competencies in critical thinking, communication, cultural responsiveness, and collaborative problem-solving. Emphasis is placed on health equity, social determinants of health, and patient-centered care.
Graduates are well-positioned for success in entry-level healthcare roles or advanced study in fields such as medicine, physician assistant studies, physical or occupational therapy, public health, and related disciplines. This program is ideal for students passionate about improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and contributing to the well-being of individuals and communities through research, advocacy, education, or direct service.
Program Details
- Requires completion of the following Program Specific General Education requirements with a grade of "C" or better:
SCI 102, SCI 102L, SCI 112, PHI 107, PHI 205, one Statistics course, and one introductory Psychology course or one introductory Sociology course
- Requires completion of the major core and concentration courses with a grade of "C" or better
- Students are required to complete at least one concentration or minor from the following:
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Apply foundational knowledge of human biology, biochemistry, and human anatomy and physiology to explain health, disease, and treatment mechanisms in human systems.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system, including healthcare delivery models, policy, ethics, and interprofessional collaboration.
3. Analyze the impact of social determinants of health and health disparities on patient outcomes and population health, while identifying strategies to address those issues using critical thinking and problem-solving approaches.
4. Interpret and evaluate scientific data, research literature, and health information using critical thinking and appropriate statistical and analytical methods.
5. Communicate health-related information clearly and effectively to global and local audiences using written, verbal, and digital formats.
6. Demonstrate professionalism and ethical reasoning in simulated and real-world healthcare or community settings, showing accountability, adaptability, and reflective problem-solving.
7. Identify, apply, and synthesize knowledge in order to prepare for career paths or graduate programs in health-related fields through experiential learning and academic planning.
Admission Requirements
- Students applying out of high school should submit transcript demonstrating completion of cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Students not meeting the above requirement may submit a petition for approval to the Program Chair.
Required Courses
General Education Requirements
Communications
The following courses are recommended:
| ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
| ENG 201 | Intermediate English | 5 |
| ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.
Humanities and Fine Arts
Choose two courses from the list below:
| PHI 107 | Introduction to Ethics and Social Critique | 5 |
| PHI 205 | Ethics in Healthcare | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences
- Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance)
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
- Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
- Mathematics or Natural Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Choose two courses from the list below; one of the courses must be SOC 101 OR PSY 101:
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
| HIS 102 | Civics and American Government | 5 |
| HIS 212 | Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School | 5 |
| SOC 204 | Contemporary Chicago | 5 |
| SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
| SOC 250 | Cultural and Ethnic Movements in the United States | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.
Program Specific General Education Requirements
| MTH 102 | Statistical Foundations | 5 |
| SCI 102 | Survey of Biological Science | 5 |
| SCI 102L | Survey of Biological Science Lab | 2 |
| SCI 112 | Chemistry for Healthcare | 5 |
| PHI 107 | Introduction to Ethics and Social Critique | 5 |
| PHI 205 | Ethics in Healthcare | 5 |
| and one of the following courses | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use one introductory sociology course, one introductory psychology course, and one Statistics course.
Additional General Education Requirements
| GEN 103 | Student Success Seminar | 5 |
| or | |
| GEN 203 | NLU & You: Tools & Strategies for Student Success | 3 |
Note:
GEN 103 is required for the first-time freshman students only. Students transferring in less than 90 QH are required to complete
GEN 203.
Career Development Requirements
First-time Daytime Students
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| or | |
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
Transfer Students
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| or | |
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| or | |
| CAR 202 | Creating Professional Identity | 0 TO 2 |
| and | |
| CAR 203 | You The Professional | 3 |
Program Major Requirements
Note: Courses required for the major must be completed in addition to the University Gen Ed Core and Program Specific Gen Ed Requirements.
Electives
Choose additional courses to total 180 QH. These hours may be used to complete the major, minors and concentrations listed above.