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.

Gap Semester Recommended external course: General Psychology (equivalent to CAS PS 101). Note: Prior approval must be granted for external coursework.
  Term 1 Term 2
First Year* CGS RH 103
CGS SS 103 
Hub or General Elective
CGS MA113 or CAS MA 113 or CAS MA 115		 (London or New England summer semester)
CGS HU 104
CGS RH 104
CGS SS 104
Sophomore Year* CGS HU 201
CGS NS 201
CAS CH 171 or CAS CH 101 (General Chemistry)**
SAR HS 325 
 CGS HU 202
CGS SS 202
SAR HS 210 (2cr)
CAS EC 101
Biology Course 2 (see below)
Junior Year CAS PH 251
SAR HP 252
SAR HS 345
Hub or General Elective		 SAR HS 300
SAR HP 353 (should be taken junior or senior year only)
Biology Course 3 (see below)
Hub or General Elective
Senior Year SAR HS 440
Minor/Specialty Area of Study Electives (8cr)
Hub or General Elective		 SAR HS 405
Global Health Seminar (see Bulletin for course selection)
Hub or General Electives (8cr)

*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.

 

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: 8/6/2025