Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies

The Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Studies is a well-rounded degree that prepares students for future training as well as employment in the health care industry.

The program provides the academic foundation for pre-health students to prepare for advanced study as well as the essential knowledge components in health care studies.

Science coursework includes biology, chemistry and physics. Health care studies include pre-health professional development, a healthcare internship, medical terminology, psychological aspects of health and illness, understanding of the U.S. health care system, patient education, and prevention.

Careers in Health Care

Health care is one of the sectors expected to show the fastest job growth between 2010 and 2020, according to projections released in February 2012 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the same 10-year period, the bureau projects the health care and social assistance industry to gain 5.6 million jobs.

Graduates can pursue careers in health care fields such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, health care administration, occupational therapy, physician assisting and podiatry. UT Dallas students also have been successful applicants to a broad range of health professional schools.

High School Preparation

Students who wish to major in healthcare studies should complete:

  • Four units of language arts, including at least one unit of writing skills
  • Three units of a single foreign language
  • Four units of math
  • Three units of science
  • Four units of social science
  • One unit of fine arts
  • Two and half units of general education electives

Internship Program

The School of Interdisciplinary Studies internship program at UT Dallas offers students the opportunity for practical experience in their field of interest:

  • Experience in a professional work environment
  • Academic credit under faculty supervision
  • The chance to try a career or industry before committing to a full-time employment situation
The University of Texas at Dallas www.utdallas.edu/enroll

School of Interdisciplinary Studies

The programs of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) provide students with a broad learning experience. Because of the individualized focus and flexibility, the program is appropriate for both students preparing to enter the workplace and those planning to continue their studies. IS students are encouraged to customize a degree plan using two or more disciplines — a combination of business and the social sciences, for example — or they can tailor degrees in American studies or Healthcare studies around topics of interest.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts: American studies, interdisciplinary studies

Bachelor of Science: Healthcare studies, interdisciplinary studies

Master of Arts: Interdisciplinary studies

Minors Offered

If your academic focus leads you elsewhere at UT Dallas, but you would still like to pursue studies in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, the following minors are available:

  • American studies
  • Gender studies
  • Healthcare studies
  • Exercise science

Additional Facts

  • Thirteen percent of UT Dallas students seeking a bachelor’s degree major in interdisciplinary studies.
  • The University’s Teacher Development Center (TDC) is housed in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, and provides rigorous, university-based coursework with extensive field experience, including student teaching or a supervised postbaccalaureate internship for students interested in making teaching or school administration their career. The TDC offers teacher certification options for both undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students.
  • The University’s Academic Bridge Program, for which the school is responsible, assists high-potential students who may not have completed a college-track high school curriculum to transition to the academically rigorous environment of UT Dallas.
  • Jumpstart at UT Dallas, also administered by the school, pairs college volunteers with day care facilities in distressed neighborhoods to provide reading assistance and socialization skills so children enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
  • The school is closely affiliated with the Carolyn Galerstein Women’s Center (GWC). Founded in 1996, the GWC collaboratively presents gender issues on campus and in the community throughout the academic year and advocates for an inclusive, safe environment that directly impacts and improves lives.

Contact Information

Kathleen Byrnes, Ph.D.
Program Head, Healthcare Studies
School of Interdisciplinary Studies
800 West Campbell Road HH30
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
Phone: (972)-883-2323
E-mail: kathleen.byrnes@utdallas.edu
Website: utdallas.edu/is

Office of Admission and Enrollment Services
800 West Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
Phone: 972-883-2270 or 1-800-889-2443
E-mail: interest@utdallas.edu
Website: utdallas.edu/enroll