SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant University’s College of Arts and Sciences has announced it will offer a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program starting in fall 2021.
Building on Bryant’s unique integration of the arts and sciences with business, the new Health Sciences program will prepare and empower highly skilled graduates to meet the increasing demands of the health care sector, which is positioned for future growth.
Six out of 10 of the fastest growing jobs are related to healthcare.
The healthcare industry is currently almost 18 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the healthcare and social assistance sector is projected to add the most new jobs over the next decade. Six out of 10 of the fastest growing jobs are related to healthcare.
“Our University’s academic programs and student experience are strongly aligned with labor market and societal needs as well as student interests and aspirations."
“Our University’s academic programs and student experience are strongly aligned with labor market and societal needs as well as student interests and aspirations,” said Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D., an economist, management educator and frequent business and government policy advisor. “We are excited to introduce our Health Sciences program and extend Bryant’s real-world connection to employment opportunities. That connection is exactly why Bryant graduates are in high demand now and why they succeed and earn one of the highest starting salaries in the country.”
The interdisciplinary Health Sciences program brings together courses in the sciences, communication, and psychology to serve as an educational foundation, exposing students to the multiple facets of health and introduce them to a variety of careers in health care and related professions. Combined with the hallmark Bryant business training, graduates of the program will be uniquely prepared to excel in health careers or in health-related graduate programs.
“Through this curricular integration, we are breaking down some of the traditional academic boundaries to enable innovation and collaboration that will prepare future leaders and practitioners to solve some of the most difficult problems we are facing."
“Through this curricular integration, we are breaking down some of the traditional academic boundaries to enable innovation and collaboration that will prepare future leaders and practitioners to solve some of the most difficult problems we are facing,” says Wendy Samter, Ph.D., Bryant’s Associate Provost.
"There has never been a more important time to launch a program of this nature than right now."
“Our goal is to ensure that students understand the scientific foundations of human health and disease along with the core concepts in their area of study, while gaining a holistic view of the healthcare industry, human behavior, and communication,” says Kirsten Hokeness, Ph.D., who currently serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Science and Technology and Director of the Center for Health and Behavioral Sciences. “There has never been a more important time to launch a program of this nature than right now, and we are excited to add it to Bryant’s academic offerings.”
“Students will emerge with a skillset required of practitioners, employees, and leaders who will be future change agents who value collaboration, actively contributing in their communities.”
“Students will emerge with a skillset required of practitioners, employees, and leaders who will be future change agents who value collaboration, actively contributing in their communities,” adds Joseph Trunzo, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Deputy Director of the Center for Health and Behavioral Sciences.
Whether it’s a practitioner on the front lines treating patients, a researcher hunting for vaccine candidates, a psychologist addressing the impact of the virus on the wellness of the population, a communication expert working to deliver messaging to the public, or a manager in a healthcare facility understanding patient needs, this program will enable students to navigate the interconnected nature of human health.
Depending on the interests and career aspirations students may choose one of three tailored tracks (general health sciences, behavioral health, and health promotion) that will provide the courses required for admission to graduate level clinical and non-clinical programs as well as jobs in a number of health-related industries. These career-centered tracks merged with dedicated faculty mentors and immersive experiential learning opportunities will give students the flexibility to explore different facets of health-related professions.
Through Bryant’s Health Sciences program, students will gain the ability to accomplish the following:
-
Analyze the socio-economic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities.
-
Communicate effectively on a variety of topics related to health and health care.
-
Demonstrate content knowledge in the health sciences.
-
Describe the basic concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection, use and analysis.
-
Design a project that uses the fundamental concepts of program implementation including planning, assessment, and evaluation to address a public health challenge.
-
Gain a comprehensive and holistic perspective of health which will prepare them to successfully enter a variety of health-related careers and gain acceptance to graduate programs.
Full details of the Health Sciences program curriculum and required courses are available here.
To learn more about how to apply to Bryant and enroll in the Health Sciences program, please contact the Office of Admission at 800.622.7001, or email admission@bryant.edu. Those interested may also reach out to Professor Hokeness at khokeness@bryant.edu.
About Bryant University
For 158 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. Located on a contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 38 states and 49 countries. Bryant is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, College Factual, and Barron's. Visit https://www.bryant.edu/.
