Health Sciences Major (B.S.)

Beginning in the Fall of 2020, students interested in pursuing a career in Athletic Training will select Health Sciences as their undergraduate major. The Health Sciences major will provide students with prerequisite coursework to prepare them for graduate study in Athletic Training, which would begin during the student’s senior year as a Health Sciences major. The Master of Science degree in Athletic Training is in the proposal phase at UNH.

Students seeking a major change/internal transfer to the Health Sciences major will complete and submit an application (link below). Applications will be accepted during the spring semester; the deadline is April 15th. Applicants are required to have successfully completed BMS 507 and 508, attained a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and to submit a letter of interest that explains your interest in the health sciences major. Students granted acceptance will be informed after the completion of the spring semester in which they submitted their application, and will begin in the major during the subsequent fall semester.

Q: I’m currently an undergraduate student at UNH. I'm interested in the Health Sciences Major (BS), how do I transfer into the program?

• Students seeking to change their major to Health Sciences must complete an internal transfer application and complete all necessary steps as outlined in the instructions.
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Q: I’m currently a student in the Athletic Training Major (BS) at UNH. Can I switch into the Health Sciences program and continue on to complete the Master of Science program in Athletic Training?

• The Health Sciences major began accepting students in Fall 2020.
• The Master of Science in Athletic Training will not be operational until Fall 2023.
• This would mean you wouldn’t earn your MS in Athletic Training until the conclusion of the Spring 2025 Semester = 6 total years of college.

Q: I’m currently a student at UNH who wants to pursue study and a career in exercise science, nursing, or occupational therapy. I noticed that these are careers someone in the Health Sciences major could pursue. If I’m in the Health Sciences major can I then gain admission to the undergraduate / BS programs in Exercise Science, Nursing, or Occupational Therapy at UNH?

• Being a Health Sciences major does not grant any ‘special’ access or guarantee admission to other BS degree programs at UNH.
• Internal transfer admission to these BS degree programs is competitive and very limited.
• Interested students should consult with the appropriate Department program coordinator for specific admissions information.

Q: I’m currently a high school student and I want to become an athletic trainer. How can I attain this goal by attending UNH?

• The Strategic Partners (Board of Certification <BOC>, Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education <CAATE>, National Athletic Trainers’ Association <NATA>, and the NATA Foundation) have determined that the entry-level degree for athletic training will be the master’s degree for students who enter college after Fall 2023.
• UNH will begin offering a Master of Science (MS) degree in Athletic Training for Fall 2023 (tentative on UNH and CAATE approval). Students completing the MS in Athletic Training will be eligible for the BOC Exam which enables them to practice as an athletic trainer anywhere in the United States.
• Students can obtain the prerequisite eligibility coursework for the MS in Athletic Training as a student in the UNH Health Sciences major.
• When you apply to UNH for Fall 2020 and beyond, select Health Sciences as your ‘first choice’ major.

Q: I’m currently a high school student and I want to become a physician assistant, physical therapist, or enter another health profession with a degree program at the post-graduate level (MS Degree or higher). How can I attain this goal by attending UNH?

• The Health Sciences major will provide you with the prerequisite coursework that will make you eligible for post-graduate study in athletic training, physical therapy, physician assistant, and many other health-related professional programs of study.
• The Health Sciences major includes full years (2 semesters) in Biology, Chemistry, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and Physics.
• The Health Sciences major includes introductory coursework in the epidemiology, assessment and diagnosis, and treatment/rehabilitation of orthopedic injury and common general medical conditions.
• The Health Sciences major includes “shadow” coursework that requires students to observe practicing professionals in several health fields to assist students in making the appropriate career choice based on their interests.
• The Health Sciences major includes over 20 credits of elective/open coursework that the student can use to design a curriculum that meets the specific prerequisite requirements of their chosen field of professional education.
• When you apply to UNH for Fall 2020 and beyond, select Health Sciences as your ‘first choice’ major.

Students seeking to transfer to the Health Sciences major will complete and submit an application. Applications will be accepted during the spring semester; the deadline is April 15th. Applicants are required to have successfully completed BMS 507 and 508, attained a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and to submit a letter of interest that explains your interest in the health sciences major. Students granted acceptance will be informed after the completion of the spring semester in which they submitted their application, and will begin in the major during the subsequent fall semester.

Apply Now