Health Sciences
Offered as a major (B.S.)
Majoring in health sciences at Saint Anselm you’ll gain a foundation of health and life-sciences knowledge and skills for your future in healthcare. You will take courses across the sciences including in mathematics, psychology, chemistry, and biology.
The interdisciplinary courses coupled with faculty expertise prepare you for entrance into postgraduate programs or work in the field creating healthier communities, sustainable wellness practices, and promoting balanced lifestyles that enhance overall quality of life. The major also supports multiple career tracks in addition to a selection of pre-professional programs.
Saint Anselm could not have prepared me better for my future career as a physical therapist. During my time here I was challenged, supported, and really taught how to think critically. Saint Anselm gave me the skills I need to pursue the career that I am passionate about.
Health Sciences Career Tracks
In addition to the pre-professional programs offered at Saint Anselm, the Health Sciences major is designed to support multiple career tracks. These tracks ensure that you’ll meet the prerequisite course requirements needed for your desired postgraduate education. Some Health Sciences major tracks include:
- Athletic Training
- Nurse Practitioner
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy (PT)
- Physician Assistant (PA)


Featured Course
Health Psychology
In this course, you’ll learn about the prevention and treatment of mental and physical illness, the development of mental and physical illness, the promotion and maintenance of good health behavior, and the organization and formation of national and international healthcare policy and the healthcare system. You’ll gain exposure to underlying psychological theories and methods employed in mental health fields while understanding their clinical applications.
Students On Call: Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Established in 1991, the Saint Anselm College Emergency Medical Services (SACEMS) Program is a group of volunteer students on campus who are nationally registered medical technicians. As a part of the SACEMS Program, you will respond to calls, cover events, attend weekly meetings, and travel to the annual National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services conference to get a deep understanding of the EMS profession. This is a great opportunity for Health Sciences majors to learn more about a possible career path.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Partnership Program
Saint Anselm College offers a doctoral degree in collaboration with Tufts University School of Medicine through the Tufts–Saint Anselm College Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Partnership Program. This seven-semester, hybrid partnership will enable you to continue your education in physical therapy after completing your undergraduate coursework. Attending graduate school for a career in physical therapy is a popular choice with many Health Sciences majors.
Topics You’ll Study
Throughout your coursework, you’ll explore the role of health sciences to better understand how to support the wellness of your patients and community. You’ll study a variety of topics, including:
- Diverse health science disciplines at molecular, bodily, and societal levels
- How to identity ethical issues and evaluate them from multiple perspectives through a health sciences lens
- The application of scientific principles to health and life science-based problems
- Written, oral, and reading communication skills to engage with health sciences stakeholders, patients, clients, healthcare providers, and communities

Opportunities to Build Essential Skills
As a Saint Anselm student, you’ll find several opportunities available to support your aspirations and interests. Both inside and outside the classroom, you can explore the various facets of health-related professions to sharpen your ability to better the world through academic research.
Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences
The Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences is Saint Anselm’s newly established 45,000-square-foot facility dedicated solely to the study of nursing and health sciences. The state-of-the-art building features a seven-lab simulation center with high-fidelity manikins, a 150-seat multimedia auditorium, collaborative learning spaces for anatomy and physiology, and multi-purpose community spaces.
Additional Health Sciences Major Information
First Semester
HU 103 – Conversatio I
EN 105 – First Year Writing / Core Course
BI 103 – General Biology I
CH 130 – General Chemistry
Second Semester
HU 104 – Conversatio II
EN 105 – First Year Writing / Core Course
BI 104 – General Biology II
CH 150 – Structure and Reactivity
See the detailed course sequence and all course requirements in the college catalogue.
Courses include but are not limited to:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Chemistry of Biological Systems
- Exercise Physiology
- Genetics for Healthcare
- Social Problems
By studying health sciences at Saint Anselm, you’ll gain skills, subject knowledge, and Anselmian values, making you a competitive candidate for any role. Some popular postgraduate positions include:
- Clinical research coordinator
- Epidemiologist
- Health educator
- Medical technologist
Pre-health advisors can help you prepare for graduate study by offering guidance on courses, graduate programs, applications, and interviews as well as writing letters of recommendation.
Recent Outcomes
Recent Career Outcomes
Arnot Health
Coastal Orthopedic Associates, Inc.
Crown Obstetrics and Gynecology
Elliot Hospital
Encompass Health
MOTION PT Group
Recent Graduate Schools
Albany Medical College
American International College
Brown University
DeSales University
Elon University
Florida International University
Indiana University Indianapolis
Johnson & Wales University
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy
Methodist University
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Midwestern University
Nazareth University
New England College of Optometry
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
New York University
Northeastern University
Rocky Vista University
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Saint Louis University
Tufts University
University of Connecticut
University of Massachusetts
University of Miami
University of Missouri
University of New England
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
Find Your Program
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