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B.S. in Health and Behavioral Science

 
A Bachelor of Science in Health and Behavioral Science is a timely degree, as the healthcare industry is expected to grow by 30 percent by 2020, which is more that twice as fast as the general economy. As a result, the country has an increasing demand for educated healthcare professionals to serve in many growing fields, including:
  • Community Health
  • Patient Navigation
  • Clinical Research
  • Geriatric Care
  • Case Management
  • Health Promotion
  • Patient Advocacy

About the Program

The Health and Behavioral Science degree combines a liberal arts education with traditional health curriculum, which prepares graduates for entry-level careers in health and/or geriatric care, two of the fastest growing industries in the United States.

Health and Behavioral Science majors select one of two career tracks: Healthcare Navigation or Aging & Wellness. Students in the Healthcare Navigation track complete courses such as Medical Case Management and Patient Advocacy, while students in the Aging & Wellness track complete courses such as Wellness and Aging and Long-Term Care.

The Health and Behavioral Science degree is interdisciplinary, which allows students to gain an understanding of health and aging from a variety of academic perspectives including biology, public health, psychology, communication, and sociology.

As Health and Behavioral Science majors near graduation, they are able to gain employment experience or preparation for graduate school by participating in either an internship or faculty supervised research.

Graduates of the Health and Behavioral Science program will:

  • Examine the biological, psychosocial, and political factors that influence health and/or gerontology.
  • Communicate effectively within the healthcare and/or gerontological context.
  • Utilize basic research methods and statistics to assess and interpret health and/or gerontological research.
  • Function professionally in healthcare and/or gerontological settings.
  • Identify and analyze ethical dilemmas within the healthcare and/or gerontology fields to determine an appropriate course of action.

Affiliated Student Organizations

Pi Gamma Mu–Texas Upsilon Chapter is the UHD chapter of the oldest and preeminent honor society in the social sciences. To learn more, contact Faculty Advisor Melissa Raymundo at raymundom@uhd.edu.

Health Professions Organization is a student-led organization that encourages health-related community service for future medical and health professionals.

Career Options

A Bachelor of Science in Health & Behavioral Science prepares graduates for a variety of careers:

  • Community Health Outreach
  • Geriatric Case Management
  • Medical Case Management
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Resident Wellness Management
  • Therapeutic Care

Getting Started

Median Salary

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average salary of medical case managers is $48,060; health educator is $53,070; and community health worker is $42,340.

Earn Your Degree

  • Downtown
  • Northwest
  • Online

Contact

University of Houston-Downtown
713-221-8173
uhd.edu/hbs