Launch Your Health Career at Keene State College!
Healthcare and wellness careers are expanding rapidly, and there is a high demand for professionals who can educate, support, and lead healthier communities and workplaces. Keene State College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences offers a unique and forward-thinking approach, emphasizing prevention, holistic health, and public health as central pillars of the curriculum.
This flexible program provides a strong foundation in health and wellness, preparing students for both immediate entry into the health workforce and advanced study in today’s fastest-growing healthcare fields. It’s especially well-suited for students interested in careers in public health, health education, addiction, physician assistant, occupational therapy, nursing, radiologic and ultrasound technology, and other allied health professions.
With hands-on learning, close faculty mentorship, and a career-focused curriculum, Health Science majors graduate ready to make a meaningful difference in others' lives.
Program Options
PreHealth Professions
The Pre-Health Professions option is a flexible program designed for students pursuing post-graduate study in clinical and allied health fields or in public health.
This innovative program blends essential science coursework with applied, real-world learning in health and wellness, providing students with both academic preparation and practical experience.
Students have opportunities to engage in internships, faculty-mentored research, and community-based projects that enhance graduate school readiness and professional development.
Each student works closely with an assigned advisor to select courses aligned with their chosen discipline and career goals.
This option is ideal for students interested in:
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Nursing (Accelerated BSN or direct-entry programs)
- Radiologic or Ultrasound Technology
- Chiropractic Medicine
- Naturopathic Medicine
- Medical School (MD or DO)
- Public Health
Health and Wellness
This flexible option prepares students to support individual and community well-being through education, outreach, health promotion, and policy. Through a blend of coursework in health promotion and applied health topics, students gain the tools to work in a variety of wellness and prevention-focused settings.
Students have opportunities to engage in internships, faculty-mentored research, and community-based projects that give them " real-world” experience to bolster their resumes.
This option is ideal for students interested in careers such as:
- Health Educator
- Community Health Worker
- Health Coach
- Corporate Wellness Coordinator
- Health Communication Specialist
- Public Health Outreach Specialist
- Worksite Health Promotion Specialist
- Nonprofit Health Program Coordinator
Addiction
This option provides students with an in-depth understanding of substance use, misuse, and addiction and best practices for prevention, treatment, and recovery. As communities across the country continue to face the growing impact of the addiction and mental health crises, this program equips students to be part of the solution.
Through hands-on coursework and close mentorship from faculty, students develop practical skills and professional readiness. Graduates are well-prepared for entry-level roles in addiction recovery, behavioral health, and public health outreach, or to pursue graduate study in counseling, social work, public health, or clinical mental health.
This option is ideal for students interested in:
- Addiction recovery support
- Behavioral health outreach
- Case management
- Graduate study in counseling or social work
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Outcomes
Health Sciences graduates from Keene State College will be able to:
- Discuss the relationship between health and public policy.
- Identify and explain the social determinants that influence personal and population health.
- Design effective health interventions.
- Apply evidence-based knowledge in Health Sciences.
- Apply behavior change theories in Health Sciences.
- Identify and apply ethical principles.
- Critically evaluate health information through the application of information literacy skills.
- Effectively communicate health information.
- Use research methods to complete scholarly work.
I had the chance to work for a coconut oil company in Nicaragua. It has created an entirely new economy in a part of the country that barely has access to electricity.
-Kelsey Bumsted '14
Career and Other Opportunities
Recent graduates of Keene State’s Health Science program have gone on to careers in hospitals, nonprofit health organizations, community wellness programs, and competitive graduate schools across the country. Students graduate with:
- A strong foundation in human biology, health behavior, and disease prevention
- Practical experience through internships, hands-on learning, and applied coursework.
- A clear understanding of the social and systemic factors that shape individual and community health
- Skills in program planning and the ability to integrate scientific, behavioral, and social perspectives to address real-world health challenges
- Preparation for admission to graduate and professional programs in health-related fields.
