The Department of Health Science offers degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. At the undergraduate level, the department offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, including two concentrations in Community Health and Gerontology. This program prepares students for diverse careers within in-demand healthcare settings working in community health departments, medical settings, long-term care facilities, wellness environments, or health care management. The undergraduate Health Science major can also prepare a student for graduate study in specific healthcare majors such as PA, OT, PT, Prosthetics, or Public Health. The curriculum includes a core course of health science study, then a personalized program of study to focus on the student’s career path. Students will develop the knowledge and skill necessary for careers in the ever-changing medical/healthcare field. 

At the graduate level, the Health Science Department offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. The PA program provides students with superior knowledge and skills for the evaluation, monitoring, diagnosis, treatment, and counseling of patients across their lifespan, and successful completion of the NCCPA PANCE exam. For additional information, see the Graduate Catalog or the Physician Assistant web page at westfield.ma.edu/PAstudies.

For program and course availability, please contact the Health Science Department directly.

Programs

• Health Sciences, B.S.
• Health Sciences, Clinical Concentration, B.S.
• Health Sciences, Community Health Concentration, B.S.
• Health Sciences, Gerontology Concentration, B.S.

Courses

• GERO 0100 - Gerontology Lab
• GERO 0101 - Introduction to Gerontology
• GERO 0201 - Health & Physical Aging
• GERO 0300 - Caregiving and Carework
• GERO 0370 - Gerontology Internship
• GERO 0399 - Independent Study in Gerontology

• HESC 0101 - Introduction to the Health Care Practice
• HESC 0201 - Human Assessment
• HESC 0250 - Medical Ethics
• HESC 0350 - Research Methods in Evidence Based Practice
• HESC 0380 - Public Health Intervention