Curriculum: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - Pre-Occupational Therapy

Next Term Application Deadline

03.15.2025

Total Credits

Next Term Starts

05.12.2025

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Curriculum at a Glance

The BS in Health Sciences – Pre-Occupational Therapy degree is an online associate to bachelor’s completion program. Bachelor’s degree-seeking students at the University of Cincinnati are required to complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours for graduation. Up to 68 semester credit hours of prior college coursework taken at an accredited institution can be transferred in and applied to the program. Students may be required to take additional coursework to meet the 120 credit hour minimum requirement. To learn more about our online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences curriculum, we encourage you to review the curriculum offerings listed below.

Accreditation: The University of Cincinnati and all of its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Course	Title / Description	Credit
HLSC2011	Health Care Ethics Course: HLSC2011 Credit: 2 This course considers ethical theories and principles applicable to the allied health professions. Using scholarly inquiry, the student will analyze ethical dilemmas that may occur in the student's professional role as well as other disciplines. The student will address ethical issues across the lifespan in diverse socioeconomic and cultural situations.	2
PHYS1005C	Physics for Allied Health Course: PHYS1005C Credit: 3 An introduction to physics for future health care professionals. Lectures and labs are centered around a survey of topics that apply to the allied health profession. Topics include mechanics (units, motion, forces, friction, gravity, inertia, lever systems, momentum, work, energy, power), thermodynamics (temperature and heat), pressure and fluids, waves and sound, basic electricity and safety, and light.	3
HLSC2012	Medical Terminology Course: HLSC2012 Credit: 2 This distance learning course introduces students to the language of medicine and allied health while reviewing the major organ systems of the body. Students will learn at their own pace within the boundaries of the course schedule.	2
MATH1008	Foundations of Quantitative Reasoning Course: MATH1008 Credit: 3 Project-based course, emphasizing problem-solving,model-building, and basic data manipulation in real world contexts. Topics include: problem-solving, statistical reasoning, linear andexponential modeling, and modeling with geometry. Prereq: at least 420 on the MPT recommended.	3
HLSC4020	Motor Learning and Movement Control Course: HLSC4020 Credit: 3 This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the neuro-anatomic and neuro-muscular components of human movement. This includes terminology, basic neuro-anatomy as it relates to the neuromuscular system, an examination of concepts and principles of movementcontrol and motor learning. Students will execute self-directed motor learning activities, performing the observations and analyses necessaryto form conclusions regarding the neuromuscular performance characteristics of human movements. This course is designed to meet the skills sets described by the ACSM and the NSCA as necessary components to qualify to take entry level certification examinations. There are online presentations, self-directed activities, and a course project. This course meets the requirementsof the basic Bachelors degree in Health Sciences but it does not satisfy the requirements for the Health Sciences-Exercise & Movement (HLSC-EM) or the Health Sciences-Physiologic Science (HLSC-PS) degree tracks.	3
HLSC3014	Pharmacology for Health Sciences Course: HLSC3014 Credit: 3 This is the fourth course in the foundations sequence of classes for Health Science majors in the College of Allied Health Sciences. The course focuses on common pharmacologic agents and their effects on health and health behaviors. The students will learn the general classifications and sub-classifications of common pharmacologic substances, their indications and contraindications for use, and their actions and side-effects. Included in the course is a discussion of basic physiology and how these agents alter it, how those alterations affect activity tolerance, and the necessary adjustments in activity programs in order for those programs to remain safe. The basic pathophysiology of common medical conditions will be introduced at it relates to the effects and side-effects of drugs commonly used for that condition.	3
HLSC2022C	Musculoskeletal Anatomy for DL Course: HLSC2022C Credit: 3 This course is designed to provide the student with basic information in human surface anatomy and the origins, insertions, actions and nerve supply of the major muscles of the body. It also introduces the students to basic palpation and other handling techniques necessary to perform physical assessments. Basic information on common musculoskeletal injuries and conditions is included in the course.	3
PSYC2040	Lifespan Development Course: PSYC2040 Credit: 3 This course provides an introduction to developmental science, focusing specifically on developmental theories, research methods, and findings relevant to human development across the lifespan. The course will cover the development of the brain, the development of perception and cognition, social and emotional development, abnormal development, and the influences of biological, sociocultural, and psychological factors on development.	3
NUTR1030	Personal Nutrition Course: NUTR1030 Credit: 3 This course looks at the importance of an appropriate diet and nutritional practices in one's life. It provides students with an introductory look at macronutrients and micronutrients. It reviews their basic metabolism,absorption, transport, and their effects on an individual's diet to promote optimal health and lessen the risk for chronic disease. Students willassess and compare dietary intakes to national reference standards.	3
PSYC2070	Psychobiology Course: PSYC2070 Credit: 3 This course provides an overview of the structure and function of the biological systems that support human behavior. Topics covered include development, motivation and reward, cognitive functioning, pharmacology, brain imaging, neuroplasticity, sensory physiology, sensation andperception, and various other brain functions.	3
STAT1031	Introduction to Statistics Course: STAT1031 Credit: 3 A one-semester comprehensive introduction to statistics suitable for students in biology, nursing, allied health, and applied science. Discussion of data, frequency distributions, graphical and numerical summaries, design of statistical studies, and probability as a basis for statistical inference and prediction. The concepts and practice of statistical inference including confidence intervals, one and two samplet-tests, chi-square tests, regression and analysisof variance, with attention to selecting the procedure(s) appropriate for the question and datastructure, and interpreting and using the result. Pre-requisite: At least 420 on the MPT strongly recommended.	3
HLSC3020	Introduction to Biomechanics and Kinesiology Course: HLSC3020 Credit: 3 This online course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the fields of Biomechanics and Kinesiology. This includes terminology, an examination of concepts and principles, and performing the analyses and calculations necessary to examine mechanical characteristics of basic human movements. Students will also examine the basic structural and kinematic characteristics of the musculoskeletal system, including the major joints of the spine and the extremities. This course is designed to meet the skills sets described by the ACSM and the NSCA as necessary components for entry level certifications. It does not satisfy the Introductory Biomechanics or Kinesiology requirements for the HLSC-EM or HLSC-PS degree tracks.	3
HLSC3031	General Exercise Physiology Course: HLSC3031 Credit: 3 This course covers the study of the physiological systems of the human body and how they relate to exercise and stress. Topics include energy systems, metabolism, muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, neural, endocrine, environmental and work physiology.	3
PSYC2020	Introduction to Cognitive Psychology Course: PSYC2020 Credit: 3 This course explores what is going on in your mindwhen you: (a) pay attention, (b) learn and remember, (c) imagine, (d) talk, (e) reason and think. It is not a comprehensive treatment of the field of cognitive science/psychology, but rather an effort to introduce the most exciting and fruitful areas of current research.	3
PSYC2051	Abnormal Psychology Course: PSYC2051 Credit: 3 This course is a survey of the major categories ofpsychological disorders based upon the delineations of the current DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual), e.g.anxiety, addictions, mood, personality and psychotic disorders. Students will discuss the etiology, prognosis and treatment modalities and cover ethical issues in treatment. Historical and current research will bediscussed.	3
HLTH3100	Mid-Collegiate Interprofessional Touch Point Conference Course: HLTH3100 Credit: 0 The Mid-Collegiate Interprofessional Touch Point Conference is designed for students entering in the professional and pre-professional curriculum portion of their undergraduate education. Depending on their major, students may be in their sophomore, junior, or senior year in the College of Allied Health Sciences. Students will work in interprofessional groups to review and discuss a case study with an IPE facilitator.	0
HLSC5019	Pre-Occupational Therapy/Health Sciences- Distance Learning Capstone Course: HLSC5019 Credit: 4 This capstone course concludes Pre-Occupational Therapy-DL and Health Sciences-DL students' undergraduate education by allowing students to assess the available literature on a clinical-based question of their choice. Students, in collaboration with their instructor, will select a clinical-based question and then locate and critically appraise available literature to create a summary of findings and a presentation detailing the key findings from the research. Students will also review/learn key aspects of assessing research studies.	4
HLTH3098	Research Methods in Health Sciences Course: HLTH3098 Credit: 3 In this course, students will learn about variables, hypothesis testing, and study design inhealth science fields. Students will explain typesof methods, evaluated conclusions, design studies,locate and use evidence-based literature, write/present a research proposal, and use ethicalguidelines for research decisions. This interdisciplinary course prepares students for their senior experience.	3
PSYC2030	Sensation and Perception Course: PSYC2030 Credit: 3 This course centers on: a) human sensory machineryand its role in the processes of perception (e.g. vision, audition, touch, speech) b) traditional and contemporary theories of perception and perceptual processing and c) how perception is tightly linked to action and the human movement system, and includes a discussion of the philosophical assumptions that motivate the science of psychology.	3

FAQs

Can I get my licensure through your Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Pre-Occupational Therapy program?

No – the program is designed for currently licensed OTAs who are looking to obtain their bachelor’s degree, either for career advancement or in anticipation of applying to grad school to become occupational therapists or schooling in another discipline. The Pre-Occupational Therapy program is a stepping stone to grad school. You would be eligible to take the national certification exam after completing a master’s or doctorate-level occupational therapy program.
What do graduates do with the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Pre-Occupational Therapy degree?

The majority apply to OT grad school to obtain their master’s or doctorate in OT. However, some go on to get a Master’s in Education, Public Health, or School Psychology. Possibilities are endless and up to the individual. Some students simply want to obtain a bachelor’s degree for career advancement.
Is the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Pre-Occupational Therapy program a bridge program with the UC OTD program?

No, the BS in Health Sciences – Pre-Occupational Therapy program is not a bridge program. Acceptance into the Pre-Occupational Therapy program does not guarantee admission into the UC Doctoral OT program. However, the UC OTD program does reserve 20% of its cohort spots for OTAs. In the past, these spots have been filled by graduates of the UC online Pre-Occupational Therapy program.