Why Major in Health Science?

If you have the desire to help others and are interested in working in healthcare as an allied health professional (nurse/nurse practitioner, physical therapist and physician assistant), advocate or researcher, then consider majoring in health science at Stonehill.

The Health Science program provides in-depth understanding of human health through training in the natural and social sciences within a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. Most health science majors typically continue on to graduate school.

The Beauty of Liberal Arts 

At Stonehill, we believe a holistic approach to education, one that’s guided by the principles of education and faith, is the best way to prepare our students for the “real world”. Stonehill students grow into global citizens who value knowledge, integrity and compassion as they seek to create a more just society.

Stonehill health science majors learn to think critically and analyze information effectively. By studying major and non-major courses, they develop and strengthen their minds to think within and across a variety of disciplines – a skill that will serve them over their lifetimes. 

Why Major in Health Science? Here’s Why.

Majoring in health science opens the door to a wide range of career options. 

The Health Science program not only prepares students for careers as nurses, physician assistants and physical therapists, but also prepares future physicians, genetic counselors, optometrists, nurse practitioners, podiatrists, speech pathologists and veterinarians. 

Health science majors:

  • Build relationships with faculty mentors. Learn from professors who are actively engaged in your learning and emphasize the importance of equal access and humanity.
  • Choose from a wide-range of course offerings. Explore different facets of the health sciences and discover your passion.
  • Sharpen skills. Hone your writing, public speaking and critical thinking skills throughout the program.
  • Tailor their experiences. Follow your interests and take advantage of opportunities for student-facilitated research, challenging internships and community-based learning experiences.
  • Become qualified. Graduate knowing that you are prepared to to successfully begin the journey of building a career in the growing field of healthcare.

Stonehill’s health science major offers flexibility that others do not. I was able to get out of the strict ‘track’ mindset and realize that I could follow my own path. I had taken medical assistant classes in high school and missed the aspect of working as part of a multidisciplinary clinical team. I hadn’t realized how important that human element was to me.

Tailor Your Experience

The beauty of Stonehill’s low student-teacher ratio is that it allows for individualized attention in the classroom and opportunities to collaborate in the field. 

Directed Study

Our flexible curriculum allows students to collaborate with trusted faculty members to develop a Directed Study for academic credit. Directed Study is a chance to complete an in-depth investigation closely guided by a faculty member who shares similar interests.

Clinical Experiences

Stonehill health science students gain clinical experience in a wide variety of ways. Many volunteer in hospitals, clinics and private practices, and some have become EMTs.

Recent places where health science majors have gained clinical experience:

  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Good Samaritan Medical Center
  • Mt. Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital
  • New England Animal Medical Center
  • Local private practices in various fields

Stonehill’s emphasis on experiential learning allows students to experience a variety of real-world settings, so you can determine what you truly enjoy — and for me, that was life-changing

Research Opportunities

As a health science major, you’ll have the opportunity to do undergraduate and independent research.

Independent Research is an opportunity for students to expand on Stonehill’s curriculum. A student who wants to do his or her own self-directed research, with helpful guidance from a faculty member when needed, generally pursues an Independent Research project. Student-led and –designed, these projects earn academic credit, can last a semester or more, and often help students to define their post-graduate interests and future goals.

The Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program is an opportunity for students who have completed their first year at Stonehill to perform significant, publishable full-time research under the guidance of and in collaboration with an experienced faculty researcher.

SURE projects help students define and solidify career choices and provide a competitive advantage when applying to graduate school. Many participants also go on to co-publish results in professional journals or present research conclusions at regional and national conferences.

Our programs are distinctive for the range of available opportunities, within and across disciplines, to complete in-depth inquiry in the social sciences, natural sciences and the humanities. 

In addition to SURE, faculty work with students to conduct research in other types of projects. This might include working with faculty on their own research, but also includes the work students do on their own research projects and on their thesis projects.  

Additional Resources for Health Sciences Majors

Thomas and Mary Shields Science Center

The Thomas and Mary Shields Science Center offers state-of-the-art laboratories designed by the architects with input from the faculty in the different fields to foster inquiry and learning. The Peggy and Ray Pettit atrium is now one of the most popular places on campus. Students gather there to study at all hours of the day. Adjacent to the atrium is the Dunkin Donuts kiosk open for about sixteen hours a day to support the students and faculty in the building.

MacPhaidin Library

MacPhaidin Library provides informational resources that support the College's academic programs. Its goal is to provide faculty and students with the material and services needed for effective teaching, learning and research.

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