Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

Health care professional speaks with a patient in her office.
Next Application Deadline:
October 1, 2025
Credit hours: 120 for degree completion
Next Term Start Date:
January 12, 2026

Continue your journey in health sciences with this top-ranked online bachelor's degree.

The Ohio State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program is an excellent launchpad into the health care industry. As a graduate of this online bachelor’s degree program, you will be ready to step into entry-level roles in health care administration, medical or pharmaceutical sales, and public health. Many professionals choose to continue their studies after earning this degree and pursue medical school or another graduate degree in dentistry, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.

Learn from a diverse team of experienced health professionals—physicians, nurses, dietitians, occupational therapists, and more. Our multidisciplinary faculty bring real-world insights into the classroom and will help you shape your degree around your unique career goals in health sciences.

What is a health sciences bachelor’s degree?

A health sciences bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree designed to provide a thorough understanding of the application of science to health and health care. Throughout the online program, you will broaden your knowledge of biology, anatomy, chemistry, physiology, and sociology to understand how the human body works, how diseases develop, and how we can improve health outcomes for individuals and communities. You will also gain an extensive overview of the health care system, including its organization, policies and ethical considerations.

Who is this online health sciences degree for?

Whether you want to advance your career in health care or begin working toward a new health sciences role, this flexible online program is perfect for you. You will build on their existing experience while learning science, systems, and communications skills in today’s health care world. Graduates are ready to find success in a variety of career paths.

Why choose Ohio State for your BS in Health Sciences degree?

Ohio State offers the unique experience of learning from curious minds, passionate professors, and people who genuinely want to make health care better. We’re here to support your growth and help you become the kind of health care professional who makes a real difference. At Ohio State, you’ll be part of a community that values your voice and challenges you to think critically, while you gain a well-rounded understanding of the health care system.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Recognition

Ohio State Online programs ranked #5 in U.S. News & World Report

Top 5 program

The BS in Health Sciences program is among Ohio State’s online bachelor’s programs ranked #5 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Academic Calendar

For the convenience of online students, multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Academic Calendar

For the convenience of online students, multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Admission Criteria

To apply for the online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of or active enrollment in six prerequisite courses (listed below) or their equivalents,
  • A minimum of 30 earned college credits post-high school, and
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in these courses.

This program is designed for individuals with prior college experience and is not intended or appropriate for recent high school graduates.

Below is a detailed list of prerequisite courses required for this program.

Application materials required:

When you are ready to submit the online application form, a $60 application fee is due.

Have questions on the application process?

Your enrollment advisor is here to help each step of the way.

Contact an Enrollment Advisor
NC-SARA Participating Institution logo

The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.

California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.

The Application Process

Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health care support occupations is projected to grow 15% by 2033. Upon earning your health sciences degree online from Ohio State, you’ll be prepared for an entry-level role in health care administration, medical or pharmaceutical sales, and public health and nonprofit health-related careers to meet this growing demand.

If you already hold roles in physical therapy, occupational therapy, research, lab technology and related fields, this degree is a great step to increased job flexibility and career advancement.

Graduating with this degree is just the beginning — many students continue their journey and pursue medical school or additional graduate programs to expand their career opportunities in medicine, nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more. Your degree in health sciences opens the doors to diverse and rewarding careers in health care, whichever path you choose. Learn even more about what you can do with a health science bachelor’s degree.

Entry-level careers you may be ready to step into upon earning your health sciences degree online include the following. Some positions may require additional formal training or certification if you are new to this field.

Top Occupations by Median Income

National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.

Many graduates of our online health sciences bachelor’s program decide to enroll in medical school or additional graduate programs, to pursue advanced and specialized roles including:

Top Occupations by Median Income

National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.

Online BS in Health Sciences curriculum

Experience top-tier curriculum in this foundational online bachelor’s degree completion program that introduces students to health care and provides an in-depth science background. Below is a sample curriculum plan for full time students who enter the program with an earned associate degree.

Autumn, Year 1

Spring, Year 1

Autumn, Year 2

Spring, Year 2

Claire Bollinger

Clinical Instructor
Headshot of Claire Bollinger, BSHS faculty

Maju Brunette, PhD

Associate Professor
Headshot of Maju Brunette, BSHS faculty

Jill Clutter, PhD, MCHES

Associate Professor
Headshot of Jill Clutter, BSHS faculty

Crystal Dunlevy, EdD, RRT, RCP

Associate Professor
Headshot of Crystal Dunlevy, BSHS faculty

Lauren Feyh, MNM, LNHA, ACC

Instructor of Practice
Headshot of Lauren Feyh, BSHS faculty

Kristen Heitman, PhD, RDN, LD

Assistant Professor of Practice
Headshot of Kristen Heitman, BSHS faculty

Jessica L. Krok-Schoen, PhD, MA

Associate Professor
Headshot of Jessica Krok, BSHS faculty

Brett Nickerson, PhD, CSCS*D, EP-C, FACSM

Associate Professor
Headshot of Brett Nickerson, BSHS faculty

Jennifer Olejownik, PhD, MS, BA

Clinical Instructor
Headshot of Jennifer Olejownik, BSHS faculty

Pamela Rafferty-Semon, MSN-ED, RN, CHES®, NBC-HWC

Instructor of Practice
Headshot of Pamela Rafferty-Semon, BSHS faculty

Susmita Sadana, PhD, MS, RDN, LD

Assistant Professor of Practice
Headshot of Sadana Susmita, BSHS faculty

Lindsay Sullivan, PhD, MA, CHES®

Assistant Professor
Headshot of Lindsay Sullivan, BSHS faculty

Kristen Welker, PhD, CHES®

Assistant Professor – Clinical
Headshot of Kristen Welker, BSHS faculty

Testimonials

See what students and graduates have to say about Ohio State’s online health sciences bachelor’s program.

Cropped headshot of Ashley Murray, BS in Health Sciences student at Ohio State

“Because this BS in Health Sciences degree is so versatile, it will help me in a variety of ways. My goal is to transition into health care management, which is an avenue made possible by this degree!”

Ashley Murray BS in Health Sciences Student
Headshot of Chloe, graduate of Ohio State's online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

“The online BSHS program is very comparable to what I experienced in-person. We all participate and collaborate. It’s very interactive.”

Chloe Lawton-Chadwick BS in Health Sciences Grad
Headshot of Jahnavi Chopra, online BS in Health Sciences student

“I work full time as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, so it is extremely important for me to be able to have flexibility in this online BS in Health Sciences program. I work four 10-hour shifts and the other three days I am able to focus on my coursework and life.”

Jahnavi Chopra BS in Health Sciences Student
Headshot of Precious Tuitasi-Beasley, BS in Health Sciences online student

“The flexibility of this online health sciences program has been so ideal for me! I'm able to work full-time while taking care of my kids and still able to have the time to do classwork later in the day or when it's most convenient. I'm so grateful Ohio State offers this program and that I found it when researching the best online degree program for my busy lifestyle.”

Precious Tuitasi-Beasley BS in Health Sciences Student

Watch the video below to learn from more graduates of the online health sciences program and how this degree helped their careers.

Tuition Fee Overview

Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program, which are estimates based on a 6-credit hour semester as a part-time student and a 12-credit hour semester as a full-time student.

Tuition Fees Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) Full-Time – Total Cost Per Semester
Instructional Fee $522.71 $6,272.50
General Fee $23.79 $285.50
Distance Learning Fee $100.00 (per semester) $100.00
Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) $200.00 (per semester) $200.00
International Surcharge (if applicable) $129.29 $1,551.50

Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester. 

Get Started

Connect with a knowledgeable Enrollment Advisor who can help answer your questions and explain different aspects of the more than 80 online degrees and certificates offered at Ohio State. They are here to help you on your education journey.

Contact an Enrollment Advisor
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