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Clinical & Medical Sciences
The Clinical and Medical Sciences major of the Health Sciences program includes coursework in scientific applications and clinical experiences in health-related sciences. There are also opportunities for additional laboratory experiences in the areas of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and medicinal chemistry.
The Clinical and Medical Sciences major prepares students for careers or post-graduate work in primary care (for example: physicians, dentists, optometrists) and allied health professions (for example: physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, optometry, clinical and laboratory sciences). Students in the Clinical and Medical Sciences major may also focus their education to prepare for research careers in the pharmaceutical industry or entry into graduate programs in the pharmaceutical or biomedical sciences.
- Clinical and Medical Sciences track 4 year curriculum guide
- Three to a Health Sciences Degree - Clinical and Medical Sciences major students have the option for the Three to a Health Sciences Degree. This option allows students to complete their BS in Health Sciences - Clinical and Medical major in three years - an excellent option for students who plan to pursue post-graduate degree options like medical school, physical therapy, physicians’ assistant and other masters or doctoral degrees.
Potential senior internship projects include clinical experiences at local clinics or medical centers that are coordinated through the CPHS Office of Experiential Education. Students who are interested in more research-oriented careers may also choose to complete a laboratory-based research project with faculty in the pharmaceutical sciences.
Joint Degree Programs with the BS in Health Sciences-Clinical & Medical Sciences
Designed to maximize graduates' opportunities in the growing fields of healthcare informatics and data analytics, the Health Sciences - Clinical and Medical Sciences major/Master of Sciences in Health Informatics Analytics (HS-S/MS HIA) dual degree program allows students to utilize their fourth year in Health Sciences to begin completing graduate coursework in the MS HIA online program. In a rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem of automation and information systems, the online MS HIA program empowers students to apply data analysis and information technology solutions to the evidence-based delivery of health care.
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences partners with other colleges and schools at Drake as well as with other institutions in Des Moines to provide additional opportunities for professional advancement. Students interested in pursuing a career in health care law may consider our joint degree program with the Drake University Law School. Students enrolled in this "3+3" option have the opportunity to begin their first year of law school during their senior year.
Clinical & Medical Sciences students are able to complete a joint degree program with Des Moines University which allows them the opportunity to complete three years in Health Sciences at Drake, followed by 2 years in the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences at Des Moines University.
CPHS also has a partnership with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines to provide Drake Clinical and Medical Sciences students with access to two of their programs. Students can enroll in "3+1" programs to earn a Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing degree or a certification in Medical Laboratory Sciences.
- 3+1 Clinical & Medical Sciences/ Mercy College of Health Sciences' Certificate in Medical Laboratory Sciences
- 3+1 Clinical & Medical Sciences/Mercy College of Health Sciences' BSN
Students who are interested in nursing can take advantage of our partnership with Allen College to earn not only a BS in Health Sciences, but also a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through Allen's accelerated BSN program. This "3+1" program allows students to spend their first three years at Drake completing their Health Sciences major and their last 15 months earning their BSN through Allen's hybrid learning environment that combines classroom and online learning with practical experience in the Unity Point Health System in Des Moines.
CPHS News
March 13, 2024
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