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A Drake Health Sciences Major studies a lit image of the human musculoskeletal system in a classroom

Health Sciences

Launch your health-related career by establishing a rigorous, hands-on foundation for clinical care, public health, research, and/or administration.

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences | On-Campus

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What You'll Learn

Drake University’s Health Sciences major is an ideal entry point for nearly any career in healthcare or related fields. Through an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum that emphasizes applied, career-relevant learning, you’ll build core knowledge in areas including biology, anatomy and physiology, psychology, ethics, leadership, and the U.S. healthcare system.

Then, choosing one of three tracks lets you focus your studies: Clinical and Medical Sciences, Health Care Administration, or Public Health. Each includes courses and experiences centered around a particular career domain to align your education with your goals. Embedded within your major track, you can also complete your pre-professional educational requirements for medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, athletic training, and other professions.

Hands-on experiences through research, internships, and service learning provide space for self-discovery, skills development, and career exploration. Throughout your time at Drake, you’ll benefit from peer, faculty, and professional mentors who offer guidance, encouragement, and support.

The curriculum is specifically designed to create a streamlined pathway to one of Drake’s graduate or professional programs, other top allied health programs, and competitive entry-level healthcare positions.

Curriculum & Majors

About the Health Sciences Major

  • Access accelerated pathways to Drake’s professional programs.
  • Find a wealth of options for internships and professional development in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city and a regional center for healthcare.
  • Receive dedicated advising and mentoring from faculty and staff who understand what you need to excel.
  • Choose from three career-focused tracks for preparation tailored to your specific interests.
  • Develop strategic soft skills in areas like communication, leadership, and teamwork.
  • Collaborate with your peers to achieve learning goals in active classroom environments.
  • Experience career preparation that places you in contact with a wide network of scientific and healthcare professionals.

Program Facts

  • On campus
  • 120+ total credits

Program Options

Because you could have a career analyzing data, developing care plans, or overseeing hospital operations, the Health Sciences major introduces you to all sides of the healthcare field. Courses explore the biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical sciences alongside business, healthcare management, and health behavior for a comprehensive overview that sets the stage for more specialized studies.

B.S. in Health Sciences—Clinical and Medical Sciences Track

Intending to serve patients as a physician or allied health professional, or aspire to make scientific breakthroughs? This track helps you fulfill prerequisites for professional programs through health-related sciences courses, immersive clinical experiences, and laboratory opportunities in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and medicinal chemistry.

B.S. in Health Sciences—Health Care Administration Track

Take a management-focused approach to healthcare, acquiring broad knowledge of administration, patient services, healthcare information technology, and marketing for roles in this rapidly expanding field.

B.S. in Health Sciences—Public Health Track

Develop the background and analytical tools to address topics like healthcare access, disease prevention, health disparities, health economics, and health policy to prepare for graduate studies or careers with government agencies, non-profits, and international organizations.

3 to a Health Sciences Degree/Joint Programs

Follow an accelerated pathway to advanced training at Drake or a partnering institution. Explore options for combining your bachelor’s in Health Sciences with a graduate degree in clinical practice, healthcare management, law, public health, or another discipline.

AA to a Bachelor's in Health Sciences Pathway

For Bright College graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in a Health Sciences field after completing their Associates degree.

Pre-Professional Tracks

Interested in pursuing an allied health or primary care career after graduation? Access resources for all possible pathways and learn how to strategically prepare for your future while at Drake.

Global and Comparative Public Health Concentration

Gain a comprehensive, international understanding of public health, including epidemiology, the social context of healthcare, and healthcare policy. You’ll complete a three-course core and 12 elective credits in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Meet the Faculty

You’ll encounter dynamic professors across several departments who are active researchers and mentors. With a commitment to your success, they’ll draw out your potential and provide career guidance as you progress through the program.

Stacy Gnacinski, PhD

Stacy Gnacinski, PhD

Associate Professor, Health Sciences

Cassity Gutierrez, PhD

Cassity Gutierrez, PhD

Professor, Health Sciences

Jon Hurdelbrink, PhD

Jon Hurdelbrink, PhD

Associate Professor, Health Sciences

All Faculty Members

Outside the Classroom

Learn by doing as you deepen your knowledge of the healthcare field, practice skills, and acquire experience that helps you clarify and advance toward your career goals.

Drake University faculty present on senior internships to a group of Health Sciences Majors, standing in front of a screen

Senior Internship Experience

Synthesize and apply your knowledge in a clinical, research, or non-profit environment during a year-long internship. In addition to growing your résumé, you’ll distill your progress into a project and presentation.

Three Drake Health Sciences Majors study around a table while using their laptops

Research

Strengthen your job qualifications and graduate school applications by participating in the discovery process. Join faculty in ongoing research and/or pursue your own project.

In a dark room, two Drake Health Sciences majors in white coats examine a lit screen with the human body's systems

Mentoring

Get input and guidance as you discern your path. From faculty advisors and career development staff to mentoring from experienced students and internship supervisors, you’ll find a whole community championing your success.

A professor for Drake's Health Sciences major points to a screen to show a student how to examine imaging results

Job Shadowing

Clarify your trajectory. The Health Sciences major includes formal and informal opportunities to shadow professionals, apply concepts in the workplace, and learn about the available roles in your area of interest.

Health Sciences students prepare potted plants for a service learning project

Community-Engaged Learning

Integrated into your senior internship experience and coursework, service learning increases your awareness of issues in the healthcare field as you contribute to the Des Moines community.

Drake Health Sciences majors sitting in rows of classroom desks smile while using their laptops

Scholarships

100% of Drake undergraduate students receive scholarships. Health Sciences majors can apply for additional sources geared toward students embarking on health-related careers.

Careers & Skills

Health-related careers are some of the fastest-growing in the U.S. Through Drake’s Health Sciences major, you’ll unlock rewarding opportunities with a broad scientific base, research skills, and expertise within your chosen track.

For our latest graduating class, 100% of students either entered the field or a professional or graduate program, including at Drake or another leading institution.

Career Opportunities for Health Sciences Majors

  • Health insurance industry
  • Public health agencies
  • Hospital administration
  • Health care management
  • Medical device, medical technology, and pharmaceutical sales
  • Health education
  • Research
  • Allied health professions
  • Primary care

Skills

  • Analyze and evaluate scientific research
  • Collaboration
  • Critical thinking
  • Laboratory-based research
  • Mathematics and statistics
  • Professional communication
A Health Sciences major in navy Drake scrubs crosses their arms while smiling in a lit hallway

Salary & Growth Outlook

$

Median salary for healthcare occupations in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

“One of the biggest reasons I loved being a Health Sciences major at Drake was because of the faculty. I built great relationships with my professors, who were always so willing to help me succeed … Drake helped prepare me to be the best candidate for graduate programs as I could be through the curriculum, advisor meetings, and overall support from professors.”
Mercedes Morsching, HS’20

Related Programs

Explore additional Drake programs that allow you to acquire the scientific basis essential for a health-related career.

Pre-Occupational Therapy, BS

Enter a clearly defined path toward a career improving patients’ quality of life while positioning yourself for future success in Drake’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.

Pre-Pharmacy, BS

Prepare for the frontlines of patient care with two years of undergraduate study that seamlessly segue into our Pharm.D. program—a pathway that trims the total time to become a pharmacist from eight years down to six.

Accelerated Nursing, BSN

A accelerated program for students with a prior degree, condensing all courses and practicum required for RN licensure into just 12 months.

Take the Next Step

Lay the groundwork for a variety of careers in healthcare with a customizable program built to match your professional goals.

Contact

Lauren Sharp, MAC
Director of Enrollment Services
lauren.sharp@drake.edu
515-271-2247

Request Info Visit Apply
Drake Health Sciences students with laptops listen and engage with a classroom lecturer