B.S. in Health Science: Launch Your Healthcare Career Without Pre-Med

Combine human biology, healthcare systems, and health equity in one flexible degree, with an 80-hour practicum in real healthcare settings, preparing you for a healthcare career or graduate health-professions study.

  • 80-Hour Healthcare Practicum
  • Health Equity Focus
  • Zero Application Fee
  • Illinois and Tampa

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Why Choose NLU for Health Science?

80-Hour Practicum
Real hours in healthcare settings

Graduate with hands-on experience and a network.

Beyond Biology
Science, systems, ethics, and public health

Understand healthcare holistically, not just pre-med science.

Health Equity
Social determinants at the core of the degree

Aligned with where healthcare is heading.

$62,860
Median, health education specialists (BLS, May 2024)

A field growing faster than average at about 7 percent.

Two Pathways
Enter the workforce or prepare for grad school

PA, MPH, PT, medicine, or health administration.

Program at a Glance

How long?
120 QH
Bachelor's with an 80-hour practicum
What experience?
90 Hours
Supervised healthcare field experience
What growth?
7% Growth
Health education specialists (BLS), faster than average
What salary?
$62,860
Median, health education specialists (BLS, May 2024)

What You'll Learn

  • Apply human biology and disease knowledge
  • Navigate U.S. healthcare systems and policy
  • Analyze social determinants and health disparities
  • Interpret scientific and health data
  • Communicate health information to diverse audiences
  • Complete an 80-hour healthcare practicum

Full Course List

Biology
The biological foundations of health and disease.
Systems
How healthcare is delivered and financed.
Public Health
Population health and disease prevention.
Equity
How social factors shape health outcomes.
Behavior
Human behavior and health communication.
Ethics
Ethical, professional healthcare practice.
Data
Interpreting research and health data.
Practicum
An 80-hour field placement in a real setting.

Next start: September 21, 2026 — seats filling fast.

Admissions Requirements

  • A high school diploma or GED, with a 2.0 minimum GPA
  • Online application at nl.edu with no application fee
  • Official transcripts (all prior institutions for transfers)
  • Open to career-changers and working adults
  • An advisor helps you plan your career or grad-school pathway
Hands-On From Day One

An 80-hour practicum in real healthcare settings gives you experience and a network before you graduate.

Healthcare Without Pre-Med

Science plus systems thinking, a path into healthcare that does not require the pre-med race.

Two Futures, One Degree

Enter the workforce in community or patient-facing roles, or prepare for PA, MPH, PT, or health administration.

Where Will Your Degree Take You?

$62,860
Median, health education specialists (BLS, May 2024)
Health Education Specialist
Community Health Worker
Healthcare Coordinator
Patient Care Coordinator
Healthcare Data Analyst
Pathway to PA, MPH, or MHA

Graduates enter healthcare during strong sector growth. Health education specialist roles are projected to grow about 7 percent through 2034, faster than average, driven by aging populations, preventive care, and health equity initiatives. Graduates work as health educators, community health workers, and healthcare coordinators, or continue to graduate health-professions programs.

Health education specialists earn a median of $62,860, and the administrative track, medical and health services managers, earns a median of $117,960 with experience and a graduate degree (BLS, May 2024). The 80-hour practicum sets NLU graduates apart in hiring.

How to Apply in 3 Simple Steps

  1. Request Information

    Submit the form above. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to answer your questions.

  2. Connect With an Advisor

    Your advisor helps you decide between the entry-level career path and graduate-school preparation.

  3. Apply and Start Classes

    Submit your application at nl.edu with no application fee and your transcripts. Next start: September 21, 2026.

Take the First Step

No commitment required. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to map your path into healthcare.

Take the First Step
  • 80-Hour Healthcare Practicum
  • Health Equity Focus
  • Zero Application Fee
  • Illinois and Tampa

*Salary and growth: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Health Education Specialists (SOC 21-1091) and Medical and Health Services Managers (SOC 11-9111), May 2024.

**Practicum, focus, and structure: National Louis University B.S. in Health Science program page (nl.edu). This is a newer program; confirm specific course requirements with an NLU advisor.