Applied Health Science (B.S.) Messiah College / Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Thomas Jefferson University

Program Overview

Students majoring in Applied Health Science desire careers in the broad health field. Four options are available depending on students’ career goals. Emphasis is on systems biology and integrating physiology as applied to health.

Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration. Students selecting this option desire a career in physical therapy. Additional graduate work is necessary.

Pre-Professional Concentration. Students choosing this concentration are interested in careers in Health Professions such as medicine, physician’s assistant, chiropractic, or graduate school in health related sciences.

3+2 Articulation Agreement with Thomas Jefferson in Occupational Therapy. Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in Applied Health Science and the Master of Science degree from Thomas Jefferson in 5 years. Students will spend the first three years at Messiah College and then proceed to Jefferson School of Health Professions for the final 2 years of study. There are specific standards of performance for students desiring to pursue this option.

Exercise Science Concentration. Students in this concentration will prepare for careers in fields such as corporate fitness, cardiac rehabilitation, personal trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, or other wellness positions. In addition, students who are interested in occupational therapy, health promotion, or public health can tailor this major to prepare them for graduate work.

Dedicated faculty and a human performance laboratory are two of the resources that enable Messiah to offer a quality Applied Health Science major. This program equips graduates with the necessary knowledge and abilities to qualify for positions in this highly competitive field.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Applied Health Science program can:

  1. Identify the anatomical and physicological responses to acute and chronic exercise.

  2. Explain the important role of exercise in disease prevention.  

  3. Critically analyze human movement patterns.

  4. Correctly identify needs and prescribe safe and effective exercise programs for normal and special populations. 

  5. Describe and assess safe and effective weight management techniques.
  6. Accurately interpret and synthesize current research literature utilizing APA style guide, with correct grammar and writing mechanics.
  7. Identify employment, certification, voluntary service, and/or graduate education options available in the health and exercise science field.  
  8. Identify and describe significant ways their Christian faith relates to the health and exercise science area of study, and explain how they will apply their understanding of Christian vocation in the future.  

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

APHS 170Concepts of Conditioning

2

APHS 215Chronic Disease and Exercise

3

APHS 301Exercise Physiology

4

APHS 325Applied Human Physiology

3

APHS 360Exercise Testing and Prescription

3

APHS 412Senior Seminar for Health and Exercise Science

3

BIOL 185Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIOL 186Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4

BIOL 189Genetics for Health Profession

3

NUTR 222Nutrition Theory

3

PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology

3

PSYC 209Life Span Development

3

PSYC 319Abnormal Psychology

3

SOCI 101Principles of Sociology

3

STAT 269Introductory Statistics

3

APHS 412: Fulfills Writing Enriched course requirement for Major.

Three credits from the following: (alternate year courses)

APHS 210Exercise Psychology

3

APHS 310Elite Athletic Performance

3

APHS 315Stress Testing and ECG Interpretation

3

APHS 415Advanced Exercise Physiology

3

Four credits from the following (4)

CHEM 103Chemical Science

4

OR

CHEM 105General Chemistry I

4

Three credits from the following:

SOCI 212Cultural Anthropology

3

IDCC 260Cross Cultural Studies

0 - 3

Jefferson University Course Requirements (2 years)

OC 302Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology

4

OT 467Health Services Administration & Professional Development

2

Note: Students spend the first three years at Messiah College and then proceed to the Jefferson School of Health Professions for the final two years of undergraduate and graduate Occupational Therapy coursework. The B.S. in Applied Health Science from Messiah College is awarded after the successful completion of the major requirements, QuEST requirements, and completion of 21-23 additional Thomas Jefferson requirements which count as UG electives for a total of 123 undergraduate credits. Students may walk with their cohort in May, but may not graduate from Messiah until August, contingent upon successful completion of OT 302.

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement 0
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar 3
Oral Communication 3
Created and Called for Community (W) 3
Mathematical Sciences (STAT 269) met/major
Laboratory Science (BIOL 185) waived
Science, Technology & the World (APHS 301) waived
Social Science (PSYC 101) met/major
European History or United States History 3
Literature 3
Philosophy and Religion 3
Arts 3
First Semester of Language 3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural (IDCC 260) 3*
Non-Western Studies (SOCI 212) 2 or 3*
Bible 3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course met/major
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 38-39
Major requirements 63
Additional Thomas Jefferson requirements 22-21
Total credits 123

*May be met by major through SOCI 212 or IDCC 260