Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major in Interdisciplinary Health Studies (IHS) is awarded by the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (SPAHP) to students enrolled in an entry-level doctoral program in Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, or Physical Therapy who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree. The program formally integrates pre-professional coursework, completion of the University Magis Core Curriculum, and professional doctoral coursework into a coherent undergraduate degree. The BS in Interdisciplinary Health Studies is not offered as a stand-alone undergraduate major and is awarded only in conjunction with completion of the corresponding professional doctoral degree.
Degree Conferral
The Bachelor of Science with a major in Interdisciplinary Health Studies is conferred concurrently when the degree requirements are met. Students must submit a formal application for graduation for the BS degree in accordance with deadlines established by the University Registrar.
University Degree Requirements
In accordance with University policy, all candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree must complete a minimum of 128 semester credit hours, earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher, complete at least 48 semester credit hours at Creighton University, complete at least 48 semester credit hours in courses numbered 300 or above, complete the Magis Core Curriculum, and complete all requirements of the Interdisciplinary Health Studies major.
Magis Core Curriculum
Students complete the Creighton University Magis Core Curriculum consisting of Foundations, Explorations, and Integrations components. Approved pre-professional and professional coursework may be applied toward Magis Core components and Designated course requirements as appropriate. Students should consult with a SPAHP academic advisor to confirm application of coursework toward Magis Core requirements.
Major Requirements
The Interdisciplinary Health Studies major consists of a defined combination of pre-professional coursework and professional doctoral coursework. Requirements are outline in the professional pathway tracks.
Credit-Hour Reconciliation
The following credit-hour reconciliation illustrates how students in the Interdisciplinary Health Studies major meet the University requirement of a minimum of 128 semester credit hours. Actual credit totals may vary depending on specific coursework completed prior to matriculation and Magis Core alignment.
Occupational Therapy Track
Students in the Occupational Therapy track complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours of pre-professional coursework prior to matriculation into the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. These credits include Magis Core components and prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, psychology, and medical terminology.
Professional coursework applied to the Interdisciplinary Health Studies major includes coursework in occupations and occupational therapy, health conditions, kinesiology, neuroscience, research, physical rehabilitation, policy, and clinical education. A minimum of 68.5 credits from the OTD curriculum are applied to the major.
• Pre-professional and Magis Core coursework: approximately 60 semester credit hours.
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy coursework applied to the BS degree: approximately 68–69 semester credit hours.
• Total applied toward the Bachelor of Science degree: minimum of 128 semester credit hours.
Pharmacy Track
Students in the Pharmacy track complete a minimum of 63 semester credit hours of pre-professional coursework prior to matriculation into the Doctor of Pharmacy program. These credits include Magis Core components and prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, anatomy, economics, and related sciences.
Professional coursework applied to the Interdisciplinary Health Studies major includes biochemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacotherapeutics, patient assessment, public health, and pharmacy practice management. A minimum of 65 credits from the PharmD curriculum are applied to the major.
• Pre-professional and Magis Core coursework: approximately 63 semester credit hours.
• Doctor of Pharmacy coursework applied to the BS degree: approximately 65 semester credit hours.
• Total applied toward the Bachelor of Science degree: minimum of 128 semester credit hours.
Physical Therapy Track
Students in the Physical Therapy track complete a minimum of 90 semester credit hours of pre-professional coursework prior to matriculation into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. These credits include Magis Core components and prerequisite science coursework.
Professional coursework applied to the Interdisciplinary Health Studies major includes but is not limited to: Exercise physiology and wellness; behavioral and social science; movement science; neuroscience; musculoskeletal physical therapy; physical therapy pharmacotherapeutics; motor control and motor learning; neuromuscular physical therapy; health services; and professional formation courses. A minimum of 39 credits from the DPT curriculum are applied to the major.
• Pre-professional and Magis Core coursework: approximately 90 semester credit hours.
• Doctor of Physical Therapy coursework applied to the BS degree: approximately 38–39 semester credit hours.
• Total applied toward the Bachelor of Science degree: minimum of 128 semester credit hours.
In all tracks, students also satisfy University residency requirements and upper-division credit requirements through enrollment in SPAHP coursework at Creighton University. Credit application is subject to final verification by the Dean's Office during the degree audit clearance process prior to awarding the degree.
B.S., Interdisciplinary Health Studies - Occupational Therapy Track
Students must complete at least 60 credit hours as a Pre-OT student. These credit hours will include some Magis Core requirements and all prerequisite courses.
Magis Common Core Curriculum - B.S., Interdisciplinary Health Studies - Occupational Therapy Track
| Foundations | Explorations | Integrations | Designated Courses (1 course each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Composition (3 credits) | Understanding Natural Science (BIO 201, BIO 205) | Intersections - OTD Year 1 (Course TBD) | Designated Ethics (OTD 316) |
| Critical Issues in Human Inquiry (3 credits) | Understanding Social Science (PSY 201) | Designated Oral Communication - OTD Year 1 (Course TBD) | |
| Oral Communication (1 credit) | Global Perspectives in History (3 credits) | Designated Written Communication - OTD Year 1 (Course TBD) | |
| Mathematical Reasoning (2-3 credits) | Literature (3 credits) | Designated Statistical Reasoning (EXS 407 or MTH 361 or PSY 315) | |
| Philosophical Ideas (3 credits) | Ethics (3 credits) | Designated Technology (OTD 423) | |
| The Christian Tradition (3 credits) | The Biblical Tradition (3 credits) |
Prerequisite Courses that do not meet the Magis Core requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy | 3-4 | |
| Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | ||
or EXS 331 | Human Anatomy | |
or PHA 310 | Human Anatomy for Pre-Professionals | |
| Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY Elective 270-higher | ||
| OTD 215 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| Total Credits | 7-8 | |
Interdisciplinary Health Studies Major Requirements (Credits 68.5)
Students must complete a minimum of 68 credits from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy curriculum to reach a minimum of 128 credit hours to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. Students who have completed the necessary requirements will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in their OTD2 Spring semester.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IPE 500 | Introduction to Collaborative Care | 0 |
| OTD 302 | Occupations and Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OTD 306 | Health Conditions | 3 |
| OTD 314 | Occupation and Health: Population Perspectives | 3 |
| OTD 317 | Occupational Therapy in Mental Health | 4 |
| OTD 324 | Applied Kinesiology | 3 |
| OTD 333 | Upper Extremity Evaluation and Intervention I | 3 |
| OTD 334 | Foundations of Research | 3 |
| OTD 341 | Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| OTD 342 | Clinical Human Anatomy | 4.5 |
| OTD 355 | Physical Rehabilitation I: Evaluation | 3 |
| OTD 356 | Physical Rehabilitation II: Neurorehabilitation | 4 |
| OTD 403 | Neuro-occupation | 2 |
| OTD 406 | Management and Program Development | 4 |
| OTD 417 | Disability and Health Care Policy | 3 |
| OTD 433 | Upper Extremity Evaluation and Intervention II | 3 |
| OTD 434 | Research Proposal | 3 |
| OTD 435 | Occupational Therapy with Children and Youth I | 3 |
| OTD 436 | Occupational Therapy with Children and Youth II | 4 |
| OTD 442 | Critical Analysis of Occupational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| OTD 457 | Physical Rehabilitation III: Interventions and Outcomes | 4 |
| OTD 460 | Clinical Education Seminar I | 1.5 |
| OTD 461 | Clinical Education Seminar II | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 68.5 | |
B.S., Interdisciplinary Health Studies - Pharmacy Track
Students must complete at least 63 credit hours as a Pre-Pharmacy student. These credit hours will include some Magis Core requirements and all prerequisite courses.
Magis Common Core Curriculum - B.S., Interdisciplinary Health Studies - Pharmacy Track
| Foundations | Explorations | Integrations | Designated Courses (1 course each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Composition (3 credits) | Understanding Natural Science (BIO 201, BIO 205) | Intersections - PharmD Year 2 (Course TBD) | Designated Ethics - PharmD Year 3 (IPE 530, IPE 531) |
| Critical Issues in Human Inquiry | Understanding Social Science (PSY 201) | Designated Oral Communication - PharmD Year 2 (Course TBD) | |
| Oral Communication (3 credits) | Global Perspectives in History (3 credits) | Designated Written Communication - PharmD Year 2 (Course TBD) | |
| Mathematical Reasoning (3 credits) | Literature (3 credits) | Designated Statistical Reasoning - PharmD Year 3 (PHA 350) | |
| Philosophical Ideas (3 credits) | Ethics (3 credits) | Designated Technology - PharmD Year 1 (PHA 321) | |
| The Christian Tradition (3 credits) | The Biblical Tradition (3 credits) |
Prerequisite Courses that do not meet the Magis Core requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 202 | General Biology: Cellular and Molecular | 3 |
| BIO 206 | General Biology: Cellular and Molecular Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 203 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 204 | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 205 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 206 | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 321 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 322 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 323 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 324 | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHA 310 | Human Anatomy for Pre-Professionals | 3 |
| or EXS 331 | Human Anatomy | |
| ECO 203 | Introductory Microeconomics | 3 |
| or ECO 205 | Introductory Macroeconomics | |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
Interdisciplinary Health Studies Major Requirements (Credits 65)
Students must complete a minimum of 68 credits from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy curriculum to reach a minimum of 128 credit hours to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. Students who have completed the necessary requirements will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree after 5 years in their PharmD3 Spring semester.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum | ||
| Required courses: | ||
| IPE 500 | Introduction to Collaborative Care | 0 |
| MIC 541 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology | 3 |
| PHA 301 | Principles of Biochemistry for Pharmacy | 3 |
| PHA 312 | Professional Development and Experience I | 1.5 |
| PHA 313 | Calculations in Pharmacy Practice | 2 |
| PHA 314 | Professional Development and Experience II | 1.5 |
| PHA 317 | Pharmaceutics I: Physiochemical Principles of Drugs | 3 |
| PHA 320 | Communication Skills | 2 |
| PHA 326 | Patient Assessment | 2 |
| PHA 337 | The Chemical Basis of Drug Action I | 3 |
| PHA 338 | Professional Development Seminar III | 1 |
| PHA 339 | Pharmaceutics II - Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems | 3 |
| PHA 341 | Pharmacology II | 4 |
| PHA 342 | Pharmacology II | 4 |
| PHA 351 | Foundations of Public Health | 2 |
| PHA 406 | Human Pathophysiology | 3 |
| PHA 413 | Pharmacotherapeutics I: Focus on Nonprescription Products & Self-Care | 5 |
| PHA 414 | Pharmacotherapeutics II | 6 |
| PHA 415 | Pharmacotherapeutics III | 6 |
| PHA 425 | Pharmacotherapeutics III Case Studies | 1 |
| PHA 442 | Pharmacy Practice Management | 3 |
| PHA 443 | Basic Pharmacokinetics | 2 |
| PHA 447 | Chemical Basis of Drug Action II | 3 |
| PHA 470 | Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery | 1 |
| Total Credits | 65 | |
B.S., Interdisciplinary Health Studies - Physical Therapy Track
Students must complete at least 90 credit hours as a Pre-PT student. These credit hours will include some Magis Core requirements and all prerequisite courses.
Students must complete 18 credits of upper-level classes in one field of study.
Magis Common Core Curriculum - B.S., Interdisciplinary Health Studies - Physical Therapy Track
| Foundations | Explorations | Integrations | Designated Courses (1 course each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Composition (3 credits) | Understanding Natural Science (BIO 201, BIO 205) | Intersections - DPT Year 1 (Course TBD) - Not a UG requirement | Designated Ethics - DPT Year 3 (PTD 601) |
| Critical Issues in Human Inquiry (3 credits) | Understanding Social Science (PSY 201 recommended) | Designated Oral Communication - DPT Year 1 (Course TBD) | |
| Oral Communication (1 credit) | Global Perspectives in History (3 credits) | Designated Written Communication - DPT Year 1 (Course TBD) | |
| Mathematical Reasoning (3 credits) | Literature (3 credits) | Designated Statistical Reasoning (BIO 411 or EXS 407) | |
| Philosophical Ideas (3 credits) | Ethics (3 credits) | Designated Technology - DPT Year 2 (PTD 522) | |
| The Christian Tradition (3 credits) | The Biblical Tradition (3 credits) |
Prerequisite Courses that do not meet the Magis Core requirements (Credits 30)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| BIO 202 | General Biology: Cellular and Molecular | 3 |
| BIO 206 | General Biology: Cellular and Molecular Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 203 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 204 | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 205 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 206 | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 201 | General Physics for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| PHY 202 | General Physics for the Life Sciences II | 3 |
| PHY 205 | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHY 206 | General Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| PHA 310 & PHA 311 | Human Anatomy for Pre-Professionals and Human Anatomy Lab for Pre-Professionals | 4 |
| or EXS 320 | Human Physiology | |
| BIO 449 | Physiology | 3 |
| or EXS 320 | Human Physiology | |
| PSY Elective 270-higher | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Interdisciplinary Health Studies Major Requirements (Credits 38)
Students must complete a minimum of 38 credits from the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum to reach a minimum of 128 credit hours to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. Students who have completed the necessary requirements will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree after 5 years in their DPT3 Spring semester.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum | ||
| IPE 500 | Introduction to Collaborative Care | 0 |
| PTD 501 | Exercise Physiology and Wellness | 2 |
| PTD 503 | Behavioral and Social Science | 2 |
| PTD 507 | Emergency Medical Responder | 2 |
| PTD 508 | Introduction to Professional Formation | 1 |
| PTD 510 | Movement Science | 4 |
| PTD 511 | Health Conditions for the Physical Therapist | 3 |
| PTD 513 | Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy I | 3 |
| PTD 518 | Professional Formation I | 1 |
| PTD 520 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| PTD 521 | Integumentary Physical Therapy | 2 |
| PTD 522 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I | 2 |
| PTD 528 | Professional Formation II | 1 |
| PTD 530 | Physical Therapy Pharmacotherapeutics | 2 |
| PTD 531 | Pain | 2 |
| PTD 533 | Motor Control and Motor Learning | 2 |
| PTD 534 | Neuromuscular Physical Therapy I | 3 |
| PTD 600 | Health Services | 2 |
| PTD 608 | Professional Formation III | 1 |
| Total Credits | 38 | |