Health Sciences, B.S. (OTA – BSHS)

• Curriculum
• Faculty

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (OTA to BSHS) is open only to students who have, or who are pursuing, an Associate degree in Occupational Therapy (OTA). Embedded in the degree is a minor in Human Behavior and Communication. This minor focuses on whole person care through understanding patients’ individual needs and social contexts.

Admission

To be accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree, a student must meet the general requirements for admission into Adventist University of Health Sciences (see General Studies Admission  in the Admission Information  section), and:

• Submit the Health Sciences (OTA-BSHS) application once admitted to the University. The application can be accessed at http://my.ahu.edu.
• Have a minimum admissions GPA of 2.70 in high school or a GPA of 2.70 on a minimum of 12 college credits. GPAs presented to the Admissions Committee for each applicant will be a cumulative record of all college-level work.
• Either be accepted into AdventHealth University’s OTA program or show evidence of previously completing as OTA associates at a regionally accredited university.
• Competitive applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Meeting minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee an invitation for an interview.  Every applicant who wishes to be accepted to the program must complete the interview process.
• For general studies and program admission for the 2026-2027 academic year, AHU is test-optional and does not require submission of ACT or SAT scores. However, AHU strongly encourages applicants who have ACT and/or SAT scores to submit them during the application process, as this will expedite course placement and enhance academic advising.

Progression

Students may progress toward a Health Sciences, BS (OTA-BSHS) degree when they:

• Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.50.
• Earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in all required courses and electives for the degree.
• Successfully repeat courses in which a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) was not achieved.

Readmission

Students are considered for readmission to the Health Sciences, BS (OTA-BSHS) degree program when they meet admission requirements and:

• Readmission is not automatic and is contingent on available class space and the discretion of the department chair.

Students will be readmitted under new academic catalog program policies. Eligible students will be considered for readmission to the program when they complete the following: 

• Submit a Readmission Form to the Health Humanities and Social Sciences chair eight weeks before the trimester in which they are seeking admission.
• Undergo a faculty review of prior academic performance, including reason(s) for withdrawal or dismissal, along with evidence of the applicant’s efforts to strengthen areas of weakness.

Completion

AdventHealth University will consider students for graduation and conferral of a Bachelor of Science degree when they have met the general University requirements for graduation (see Graduation  in the Academic Information  section) and have:

1. Completed a minimum of 121 trimester hours (for The OTA-BSHS degree) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
2. Completed the prescribed course of study with a minimum of 42 upper division credits.
3. Achieve a grade of ‘C’ or above in all required courses and electives for the degree. 
4. Completed competency assessment requirements.
5. Completed a minimum of 62 trimester hours in residence at AdventHealth University. 
6. Completed the service-learning requirement embedded in designated courses.​​​