General Studies in Health and Human Sciences Program

Academic Requirements

Individuals interested in pursuing the B.G.S. in Health and Human Sciences must hold a license, certificate or associate’s degree in their fields. Other professional recognitions in health and human sciences may be considered on an individual basis.

Undergraduate students must successfully complete a total of 120 semester hours. This includes transfer credits, general education requirements and 40 semester hours in upper-division courses. Students must attain a minimum 2.00 grade point average to graduate from NIU.

The requirements for the B.G.S. in Health and Human Sciences degree program are presented below.

- Admission to NIU and the B.G.S. in Health and Human Sciences program

- A written professional goals statement

- Core and elective courses on the following topics:

• Health and Human Sciences
• Ecology of Health
• Administration for Professionals in Health and Human Sciences
• Legal and Ethical Issues
• Disability in Society
• Lifespan Human Development
• Issues in Gerontology
• Critical Thinking for Health and Human Services Professionals
• Research in Health and Human Sciences
• Risk and Disaster Management
• Cross Cultural Perspectives
• Resource Allocation

- A minimum of 30 semester hours in elective, upper division courses from the College of Health and Human Sciences with no more than 24 semester hours from a single department, chosen with the adviser

- Students must fulfill NIU general education degree requirements, which can be done at a community college

- A.A.S. or A.A.A. students holding a professional credential, license, certificate or associate's degree in a health and human sciences field may receive up to 30 semester hours of credit upon completion of all other required coursework including general education requirements. These 30 semester hours will be included in the 120 total semester hours needed for graduation.