It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the website for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at Florida International University in which more than 900 students were pursuing their degrees which are to be completed by Summer 2010 and whose graduates are practicing in health care positions and facilities throughout the country. The Health Sciences options are proud to be a part of the Florida International University’s commitment to address the health care needs of the local community and beyond, as outlined in the Millennium Strategic Plan.

The mission of the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program is to provide baccalaureate education that prepares students to enter health-related graduate and professional schools, as well as to continue the educational process for students with A.S. degrees in credentialed allied health programs. The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program was designed to assist in meeting the career goals of its students by offering an array of courses from varied disciplines, thereby providing up-to-date, as well as foundational preparation. The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program is committed to preparing students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to address the challenges of health disparity (i.e., increasing the number of health care professionals from underrepresented populations, and, addressing the health needs of individuals from underrepresented populations).

The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program is in agreement with the University’s description, mission, and vision. Just as FIU is one of the country’s most dynamic institutions of higher education, the Health Sciences Program at FIU is an emerging discipline in health education and is dynamic due to its flexibility, its ability to meet student career goals, and by having the capability to meet students’’ advising needs. There are not many health sciences programs among the nation’s universities, thus the establishment of the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program is visionary. FIU has recently formally recognized its substantial health resources by the presentation of these facts in a document titled “Health Initiatives.” Moreover, health is one of FIU’s strategic themes. The following excerpt is from the University’s Millennium Strategic Plan: “… FIU has established a role as a provider of health professionals dedicated to addressing the health needs of the local community. The University intends to continue its engagement with the health care needs of the community and to expand its engagement as the needs of the community grow and evolve! Our involvement in these efforts will help meet the needs of the local community and provide us with the expertise needed to develop health care services and techniques that have application beyond the local community.”  

The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program at FIU is housed in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. There are presently four (4) tracks in the program: the General Track, the Pre-Physical Therapy Track, the Pre-Occupational Therapy Track and the Pre-Athletic Training Track. The curricula for the four (4) tracks are interdisciplinary. Students take courses in health sciences, social work, health services administration, sociology, psychology, and biology, as well as the College’s interdisciplinary courses and pre-professional courses. Students in this program may have graduated from community colleges with AAS degrees in specific Health Sciences/ Allied Health fields, and are presently working as health care professionals. Other undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a graduate or professional degree in a health/medical direct patient care field constitute the majority of the students in this Bachelors Degree option.

This program was designed for students that are-or will be-direct patient care providers, or those who are presently working in the clinical setting or will be doing so. For many of FIU’s undergraduates, the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program is the first step toward achieving the goals of a career in health care and health research.  Graduate go on to graduate programs/ professional schools including Medicine, Pharmacy, Chiropractic, Dentistry, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and others.

These Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Tracks prepare students for future success. Completion of this program is the first step toward reaching a health or medical professional goal. The program provides a unique combination of basic sciences and interdisciplinary health courses that permits the students to learn about the health care system, health related research and leadership in the context of the political, ethical, legal and sociological aspects facing health care today. Our faculty and staff are here to help all succeed.

I look forward to continuing to work with you and regret any inconvenience to those students who are not eligible for program admission at this time.