RSHS POLICIES

Policies for all RSHS academic programs can be found in the RSHS Student Academic Handbook. 

Degrees Awarded by the RSHS

Athletic Training

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training - 124 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree that follows a traditional curricular design. The academic model for this program is two years of liberal arts and science requirements followed by two years of professional education. Athletic Training students will have one professional course in the spring of the freshman year and one professional course with an associated laboratory in each of the sophomore year semesters.The final cohort was enrolled into this program in the Fall 2020 semester.

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - 136 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree to students who are enrolled in the accelerated Master of Science in Athletic Training degree program. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree is awarded at the end of the fourth year for students who meet the academic requirements.

Master of Science in Athletic Training

The RSHS offers a five-year Master of Science in Athletic Training degree that follows a traditional curricular design. The academic model for this program is three years of liberal arts and science requirements followed by two years of professional education. Athletic Training students will complete foundational health sciences coursework en route to the professional phase of the program. Students may enter as freshmen and participate in the five-year program. After five years and successful completion of the professional phase, all students will earn a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree.

Provided there are seats available and applicants meet the program's admission criteria, students may also enter the program prior to the start of the two-year professional phase.

All students who are granted the Master of Science in Athletic Training degree are eligible to take the national Board of Certification exam that enables them to practice athletic training.

Health Administration

Bachelor of Science in Health Administration - 121 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Health Administration degree that follows a traditional curricular design. 

Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - 120 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree that follows a traditional curricular design. The Health Science Program consists of two primary tracks, an Integrated Health Track and a Pre-Health Track. The Integrated Health Track is designed for students to complete a general health sciences curriculum while preparing to enter the workforce upon graduation. Students pursuing the Pre-Health Track are either committed to a professional degree program in RSHS or desire to pursue graduate professional degree requirements. Both tracks will afford students the flexibility to expand and customize their education to align with areas of professional interest and to meet trending healthcare demands.

Occupational Therapy

Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences - 138 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree to students who are enrolled in the entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree or the Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree programs. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is awarded at the end of the fourth year for students who meet the academic requirements.

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

The RSHS offers an entry-level master's degree program in occupational therapy (Master of Science in Occupational Therapy). The academic model for this program is 5 semesters of pre-professional liberal arts and science requirements, followed by 6 semesters of professional education. Professional-level education occurs on a year-round basis during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Students in the entry-level master's program are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at the end of the fourth year and a Master of Science degree after successfully completing post-baccalaureate coursework and clinical fieldwork education. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree will not be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences; they will work directly toward the master's degree.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

The RSHS offers an entry-level doctoral degree program in occupational therapy (Occupational Therapy Doctorate). The academic model for this program is 5 semesters of pre-professional liberal arts and science prerequisite requirements followed by 6 semesters of professional phase education, then 3 semesters of advanced professional education, which occur in a hybrid format. Professional and advanced professional-level education occur on a year-round basis including fall, spring, and summer semesters. These models are unique and provide the RSHS faculty the opportunity to maximally utilize the excellent core curriculum and science offerings at Duquesne as the basis for creative, professional curricula.

Students in the entry-level doctorate program are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at the end of the fourth year and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate at the end of the program. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree will not be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences; they will work directly toward the doctorate degree. Students who chose to pursue the OTD will not be awarded a Master of Science in Health Sciences; they will work directly toward the Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree.

Physical Therapy

Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences - 121 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree to students who are enrolled in the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is awarded at the end of the fourth year for students who meet the academic requirements.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

The RSHS offers a six-year entry-level doctoral degree program in physical therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy). Students may enter as freshmen and participate in the six-year program that is comprised of three pre-professional years and three professional years of study. These students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree upon completion of the fourth year, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree upon completion of the sixth year. Students who transfer into the program having already earned a bachelor's degree will not be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree; they will work directly toward the doctoral degree. 

All students who are granted the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree are eligible to take the national licensing exam that allows them to practice physical therapy.

Physician Assistant Studies

Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences - 139 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree to students who are enrolled in the entry-level Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree program. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is awarded at the end of the fourth year for students who meet the academic requirements.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

The RSHS offers a five-year entry-level master's degree program in physician assistant studies (Master of Physician Assistant Studies). The academic model for physician assistant studies is three years of liberal arts and science requirements followed by two years of accredited education. Accredited phase education occurs on a year-round basis during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. This model is unique for this profession and provides the RSHS faculty the opportunity to maximally utilize the excellent Bridges Common Learning Experience curriculum and science offerings at Duquesne as the basis for creative, professional curricula. Students in the entry-level program master's program are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at the end of the fourth year and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the end of the fifth year. 

Public Health 

Bachelor of Arts in Public Health - 120.5-122 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Arts in Public Health degree that follows a traditional curricular design, addressing the following public health domains: health, ethics and social justice, social science, policy and politics, environment, communication, and public health tools. The B.A. is appropriate for students who have interest in the sociocultural, behavioral and legal aspects of public health and would like work focusing on health education and promotion, public health policy and administration, program administration, communication, marketing or non-profit/government agency work. The B.A. also prepares students for advanced education in law, public policy administration and social work.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health - 129.5-131 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree that follows a traditional curricular design, addressing the following public health domains: health, ethics and social justice, social science, policy and politics, environment, communication, and public health tools. The B.S. is appropriate for students who are preparing for more science-focused aspects of public health and are preparing for more advanced education in public health, epidemiology, nursing, medicine, dentistry, nutrition and biostatistics. The B.S. in Public Health is an appropriate program to be taken in conjunction with the Pre-Med and Health Professions Program (PMHPP).

Speech-Language Pathology

Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences - 121 Credits

The RSHS offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree to students who are enrolled in the entry-level Master of Science in degree program. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is awarded at the end of the fourth year for students who meet the academic requirements.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

The RSHS offers a five-year entry-level master's degree program in speech-language pathology (Master of Science). The academic model for speech-language pathology is three years of liberal arts, science and pre-professional education followed by two years of professional graduate-level education. Students have the option of completing a master's thesis. Professional phase education occurs on a year-round basis during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. This model provides students with the opportunity to maximally utilize the excellent core curriculum and science offerings at Duquesne as the basis for the professional phase curriculum. Students are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree at the end of the fourth year and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the end of the fifth year. Students who transfer into the program having already earned a bachelor's degree will not be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree; they will work directly toward the master's degree.

Joint Degrees

The requirements for the joint and second degree opportunities are more rigorous and involve more time and coursework than do any of the programs individually. Students also should be aware that the continuation in any of these joint or second degree programs will have tuition and financial aid implications. Interested students are encouraged to investigate these implications and seek guidance through the Office of Financial Aid.

Enrollment is limited in some of these joint degree programs; therefore, admission is competitive. Students transferring into these majors must be admitted and enrolled in courses for the major to be considered for these joint degree programs.

Athletic Training/Doctor of Physical Therapy

The RSHS offers a joint degree opportunity between the Athletic Training and Physical Therapy programs (AT/DPT), which is open to students in both programs. Students must formally apply for this program and enrollment is limited and dependent upon enrollment in the PT program.

Athletic Training/Master of Science in Education

Majors in Athletic Training have the opportunity to complement their Bachelor of Science degree with a Master of Science in Education degree, with eligibility for an Instructional I Certificate in Secondary Biology.

Inter-School Majors, Minors and Certificates

Students interested in pursuing an inter-school minor or certificate within the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts, School of Science and Engineering, Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, School of Education or Mary Pappert School of Music should work with their RSHS student success coach to discuss minor requirements and the minor declaration process. While the student success coach will assist in identifying the appropriate course work for the minor, it is the student's responsibility to verify the courses with the appropriate department. Students should also carefully investigate the implications of an increased course and credit load, and ensure they will be able to complete all RSHS program requirements in time for entry into the professional/accredited phase of their program.

Special Circumstances

Only students who (1) are currently enrolled in one of the RSHS programs (2) have gained special permission from the Associate Dean, and/or, (3) have not completed or mathematically cannot successfully complete all degree requirements and/or, (4) have been academically dismissed from his/her program, will be considered as candidates for graduation with a terminal Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. The Associate Dean will consider each situation on an individual basis. Students graduating with the terminal Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree will be ineligible to sit for professional licensing credential examinations for any of the programs within the RSHS, and will be ineligible to sit for professional licensing/credentialing examinations for an of the programs within the RSHS. Students with questions should meet with their student success coach.