Sacramento State Launches Online Bachelor’s Degree to Expand Pathways into Healthcare

Sacramento State’s College of Health and Human Services (HHS) and College of Continuing Education (CCE) are expanding access to healthcare careers with a new Bachelor of Science in Health Science. The fully online degree completion program combines the biological, physical and social sciences with real-world application, preparing students for career advancement or further study in health-related fields.

The program responds to sustained demand across the healthcare sector. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects healthcare occupations to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034, with about 1.9 million openings expected each year. 

Graduates can use the degree to advance in healthcare and community-based organizations or prepare for graduate and professional education. Customizable electives and built-in prerequisites allow students to shape their studies toward goals such as nursing, physician assistant school, occupational therapy or other advanced health programs. Depending on experience, additional education and position requirements, career pathways may also include health education, community health, program coordination, patient services or healthcare administration.

“This Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree completion program is designed to bridge the gap between where students are and where they want to be,” says Dr. Andrea Becker, Chair of the Department of Allied Health Sciences. “A primary goal of the program is to expand access for students whose work, family responsibilities or geographic location might otherwise stand in the way of earning their degree. Its flexibility allows students to tailor their education to their individual goals, whether they are preparing to enter one of the many healthcare professions or seeking to advance within a healthcare career they have already begun.”

Built for working adults and transfer students, the degree can be completed in as little as one year. Accelerated six-week courses are offered year-round through asynchronous online learning, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedule while balancing work, family and other responsibilities.

Students complete 39 units of upper-division Health Science coursework, including studies in human ecology and health, health psychology, aging and ethical practices. Fifteen units of electives give students additional flexibility to align the degree with their professional interests and plans for advanced study.

“Healthcare organizations need professionals who understand health from multiple perspectives and can apply that knowledge in real-world settings,” says Dr. Jenni Murphy, the Dean of the College of Continuing Education. “This degree gives students a flexible pathway to build those skills, advance in a growing sector and contribute to healthier individuals and communities.”

For more information or to apply, visit the Bachelor of Science in Health Science program page.