Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Undecided

Students intending to major in one of the undergraduate major programs in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences may declare their intention or select health and rehabilitation sciences, undecided, on their admission application. Students are admitted to the university as pre-majors and enrolled in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences for pre-professional course work. They may apply to be considered for admission to the individual program of their choosing during either their freshman or sophomore year (depending on the requirements of the program they select). 

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers five undergraduate programs:

Health Information Management and Systems
Health information management professionals work with health care professionals and information (computer) systems to interpret and utilize health care data, and they can be found in a variety of health care settings. They manage the people and information systems that support the appropriate use of health care data. Their work is vital to providing quality health care.

Health Sciences 
Students majoring in the health sciences program are prepared for continuing their education in a graduate field in health care (such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, medicine, public health or hospital services administration) or in pursuing entry-level employment in health care (such as risk management coordinator, case manager, pharmaceutical sales territory manager or clinical research program coordinator).

Medical Laboratory Science 
Medical laboratory scientists are part of the medical team of professionals who work together to diagnose and monitor diseases. They perform a full range of laboratory tests — from simple blood tests to more complex tests used to detect cancer, AIDS/HIV and diabetes. The program has multiple tracks to choose from based on the future academic and professional career goals of the student.

Radiologic Sciences and Therapy 
Radiologic sciences and therapy professionals use radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Radiographers, radiation therapists and diagnostic medical sonographers are skilled in utilizing ionizing and nonionizing radiation to create images of the body’s internal structures as well as provide clinically recommended treatments. Often these professionals interact closely with a variety of patients to provide them with associated primary health care.

Respiratory Therapy 
Respiratory therapists are cardiopulmonary specialists who provide care to patients of all ages who have disorders such as asthma, emphysema and trauma. Therapists work in home care, intensive care units, emergency departments, diagnostic laboratories, community hospitals and clinics. They perform cardiopulmonary diagnostic tests, administer airway medications, assure airway hygiene, monitor cardiopulmonary status and apply ventilatory life-support technology.

Pre-major students generally focus on completing General Education courses and prerequisites for admission into specific majors. Commonly, a strong base in math and science — particularly biology and chemistry — is recommended; however, specific curriculum requirements vary from major to major. 

Many Health and Rehabilitation Sciences students are part of cohorts of students within their major who take courses together and receive individualized attention from faculty.

Students in the health and rehabilitation sciences are encouraged to contact the Office of International Affairs to find study abroad experiences related to health care that can strengthen their applications to majors and graduate study programs.

Many majors offered by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences require internship or clinical experiences. Specific requirements for these experiences vary by major. Clinical experiences provide extensive supervised practice in facilities both on and off-campus.

The Honors Program in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences enhances the student experience in many ways, all of which further prepare students for the next step in their academic or professional careers. Activities eligible for Honors designation include service projects, study abroad, leadership in student organizations and research. For additional information regarding eligibility and requirements, please visit our website.

The Health Sciences Scholars Program and the Dunn Sport and Wellness Scholars Program may be of particular interest to students interested in the major because they bring together students with interests in the many health programs offered at Ohio State.

Learn more about the Honors and Scholars Programs at honors-scholars.osu.edu.

Students are encouraged to investigate research opportunities. Interested students can graduate with research distinction by completing an undergraduate research thesis. Additional information regarding eligibility and requirements can be found on our website.

Students considering a major in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences can live in the Future Health Professionals Learning Community. Students may also apply to participate in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Ambassadors program.

Additional co-curricular opportunities may be available in more specific areas, depending on the student's chosen major. These may include field experiences, clubs, professional organizations and access to special facilities and laboratories. 

Employment in health care and social assistance is projected to be the highest of all industries in the United States. Health care employment is projected to grow 19% from now until 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The sector will add more jobs than any other occupational category due to the aging population and increasing numbers of those with health insurance. That’s good news for Health and Rehabilitation Sciences graduates, who leave Ohio State with a solid education and plenty of practical experience in their chosen field. A college education in a health profession can lead to a career in a clinical setting, research, teaching, business, management and other options. It is also excellent preparation for graduate or professional school.