Mary Baldwin will roll out a new major in health sciences in fall 2015, strengthening connections between the undergraduate program and the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences as well as creating a clear pathway to graduate studies and professions in rapidly growing healthcare fields.
Students can earn a BA or a BS in the interdisciplinary major, which combines courses in anatomy, psychology, healthcare administration, statistics, social sciences, and more. In addition to courses that already exist at Mary Baldwin, three new classes will be part of the core requirements: Introduction to Health Professions, Medical Terminology, and a senior seminar. A new faculty member will be hired this summer to support the new major and serve as a joint appointment to the undergraduate program and MDCHS.
The major could be particularly attractive to Baldwin Online and Adult Programs students, several of whom have already expressed interest in applying to graduate programs at Murphy Deming, according to Baldwin Online and Adult Programs Director Lallon Pond. “This major will appeal to students who typically look for the quickest way to complete their bachelor’s degree and who have explored other transfer options,” Pond said. Most courses in the major will be offered online, providing convenient access for adult students.
A competitive early admissions option is available for Mary Baldwin undergraduates who wish to secure a place in one of the Murphy Deming graduate programs during their junior year.
“Through my own experience as a physical therapy patient, I came to appreciate professionals in the field,” said Sheridan Lawrence ’16, who was recently accepted into the PT program at the college of health sciences and plans to attend after finishing her undergraduate degree in psychology. “The entire Mary Baldwin community was so supportive during the process. It will be the start of a new adventure in my life.”