Department of Allied Health Sciences

Allied Health Sciences Major Requirements

The Allied Health Sciences major has a flexible plan of study designed to meet a wide range of academic interests and career goals. However, all students pursuing a degree in AHS are expected to develop proficiency in math and science disciplines.

Note: If you are enrolled or interested in enrolling in the Allied Health Sciences major in preparation for admission to one of the Department's professional programs (Diagnostic Genetic Sciences, Dietetics, or Medical Laboratory Sciences), your course planning will follow admissions requirements for your program of interest and will vary from the requirements for the Allied Health Sciences major. If you plan to apply to an AHS professional program (DGS, Dietetics, or MLS), please review the relevant requirements and consult with your academic advisor for assistance in planning your course schedules.

In general, students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credits to graduate including University general education requirements, major requirements, and electives. Your academic advisor will assist you in the selection of courses, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all requirements for graduation consistent with your catalog year. Refer to our Guide to Completing the AHS Plan of Study for assistance. The coursework information below reflects the current catalog year. Please refer to the appropriate plan of study for your catalog year as requirements change. Our handy Guide to Completing the AHS Plan of Study will also help you in your course planning.

I. University General Education Requirements (24-25 credits)

Students must fulfill all University General Education Requirements prior to graduation. In some cases, general education courses may also meet general program and major requirements.

II. Major Requirements (67-74 credits; includes the 36-credit major requirements)

As an Allied Health Sciences major, you must complete general education (see above) and required concentration requirements (see blue links below). Some required coursework may also meet the 36-credit major requirement (as indicated below). Note that the courses you take will vary based on your interests, your chosen concentration, and your career goals. Remember that some courses have prerequisites and that not all courses are offered every semester. If you are planning to apply to graduate programs, don't forget that some graduate programs will require specific coursework for admission. Please consult our Guide to Completing the AHS Plan of Study and with your advisor when planning courses to meet major requirements. Refer also to the appropriate plan of study for your major admission year as course requirements and options vary by concentration.

36-credit Major Requirement

In general, courses taken to satisfy the 36-credit major requirement:

• Must be approved by your advisor and the Department Head and listed on your final plan of study. Please plan to consult with your advisor in a timely manner to identify approved courses prior to your final semester.
• Numbered 2000 level or above
• Include a minimum of 30 credits completed at the University of Connecticut
• Approved by the student’s advisor and department head
• Include coursework from two or more departments
• Include at least 15 credits from departments in CAHNR, which must be taken at the University of Connecticut
• Courses cannot be taken on pass/fail
• Have a combined grade point average of at least 2.0
• Cannot include more than six credits (combined) of research, internship, independent study, instructional assistant, or international study taken at the University of Connecticut
• Cannot include more than eight credits of courses used to satisfy requirements for a minor
• Cannot include more than six credits of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (S/U) coursework
• Cannot include more than six credits in transfer credit with advisor and department head approval

Required coursework numbered 2000-level or above may also be used to satisfy the 36-credit requirement. The number of courses and credits vary by concentration as indicated within each concentration description. Students are required to take additional related coursework to complete the minimum 36-credit requirement. Students are advised to consult with their advisor in advance of enrollment. Do not assume all 2000-level or above courses will satisfy this requirement. Approval by advisor and department head is required. Students pursuing graduate admissions may use graduate program admission requirements to meet this requirement provided they are 2000-level or above (e.g. PNB 2264, 2265; CHEM 2241, etc.). Please note that including graduate admission prerequisites in the 36-credit group does not imply graduate programs can/will accept them; minimum grade and/or GPA may apply. Students may also take additional 2000-level or above concentration courses to meet this requirement.

Coursework Requirements by Concentration

The requirements listed below outline required coursework for each plan. Required coursework numbered 2000-level or above may also be used to satisfy the 36-credit requirement. The 1000-level coursework may (where indicated) also meet general education and are typically completed by the end of the sophomore year in preparation for junior/senior level major coursework in the sciences and health. A delay in completing 1000-level science courses may delay graduation due to course sequencing and the fact that some courses are prerequisites to higher-level science courses.

Important Note about Major Requirements & Concentrations:

While the plans are flexible to allow for variability in course selection, some graduate programs will require specific coursework that may alter your selection options. Depending on your career goals, you may be restricted to specific courses. Please consult with your academic advisor when deciding on course options.

Course requirements vary by concentration. Adding, removing, or changing a concentration will impact meeting the major requirements. For example, not all AH-coded courses can be used to satisfy all plans. Students bear the responsibility to ensure courses taken to meet the major requirements are consistent with courses listed on the approved list for the declared plan. Students are advised to take this into consideration when considering a concentration change. Students are advised to meet with their academic advisor in a timely manner (i.e., by junior year) to determine appropriateness of making concentration changes and how doing so may impact major course completion and requirements for graduation. Do not assume substitutions can or will be made.

III. Electives (typically 21-27 credits)

The required coursework for University general education and the Allied Health Sciences major does not meet UConn's minimum 120 credits for graduation. You will be required to select additional electives to meet graduation requirements. The number of elective credits you need will depend on your plan of study, the number of credits assigned to courses, and your career goals. In general, your electives can be at the 1000-level or above, and you may utilize them any way you choose. Some students choose to incorporate a minor into their plan of study while others use electives to satisfy University language course requirements or to take advantage of available curricular and extracurricular opportunities.

Note: Content below relate directly to the plan requirements (in blue) above. When you click on the plan and the drop-down box opens, please edit the information as indicated below.