The University of Texas at San Antonio will launch a new Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in Fall 2026, expanding opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare. UT San Antonio and its academic health center, UT Health San Antonio, are committed to innovation in research and education to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing society. The new degree, offered within the UT San Antonio College of Sciences, will help students achieve their goals of pursuing clinical, biology-based professions by combining strong scientific training with applied, career-focused coursework.
“This interdisciplinary degree aims to provide a rigorous scientific foundation enriched with mathematics, ethics and social sciences, preparing highly competitive and well-rounded graduates ready to excel in diverse health-related fields,” said Eddie Hernandez, PhD, undergraduate advisor of record for the program.
A pathway to the healthcare workforce
The new Health Sciences program offers flexibility and targeted preparation for a range of professional health pathways, many of which have the highest job demand in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of the 20 fastest-growing occupations are related to healthcare, and, according to March 2026 data, approximately 40% of jobs added in the U.S. are in the healthcare industry.
A 2024 Texas Healthcare Workforce report found that more than 88% of Texas counties face a shortage of health professionals. Internal UT San Antonio data from that same year shows that 90% of recent bachelor’s degree graduates remain in Texas, positioning the university as a key contributor in strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce through programs like the Health Sciences.
“The Health Sciences program empowers students to pursue dynamic, biology-based careers across the healthcare landscape. With specialized pathways, the program offers unmatched flexibility tailored to students’ professional goals,” Hernandez added.
Transdisciplinary discovery and education
This new degree program in the College of Sciences will align the curriculum with the competencies required for competitive applications to the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.
As a newly merged institution, UT San Antonio and its academic health center, UT Health San Antonio, it is uniquely positioned to leverage faculty expertise across disciplines to support the undergraduate program, creating new learning opportunities.
Courses such as Principles of One Health, Microbiology for One Health, Epidemiology for One Health, Cell Biology for One Health, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Vector Biology, Zoonotic Diseases, and Medical Pathology will provide students with a strong interdisciplinary foundation in health and biomedical sciences. One Health is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health in preventing disease and promoting overall well‑being.
Students in the program will learn from faculty with diverse clinical and professional backgrounds, including physicians, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and laboratory scientists.
The degree is further strengthened by a dedicated Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) course, will directly prepare students for a core section of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Together, these curricular elements and institutional collaborations serve to strengthen and streamline the pathway to medicine for our pre-health students.
“Our longstanding collaboration with the UT San Antonio College of Sciences has been a meaningful part of our work, supporting aspiring healthcare professionals,” said Judianne Kellaway, MD, associate dean for Admissions & Outreach at the Long School of Medicine. “As we move forward together through this historic merger, we are excited to build on that foundation and expand opportunities for premedical students in our community.”
The program’s specialized tracks and coursework
Students in the Health Sciences program will choose from six specialized tracks aligned with common pre-professional pathways: pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-physical therapy, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinary and pre-physician assistant. Each track is designed to prepare students for competitive professional programs and aligns with high-demand healthcare careers.
Housed in the Department of Health, Biology and the Environment, the Health Sciences degree integrates coursework across the biological, chemical and physical sciences. Core courses include Introduction to Careers in the Health Professions, Biosciences (with lab), Genetics, General Physiology (with lab), and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Related to Human Health.
Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on training opportunities, including anatomy and physiology labs equipped with advanced simulation tools and teaching labs focused on health-related research. Experiential learning opportunities include training in synthetic cadaver dissection, intubation and sonography.
With its flexibility, hands-on training, transdisciplinary coursework and alignment with workforce needs, the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences positions UT San Antonio students to successfully meet the growing demands of healthcare jobs in Texas.
