WGU Health Science Degrees (BS Program Guide)
WGU’s online Bachelor of Science in Health Science is a 120-competency-unit degree for students seeking broad knowledge of health and healthcare systems or preparation for further study. It uses competency-based learning in six-month terms. Transfer credits may reduce the work remaining, but the degree alone does not qualify you for a licensed clinical role.
If you are choosing a health degree, the key question is not only whether you can finish it, but whether it leads where you want to go. I help students and families start with the intended job or graduate program, then check whether the degree, cost, and timeline fit that goal. That order matters with an online program: a flexible format can be useful, but it does not replace license requirements, supervised practice, or specific course prerequisites.
WGU Health Science Admissions and Program Overview
WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) is an undergraduate program that teaches broad health-science and healthcare-related knowledge. It is online and competency-based, which means students show they have learned the required material through assessments. The degree is not, by itself, a clinical license.
WGU lists the degree at 120 competency units, or CUs. CUs are WGU’s measure of academic work; they should not be treated as a promise that every student will complete the same number of courses in a term. Students have six-month terms, and the pace depends on how quickly they meet the requirements.
Western Governors University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Accreditation is an important starting point, but it does not mean that every program has specialized accreditation or meets every graduate school or licensing requirement. Check NWCCU’s current directory and WGU’s current program disclosures before enrolling.
Who should consider the BSHS?
The program may suit adult learners, transfer students, and others who want a broad health-science degree. It may also be relevant for someone seeking advancement in a health-related setting or planning further study. Whether it fits depends on the next step: employers and graduate programs set their own requirements.
WGU generally does not require SAT or ACT scores and does not publish one universal minimum GPA for all undergraduate programs. BSHS applicants still need to meet the program’s current eligibility rules. Contact WGU Admissions for the requirements that apply to your background; do not rely on a general GPA cutoff or assumptions based on another WGU program.
BS Health Science Curriculum, Transfer Credits, and Graduation Requirements
The curriculum is the set of courses and assessments needed to earn the degree. WGU’s published degree plan is the best place to review current requirements. Because course names, policies, and plans can change, use the version that applies to your enrollment rather than relying on an old list online.
The program’s 120 CUs describe the full degree size, not necessarily the amount you must complete at WGU. WGU evaluates transcripts to decide whether previous college work can transfer. A course title that looks similar to a WGU requirement does not prove it will transfer; wait for the official evaluation.
| Planning question | What to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| How large is the degree? | WGU lists 120 CUs. | Establishes the full program size, not your remaining workload. |
| How much can transfer? | Request WGU’s official transcript evaluation. | Accepted credits may reduce the remaining requirements. |
| How does a term work? | Terms last six months; progress is competency-based. | A term is not a fixed number of courses or CUs earned. |
| What is the full cost? | Check current tuition, fees, and aid details. | More terms can mean more term charges. |
| Does it meet a license or graduate requirement? | Ask the relevant regulator or program. | The degree title alone cannot confirm eligibility. |
A practical transfer-credit check
Before you enroll, send all requested transcripts and ask for the formal evaluation. Compare the accepted courses and CUs with the current degree plan. Then ask Admissions or your assigned WGU contact to explain any unclear requirements, deadlines, or eligibility conditions.
Do not build a budget around credits you expect to transfer until the evaluation is complete. If the evaluation leaves more work than you planned, your completion timeline and cost estimate may change. Keep a copy of the evaluation and any written clarification.
Academic Success, Competency-Based Learning, and Student Experience
Competency-based learning means you progress by showing that you can meet defined course requirements, rather than by spending a set number of weeks in each class. WGU organizes study into six-month terms. You work through course materials and complete the required assessments, with support from a Program Mentor.
This format offers flexibility, but it still calls for steady effort. Students need to plan study time, meet assessment requirements, and ask for help when they get stuck. Your term is not a guarantee that you will finish a set amount of coursework; pace can vary with your preparation, schedule, and the demands of each assessment.
A planning scenario I often use is a student who works full time and has some prior college credit. The student should first get the official transfer evaluation, then map a realistic weekly study schedule with a Program Mentor. If work or family demands limit study time, a conservative timeline is safer than assuming every term will move at the fastest pace.
Build a timeline before you commit
Use the degree plan and transfer evaluation to list what remains. Then discuss the sequence and expected workload with WGU. Ask how progress is reviewed and what happens if you need more time on a course or assessment.
A term-based cost model makes pace important. If a student needs additional six-month terms, the total cost may rise. Estimate costs using WGU’s current tuition and fees across a cautious timeline, not a best-case finish date. Revisit the estimate if your transfer result or planned study time changes.
Career Pathways, Further Study, and Employment Outcomes
A health science bachelor’s degree can provide broad academic preparation, but it does not automatically meet the requirements for a regulated profession. A licensing board may require a particular degree, approved program, supervised practice, exams, or other steps. Check the rules for the exact license and state where you plan to work.
The BSHS may support a student’s preparation for some health-related roles or additional education, depending on the employer or school. Do not treat a list of possible jobs as a promise of eligibility. Before enrolling, look at job postings for the role you want and ask employers which degrees, experience, and credentials they accept.
| Your intended next step | What to verify before choosing the BSHS |
|---|---|
| Health-sector employment | Review current postings for required degrees, experience, and credentials. |
| Advancement with a current employer | Ask whether the employer recognizes the degree for the role or promotion. |
| Graduate study | Ask each target program whether the degree and your planned courses meet admission prerequisites. |
| Licensed clinical practice | Contact the state regulator and confirm required education, clinical training, and approval. |
Check graduate-school and license requirements early
Make a short list of target programs or credentials before you apply. For each one, ask for its current prerequisite list and compare it with WGU’s published BSHS curriculum. If you need a particular science course, lab, or supervised experience, get written guidance from the destination program or regulator.
A bachelor’s degree may be one part of a longer route. For a clinical goal, identify the exact credential first, then work backward through its education and practice requirements. This prevents a costly mismatch between a broad health-science degree and the training a specific license requires.
Cost, Financial Aid, and an Enrollment Decision
Your cost depends on current WGU tuition and fees, your transfer result, the number of terms you need, and any financial aid for which you qualify. Do not use a past tuition figure or an estimated transfer count as your final budget. Check WGU’s current cost information and use the FAFSA to apply for federal student aid.
Compare realistic timelines
Build at least two estimates: one based on a cautious pace and one based on a faster pace you believe you can sustain. Include term charges, fees, and any costs that WGU identifies for your program. Then compare the estimates with available aid and your own funding plan.
Before making a decision, ask:
- What is my official transfer evaluation?
- What requirements remain, and how will I complete them?
- What is the current cost for each six-month term?
- How many terms should I budget for if my schedule changes?
- Does this degree meet the requirements for my intended job, license, or graduate program?
I recommend treating a faster completion timeline as a possibility, not a guarantee. That is especially important if you are balancing school with work, family care, or other responsibilities.
A Step-by-Step Plan Before You Apply
Start with the outcome you want, not the degree name. If that outcome is a clinical license or a specific graduate program, verify its requirements before you decide that the BSHS is a match.
Then take these steps:
- Name your goal. Write down the job, promotion, license, or further study you are targeting.
- Check the rules. Contact the employer, school, or state regulator for current requirements.
- Confirm eligibility. Ask WGU Admissions about current BSHS admission criteria.
- Send transcripts. Request a formal transfer-credit evaluation and compare it with the current degree plan.
- Model time and cost. Use WGU’s current tuition and fees, FAFSA information, and a conservative term estimate.
- Plan support and study time. Discuss your schedule, course sequence, and progress with a Program Mentor.
- Recheck before enrolling. Confirm accreditation status, program disclosures, and any changes to requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WGU’s health science bachelor’s degree fully online?
WGU describes its program as online and competency-based. Review the current program page and degree plan for any requirements that may affect how you complete assessments or other program work.
How many competency units is the degree?
WGU lists the BSHS as 120 competency units. Your remaining CUs may be lower if WGU accepts transfer credit after reviewing your transcripts.
How many courses will I complete in each term?
There is no fixed number of courses that every student completes in a six-month term. Progress depends on your preparation, available study time, and successful completion of required assessments.
Does WGU require SAT or ACT scores?
WGU generally does not require SAT or ACT scores. Confirm the current BSHS eligibility requirements with Admissions, since program-specific rules may apply.
Is there a universal minimum GPA for admission?
WGU does not publish one universal minimum GPA for all undergraduate programs. Ask Admissions which eligibility criteria apply to your situation and the BSHS.
Can transfer credits shorten the degree?
They can reduce the requirements you complete at WGU if WGU accepts them after an official transcript evaluation. Do not assume that a course will transfer based on its title alone.
Does the BSHS qualify me to become a nurse or another licensed clinician?
No such qualification should be assumed. Nursing and other regulated clinical roles may require specific education, clinical practice, approved programs, and licensing steps. Check the relevant regulator.
Is the BSHS accredited?
WGU is institutionally accredited by NWCCU. Check the accreditor’s current directory, and separately confirm whether any specialized accreditation or licensing approval is required for your goal.
How should I estimate the total cost?
Use WGU’s current tuition and fees, your official transfer evaluation, and a realistic estimate of how many six-month terms you may need. Apply for aid through the FAFSA and review WGU’s current aid information.
What should I check if I plan to attend graduate school?
Ask each program you may apply to for its current prerequisites. Compare those requirements with the BSHS curriculum and confirm whether additional courses or experience will be needed.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
