Clinical & Medical Sciences

The Clinical and Medical Sciences major of the Health Sciences program includes coursework in scientific applications and clinical experiences in health-related sciences. There are also opportunities for additional laboratory experiences in the areas of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and medicinal chemistry.  

The Clinical and Medical Sciences major prepares students for careers or post-graduate work in primary care (for example: physicians, dentists, optometrists) and allied health professions (for example: physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, optometry, clinical and laboratory sciences). Students in the Clinical and Medical Sciences major may also focus their education to prepare for research careers in the pharmaceutical industry or entry into graduate programs in the pharmaceutical or biomedical sciences.  

• Clinical and Medical Sciences track 4 year curriculum guide
• Three to a Health Sciences Degree - Clinical and Medical Sciences major students have the option for the Three to a Health Sciences Degree. This option allows students to complete their BS in Health Sciences - Clinical and Medical major in three years - an excellent option for students who plan to pursue post-graduate degree options like medical school, physical therapy, physicians’ assistant and other masters or doctoral degrees.

Potential senior internship projects include clinical experiences at local clinics or medical centers that are coordinated through the CPHS Office of Experiential Education. Students who are interested in more research-oriented careers may also choose to complete a laboratory-based research project with faculty in the pharmaceutical sciences.

Joint Degree Programs with the BS in Health Sciences-Clinical & Medical Sciences

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences partners with other colleges and schools at Drake as well as with other institutions in the Central Iowa area to provide additional opportunities for professional advancement. 

Physical Therapy: Clinical & Medical Sciences students are able to complete a joint degree program with Graceland University which allows them the opportunity to complete three years in Health Sciences at Drake, followed by 2 years in the innovative hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Graceland.

Health Informatics:  Designed to maximize graduates' opportunities in the growing fields of healthcare informatics and data analytics, the Health Sciences - Clinical and Medical Sciences major/Master of Sciences in Health Informatics Analytics (HS-S/MS HIA) dual degree program allows students to utilize their fourth year in Health Sciences to begin completing graduate coursework in the MS HIA online program. In a rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem of automation and information systems, the online MS HIA program empowers students to apply data analysis and information technology solutions to the evidence-based delivery of health care.

• 3+1 Clinical and Medical Sciences/Drake Online MS HIA

Law:  Students interested in pursuing a career in health care law may consider our joint degree program with the Drake University Law School. Students enrolled in this "3+3" option have the opportunity to begin their first year of law school during their senior year.  

• 3+3 Clinical & Medical Sciences/Law curriculum guide

Biomedical Sciences:  Clinical & Medical Sciences students are able to complete a joint degree program with Des Moines University which allows them the opportunity to complete three years in Health Sciences at Drake, followed by 2 years in the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences at Des Moines University.

• 3+2 Clinical & Medical Sciences/Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) with Des Moines University

Nursing:  CPHS also has partnerships with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines and Allen College. Students can enroll in "3+1" programs to earn a Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing degree along with their BS in Health Sciences. These "3+1" programs allows students to spend their first three years at Drake completing their Health Sciences major and their last 12-15 months earning their BSN through Mercy College of Health Sciences or Allen College. 

• 3+1 Clinical & Medical Sciences/Mercy College of Health Sciences' BSN 

• 3+1 Clinical & Medical Sciences/Allen College BSN

Medical Laboratory Sciences: 3+1 Clinical & Medical Sciences/ Mercy College of Health Sciences' Certificate in Medical  Laboratory Sciences