Gonzaga University

Known for values-based education
Consistently ranking among the top universities in the West, Gonzaga’s philosophy of intertwining a core liberal arts curriculum with a student’s discipline-specific education provides a launch point for a lifetime of learning. High academic expectations are coupled with numerous opportunities for students to apply what is being learned in the classroom through lab and practicum experiences, as well as student-faculty research projects. 

Department of Human Physiology
As a discipline, human physiology connects science, medicine, performance, and health to create a framework for understanding how the human body is affected by and adapts to stress, physical activity, and disease. This is an ideal major for students who plan to pursue advanced degrees in medicine, biomedical research, and/or the health professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and more. Students have access to sophisticated laboratory equipment, including two motorized treadmills, three metabolic systems, two electronically braked cycle ergometers, computerized anaerobic power-testing hardware and software, a portable force platform, telemetered electromyography equipment, and body composition assessment systems. 

In addition to small classes and opportunities to develop close working relationships with faculty who are experts in human physiology, students have the ability to conduct research, author academic papers, and present their findings at regional and national conferences.

Department of Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Nursing Department prepares students to practice as registered nurses and become leaders and change agents in the health care industry. Students have small class sizes and many opportunities for practicum experiences in assisted living facilities, acute care hospitals, ambulatory care settings, and in the community. Students must apply to the Nursing program as entering freshmen.  

Graduate and doctoral Nursing programs
For those who want to pursue an advanced nursing role, Gonzaga offers both the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. The DNP is the preferred degree for those who want to become advanced practice nurses as Family Nurse Practitioners or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners due to the increasing complexity of the health care system. Students can be admitted to the DNP program with either a baccalaureate or master’s degree in Nursing. 

Students can also pursue either of the nurse practitioner options or the Health Systems Leadership option in the MSN program.

Department of Nurse Anesthesia
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program, through a partnership between Providence Health Care and Gonzaga University, prepares experienced critical care registered nurses with a BSN degree to become competent, skilled advanced practice nurses and leaders in the specialty of nurse anesthesia. Practicum experiences are arranged in a variety of practice settings. Students benefit from small class sizes and work closely with faculty who practice as experts in the field of nurse anesthesia.

Other health-related opportunities
Pre-professional advisory tracks in Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Veterinary Science are available to students from any major.