Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies

Lauren Gellar, PhD, HCS Division Director.

The online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies is a degree completion program. It provides students with a foundation in healthcare studies and population health. Students are prepared to become informed and engaged health professionals who can think critically about health-related issues, work as part of a healthcare team, and develop innovative solutions that integrate comprehensive determinants of health.

This program is ideal for individuals that want to:

• Complete their bachelor's degree online while continuing to work,
• Increase their career advancement opportunities by obtaining a bachelor's degree,
• Apply to a graduate program in the health professions upon completion of their bachelor's degree.

Students come from a variety of backgrounds and professions, including occupational therapist assistants, physical therapist assistants, medical assistants, radiologic technologists, and cardiovascular technologists. Most of our students are working professionals hoping to advance their careers by attaining a bachelor's degree.

The program also offers an option for students to enter into the Accelerated Pathway track in the Executive Master of Health Administration degree. This track allows qualified students to earn their EMHA in a shorter period of time.

Curriculum

In addition to the coursework outlined below, students are required to attend a full-day virtual course orientation session at the beginning of each semester (August, January, May).

Year 1, Fall

HCS 300	Introduction to Health Behavior/Education	3
HCS 302	Foundations of Public Health	3
HCS 304	Social Determinants of Health	3
HCS 307	Academic and Scientific Writing	3
Semester Total		12

Year 1, Spring

HCS 310	Program Planning and Implement	3
HCS 312, HAP 512	Overview of the US Health, or US Health Care System	3
HCS 316	Etiology and Pathophysiology	3
HCS 324, HAP 524	Principles of Epidemiology, or Epidemiology	3
HCS 330	Practicum Development	1
Semester Total		13

Year 1, Summer

HCS 320	Introduction to Health Policy	3
HCS 318	Evaluation of Health Promotion	3
HCS 314, HAP 514	Applied Research & Statistics	3
HCS 412, HAP 737	Leadership in the Health Profession, or Organization Theory	3
HCS 331	Practicum Development II	1
Semester Total		12-13

Year 2, Fall

HCS 406	Global Health	3
HCS 410	Rural Public Health	3
HCS 322	Health and Disease Across the	3
HCS 480, HAP 580	Guided Practicum, or Guided Practicum Health Administration	3
Semester Total		12

Curriculum Total		34.5
Prerequisite Credit Hour Total		72
Required Credit Hour Total		121-122

* Required Courses for Accelerated Pathway/Advanced Standing for the BSHS to Master in Health Administration program.

** If addition work required.