Offered at Columbia, Richmond and Virginia Beach.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree program is designed to provide a firm foundation for competency development in health sciences or in public health that prepares graduates to seek entry-level employment in a range of positions in the healthcare industry. Such employment occurs at facilities including health practitioners’ offices, hospitals, home healthcare services, outpatient care services, nursing care facilities, health insurance companies, and state and government healthcare programs. The program is designed to prepare students for graduate study and the recognition of the need and ability to engage in continued personal and professional growth in the healthcare field.

The Core Curriculum of the University which is completed in the first two years of the program is designed to provide students with a foundation in the humanities, mathematics and science. During the second two years, the curriculum provides for a broad focus on essential business knowledge, the evolving healthcare delivery system in the United States, and knowledge development and utilization in the health sciences.

The specialization in Public Health provides the educational underpinnings needed for entry-level positions in the Public Health profession. A variety of career paths exists for students completing the specialization in Public Health. While a portion of these students may obtain employment within for-profit entities, other individuals would likely seek entry-level employment within the public and not-for-profit sectors for which knowledge of and skills in Public Health are important. The emphasis on specialized knowledge in Public Health at the upper division level allows for a compelling educational pathway from the undergraduate program in Health Science to graduate study, either at the master’s level or doctoral level, in Public Health. The specialization is designed to provide beginning application skills, in the areas of policy, planning and evaluation, management and administration, and healthcare law.

After successful completion of the Health Science program, students receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree. Completion of the first two years of the BS in Health Science degree program may provide students with the required prerequisite courses to apply for professional programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. However, admission to these programs is competitive at most institutions (including South University) and is not guaranteed. Students interested in transferring credit must consult with the institution that they wish to attend in order to determine if and under what circumstances courses will transfer. This consultation should occur before taking the courses. Please be aware that some institutions will not accept online science and laboratory courses for transfer credit.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates should be able to:

1. Utilize the principles and theories of the natural, social, behavioral, and health sciences to serve as competent and considerate healthcare professionals.
2. Demonstrate effective and culturally sensitive written, oral and interpersonal communication skills with individuals, groups and peers in a variety of healthcare settings.
3. Identify and apply exemplary ethical and professional behaviors in various healthcare positions and organizations.
4. Apply creative and critical thinking skills to identify, explore, and develop alternative solutions for a range of healthcare delivery system issues and challenges.
5. Effectively search, analyze and report on healthcare related data through the application of information technology and health management information systems.
6. Effectively apply organizational and management skills that incorporate knowledge of the political, financial, economic, and public health issues which impact the healthcare delivery system.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a specialization in Public Health, graduates should be able to:

1. Describe the interaction between resource management, organizational theory, marketing and public policy to safeguard and sustain the public health of individuals and populations.
2. Apply principles of public health planning collaboratively with health service providers, policy makers, and healthcare consumers in the implementation and evaluation of health promotion programs.
3. Identify and analyze current and emerging issues facing the health of diverse communities and populations.
4. Describe and critically evaluate public health research questions to proactively develop and design innovative healthcare programs.
5. Prepare for continued studies in advanced Public Health degree programs.