Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

Purpose

This degree is intended for students who have an interest in healthcare roles which provide managerial, educational, and/ or clinical expert direction as well as attracting those students on a pathway toward graduate study. The Health Sciences program intends to stimulate continued professional development and advancement toward graduate education.  The Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences is available as both a Four-year degree program and a Completion degree program. The Completion program is for allied health practitioners who have an earned Associate Degree with an allied health or health science concentration. At Wilmington University, up to 90 credits can be applied towards the baccalaureate degree. Our completion degree is projected to assist allied health practitioners to advance in their relative disciplines by preparing them for expanded roles in allied health.

Program of Study

This baccalaureate degree includes courses in professionalism to provide a basis for transition to novel roles in healthcare and provides opportunities for exploration of the many dimensions of professional practice.  Students will be introduced to medical law and ethical issues specific to the provision of health care and will develop an understanding of public health principles and public policy surrounding health care. The relevance of research and strategies for utilization of evidence based practice throughout every role is emphasized. Topics of health education within a range of consumers and leadership skills for healthcare will be explored and will lead to enhanced practice in the healthcare field. Students individualize the program by concentrating their learning with a WilmU certificate or embedded courses in a specific focus.  The program is offered 100 % online. Students can pursue their education on a part-time or full-time basis.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to practice as leaders, educators, or a variety of other clinical roles in healthcare. The curriculum provides a foundation for graduate education and for career mobility.

Work Integrated Learning Experiences

The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) option allows students to complete selected Health Sciences core courses in a supervised educational work setting related to the student's major field of study. Work Integrated Learning Opportunities are available in the Health Sciences program for HSC 323 Health Education and Principles of Teaching and HSC 333 Leadership for the Healthcare Professional. Elective courses may also be structured as WIL.

Eligibility for WIL learning courses requires the student to have completed 60 credits and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Interested students should contact the Health Sciences Program Chair and the Office of Work Integrated Learning Specialist at least one (1) semester prior to the start of a co-op assignment.  For additional information on the Work-Integrated Learning program option, please visit http://www.wilmu.edu/coel/work-integrated-learning.aspx

Program Competencies

In addition to achieving the Wilmington University undergraduate graduation competencies given in the Academic Information section of this catalog, undergraduate students in health sciences programs will achieve the following competencies:

  1. Use critical thinking strategies including reasoning, problem solving, and evaluation, as a basis for identifying and addressing issues within the health sciences profession.
  2. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
  3. Access, use, and evaluate evidence based information effectively and appropriately.  Use technology to effectively locate and communicate information.
  4. Synthesize and apply knowledge and skills from the humanities and sciences as a foundation for evidenced-based practice for the health sciences profession.
  5. Demonstrate commitment to self-directed lifelong learning to promote personal and professional development.
  6. Integrate legal and ethical principles into professional practice and decision-making.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of issues related to cultural competencies in healthcare delivery.
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of policy and public health principles that enact to shape health care.
  9. Appraise research and integrate findings into healthcare practice.
  10. Evaluate and formulate strategies for health education planning and assessment as well as learner-centered teaching.
  11. Exhibit leadership qualities and collaborative behavior in preparation to lead effectively in the interprofessional healthcare role.

Minimum Grade Policy

The Health Sciences program requires a minimum grade of "C-" for program core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than "C-" in any required program core course must retake that course.

Health Sciences, Bachelor of Sciences - Completion Degree Program Admission

General Requirements

Students are admitted to the University without regard to race, age, creed, sex, or national origin. 

Additional Information

The College of Health Professions requires a minimum grade of “C-” for all health sciences core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than "C-" in any required program core course must retake that course.

It is mandatory that all health sciences students complete a background check, drug screen and submit required credentials during HSC 303. Details are provided in the program handbook available through the Health Sciences Student Blackboard site. Please be advised there is a one-time outside vendor fee required to complete the mandatory credentialing. This one-time fee is the responsibility of the students. Previous screening will not be accepted.

Curriculum

Students are urged to meet regularly with an academic advisor or Program Chair to plan their course sequence. The program of study will vary depending on transfer credits, part-time or full-time status, and credit earned in alternative ways.

Natural Sciences (16 credits)

A minimum of 16 credits in anatomy and physiology, biology, microbiology, chemistry, physics and/or other appropriate health sciences must be earned through course work, transfer credit, or testing (available for anatomy/physiology and microbiology).

General Education Requirements - Lower Division

Health Sciences degree completion students can transfer up to 90 credits towards lower division general education requirements.

General Education Requirements - Upper Division (15 Credits)

Health Sciences degree completion students are required to take the following General Education upper division courses.
ENG 310Research Writing

3

MAT 308Inferential Statistics

3

Upper level humanities electives (9 credits) Choose upper level courses from the following list:

ART, BBM 319, CUL, DRA, ETN, HIS, HIT, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, SPA, VMG 311VMG 312,VMG 313


Health Sciences Core (24 Credits)

HSC 303Professionalism in Health Sciences

3

HSC 313Ethical and Legal Issues of Healthcare

3

POL 380Health Care Policy

3

HSC 323Health Education & Principles of Teaching

3

HSC 333Leadership for the Healthcare Professional

3

HSC 343Research for Evidenced Based Practice

3

HSC 423Essentials of Public Health

3

HSC 433Health Sciences Practicum/ Capstone

3

Health Sciences Electives (6 Credits)

Choose 6 credits from the following: 

Health Science Upper Level Electives

and/or

Embedded Certificate Courses

and/or

Work Integrated Learning option (semester)

Note: Students must speak with an Academic Advisor or Program Chair before registering for any Health Science Elective.

Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science - Full Degree Program Admission

General Requirements

Students are admitted to the University without regard to race, age, creed, sex, or national origin. 

Apply for Admission

  1. Submit the online Wilmington University undergraduate application for admission and the $35 non-refundable application fee.
  2. Health Sciences completion degree students are considered transfer students to Wilmington University and are required to submit an official transcript from all colleges attended. Transcripts must reflect completion of an associate degree program in order to be admitted into this program.
  3. Students are required to complete the Wilmington University Health History form, which includes a record of immunizations. Students must retain a copy of the Health History Form and immunization record for use in the first Health Sciences class (HSC 303). 

        Send all required documents listed above to the following address:

        Wilmington University

        Undergraduate Office of Admissions

        320 N. DuPont Highway 

        New Castle, DE 19720-6491

 

     4. It is highly recommended that students seek Academic Advisement upon acceptance

Additional Information

The College of Health Professions requires a minimum grade of “C-” for all health sciences core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than "C-" in any required program core course must retake that course.

It is mandatory that all health sciences students complete a background check, drug screen and submit required credentials during HSC 303. Details are provided in the program handbook available through the Health Sciences Student Blackboard site. Please be advised there is a one-time outside vendor fee required to complete the mandatory credentialing. This one-time fee is the responsibility of the students. Previous screening will not be accepted.

Completion Degree

Students are urged to meet regularly with an academic advisor or Program Chair to plan their course sequence. The program of study will vary depending on transfer credits, part-time or full-time status, and credit earned in alternative ways.

Free Electives (12-20 Credits)

FYE 101First Year Experience Seminar

3

MAT 308Inferential Statistics

3

General Education Requirements (39 credits)

ENG 121English Composition I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

ENG 310Research Writing

3

SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

CTA 206Computer Applications

3

OR

CTA 210Computer Science

3

Humanities Elective

3

Humanities Elective

3

ECO
Economics Elective

3

FIN 101Financial Literacy

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

HIS 381/HUM 381Contemporary Global Issues

3

OR

POL 300American Politics

3


Science Core (16-20 Credits)

Choose a minimum of four (4) of the following:
SCI 251Biology I (with Lab)

4

SCI 252Biology II (with Lab)

4

SCI 312Physics (with Lab)

4

SCI 315Applied Chemistry (with Lab)

4

SCI 335Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab)

4

SCI 336Microbiology (with Lab)

4

SCI 337Genetics (with Lab)

4

Social and Behavior Core (6 Credits)

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

PSY 329Lifespan Development

3

Health Sciences Core (24 Credits)

HSC 303Professionalism in Health Sciences

3

HSC 313Ethical and Legal Issues of Healthcare

3

POL 380Health Care Policy

3

HSC 323Health Education & Principles of Teaching

3

HSC 333Leadership for the Healthcare Professional

3

HSC 343Research for Evidenced Based Practice

3

HSC 423Essentials of Public Health

3

HSC 433Health Sciences Practicum/ Capstone

3

Health Sciences Electives (15-18 Credits)

Choose 15-18 Credits from the following:

Health Science Upper Level Electives

and/or

Embedded Certificate Courses

and/or

Work Integrated Learning option (semester)

Note: Students must speak with an academic advisor before registering for any Health Science Elective.