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 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 degree program is for students who have an earned Associate Degree and are seeking to advance their education. Health Science degree students can transfer up to 90 credits towards lower division general education requirements.
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 Experience
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 interests or desired future healthcare professional career. Eligibility for WIL learning courses requires the student to have completed 60 credits and have a minimum GPA. 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 WIL assignment.
Program Competencies
In addition to achieving the Wilmington University undergraduate graduation competencies, graduates in the Health Sciences program are expected to 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 healthcare.
9. Appraise research and integrate findings into healthcare practice.
10. Evaluate and formulate strategies for healthcare education planning and assessment as well as learner-centered teaching.
11. Exhibit leadership qualities and collaborative behavior in preparation to lead effectively in the inter-professional healthcare role.
Program Policies
Students are responsible for following all College of Health Professions policies, and procedures, which can be found in the HSC Student Handbook.
It is mandatory that all health sciences students complete a background check, drug screen, and submit a completed immunization record during HSC 303. Details are provided in the program handbook available through the Health Sciences Student Program 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 results will not be accepted.
Minimum Grade Policy
The College of Health Professions sets a required 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.
Accelerated Option - B.S. in Health Sciences to MSM or MBA with Healthcare Administration Concentration
Students who meet specified criteria are eligible to substitute two specified courses from the HSC Bachelor of Science core curriculum for two specified courses that are shared within both the MSM and MBA Healthcare Administration concentrations. This allows students to fast track toward a graduate degree. These accelerated option graduate courses are still billed at the base undergraduate tuition rate.
Eligibility criteria for this accelerated option includes:
1. Successful completion of 90 undergraduate credits;
2. Completion of all required 100 and 200 level courses;
3. Successful completion of HSC 303, Professionalism in Health Sciences
4. GPA of 3.5 or higher
The courses permitted for this accelerated option are:
HCA 7720 Health Policy and Economics in place of HSC 380 Health Care Policy and,
HCA 7740 Legal Aspects in Health Care in place of HSC 313 Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare.
Courses taken at the graduate level will fulfill the requirements for both the HSC Bachelor of Science and the MSM/MBA programs.
The HSC to MSM/MBA Healthcare Administration accelerated option intent form is located in the HSC Student Handbook and in the Health Sciences student program site. This form is to be submitted to the HSC Program Chair for review. Upon approval from the appropriate MSM or MBA Program Chair, the student will be electronically notified of the decision by the HSC Program Chair. Students will seek advisement from the HSC Program Chair to ensure proper course selection.
Please note that students who wish admittance into the MBA Healthcare Administration concentration may have additional course pre-requisites that must be completed prior to full admission into the program.
Four-year Degree Program
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. Students who do not have any healthcare experience are urged to enroll in a Work Integrated Learning Opportunity. Numerous healthcare opportunities in a wide variety of settings are available. Students should discuss their interests with the HSC Program chair early in their degree program.
Curriculum
General Education Requirements (40 Credits)
| ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 122 | English Composition II | 3 |
| ENG 131 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| ENG 310 | Research Writing | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| MAT 205 | Introductory Survey of Mathematics | 3 |
| CTA 206 | Computer Applications | 3 |
OR
| | |
| CTA 210 | Intro to Technology | 3 |
HUM
| Humanities Elective | 3 |
HUM
| Humanities Elective | 3 |
ECO
| Economics Elective | 3 |
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
| HIS 381 | Contemporary Global Issues | 3 |
OR
| | |
| POL 300 | American Politics | 3 |
Natural Science Elective
| Choose 1 Natural Science course with Lab (4 Cr.) from Science Core | 4 |
Choose two (2) humanities electives from the following:
ART, BBM 319, CUL, DRA, ETN, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, SPA, VFP 311, VFP 312, VFP 313
Social and Behavioral Core (6 Credits)
Math and Finance Core (6 credits)
Science Core (12-16 Credits)
Choose a minimum of three (3) of the following:
| BIO 251 | Biology I (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 252 | Biology II (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 253 | Anatomy and Physiology I (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 254 | Anatomy and Physiology II (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 336 | Microbiology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 337 | Genetics (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 352 | Cell & Molecular Biology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 449 | Biotechnology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 450 | Immunology & Virology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 451 | Proteomics (with Lab) | 3 |
| BIO 453 | Computational Bio & Bioinform. | 3 |
| CHE 261 | Chemistry I (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 262 | Chemistry II (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 363 | Organic Chemistry I (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 364 | Organic Chemistry II (with Lab) | 4 |
| SCI 312 | Physics (with Lab) | 4 |
| SCI 315 | Applied Chemistry (with Lab) | 4 |
| SCI 335 | Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab) | 4 |
Health Sciences Core (24 Credits)
| HSC 303 | Professionalism in Health Sciences | 3 |
| HSC 313 | Ethical and Legal Issues of Healthcare | 3 |
| HSC 323 | Health Education & Principles of Teaching | 3 |
| HSC 333 | Leadership for the Healthcare Professional | 3 |
| HSC 343 | Research for Evidenced Based Practice | 3 |
| HSC 380 | Health Care Policy | 3 |
| HSC 423 | Essentials of Public Health | 3 |
| HSC 433 | Health 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
Note: Students must speak with an academic advisor before registering for any Health Sciences Electives.
Free Electives (12-20 Credits)
| FYE 101 | First Year Experience Seminar | 3 |
Students with fewer than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.
Completion Degree Program
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. Students who do not have an associate degree in an allied health or health science concentration may be required to obtain additional pre-requisite courses.
Curriculum
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 310 | Research Writing | 3 |
| MAT 308 | Inferential Statistics | 3 |
HUM
| Upper Level Humanities Elective (9 credits) | 9 |
Choose three (3) upper level humanities electives from the following:
ART, BBM 319, CUL, DRA, ETN, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, SPA, VFP 311, VFP 312, VFP 313
Natural Sciences
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 and physiology and microbiology).
Health Sciences Core (24 Credits)
| HSC 303 | Professionalism in Health Sciences | 3 |
| HSC 313 | Ethical and Legal Issues of Healthcare | 3 |
| HSC 323 | Health Education & Principles of Teaching | 3 |
| HSC 333 | Leadership for the Healthcare Professional | 3 |
| HSC 343 | Research for Evidenced Based Practice | 3 |
| HSC 380 | Health Care Policy | 3 |
| HSC 423 | Essentials of Public Health | 3 |
| HSC 433 | Health Sciences Practicum/ Capstone | 3 |
Health Sciences Electives
Choose six (6) credits from the following:
Health Science Upper Level Electives
and/or
Embedded Certificate Courses
and/or
Work Integrated Learning Option (Semester only)
Note: Students must speak with an Academic Advisor or Program Chair before registering for any Health Science Elective.