Online Bachelor's Degree in Health Science

B.S. in Health Science Overview

Prepare for a rewarding career in the dynamic field of health science.

Whether you are continuing your education or seeking new career opportunities, Shawnee State University’s online bachelor’s degree in health science can help you acquire the expertise you need to excel in a fast-growing and dynamic field. Taught by faculty who have years of experience, this program covers a variety of topics in health science and healthcare.

A career-focused curriculum and flexible course options offer you the opportunity to specialize your degree to fit your professional goals. As you complete the program, you’ll explore the social, psychological, and physical concepts that influence communities and the basic administrative techniques related to the field. Choose from courses that focus on medical terminology, the healthcare system, ethics, research, management, and finance. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to pursue health science careers in areas such as general health science, physical therapy, radiologic technology, and respiratory therapy.

Topics of study for the online bachelor’s degree in health science include:

• Foundations of the U.S. healthcare system, including historical and contemporary issues
• Ethical issues related to healthcare or biotechnology and medicine
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods and the application of research
• Management techniques in the healthcare environment
• Healthcare finance principles
• Epidemiological investigation focusing on infectious and non-infectious diseases
• Effective leadership skills in healthcare
• Various legal issues healthcare organizations face

The Online B.S. Health Science is Designed for:

• Students seeking a bachelor’s degree after receiving an associate degree in allied health sciences.
• Those who wish to advance their careers and move into leadership roles in allied health.
• Those who want to later pursue a master’s degree in an area such as public health or healthcare administration.

International students residing outside the United States of America may apply and enroll into the Shawnee State University’s online B.S. in Health Science degree. The program is administered all online and the international student will maintain a full course of study. Admitted students will not be issued an I-20 for entry into the United States. The program will be completed by the student from their home country. Please refer to www.studyinthestates.dhs.gov for more information pertaining to enrollment in an online program from your home country.

Courses and Requirements

All career oriented and program specific instructors did an amazing job!  Each individual went above and beyond with assisting in understanding the information presented.  The instructors excelled in patience and thoroughness upon explaining curriculum.  Lastly, each professor was extremely accommodating when it came to aligning tasks with my busy work schedule.  – Jenna Waits ’23

Through 120 credit hours, our online degree in health science will provide you with a strong foundation in the field, which you can customize to suit your needs through the choices of various courses.

General Education Program/Other (40 Credit Hours)

English Composition (6)
Quantitative Reasoning (3)
Human Behavior (3)
Fine and Performing Arts (3)
Natural Science (7)
Oral Communication (3)
Engaged Citizenry (3)
Global Perspectives (3)
Historical Perspectives (3)
Literature (3)
Ethical Insight and Reasoning (3)

Major Requirements (33 Credit Hours)

Select one of the following:

BSHS 3100 - The U.S. Healthcare System

The U.S. Healthcare System

Overview of delivery, organization, financing and outcomes in the US healthcare system. Discussion of continuum of care and role of providers, as well as the influence of reimbursement, payment processes, regulations, compliance demands, standards and quality. Contemporary healthcare issues will be addressed.

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BUHE 3100 - Orientation to U.S. Healthcare System

Orientation to U.S. Healthcare System

A broad orientation to the health services industry. Segments of the health services industry are identified and described with historical background, functions, interrelationships, and future roles of each.

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Select one of the following:

BSHS 3332 - Healthcare Ethics

Healthcare Ethics

Overview of healthcare ethics with emphasis on contemporary ethical issues as related to patient choice and provider responsibility. Discussion on philosophical theories, principles, and ethical decision making.

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PHIL 3332 - Biomedical Ethics

Biomedical Ethics

Ethical issues in medicine, medical research, and biotechnology; relations within the health team, informed consent; wellness and illness; right to health care; moral implications of bioengineering.

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Take all of the following:

BSHS 3343 - Research and Design for Healthcare

Research and Design for Healthcare

A writing intensive course that provides students with the basic understanding of literature search, experimental design, evaluation methods, reporting and application of healthcare service research. This course will also be an introduction to both qualitative and quantitative research techniques used in health professions.

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BSHS 3400 - Epidemiology

Epidemiology

Methods and principles of epidemiological investigation focusing on both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Particular emphasis on outbreak investigations, field epidemiology and careers in epidemiology. The impact of ethical principles and public policy will be considered.

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BSHS 4100 - Healthcare Program Development

Healthcare Program Development

Provides the student with necessary tools to evaluate health programs. Topics include, planning systems, needs assessment, data analysis skills, and effectiveness of evaluation. Requirements for increased need for planning and accountability will be stressed.

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BSHS 4200 - Management Techniques for Healthcare

Management Techniques for Healthcare

Examines a variety of management techniques employed by the unique healthcare environment while effectively managing and motivating healthcare employees. Lectures, problems, case studies will be used to provide an opportunity to focus on all types of healthcare providers.

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BSHS 4250 - Leadership in Healthcare

Leadership in Healthcare

The course will provide the student with knowledge of effective leadership in healthcare. Concepts will focus on the skills necessary to become an effective leader, the importance of leadership in health care, the value of collaboration in healthcare, and ability to evaluate effectiveness of collaboration.

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BSHS 4300 - Concepts of Healthcare Finance

Concepts of Healthcare Finance

Provides the student with a general overview of principles of finance, and how the healthcare finance system works in the U.S. Primary components of healthcare finance are explored. Students analyze financial data systems and processes to determine opportunities for revenue growth and expense reduction.

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BSHS 4400 - Healthcare Policy and the Aging

Healthcare Policy and the Aging

This course will provide an overview of health policy in the United States as it affects the older population. It will provide an overview of the healthcare system, allocation of health services across the population, and projected impact of the increase in the aging population on health care delivery. Current health policy proposals will be analyzed with a focus on their impact on the older population.

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BSHS 4500 - Legal Issues in Healthcare

Legal Issues in Healthcare

Designed to familiarize the student with the application of law to management issues in the variety of health care organizations. Skills including, legal reasoning, legal terminology, the mechanics of law, and specific topics related to the healthcare setting.

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BSHS 4600 - Survey of Diseases and Disabilities

Survey of Diseases and Disabilities

Students explore medical and psychosocial aspects of chronic disease and disability. The course will cover all major disabling conditions.

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Graduation Requirements (4 Credit Hours)

UNIV 1100 - First Year Experience: University Foundations

First Year Experience: University Foundations

This one credit course is an 8-week experience designed to assist a student’s transition to Shawnee State University with a focus on financial literacy, the major selection and declaration process, and the development of career plans. This course is designed specifically for students with 30 credit hours or less.

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IDST 4490 - Senior Seminar

Senior Seminar

Provides an opportunity for students to place their chosen field of study in an interdisciplinary context with intellectual, ethical, and historical perspectives. The seminar focuses on the synthesis and integration of various concepts by applying them to the analysis and solution of problems chosen in the context of their academic disciplines. Oral and written presentations of a persuasive paper are required. Note: HONORS SECTION: Students engage in extended class discussion of relevant readings for the chosen theme for that semester’s Honors Senior Seminar in addition to meeting the normal requirements of Senior Seminar. Such themes might include the conflict between science and cultural values, different ways of making and validating knowledge claims, or more extensive discussion of what it means to engage in critical thinking.

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Admission Requirements

Before applying for this program, you must have:

• ACT subscores of 18 or higher in reading, English, and math. If your scores are lower than 18, developmental coursework may substitute.*

* ACT scores are waived for applicants who are older than 21.

How to Apply

In order to apply to our online bachelor’s in health science degree program, please contact an enrollment counselor and submit the following:

• Completed application
• All transcripts from high school and previously attended institutions
• ACT subscores in Reading, English, and Math

Costs & Financial Aid

The online B.S. in Health Science is offered at a tuition rate of $313.52 per credit hour for in-state students and $345.84 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Up to 90 credits may be transferred into the program.

Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes seven semesters to complete, depending on transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 855-815-0323 or request more information.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Financial Aid

To help make your online education more affordable, Shawnee State offers financial aid in the form of loans, scholarships, and grants. If you have questions, our experienced enrollment counselors and tuition planners will assist you through the process.

Learn More About Financial Aid

Military Students

At Shawnee State, we want those who have served our country to get the education they deserve. As a veteran or current member of the U.S. military, you can receive federal and state educational benefits through the VA, and we will provide you with guidance and support throughout your online education.

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Career Outcomes

The online bachelor’s degree in health science program will equip you with the skills needed to pursue a variety of careers, such as:

Salary and job growth information from O*Net.