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Health Sciences

Richmond, VA
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Degree Overview

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

Health Sciences South University Graduation
Health Sciences South University Graduation

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BS) | 182 Credits
College of Nursing and Public Health

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program at South University, Richmond is designed to equip students with a strong foundation of different skills that may be applied across multiple disciplines. Potential careers include office or practice manager, insurance specialist, or a healthcare consultant. The health sciences program focuses on preparing you to solve problems and think creatively and critically as you face different challenges within the healthcare systems. The BS in Health Sciences degree provides you the opportunity to learn the principles and theories of the natural, social, behavioral, and health sciences to serve as competent and considerate healthcare professionals.

South University, Richmond, and South University, Virginia Beach, are certified to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia pursuant to Title 23, Chapter 21.1, §23-276.4 of the Code of Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (James Monroe Building, 101 North 14th St; Richmond, VA 23219; 804-225-2600; www.schev.edu).

Why Choose Our Program?

Foundation of Healthcare Knowledge: The health sciences program may act as a gateway for multiple healthcare careers. 
Expand Your Horizons: Topics covered in the health sciences degree include learning about the US healthcare delivery system, health sciences, and public health.
Prepare for Entry-Level Careers: Be prepared to pursue entry-level careers such as insurance specialist or additional education through the health sciences program.

Your Path to Success: The BS in Health Sciences program is designed to help students build a foundation of healthcare skills that may be applied across many different disciplines. You’ll have the opportunity to study public health, health sciences, and develop your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Once you’ve earned your health sciences degree, you’ll be prepared to pursue a number of entry-level healthcare careers or pursue healthcare education.

How You’ll Learn: The Health Science program is taught online with support from the campus. While some general education courses may be taught on the campus, the majority of the program is taught online.

A Path to Other Programs
Completing the first two years of the BS in Health Sciences may provide you with the prerequisites to apply for other professional programs. However, admission to these programs is competitive at most institutions (including South University) and is not guaranteed. If you plan to transfer credit, consult the institution you wish to attend and see which credits will transfer. Some institutions will not accept online science and laboratory courses for transfer credit. Transfer credit is always awarded at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Admissions Requirements

General Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

To be admitted to any of the undergraduate programs at South University, the prospective student must provide proof of high school graduation as recognized by the state of residence on the date the degree was earned, or the equivalent in which a diploma was earned, with a minimum CGPA of 1.5 on a 4.0 scale within 14 calendar days of the start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). Students providing a GED must meet the minimum required test score deemed as passing in each section as required at the time of testing.

South University accepts the International Baccalaureate Program diploma as meeting the requirement for high school graduation. Credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service. Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.

Students with less than the minimum CGPA of 1.49 on a 4.0 scale may meet admissions requirements by submitting a minimum combined SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) score of 700 or 900 on the SAT requiring an essay portion, a combined ACT score of 18, or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student.

Students with a CGPA between 1.49 to 1.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted provisionally for two quarters. Failure to achieve a 1.5 CGPA in the first two quarters of attendance will result in dismissal. Students may appeal the dismissal by following the Procedures for Appealing Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Policy.

Students with less than a 1.0 on a 4.0 scale do not meet the admissions requirements for South University.

Acceptable verification of high school graduation or the equivalent would include a high school transcript (official), or GED scores and state-authorized examination scores (ex. HiSET, TASC). In states that maintain a database that serves as an official registry of high school and GED graduates, an excerpt from the official database documenting the student's graduation or GED completion may be used.

Campuses in South Carolina must be provided with official high school transcripts or GED scores.

Please see the policy on GPA Calculation for Admission for additional information

Admission of Transfer Students

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

To be eligible for admission, transfer students must complete the application procedures and satisfy the following criteria:

  1. Submit a completed application for admission.
  2. Have earned 24 or more credit hours, or the equivalent (e.g. 16 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 1.5 from an acceptable accredited collegiate institution.
  3. Submit official transcripts (including verifiable faxed transcripts) from all colleges and universities attended.
  4. Submit self-certification of high school graduation or GED completion.

For transfer of credit practices refer to the applicable section under the Academic Affairs section of this catalog.

To be admitted as a Transfer student into South University the prospective student must have earned 24 or more quarter credit hours or the equivalent (e.g. 16 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 1.5 from an acceptable accredited collegiate institution. Official transcripts from the collegiate institution(s) and must be received within 14 calendar days for Undergraduate programs of the start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). The student will be exempted from taking the UVC1000 Strategies for Success course. Students will select another 4-quarter credit course in consultation with their Academic Advisor or Academic Counselor to fulfill the degree requirements.

Students with 24 or more quarter credits with a CGPA of between 1.49 to 1.0 may be admitted provisionally for two quarters. Failure to achieve a 1.5 GPA in the first two quarters of attendance will result in dismissal. Students may appeal the dismissal by following the Procedures for Appealing Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Policy.

Students who are citizens of countries other than the United States should refer to the section entitled International Student Admissions Policy.

Students who are transferring from or to a school within the University of North Carolina or the North Carolina Community College System should be aware of the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement approved by both governing Boards on March 1, 1996 and revised in September of 2008. This agreement may be found in its entirety at the following website.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.

Career Outlook

These are some of the career options* you can explore when you have earned your degree:

  • Healthcare Consultant/Nursing Home Administrator
  • Clinical Manager/Medical Office Manager/Practice Manager
  • Insurance specialist/Medical Reimbursement Specialist

*South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.

Course Requirements

Please see the South University academic catalog for program specific course requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences: 182 Credits
Area I General Education Requirements: 68 Credits
Professional Development
Basic Communications
ENG1100 Composition I 4.0 Credit Hours
ENG1200 Composition II 4.0 Credit Hours

Choose one additional course from the list below:

Mathematics and Statistics
MAT1001 College Algebra I 4.0 Credit Hours
MAT1005 College Algebra II 4.0 Credit Hours
MAT2058 Statistics 4.0 Credit Hours
Natural Sciences

(must be taken concurrently)

(must be taken concurrently)

Arts and Humanities: Choose three 4.0 credit courses.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Area II Major Foundation Requirements: 16 Credits
AHS1001 Medical Terminology 4.0 Credit Hours
CHM1010 General Chemistry 4.0 Credit Hours
NTR2050 Nutrition 4.0 Credit Hours
Area III Major Requirements: 98 Credits
Elective Pool (five courses or 20 credit hours)

Recommended electives include:

Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

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

*Clinical, practicum, and externship requirements exist in certain programs and require field experiences. Learning formats may not be flexible.

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Success Stories

Outstanding Education for Remarkable Careers

We're committed to helping our graduates make an impact in their professional and personal lives. We applaud our alumni and the difference they make. Check out what some of our healthcare graduates have to say.

Elizabeth Tran
Elizabeth Tran Grad Alumni
Class of '22
Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science – South University, Savannah

South University definitely challenged me in the clinical setting and the classroom. At first, you learn everything in the classroom. Then you get to apply those things in the clinical setting.

Helen Ramirez
Helen Ramirez Grad Alumni
Class of '19
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, South University, Richmond

One thing I love about the PA program here is that it's small and really intimate. You know all of your professors and classmates extremely well. You spend a lot of time together throughout the 27 months you're in the program.