Health Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Join South University’s Health Science program at the Richmond campus. This Health Science program offers a generalist track or a specialization in Public Health to better align with your career goals. As part of the Health Science degree, the curriculum consists of studies in humanities, math, science, business, and the evolving healthcare delivery system in the U.S. After completing South University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree, you may pursue entry-level employment* at a number of healthcare settings, like health practitioners’ offices, hospitals, home healthcare services, outpatient care services, nursing care facilities, health insurance companies, and state and government healthcare programs.
*South University does not promise or guarantee employment.
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).
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 (e.g. GED with no single test score below 145 or numeric score equivalent to 2.0 on old version or state-issued certificate designated as the equivalent of a High School Diploma) with a minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. The prospective student must also complete the university administered placement tests prior to the start of the first quarter for campus students and during the first session of attendance for online students. 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 2.0 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 old SAT, a combined ACT score of 18, or a satisfactory score on the university-administered admissions examination (see the Admissions Office) or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student.
Students with less than the minimum CGPA of 2.0 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.
To facilitate the admissions process, unofficial documentation, such as copies of transcripts or grade reports, may be used to determine admission status. Transfer status cannot be designated, however, without some verifying documentation. Admissions test scores on university administered entrance exams will not be accepted from other universities. Prospective students must take a University administered admission exam, like the Accuplacer, at South University.
A student’s failure to provide acceptable verification of proof of high school graduation within 5 weeks from the start date will result in the following:
- Removal from class
- Cancellation of enrollment
- No final course grades
- No transcript
NOTES: Students who do not provide proof of high school graduation within the 5 week period will not be responsible for any tuition and related fees.
South University may grant exceptions to the 5 week period for unusual situations or circumstances. All exceptions must be submitted to the office of the University Registrar for approval.
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:
- Submit a completed application for admission.
- Have earned 24 or more credit hours, or the equivalent (e.g. 16 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 from an acceptable accredited collegiate institution.
- Submit official transcripts (including verifiable faxed transcripts) from all colleges and universities attended.
- 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.
Transfer students accepted into South University who have earned 24 or more quarter credit hours or the equivalent (e.g. 16 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 from an acceptable accredited collegiate institution, and who are not required to take ENG0099 and/or MAT0099, will be exempt from taking the UVC1000 Strategies for Success. Students will select another 4 credit course in consultation with their Academic Advisor or Academic Counselor to fulfill the degree requirements.
Transfer students will be exempted from developmental courses on the basis of grades earned in credit bearing English or mathematics courses transferred to South University, if applicable, or SAT or ACT, or scores on the University administered entrance exam only if the exam was taken at South University.
Students with 24 or more quarter credits with less than a 2.0 GPA 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
Potential job titles may include but are not limited to:• Research Assistant
• Health Educator
• Pharmacy Sales Representative
• Patient Care Advocate
• Health Science Writer
• Organ Transplant Coordinator
• Medical Equipment Sales Representative
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Course Requirements
Please see the South University academic catalog for program specific course requirements.
Choose one additional course from the list below:
(must be taken concurrently)
(must be taken concurrently)
Choose two courses from the following:
Transfer students may transfer any course to help fulfill the elective pool requirements, provided the course meets the standards of the Credit for Transcripted and Non-transcripted Work policy found in the Academic Affairs section of this catalog.
Non-transfer students, with their advisor's consultation and approval may choose courses from any department recommended and listed course or more broadly from any course offered by South University. Work from other fields must include any required prerequisite courses in the elective field.
A course can be used to meet only one requirement in Area I, Area II, or Area III, but not simultaneously in two areas. Students should work with their academic advisor or counselor to be sure they are making appropriate course choices.
Recommended electives include:
Generalist Track
Public Health
Outcomes
Offered at Columbia, Richmond and Virginia Beach.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences 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 Sciences 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 Sciences program, students receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. Completion of the first two years of the BS in Health Sciences 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:
- Utilize the principles and theories of the natural, social, behavioral, and health sciences to serve as competent and considerate healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrate effective and culturally sensitive written, oral and interpersonal communication skills with individuals, groups and peers in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Identify and apply exemplary ethical and professional behaviors in various healthcare positions and organizations.
- Apply creative and critical thinking skills to identify, explore, and develop alternative solutions for a range of healthcare delivery system issues and challenges.
- Effectively search, analyze and report on healthcare related data through the application of information technology and health management information systems.
- 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 Sciences with a specialization in Public Health, graduates should be able to:
- Describe the interaction between resource management, organizational theory, marketing and public policy to safeguard and sustain the public health of individuals and populations.
- 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.
- Identify and analyze current and emerging issues facing the health of diverse communities and populations.
- Describe and critically evaluate public health research questions to proactively develop and design innovative healthcare programs.
- Prepare for continued studies in advanced Public Health degree programs.
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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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