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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

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 in which a diploma was earned, with a minimum CGPA of 1.5 on a 4.0 scale within 5 weeks 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.

The prospective student must also complete the university administered placement tests within the first quarter of attendance. 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 unofficial), 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

Conditional Acceptance

Students may be conditionally accepted by submitting unofficial copies of documentation required for the admission requirements. Conditional acceptance is allowed for 5 weeks beyond the start of the student’s first session. Failure to provide acceptable, official documentation, as stated in the admissions requirements, within 5 weeks from the start date will result in the following:

  • Removal from class
  • Cancelation of enrollment
  • No final course grades
  • No transcript

Students who do not provide acceptable documents for full, unconditional acceptance within the 5 week period will not be responsible for 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.

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) must be received within 5 weeks of the start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance), 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.

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
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

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.

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:

  1. Utilize the principles and theories of the natural, social, behavioral, and health sciences to serve as competent and considerate healthcare professionals.
  2. Demonstrate effective and culturally sensitive written, oral and interpersonal communication skills with individuals, groups and peers in a variety of healthcare settings.
  3. Identify and apply exemplary ethical and professional behaviors in various healthcare positions and organizations.
  4. Apply creative and critical thinking skills to identify, explore, and develop alternative solutions for a range of healthcare delivery system issues and challenges.
  5. Effectively search, analyze and report on healthcare related data through the application of information technology and health management information systems.
  6. 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, graduates should be able to:

  1. Describe the interaction between resource management, organizational theory, marketing and public policy to safeguard and sustain the public health of individuals and populations.
  2. 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.
  3. Identify and analyze current and emerging issues facing the health of diverse communities and populations.
  4. Describe and critically evaluate public health research questions to proactively develop and design innovative healthcare programs.
  5. 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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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.

Demitrius Archie
Demitrius Archie Grad Alumni
Class of '20
Master of Healthcare Administration-South University, Online Programs

“I was the first in my family to go into the military, and the first person of my siblings to graduate with a degree.”

Michela Mazard
Michela Lambert Mazard Grad Alumni
Class of ‘11 and ‘16
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing-South University, Online Programs

“I wanted an education that would prepare me to build relationships and treat patients and families throughout their lifespan with interaction among their physical, emotional, and mental systems. I chose South University because I was confident that I would receive a well-rounded education that ensures I am armed with the skill set I need to provide the best care possible. Read more

Robyn Smith 2007
Robyn Smith Grad Alumni
Class of '07
Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant-South University, Montgomery

“I had only heard good things about their PTA program and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I find it very rewarding and emotional when a patient of mine who hasn't walked in a while takes steps again. It makes going to work everyday worth it to know that i can help improve the quality of life for some of these people.”

Allyson Obluck 2017
Allyson Obluck Grad Alumni
Class of '17
Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant-South University, Tampa

“I wanted to make a difference and I knew occupational therapy was a hands-on way to improve quality of life for many people. My professors always made the effort to ensure that I understood the material and were constantly encouraging me to be better and do better. All of my experiences throughout my clinical rotations challenged me to think outside the box and to trust my instincts.”

Stephanie Brendel-Schicchi null
Stephanie Brendel-Schicchi Grad Alumni
Class of '15
Associate of Science in Allied Health Science-South University, Online Programs

“By enrolling at South University, I was recognized as being promotable by having my Associates degree along with the goal of earning my Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences by 2016. With the Associates degree in hand, I went from an administrative assistant to a Quality Specialist. I wish I could have started college right out of high school, but it wasn’t in my life’s plan at that moment. Going back to school was a big decision and hard choice to make, but after enrolling I knew I couldn’t give up, because education is the most important aspect of my life right now.”