Health Science & Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science
This online applied bachelor's degree is open to aspiring students who currently hold an AAS, AGS or AS degree in a healthcare, allied health, or public health fields. This degree is available online through the Division of Extended Studies. The program bridges allied healthcare professionals who hold a two-year degree and current healthcare licensure or certification to a four year BAS degree. Students will learn complementary, communication, technical and administrative skills necessary to enhance their preparation for working in these industries. Choosing a health science BAS degree prepares students for a robust and versatile advanced career in a large interdisciplinary healthcare arena. Graduates have many career options in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, government agencies, private or community agencies, or in non-profit groups. Graduates will be able to return to higher level and/or administrative positions in their original allied healthcare fields such as radiology, nuclear imaging, physical therapy assistant, medical assisting, emergency medication technicians, etc. Other career options include positions such as: home health care coordinator, health maintenance organization care coordinator, insurance company health coach, long-term care health coordinator, women, infants, children nutrition coordinator, health navigator, and any number of other related careers.
Students must have a valid state or national allied health-related certificate or license to be awarded escrow credits. Escrow credits are a block of credits awarded for the attainment of the professional allied health license or certificate that will be held in escrow and will be awarded at the end of the program.
Students accepted to this program must meet a 19-credit hour requirement for general education including written communication, social science, natural and physical science, humanities, and mathematics. If the students do not have these courses that meet the philosophy of general education, they will be required to obtain them at CSU Pueblo.
Students must complete at least 120 credit hours total with at least 40 credit hours in upper-division credits. The number of credits required at CSU Pueblo to complete the BAS degree will depend on how many hours the student transfers and the number of escrow hours awarded. See the program director or the advisor to determine the number of transfer hours and escrow credits to be awarded.
With a degree in Health Sciences and Administration, you have a wide range of career options, depending on your interests and skills. Here are some of the most common paths:
1. Healthcare Management and Administration
Healthcare Administrator: Oversee the operations of hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities.
Medical Office Manager: Manage the administrative functions of private practices or specialty clinics.
Health Services Manager: Coordinate healthcare services in community health organizations.
Clinical Manager: Supervise clinical staff and manage patient care services.
Practice Administrator: Manage the business aspects of a medical practice.
2. Health Information Management and Technology
Health Information Manager: Oversee medical records and patient information systems. (with more education)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist: Manage medical billing and coding processes.
Health Data Analyst: Analyze health data to identify trends and improve services. (with more education)
Telehealth Coordinator: Manage telemedicine services for healthcare organizations.
3. Healthcare Policy and Administration
Healthcare Policy Analyst: Research and develop policies for healthcare organizations.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Ensure compliance with healthcare laws and regulations.
Healthcare Compliance Officer: Develop and enforce policies to maintain legal standards.
Grants Administrator: Manage funding applications and reporting for health organizations.
4. Human Resources in Healthcare
Healthcare Recruiter: Hire staff for hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.
HR Manager in Healthcare: Oversee employee relations, training, and benefits in medical organizations. (with more education)
5. Insurance and Risk Management
Health Insurance Specialist: Advise clients on health insurance options.
Claims Analyst: Review and process health insurance claims.
Risk Management Specialist: Develop strategies to reduce risks in healthcare settings.
6. Senior Care and Long-Term Care Administration
Nursing Home Administrator: Manage operations of long-term care facilities.
Assisted Living Director: Oversee care and services for residents in assisted living.
Adult Day Care Director: Manage adult day care programs for seniors.
7. Consulting and Education
Healthcare Consultant: Advise healthcare organizations on improving operations.
Medical Sales Representative: Sell healthcare products, equipment, or services.
Health Sciences Instructor: Teach health sciences courses at colleges or training centers. (with more education)
8. Entrepreneurship in Health Services
Start a Home Health Agency: Provide in-home care services for patients.
9. Advanced Roles with Further Education
Healthcare Executive (CEO, COO): Lead large healthcare organizations.
Public Health Director: Oversee public health departments or non-profit organizations.
Health Informatics Specialist: Manage complex health data systems.
Healthcare Law Specialist (with a JD): Specialize in healthcare regulations and compliance.
Specific Admission Requirements
Students must have an earned AAS, AGS, or AS degree in an allied health-related field to be admitted to the program.
Students must have a valid state or national certificate, or license to be awarded escrow credits. Escrow credits are a block of credits awarded for the attainment of the professional allied health license or certificate that will be held in escrow and will be awarded in the last semester of the program. Escrow credits and other transfer credits should be determined the first semester the student is enrolled in the program.
The number of credits in the program vary depending on how many credits are transferred, petitioned, or awarded in escrow. Please work with the advisor for the program to determine the number of credits accepted.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Summarize and synthesize information relevant to assessing and improving population health and healthcare issues.
- Exhibit the ability to read and interpret scientific research with application of the scientific methods, statistics, study design, and reporting in the health sciences.
- Evaluate and integrate critical concepts and skills acquired in the health sciences curriculum to common professional problems in the health science fields of interest.
- Exhibit effective oral and written communication as well as mass communication regarding subjects related to the health sciences in an individual and group setting.
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge, skills and critical problem solving in a field-based and/or clinical setting.
Specific Program Requirements
Program Overview
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 19 |
| Major Requirements | 21 |
| Concentration Requirements | 38 |
| Transfer or Escrow | 42 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
Students accepted to this program must meet a 19-credit hour requirement for general education including written communication, social science, natural and physical science, humanities, mathematics, and one 3-credit upper-division sociology course. If the students do not have these courses that meet the philosophy of general education outlined prior, they will be required to obtain them.
Furthermore, this BAS may include up to 30 escrow credit hours (see the Academic Policies section of the catalog), which will be posted the semester prior to anticipated graduation. See the program director or advisor to determine the number of transfer and escrow credits to be awarded. The transfer, petitioned, and escrow hours should be determined in the student's first semester.
Required Courses
21 credits and General Education 19 credits for a total of 40 credits
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HS 320 | Evaluation of Health Issues | 3 |
| HS 325 | Health Communication | 3 |
| HS 330 | Epidemiology & Disease Prevention | 3 |
| HS 335 | Public Health and the Environment | 3 |
| HS 336 | Community and Global Health | 3 |
| HS 492 | Research | 3 |
| HS 494 | Field Experience (Required Courses) | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses. | 3 | |
| Social & Cultural Theory | 3 | |
| Poverty and Inequality in the U.S. | 3 | |
| Health, Culture, and Society | 3 | |
| General Education English | 3 | |
| General Education Humanities | 3 | |
| General Education Social Science | 3 | |
| General Education Mathematics | 3 | |
| General Education Natural and Physical Science | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Electives
9 upper division credits at the minimum. (Students may need more credits depending on transfer and escrow credits. Students may take up to 38 credits with 19 upper-division credits in this section depending on their transfer and escrow credits).
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose 9 or more credits (depending on transfer and escrow credits) | 9 | |
| Principles of Financial Accounting | 3 | |
| Principles of Managerial Accounting | 3 | |
| Business Communications | 3 | |
| Ethics in Business | 3 | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1) | 3 | |
| Personal Health | 3 | |
| Personal Health Lab | 1 | |
| Grant Writing & Community Partnerships | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics (GT-MA1) | 3 | |
| Principles of Management | 3 | |
| Organizational Behavior (Select 18 hours with at least 15 upper division) | 3 | |
| Operations and Quality Management | 3 | |
| Human Resource Management | 3 | |
| Purchasing and Materials Management | 3 | |
| Operations Strategy | 3 | |
| Quality Management | 3 | |
| Strategic Management | 3 | |
| Principles of Marketing | 3 | |
| Sales Force Management | 3 | |
| Educational Psychology | 3 | |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
| Health, Culture, and Society | 3 | |
| Social & Cultural Theory | 3 | |
| Social Psychology | 3 | |
| Poverty and Inequality in the U.S. | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Work | 3 | |
| Human Behavior and Social Environment I | 3 | |
| Human Behavior and Social Environment II | 3 | |
| Social Welfare in the United States | 3 | |
Specific Graduation Requirements
Students are required to complete an approved program with a cumulative GPA of 2.0000 or higher.
Students are required to complete 120 total credits and at least 40 upper division credits (including escrow hours).
Students are required to meet the general education philosophy and framework by completing at least one general education course in: writing, humanities, social science, mathematics, upper-division sociology, and one course with a lab in natural and physical sciences.
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for students planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| HS 325 | Health Communication | 3 |
| HS 336 | Community and Global Health | 3 |
| SOC 315 or SOC 310 |
Health, Culture, and Society or SOC 404 or Social & Cultural Theory |
3 |
| BAS Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| HS 320 | Evaluation of Health Issues | 3 |
| HS 330 | Epidemiology & Disease Prevention | 3 |
| BAS Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| HS 335 | Public Health and the Environment | 3 |
| HS 492 | Research | 2 |
| HS 494 | Field Experience | 4 |
| BAS Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BAS Electives or General Education if needed | 12 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| BAS Electives or General Education if needed | 12 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |