Applied Health Science, BS

The field of healthcare is continually evolving. Preventing disease is becoming as important as treatment. Applied health science focuses on prevention. It involves promoting wellness in families, organizations, and society at large through research, health education, policy making, and therapeutic intervention.

The IU Online Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science is an interdisciplinary program for students who have at least 30 credit hours of coursework that can be applied toward a university degree. The degree prepares you for careers or graduate studies in health-related fields. It offers two tracks: Community Health Education and Health Administration.

Your BS in Applied Health Science prepares you for a high-growth job market in areas related to disease prevention, quality of life, health planning, and therapeutic intervention. Graduates may work in a variety of public health, wellness education, and health organization fields, including: 

• Wellness coordinator
• Environmental science and protection technician
• Health specialty teacher
• Occupational health and safety technician
• Community health worker
• Health educator
• Hospital administration (entry-level)
• Nonprofit health agency positions

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. This consortial model allows you to take coursework from several campuses and learn from a wide range of faculty.

Degree Requirements

To graduate with the BS in Applied Health Science, you must complete a total of 120 credit hours. You may be able to transfer an associate degree or up to 64 credit hours from a regionally accredited two-year college and up to 90 credit hours from a regionally accredited four-year college or university. Course requirements fall into four categories and are defined by student learning outcomes.

1.  General education courses (30-42 credit hours)

2.  Applied health science core courses (42 credit hours)

You take applied health science courses that teach you how to:

• Utilize problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills in a variety of healthcare settings and situations.
• Utilize effective leadership and management strategies in common healthcare delivery systems and environments.
• Apply evidence-based healthcare practices for optimum health outcomes.
• Demonstrate accountability within the legal and ethical parameters of the healthcare system.
• Integrate communication skills into professional roles.
• Utilize information technology in the delivery of healthcare.
• Explore the historical and contemporary social determinants of health that shape health status, health behavior, and health inequalities. 

3.  Applied health science tracks (18 credit hours)

Coursework will provide instruction in the skills necessary to conduct general health and wellness assessments and the techniques of health education. This track prepares you to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.  

• Community Health Assessment, Education, and Promotion
• Program Assessment, Planning, Evaluation, Parts l and ll

Coursework will provide instruction in healthcare organization, planning, budgeting, and finance.

• Healthcare Administration and Strategic Planning
• Healthcare Budgeting and Finance
• Healthcare Organization Supervision and Resource Management

Student Services

IU Online provides quick and easy access to tools, tips, and IU resources to help you succeed, including:

• Admissions: Personalized application support for the program that is right for you
• Onboarding: An interactive orientation to online learning and all things IU
• Student Financial Services: Tailored resources for financial aid and money management
• Success Coaching: One-on-one support to reach your academic and personal goals
• Math and Writing Support: Direct access to IU-trained math mentors and writing consultants
• Career Services: Interactive tools and coaching to accelerate your career
• Libraries and Research: Online access to IU library resources and research librarians
• Technology: A full suite of software, collaboration tools, cloud storage, and training
• 24/7 Contact Center: Real-time chat, email, and phone support direct from IU

Admissions

Application Deadline

Rolling admissions. Application review will begin upon receipt of all required application materials.

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states.

To apply to this program:

1. Complete application for admission.
2. Submit official transcripts.
3. International applicants may be asked for additional materials.
4. This program is offered by IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. After applying, you will be assigned a home campus. You will submit application documents to the Office of Admissions of that campus.

Core Courses: (42 cr.)

• AHSC-H 301 Healthcare Delivery and Leadership (6 cr.)
• AHSC-H 310 Health Policy, Ethics, and Legal Issues (6 cr.)
• AHSC-H 320 Consumer Health (3 cr.)
• AHSC-H 330 Intercultural Health Communication (6 cr.)
• AHSC-H 340 Research in Health Sciences (3 cr.)
• AHSC-H 350 Economics of Health Care (3 cr.)
• AHSC-H 360 Epidemiology/Biostatistics and Population Health (6 cr.)
• AHSC-H 370 Informatics (3 cr.)
• AHSC-H 480 Grant Writing & Internship (6 cr.)

Community Health Education Track: (18 cr.)

• AHSC-C 415 Community Health Assessment, Education, and Promotion (6 cr.)
• AHSC-C 425 Program Assessment, Planning, Evaluation I (6 cr.)
• AHSC-C 435 Program Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation II (6 cr.)

Health Administration Track: (18 cr.)

• AHSC-A 420 Health Care Budgeting and Finance (6 cr.)
• AHSC-A 430 Health Care Organization Supervision and Resource Management (6 cr.)
• AHSC-A 440 Health Care Administration and Strategic Planning (6 cr.)

Electives: to total minimum of 120 cr. for graduation