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Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Sciences

The BSAHS degree is a joint online degree program offered collectively by all five IU-managed regional campuses. The curriculum is available in an all-online format through the statewide BSAHS consortium.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Applied Health Sciences program is a 120 credit hour online program. The program is for individuals who have completed at least 30 credit hours of coursework that can be applied toward the degree. Students with A.S or A.A degrees who enter the program will transfer in 60–64 credit hours from their degree. Students with associate degrees are expected to complete the degree in two academic years (four semesters). Full-time students entering with 30 credit hours are expected to complete in three years.

• The Online BSAHS is “student-centered,” appealing to a wide spectrum of traditional and non-traditional students who have an interest in a health sector career but do not wish pursue clinical degree programs.
• The program allows flexibility for students who are seeking to complete their degrees while meeting their responsibilities to their families and/or employers.
• The degree design offers health workers with previous college credit (including those with associate degrees) a convenient, high-quality option for completing a baccalaureate degree that students can pursue while working full- or part-time.
• The degree provides additional skills and training needed to advance within the student’s chosen profession. It is also appropriate for those who wish to find a new career in the health care field.

Target Student Audience and Articulation of Associate/Baccalaureate Programs

This program is targeted toward individuals with an Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Arts (A.A) degree, or anyone with at least 30 credit hours of coursework that can be applied toward a university degree.

This degree is designed to allow A.S. and A.A. degree holders to complete a Baccalaureate degree.  Students from across the state should have little difficulty transitioning into the program, as the degree incorporates Statewide Transfer General Education Core requirements.

Program Goals and Outcomes

The curriculum of the Applied Health Science B.S. will focus on the non-clinical aspects of health care management and education, and, as such, it complements a wide variety of clinical degrees available at IU. The BS AHS is designed to serve both traditional and non-traditional students attending full- or part-time. Individuals currently working in the health care industry with college credits and/or associates degrees will find the courses they need to complete a baccalaureate degree and advance their career prospects. 

Key goals for the program

Provide students with extensive preparation for work in any field that addresses people’s health.

• Address the needs of those students seeking a broad understanding of the science of human health and its application to their chosen career.
• Respond to a strong need for a degree in the health sciences for students who have a desire to work in health related areas, but who do not wish to be in a clinical program.
• Respond to a need for students to continue their degree progression should they not gain entry into the selective, competitive programs, including nursing, dental hygiene, and radiology.
• Permit students who have earned an associate degree and for the large pool of similarly degreed health care workers who need a bachelor degree for advancement in their current positions or in related areas in health to continue their formal education.
• Prepare students for entry and mid-level positions in for-profit and not-for-profit health-related organizations.
• Prepare students to acquire knowledge of various health care related subjects and apply this knowledge to improve the health of those with whom they come in contact.
• Provide students the basic, technical and applied aspects of health science, and help students apply this knowledge to a variety of career opportunities.

Collaboration with Similar or Related Programs on Other Campuses

This is a joint degree to be offered by all five regional campuses of IU. A faculty team, with representation from each campus, developed the shared curricular framework for this degree. The joint degree format permits the campuses to share faculty resources and thereby provide educational opportunities to students in their regions that those students might not otherwise have. Students may take BS AHS courses from any of the five campuses and have those courses apply to their BS AHS degree at their home campus.

Academic Advising

Students with a declared major are advised in the academic unit on their home campus. To determine who your advisor is and how to contact them, log into the Student Center at One.IU.

Admission Requirements

• Full admission to the regional campus from which you will receive the degree
• Minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 grade scale

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

• Campuswide General Education Curriculum (varies by campus) 30-42 credit hours. Students must achieve the general education outcomes of the campus from which they will graduate
• Core Requirements (42 cr.)
• Track Requirements (18 cr.)
• Free Electives (balance of credits needed to equal 120 credit requirement)

Students take courses that meet the following learning outcomes:

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

Core Requirements (42 cr.)

All courses are 3 cr., unless otherwise designated

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

Track Requirements (18 cr.)

Select one of the following:

Track 1: Community Health Educator

Coursework will provide instruction in the skills necessary to conduct general health and wellness assessments and the techniques of health education.

• 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 Planning, Assessment, and Evaluation II (6 cr.)

Track 2: Health Administration

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

• 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

Students should choose electives that best support the BSAHS track they are pursuing, and in consultation with their academic advisor.

Photo credit | Teresa Sheppard