Health Science Major
The Health Science major leading to a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) builds on the University core curriculum to allow students to pursue individual interests through a combination of general health science courses and a designated concentration plan that address contemporary issues and topics in healthcare. Students will be offered opportunities to develop themselves as holistic healthcare practitioners and pre-professionals, which includes their spiritual, ethical, affective, and intellectual development. The Health Science curriculum will provide exposure to contemporary healthcare policy and practices, health delivery organizations, health disciplines and roles, cultural competence, healthcare finance, legal and ethical issues in healthcare, health information technology, disparities in healthcare, professional interactions, and leadership.
The Health Science major consists of three distinct concentrations: Healthcare Administration, Public Health and Global Health.
The Healthcare Administration curriculum provides insight into administrative practices including supervision, strategic planning, change management, policy and fiscal responsibility. Healthcare ethics, patient rights and safety and regulatory compliance are addressed within the curriculum.
The Public Health curriculum includes coursework surrounding health education and promotion, health communication, and community health planning. Healthcare ethics, principles of equity and behavioral aspects of health are also covered.
The Global Health curriculum offers an understanding of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and their impact on global disease burden, multidisciplinary healthcare programs in action and healthcare systems around the globe. Concepts of social justice, cultural competence, and social issues are addressed.
The Health Science Leadership track is for health professionals holding an Associate’s degree in a health profession or two year’s work experience in a healthcare environment who are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree, developing leadership skills specific to healthcare environments, and advancing their careers. Graduates of the Health Science Leadership track will be well poised to assume roles as department heads, hospital or clinic administrators, and/or supervisors of department personnel.
Faculty
Clotilde Dudley-Smith, EdD, MPA, RDH
Assistant Professor
Coordinator, Healthcare Administration Concentration
Christina Gunther, MA
Interim Program Director
Instructor
Coordinator, Global Health Concentration
Kerry Morgan, PhD, CHES
Clinical Assistant Professor
Coordinator, Public Health Concentration
Frank Wang, MS, MBA
Clinical Assistant Professor
Requirements
The Health Science (HS) major consists of 21 credits of required major core courses and 30 concentration core and elective courses.
Prerequisite course and GPA requirements vary greatly for the graduate professional programs; therefore, students wishing to pursue graduate work in a professional program are strongly advised to discuss plans of study with the Health Science academic adviser to prepare for the specific program of interest. Students are required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to remain in the major with no individual HS major core or elective course grade below a C.
Health Science Leadership track majors must take 21 credits of HS required major core courses and 30 credits of electives. Some of the 30 major elective credits may include professional courses transferred into the University from the health science associate degree program. The remaining credits of electives will be drawn from HS designated electives and/or Arts and Science courses as approved by the HS adviser.
3 + 2 Health Science/Occupational Therapy Option
3 + 2 Health Science/ Occupational Therapy Option Sacred Heart University offers qualified University undergraduates the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in Health Science and a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy in 5 years. Students choosing the 3 + 2 option must work carefully with their undergraduate adviser to follow a specific sequence of study. All summer courses must be taken at Sacred Heart University. A specific plan of study can be found on our website.
Required Health Science Major Core Courses (21 credits)
Required Health Science Major Core Courses (21 credits)
HS 200 Introduction to Healthcare and Health Professions
HS 302 Healthcare Administration Practice (3 credits)
HS 350 Healthcare Policy, Politics, & Advocacy (3 credits)
HS 351 Legal & Ethical Aspects of Healthcare (3 credits)
HS 353 Diversity & Disparities in Healthcare (3 credits)
HS 354 Improving Healthcare Quality & Safety (3 credits)
HS 355 Health Research Capstone (3 credits)
Healthcare Administration: 21 Credits of Health Science major Core Coursework, 21 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework, 9 Credits of Concentration Electives
Public Health: 21 Credits of Health Science major Core Coursework, 18 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework, 12 Credits of Concentration Electives
Global Health: 21 Credits of Health Science major Core Coursework, 21 Credits of Concentration Core Coursework, 9 Credits of Concentration Elective
Leadership Track: 21 credits of Health Science major Core Coursework, 30 elective credits as approved by Health Science adviser. Leadership track courses may be taken from Health Science electives, and/or Arts and Science as approved by the Health Science adviser and/or professional courses transferred from health profession associate degree program.
| HS 302 | Healthcare Administration Practice | 3 |
| HS 350 | Healthcare Policy, Politics, & Advocacy | 3 |
| HS 351 | Legal & Ethical Aspects of Healthcare | 3 |
| HS 353 | Diversity & Disparities in Healthcare | 3 |
| HS 354 | Improving Healthcare Quality & Safety | 3 |
| HS 355 | Health Research Capstone | 3 |
Health Science Electives
| HS 301/HS 501 | Spirituality in Healthcare | 3 |
| HS 303 | Health Education & Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles | 3 |
| HS 304 | Community & Public Health | 3 |
| HS 306 | Health Management Information Systems | 3 |
| HS 307 | Alternative Healing Modalities | 3 |
| HS 309 | Professional Interactions in Healthcare Settings | 3 |
| HS 310 | Human Growth & Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| HS 352 | Healthcare Leadership | 3 |
HS 309: for junior- and senior-standing students