Bachelor of Science Healthcare Science
Explore teamwork, communication and self-management skills needed for success in a variety of medical care settings.
- Next Start Date
- July 10th
- Est. Program Length
- 2-4 years*
- Credit Hours
- 123
- Course Length
- 7 weeks
- Credits Accepted
- 75
- Cost per Credit
- $535
- Accreditation
- MSCHE
* Depending on transfer credits.
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To request more information about this program, complete the form below:
Alvernia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Program Overview
Skilled healthcare workers and quality healthcare are becoming more important in today’s world as the U.S. population ages and faces chronic health conditions. When you pursue Alvernia University’s healthcare science degree online, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers within the healthcare field. After graduation, you will have the skills to succeed in a career at a healthcare agency or various medical settings or enter a master of public health program. Along with the program’s interdisciplinary design, you’ll have the flexibility to study at your own pace at a place of your choosing while learning from faculty who are highly experienced in the field.
Through our healthcare science online program, you’ll build your skills in communication, teamwork and self-management so that you can create opportunities, network and explore the different fields within healthcare.
Topics of study include:
- Current topics in healthcare science and how they relate to professions in the field
- Evidence-based principles in healthcare, how to critically analyze them and how to produce various forms of writing for the field, including research reports and grant writing
- The issues concerning one’s health and wellness throughout their life, including the sociological, psychological and economic factors that can impact them
- The healthcare beliefs in different cultures that interact with the American healthcare system, including the geographical, societal, economic, political and spiritual factors
- The strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. healthcare system and healthcare institutions, specifically healthcare delivery systems and the impacts of differences in various factors such as age and family structure
Our Online Healthcare Science Degree Is For Those:
- Desiring to enter public service, administration, advocacy, mental health counseling or clinician roles in the healthcare field
- Wishing to work more hands-on in the healthcare side of the field rather than the business side
- Wanting to later pursue a master’s degree in a specialized field such as public health
For those interested in Alvernia’s on-campus program, click here to learn more.
Courses
The healthcare science online program consists of 123 credits. The degree’s Liberal Arts Core makes up 31 to 55 credits, 30 credits make up the major’s requirements and there are 15 to 16 credits of related courses necessary. To fulfill the remaining courses needed for the program’s completion, you must choose general electives that can be applied to a student’s area of interest or minor.
All Alvernia University students are required to complete between 31-55 credits toward the Liberal Arts Core. Transfer work may be applicable for this area. As part of the application process, students receive specific information regarding remaining credits. Students entering the program with 70 or more transfer credits or an associate degree must complete 30-31 Liberal Arts Core credit hours.
A total of 123 credits, including three credits in a human diversity course, are required to earn a bachelor’s degree. To adhere to Franciscan values, community service hours are also required.
Course Description Credits HCS 300 This required course emphasizes how to think critically and write effectively within the field of healthcare science. The approach focuses on the role of the healthcare science professional as an informed consumer of research and other evidence for the best practices within the healthcare industry. Evidence-based principles are viewed as a lens through which all information is critically analyzed. Students review and analyze the research of others with an emphasis on adequacy of design, appropriateness of the analysis, and generalization of the results. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to the study of healthcare presented and compared, and the course stresses the importance of critical evaluation. Professional writing is designed to introduce students to a set of advanced intellectual and rhetorical skills. Various forms of writing for healthcare science professionals are practiced including research reports, datadriven summaries, literature reviews, the development of educational brochures and materials and grant writing. This course meets the Writing Enhanced requirement.3 HCS 310 This course focuses on the issues of health and wellness throughout the life span. Students learn various challenges concerning health and wellness including sociological, psychological, and economic factors that can impact their overall health. Motivational strategies, techniques, and plans for designing age-appropriate exercise and fitness programs will be discussed and implemented. Current research in health and wellness programs will be studied and evaluated for effectiveness.3 HCS 320 This course focuses on the healthcare beliefs in a variety of cultures that interact with the healthcare system in the United States. The myriad of factors presented by diverse individuals and communities will be examined including: geographical, societal, economic, political and spiritual factors. Cultural competency for the healthcare science professional will be defined, modeled and practiced. This course fulfills the human diversity graduation requirement.3 HCS 330 This course will focus on the value of health literacy as an ideal for our country. Students will discuss the present barriers to that ideal and propose strategies for overcoming them. The requirements for health literacy for patients, providers, communities and society will be explored and strategies propose to contribute to health literacy at each level. Current national, state and local initiatives to address health literacy will be described and explored. The ethical principles of healthcare will be used as course themes to establish this need for literacy, advocacy for individuals and communities and healthcare reform3 HCS 340 This course examines the organizational principles, practices, and pertinent management of health service organizations. Topics covered include quality improvement, risk management, strategic planning, financial planning and control, medical terminology, and medical ethics. Managerial implications of emerging issues in healthcare area also discussed.3 HCS 400 This course introduces students to the U.S. health services system, describing healthcare institutions and the variant strengths and challenges of those systems, providers, payment practices, and significant health legislation. It examines current trends and perspectives against a historical background. This course focuses on healthcare delivery systems, including practice models and multilevel methods of intervention for effective service in healthcare, including health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, continuing care, and discharge planning. Examples of topics covered include the use of current ICD system in assessment, screening and intervention including workplace health promotion and community crisis intervention. The impact of differences in ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender (including gender identity and gender expression) marital status, national origin, race, religion or spirituality, sex, and sexual orientation will be examined, as these relate to various health practices, policies and services. This course will help the student analyze the various components of American healthcare policy, including political and economic policy, as well as the process of policy formulation. Current medical legal and ethical questions are examined.3 HCS 410 This course explores the healthcare system and its evolution in the United States. Provides a review of health related study of the US healthcare system and its structure, finance, governance, personnel, and cultural values. Economic, political, and social forces are observed.3 HCS 420 This course focuses on the current issues in healthcare science/healthcare related to society. The focus on wellness and healthcare at the individual, community and global perspective will be explored. Investigation of emerging trends, practices and procedures including current research and implications will be discussed in the healthcare science/healthcare fields will be explored.3 HCS 430 The purpose of this course is to guide and facilitate the final development of the professional attitudes, practices and skills necessary for effective leadership within the healthcare sciences, with an emphasis on the roles and functions of those in leadership positions. Competencies and roles covered in the course include those related to motivation, accountability, organizational awareness, conflict resolution, negotiation, critical thinking and analysis, innovation, professionalism, change management, collaboration, influence, and communication. The overall outcome of this course is to develop and present a capstone project in the area of healthcare science, in alignment with the student's professional goals and aspirations. Senior status healthcare science major only.3 Course Description Credits BIO 100 Recommended — BIO 107/117, BIO 115/116, BIO 109 or BIO 102 3 PSY 101 Introduction to major concepts and findings in psychology with emphasis on basic processes underlying human behavior. Prerequisite for all other psychology courses except PSY 306.3 BIO 216 Overview of nutritional requirements of individuals in the healthful state as well as modification of those requirements during illness. Three hours of lecture per semester week. Does not fulfill the lab science core requirement.3 PSY 208 Focuses on physical, cognitive, social, personality and moral development through life span from conception to death. Cross cultural, gender and minority issues are integrated when appropriate. Prerequisite: PSY 101.3 SOC 111 An introduction to the major concepts in sociology. The nature and significance of culture, social groups, role and status, social interaction, stratification, system and structure are discussed within a sociological framework.3
Admission Requirements
For admission into Alvernia Online’s healthcare science degree online program, you must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. To apply:
- Speak to an enrollment counselor
- Complete an application
- Provide evidence of High School completion/graduation. Documentation may include high school transcript, diploma, GED scores, or equivalent.*
- Submit official transcripts of all previous college work (if applicable)
- Submit a copy of DD214 from military (if applicable)
*This requirement may be waived if an official college transcript is provided to validate completion of 15 credits or more from an accredited school.
Tuition & Fees
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| Full Program Tuition | $535 per credit hour | $65,805 |
| Full Program Student Fees | $50 per credit hour | $6,150 |
| Total | $71,955 | |
| Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 75) | $535 per credit hour | $25,680 |
| Fees with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 75) | $50 per credit hour | $2,400 |
| Total with Transfer Credits | $28,080 | |
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes four years to complete, depending on transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of time to completion, call an enrollment counselor at (888) 536-1251 or request more information.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Financial Aid
Alvernia offers loans, grants, scholarships, payment plans and GI Bill benefits to help make your education more affordable. Our enrollment counselors can help you determine your financial aid eligibility. For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.
Yellow Ribbon
Alvernia University is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the GI Bill, provides those who served the U.S. military on active duty with free tuition and fees, as well as a book allowance. For more information, visit our Veterans page.
Career Outcomes
After earning your Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Science online, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:
- Health educator
- Policy analyst
- Health and science writer
Your Support Team
We’re dedicated to your success. Our enrollment counselors will assist you through every step of your college career, from enrollment to tuition and more.
Benefits of Learning Online
With the convenience of studying online, you can learn whenever and wherever you’d like.