Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

Purpose

This degree is intended for students who have an interest in healthcare roles which provide managerial, educational, and/ or clinical expert direction as well as attracting those students on a pathway toward graduate study. The Health Sciences program intends to stimulate continued professional development and advancement toward graduate education.  The Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences is available as both a Four-year degree program and a Completion degree program. The Completion program is for allied health practitioners who have an earned Associate Degree with an allied health or health science concentration. At Wilmington University, up to 90 credits can be applied towards the baccalaureate degree. Our completion degree is projected to assist allied health practitioners to advance in their relative disciplines by preparing them for expanded roles in allied health.

Program of Study

This baccalaureate degree includes courses in professionalism to provide a basis for transition to novel roles in healthcare and provides opportunities for exploration of the many dimensions of professional practice.  Students will be introduced to medical law and ethical issues specific to the provision of health care and will develop an understanding of public health principles and public policy surrounding health care. The relevance of research and strategies for utilization of evidence based practice throughout every role is emphasized. Topics of health education within a range of consumers and leadership skills for healthcare will be explored and will lead to enhanced practice in the healthcare field. Students individualize the program by concentrating their learning with a WilmU certificate or embedded courses in a specific focus.  The program is offered at the New Castle, Dover, and Georgetown sites, and 100 % online. Students can pursue their education on a part-time or full-time basis.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to practice as leaders, educators, or a variety of other clinical roles in healthcare. The curriculum provides a foundation for graduate education and for career mobility.

Cooperative Learning Experiences

The Cooperative ("Co-op") Learning option allows students to complete selected Health Sciences core courses in a supervised educational work setting related to the student's major field of study. Co-ops are available in the Health Sciences program for HSC 323 Health Education and Principles of Teaching and HSC 333 Leadership for the Healthcare Professional. Elective courses may also be structured as co–ops.

Eligibility for co-op learning courses requires the student to have completed 60 credits and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.  Interested students should contact the Health Sciences Program Chair and the Cooperative Learning Director at least one (1) semester prior to the start of a co-op assignment.  For additional information on the CAP/Co-op program option, please visit www.wilmu.edu/coop/ 

Program Competencies

In addition to achieving the Wilmington University undergraduate graduation competencies given in the Academic Information section of this catalog, undergraduate students in health sciences programs will achieve the following competencies:

1. Use critical thinking strategies including reasoning, problem solving, and evaluation, as a basis for identifying and addressing issues within the health sciences profession.
2. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
3. Access, use, and evaluate evidence based information effectively and appropriately.  Use technology to effectively locate and communicate information.
4. Synthesize and apply knowledge and skills from the humanities and sciences as a foundation for evidenced-based practice for the health sciences profession.
5. Demonstrate commitment to self-directed lifelong learning to promote personal and professional development.
6. Integrate legal and ethical principles into professional practice and decision-making.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of issues related to cultural competencies in healthcare delivery.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of policy and public health principles that enact to shape health care.
9. Appraise research and integrate findings into healthcare practice.
10. Evaluate and formulate strategies for health education planning and assessment as well as learner-centered teaching.
11. Exhibit leadership qualities and collaborative behavior in preparation to lead effectively in the interprofessional healthcare role.

Curriculum

Students are urged to meet regularly with an academic advisor or Program Chair to plan their course sequence. The program of study will vary depending on transfer credits, part-time or full-time status, and credit earned in alternative ways.

Natural Sciences (16 credits)

A minimum of 16 credits in anatomy and physiology, biology, microbiology, chemistry, physics and/or other appropriate health sciences must be earned through course work, transfer credit, or testing (available for anatomy/physiology and microbiology).

General Education Requirements - Lower Division

General Education Requirements - Upper Division (15 Credits)

ENG 310 Research Writing

MAT 308 Inferential Statistics

Health Sciences Core (24 Credits)

HSC 303 Professionalism in Health Sciences

HSC 313 Ethical and Legal Issues of Healthcare

POL 380 Health Care Policy

HSC 323 Health Education & Principles of Teaching

HSC 333 Leadership for the Healthcare Professional

HSC 343 Research for Evidenced Based Practice

HSC 423 Essentials of Public Health

HSC 433 Health Sciences Practicum/ Capstone

Health Sciences Electives (6 Credits)

Choose 6 credits from the following: 

Health Science Upper Level Electives

and/or

Embedded Certificate Courses

and/or

CAP/ Co-Op option (semester)

Curriculum

Students are urged to meet regularly with an academic advisor or Program Chair to plan their course sequence. The program of study will vary depending on transfer credits, part-time or full-time status, and credit earned in alternative ways.

Free Electives (12-20 Credits)

FYE 101 First Year Experience Seminar

MAT 308 Inferential Statistics

General Education Requirements (39 credits)

ENG 121 English Composition I

ENG 122 English Composition II

ENG 131 Public Speaking

ENG 310 Research Writing

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology

MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics

CTA 206 Computer Applications

OR

CTA 210 Computer Science

Humanities Elective

Humanities Elective

ECO Economics Elective

FIN 101 Financial Literacy

PHI 100 Introduction to Critical Thinking

HIS 381 Contemporary Global Issues

OR

POL 300 American Politics

Science Core (16-20 Credits)

SCI 251 Biology I (with Lab)

SCI 252 Biology II (with Lab)

SCI 312 Physics (with Lab)

SCI 315 Applied Chemistry (with Lab)

SCI 335 Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab)

SCI 336 Microbiology (with Lab)

SCI 337 Genetics (with Lab)

Social and Behavior Core (6 Credits)

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology

PSY 329 Lifespan Development

Health Sciences Core (24 Credits)

HSC 303 Professionalism in Health Sciences

HSC 313 Ethical and Legal Issues of Healthcare

POL 380 Health Care Policy

HSC 323 Health Education & Principles of Teaching

HSC 333 Leadership for the Healthcare Professional

HSC 343 Research for Evidenced Based Practice

HSC 423 Essentials of Public Health

HSC 433 Health Sciences Practicum/ Capstone

Health Sciences Electives (15-18 Credits)

Choose 15-18 Credits from the following:

Health Science Upper Level Electives

and/or

Embedded Certificate Courses

and/or

CAP/ co-op option (semester)