This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.valdosta.edu.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (B.S.H.S.) degree program prepares students for the healthcare industry, currently one of the strongest employment sectors nationally. The program helps students to identify talents and interests in the field that can be developed within the program, leading to careers in fields such as medical assistance, healthcare informatics, marketing and public relations, public health, health education, and environmental health. The degree program can also lead to graduate level study in fields such as athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, nursing, and exercise physiology.

Selected Educational Outcomes:

Students who graduate with a B.S.H.S. degree will be able to demonstrate, in professional healthcare settings, knowledge of:

  1. documentation, terminology, and coding, evidence-based practice, and professionalism, communication, and cultural competence. 
  2. kinesiology, nutrition, musculoskeletal evaluation, exercise programming, health assessment, medical disease and illness, and therapeutic intervention. 
  3. current issues and trends, law and ethical issues, and psychosocial issues in healthcare.

Examples of Outcome Assessments:

Students who graduate with a B.S.H.S. degree will, through written, oral, and practical examination, and surveys, demonstrate and develop knowledge of:

  1. course objectives stated in each didactic course syllabus.  
  2. course objectives stated in each laboratory course syllabus.
  3. practical application of program educational outcomes
Requirements for Progression into the Professional Program of Study (3000- and 4000-level courses) 

Minimum requirements for progression into the professional program of study are:

1. a declared Health Sciences major.

2. a 2.50 cumulative, overall grade point average.

3. a satisfactory grade, based on institutional policy, for all Area A-F courses (60 hours).

4. All Area F courses completed with a grade of "C" or better.

Retention Requirements:
  1. A student must not be placed on academic suspension (Academic Suspension--at the end of any term, while on probation, the cumulative GPA falls below the minimum specified in the VSU Stages of Progress with minimum GPA Averages Required, and the term GPA fall below 2.00; a first suspension will be for one semester; a second semester will be for two academic semesters; a third or subsequent suspension shall result in the student's being academically dismissed from the institution for a minimum period of three years) (Readmission Procedures - students must make application for readmission in writing with the Director of Admissions prior to registration for the semester in which they plan to return; additional VSU readmission procedures may also need to be followed).
  2. A student must maintain academic integrity (students must know and abide by the Academic Integrity Policy as set forth in the Student Code of Conduct).

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Degree1

Core Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Area F Requirements 218
BIOL 2651
BIOL 2652
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II
8
Electives--Select 10 hours from the following:10
ACED 2400Computer Technology for the Workplace3
or CS 1000 Introduction to Microcomputers and Applications
MATH 1401Elementary Statistics3
MATH or Science elective4
NURS 2700Pathophysiology3
PSYC 2103Introduction to Human Development3
Professional Program Requirements60
HSHS 3000Introduction to Healthcare Professional Practice3
HSHS 3100Structural Kinesiology3
or HSEP 3430 Structural Kinesiology
HSHS 3300Health Assessment and Promotion3
HSHS 3350Medical Disease and Illness3
HSHS 3600Medical and Healthcare Terminology3
HSHS 3700Principles of Pharmacology and Diagnostic Testing3
HSHS 3800Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare3
HSHS 3900Current Trends and Issues in Healthcare3
HSHS 4050Principles of Musculoskeletal Examination3
HSHS 4100Fitness and Strength and Conditioning Techniques3
HSHS 4300Professionalism and Healthcare3
HSHS 4500Communication and Cultural Competence in Healthcare3
HSHS 4650Exercise Programming3
HSHS 4800Principles of Therapeutic Intervention3
HCAD 4000Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Administration3
HSEP 3360Chronic Disease Epidemiology3
Concentrated Electives9
NUTR 3100Applied Nutritional Science3
or NUTR 3300 Nutrition, Fitness, and Health
Total Hours 120