Health Sciences, B.S. (R, A, L)* - Radford University Carilion Site

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The mission of the B.S. in Health Sciences program is to prepare students to apply scientific reasoning, communicate effectively, and enter health-related professions that aim to improve health at individual and community levels. Through this program, students will: 1) Assess health information and scientific data for evaluating the health status of individuals and communities, 2) Apply critical thinking skills based on empirical evidence and contextual frameworks in the health sciences, 3) Analyze ethical issues and challenges facing individual and community health, 4) Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills that display competency and professionalism in the health sciences, and 5) Engage in civic activities and service that promote individual and community health. The program serves students seeking direct entry into a health profession or prepares students for admission into a graduate program in a health-related field.

REAL Curriculum

This major fulfills the R, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students will apply scientific and quantitative reasoning to questions about the natural world and mathematics through studying statistics, healthcare research, and infectious diseases (R). Students will examine interactions of behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments related to the health sciences through exploring issues in community health and principles of health education (A). Students will explore the practice of health sciences through the application of knowledge, skills, and critical reflection during professional seminar and communication courses, along with either an internship, service-learning, or capstone project in partnership with a health facility or organization (L). Students need an additional major and/or minor to fulfill the E areas to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

Students need an additional major and/or minor to fulfill the E areas to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

REAL Foundational Requirements

Foundational Writing (3 credits)

ENGL 111 - Principles of College Composition (GE)

Foundational Math (3 credits)

MATH 100 - Quantitative Reasoning (GE)
MATH 121 - Math Content for Teachers I (GE)
MATH 125 - Precalculus I (GE) (MATH 100 or MATH 125 recommended for Health Sciences majors due to required course prerequisites. Requirement may be fulfilled through placement testing.)

REAL Cornerstone Requirements

Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Health Sciences major includes 3 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education Requirements

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Health Sciences major includes 24-33 general education credits.

Major Requirements (45-66 credits)

Required Coursework (33-54 credits)

Traditional Track (48 credits) (R, A, L)

Major Requirements (36 credits)

Approved Electives (12 credits)

Students complete four 300-400 level approved elective courses (12 credit hours) from any the following: Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM), Exercise Sports and Health Education (ESHE), Healthcare Administration (HADM), Health Sciences (HSCI), Mathematics (MATH), Psychology (PSYC), Public Health (PBHL), Sociology (SOCY), Statistics (STAT), and/or Nursing (NURS) courses.

4+1 Track (54 credits) (R, A, L)

The 4+1 Health Sciences is a Plan of Study designed to accelerate graduate study. Students complete a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Science in Health Sciences with a five-year/11 semester Plan of Study.

Major Requirements (42 credits)

HADM 300 - U.S. Healthcare System (GE)
HADM 520 - Advanced Health Information Systems (MSHS Course)
HADM 530 - Organizational Theories and Leadership (MSHS Course)
HSCI 200 - Issues in Community Health (GE)
HSCI 300 - Foundations in Healthcare Research (GE)
HSCI 350 - Principles of Health Education & Promotion
HSCI 373 - Chronic Disease Management
HSCI 395 - Professional Seminar
HSCI 399 - Special Topics in Health Sciences
HSCI 410 - Program Planning & Evaluation for Health Education
HSCI 470 - Infectious Diseases
HSCI 501 - Professional Communication in Healthcare (MSHS Course)
HSCI 490 - Service-Learning and Civic Engagement in Health I
or
HSCI 485 - Capstone Project I
or
HSCI 494 - Internship I
HSCI 491 - Service-Learning and Civic Engagement in Health II
or
HSCI 486 - Capstone Project II
or
HSCI 495 - Internship II

Approved Electives (12 credits)

Students complete four 300-400 level approved elective courses from any the following: Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM), Exercise Sports and Health Education (ESHE), Healthcare Administration (HADM), Health Sciences (HSCI), Mathematics (MATH), Psychology (PSYC), Public Health (PBHL), Sociology (SOCY), Statistics (STAT), and/or Nursing (NURS) courses.

3+1 Track

Major Requirements (33 credits)

Note(s):

*If a student takes HSCI 490, then HSCI 491 is required; if a student takes HSCI 494, then HSCI 495 is required.

Required Outside Courses (24 credits)

PHIL 112 - Introduction: Ethics and Society (GE)
PSYC 121 - Introduction to Psychology (GE)
SOCY 110 - Introduction to Sociology (GE)
STAT 200 - Introduction to Statistics (GE)
Any 9 credits of Natural Science Electives (BIOL and/or CHEM).
Any 3 credits of Psychology Elective (PSYC).

Additional Degree Requirements

Students must complete their Plan of Study with a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. All program-specific and minor courses require a grade minimum of “C”. Students in the traditional B.S. Health Sciences must complete a minimum of 25% of the Plan of Study at Radford University Carilion.

Open Credit Hours (54-75 credits)

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 120

Additional Information

Several courses in the B.S. Health Sciences program are delivered in a synchronous, online format. Students must have a computer with webcam, headset, and microphone for online course participation.

Internships and community-service learning placements may require students to have a background check or drug screening conducted prior to participation.

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) graduate credit hours to the MSHS program.