Bachelor of Science with an Emphasis
The Allied Health Sciences (B.S.) can be tailored to meet the health professions goals of students with specific academic emphases.
Entry level baccalaureate emphases in:
- General Allied Health Sciences - also for students interested in pursuing the combined AHS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) degree
- Histotechnology
- Health Professional degree completion - for those holding an associate degree in particular health professions
- Social Science
Pre-health professional emphases for students desiring to apply for a graduate degree in:
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant Studies
General Emphasis
The General emphasis is for students who are undecided as to their career/education/employment goals. A minor, selected and approved by the student’s academic advisor, is required for this emphasis.
Students selecting the General emphasis are also eligible to pursue a combined degree option, allowing them the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in Public Health (M.P.H.) while reducing the time and cost to complete both degrees separately.
AHS Health Professional Degree Completion Emphasis
Health professionals whose disciplines have an entry education preparation at the Associate or Associate of Applied Science degree level constitute an important population of health care workers today. These professions include medical assisting, occupational therapy assistant, surgical technology, dental hygiene, and dozens more.
The Health Professional Degree Completion emphasis is designed to complement the associate degree professional education with a path to earn a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences (AHS), using both the students’ professional education and the essential components of upper-division baccalaureate education to maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Not only is there career enhancement for the healthcare professional with a bachelor of science, but earning a baccalaureate also provides the prerequisite knowledge for the expansion of skills to graduate programs.
To determine if you are eligible for this program, you are invited to set up a phone or in-person appointment with Michelle at www.gvsu.edu/chpss or send your email inquiry to [email protected].
Histotechnology Emphasis
Histology is a laboratory science concerned with the demonstration of cellular morphology, chemical composition, and function of normal and abnormal tissue. The Histotechnologist cuts tissues removed through surgical procedures, mounts the tissue sections on glass slides, and stains them with special dyes to make the cell details visible under the microscope. A secondary application and admission are required.
Pre-Health Physical Therapy Emphasis
Physical Therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with health-related conditions, illnesses, or injuries that limit their ability to move and perform normal daily activities.
Pre-Health Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis
Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice under the supervision of physicians. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative healthcare services as well as treating minor injuries.
Social Science Emphasis
Social Sciences consists of the disciplined and systematic study of society and its institutions, and how and why people behave as they do, both as individuals and in groups within society. This emphasis provides versatility that will build strong analytical, research, and critical thinking skills coupled with the ability to understand societal and individual behaviors within health care. The diverse nature of this emphasis provides students with the ability to create an individualized academic plan that will fit the health care needs of today and open the door to health care careers outside of the clinical setting, as well as graduate programs such as Public Health or Occupational Therapy (prerequisites required).