2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [In Progress]
Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science
- Requirements for a Major in Allied Health Sciences
- Selection of an Emphasis in the AHS Program
- Emphasis in General Allied Health Sciences
- Suggested Order of Coursework
- Prehealth Professional Physical Therapy Emphasis
- Suggested Order of Coursework
- Prehealth Professional Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis
- Suggested Order of Coursework
- Social Science Emphasis
- Health Professional Degree Completion Emphasis
- Suggested Order of Coursework
- Histotechnology Emphasis
- Suggested Order of Coursework
Requirements for a Major in Allied Health Sciences
The allied health sciences degree requires a minimum of 120 credits and includes general education requirements, Bachelor of Science course requirements, AHS core courses, and required courses for the completion of an emphasis. Once students declare the allied health sciences major, typically during their sophomore year, they will be assigned a major academic advisor who will assist in selecting the AHS emphasis that best meets their career goals. An approved internship/practicum/clinical experience may be required in a specific emphasis or will be strongly recommended for students not planning to attend graduate school. A minor may be required as a part of the emphasis the student elects or is secondarily admitted into (see table). If the student is in an emphasis that does not require a minor, the student may, under advisement, declare a minor if he or she has sufficient elective credit available or chooses to earn credits beyond the number required for graduation.
The following programs are available:
- Bachelor of Science in allied health science (Emphasis-see below)
- Badge in Advanced American Sign Language
- Badge in Foundational American Sign Language
Emphasis Within AHS Major |
Minor Required | Secondary Admission Required | Capstone Course |
General Allied Health Science Emphasis |
Yes |
No |
(Winter Semester, Year Four) |
Prehealth Professional Emphasis in Physical Therapy |
No |
No |
(Winter Semester, Year Four) |
Prehealth Professional Emphasis in Physician Assistant Studies |
No |
No |
(Winter Semester, Year Four) |
Social Science Emphasis |
No |
No |
(Winter Semester, Year Four) |
Health Professional Degree Completion |
No |
Yes |
(Semester Three) |
Histotechnology Emphasis |
No |
Yes |
(Winter Semester, Year Four) |
B.S. in Allied Health Sciences
Core Courses
Major core courses include 22 credits:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- AHS 100 - Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
Individual emphases require a Capstone course:
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (3, 6, or 12 credits) for the histotechnology emphasis.
B.S. Courses
Required courses include:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits) OR PSY 300 - Research Methods in Psychology (3 credits)
Selection of an Emphasis in the AHS Program
To graduate with a B.S. in allied health sciences, each student is required to select or apply to an emphasis in the AHS program. Each emphasis is designed to be either preparatory to apply to a graduate level professional health care program or to prepare students for career entry upon bachelor's degree completion.
Emphasis in General Allied Health Sciences
Minor Required; Secondary Admission not Required
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.
Emphasis Courses
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics (3 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences (4 credits)
Students should choose one of the following anatomy and physiology sequences:
Sequence A
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits)
Sequence B
Minor: There are 18 or more credits (a minor is required for this emphasis); 21 credits are used in calculation.
Electives: 12 to 15 credits (This is based on a 21-credit minor -- if MTH 110 is taken or not -- and includes a six credit AHS 490 elective internship; 15 credits used in calculation.)
Emphasis total: 70 credits
AHS core: 22 credits
General education (unduplicated): 28 credits
Total: 120 credits (121 credits if MTH 110 is taken)
Suggested Order of Coursework
The suggested order of coursework assumes a 21-credit minor.
Year One
Fall Semester:
- AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care (3 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits) OR a four-credit elective
- General education - Arts (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
- General education - Philosophy (3 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester:
- AHS 100 - Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- Minor course
- General education - Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
- General education - Historical Analysis (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics (3 credits)
- BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- Minor course
- General education - Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
- General education - Historical Analysis (3 credits)
Year Three
Fall Semester:
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- General education - Global Perspectives (3 credits)
- Minor (3 credits)
- Minor (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- Minor (3 credits)
- Electives (2 credits)
Year Four
Fall Semester:
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences (4 credits)
- General education - US Diversity (3 credits)
- Minor (3 credits)
- Electives (2 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- Elective: AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (3, 6, or 12 credits) advised.
- General education -Issues (3 credits)
- Minor (3 credits)
Prehealth Professional Physical Therapy Emphasis
Minor not Required; Secondary Admission not Required
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. Employment projections are far greater than normal growth by 2024 based on changes in health care laws and the aging American population. The American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) accrediting body, The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), only accredits graduate programs; however, a baccalaureate degree and the necessary undergraduate preparation is highly recommended for admission into a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The courses in this emphasis were developed in cooperation with GVSU's graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program. This emphasis also provides a curriculum that generally aligns with entrance recommendations for graduate physical therapy programs across the country. Students need to consult the prerequisites of D.P.T. programs outside of GVSU for specific requirements. Students will be advised that the GVSU D.P.T. program requires a minimum GPA of 3.2 and that GVSU, as do most D.P.T. programs in other institutions, admits students with an overall and science GPA far in excess of 3.2. Students are strongly encouraged to meet periodically with their academic advisor to determine their eligibility for continuing the pre-health professional PT emphasis.
The student should be advised that progression through the pre-health professional physical therapy emphasis does not represent the only route of preparation for application to this graduate program. Other majors are also suitable, so long as the student closely follows the prerequisite science curriculum set forth by the GVSU D.P.T. graduate program.
Prehealth Professional Physical Therapy Emphasis Curriculum
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- MOV 304 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
- MTH 122 - College Algebra (3 credits)
- MTH 123 - Trigonometry (3 credits) OR MTH 125 OR MTH 201
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- PSY 364 - Life Span Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) (ANT 204 or SOC 105 acceptable here to fulfill general education-Social and Behavioral Sciences.)
Students should choose one of the following anatomy and physiology sequences:
Sequence A
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits), BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits), and BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits) Students may consider BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit) as a recommended elective in this sequence.
Sequence B
- BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)/BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits) (8 credits)
Electives: 21 credits (a minor can be elected with advisement, if desired)
Emphasis total: 76 credits
AHS core: 22 credits
General education (unduplicated): 22 credits
Total: 120 credits
Suggested Order of Coursework
Year One
Fall Semester:
- AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care (3 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits)
- General education-Arts (3 credits)
- Electives (1 credit)
Winter Semester:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits) Fulfills general education Social and Behavioral Sciences course
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
- General education-Philosophy & Literature (3 credits)
- Electives (1 credit)
Year Two
Fall Semester:
- AHS 100 - Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits) OR BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
- MTH 122 - College Algebra (3 credits)
- General education-Historical Analysis (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits) OR BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- MTH 123 - Trigonometry (3 credits) Prerequisite for PHY 220.
- SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) OR SOC 105 - Social Problems (3 credits) OR ANT 204 - Peoples and Cultures of the World (3 credits) PT required. Fulfills general education Social and Behavioral Sciences course.
- Elective (1 credit)
Year Three
Fall Semester:
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits)
Winter Semester:
- BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit)
- MOV 304 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- PSY 364 - Life Span Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
Year Four
Fall Semester:
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- General education-Global Perspectives (3 credits)
- Electives (BMS 355 or BMS 460 recommended) (6 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- General education- US Diversity (3 credits)
- General education -Issues (3 credits)
- Electives (6 credits)
Prehealth Professional Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis
Minor not Required; Secondary Admission not Required
Physician assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice under the supervision of physicians. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative health care services as well as treating minor injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the PA profession will grow much faster than average between 2008 and 2018. Physician assistant programs provide this graduate-level education. The prehealth professional emphasis in physician assistant studies provides those courses necessary to enhance a student's science background needed for applicant consideration. The courses in this emphasis were developed in cooperation with GVSU's graduate physician assistant studies (PAS) program. This emphasis also provides a curriculum that generally aligns with entrance recommendations for graduate physician assistant programs across the country. Students need to consult the course entry requirements of PAS programs outside of GVSU for specific requirements. Students will be advised that while most PAS graduate programs require an overall and science GPA of 3.0 for application, a GPA far in excess of 3.0 is usually needed for admission. Students are strongly encouraged to periodically meet with their academic advisors to determine their eligibility for continuing the pre-PAS emphasis.
The student should be advised that progression through the prehealth professional physician assistant studies emphasis does not represent the only route of preparation for application to this graduate program. Other majors are also suitable, so long as the student closely follows the prerequisite science curriculum set forth by the GVSU PAS graduate program.
Prehealth Professional Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis Courses
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- BIO 328 - Biomedical Ethics (3 credits)
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics (3 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BMS 305 - Clinical Nutrition (3 credits)
- BMS 310 - Basic Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- BMS 311 - Pharmacological Aspects of Biomedical Sciences (3 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences (4 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
Students should choose one of the following anatomy and physiology sequences:
Sequence A
Note: Many non-GVSU PAS programs prefer/require this sequence.
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits)
- BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit)
Sequence B
Electives: 25 credits (A minor can be elected with advisement, if desired.)
Emphasis total: 73 credits (Calculated using BMS 208/BMS 290/BMS 391 sequence.)
AHS core: 22 credits
General education (unduplicated): 25 credits
Total: 120 (121) credits
Suggested Order of Coursework
Year One
Fall Semester:
- AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care (3 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits)
- General education-Arts (3 credit)
- Electives (1 credit)
Winter Semester:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
- General education-Philosophy & Literature (3 credits)
- Electives (1 credit)
Year Two
Fall Semester:
- AHS 100 - Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits) OR BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
- General education-Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
- Electives (2 credits)
Winter Semester:
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics (3 credits)
- BOTH BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits) AND BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits) OR BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- General education -Global Perspectives (3 credits)
- General education - Historical Analysis (3 credits)
- Electives (3 credits)
Year Three
Fall Semester:
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- BIO 328 - Biomedical Ethics (3 credits)
- BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits)
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- Electives (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences (4 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- General education-US Diversity (3 credits)
- Electives (1 credit)
Year Four
Fall Semester:
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- BMS 305 - Clinical Nutrition (3 credits)
- BMS 310 - Basic Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- Electives (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit)
- BMS 311 - Pharmacological Aspects of Biomedical Sciences (3 credits)
Social Science Emphasis
Minor not Required; Secondary Admission not Required
Social sciences consist 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 the clinical setting, as well as graduate programs such as public health or occupational therapy (prerequisites required).
EMPHASIS COURSES
Complete all seven courses in the social science core along with two courses in any subject from each of the four specialty categories.
Social Science Core
- AHS 310 - Equity in Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 330 - Health Care: A Global Perspective (3 credits)
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- BMS 100 - Human Health and Disease (3 credits)
- PH 222 - Public Health Concepts (3 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- SOC 105 - Social Problems (3 credits)
Students should choose one of the following anatomy and physiology sequences:
Sequence A (requires a minimum of two chemistry courses)
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits)
Sequence B
EMPHASIS CONCENTRATION CATEGORIES
1 - 4: Students must take two courses from each of the four categories listed (only one lower-division course can be taken per category.
CATEGORY 1
Complete any two courses from this category (only one lower-division course can be taken per category).
Anthropology/Archaeology
- ANT 204 - Peoples and Cultures of the World (3 credits)
- ANT 206 - Human Origins (3 credits)
- ANT 207 - Language and Culture (3 credits) (fall)
- ANT 215 - Origins of Civilization (3 credits)
- ANT 311 - Native Peoples of North America (3 credits)
- ANT 314 - Bioarchaeology (3 credits)
- ANT 320 - Culture and Disease (3 credits)
- ANT 340 - Culture and Environment (3 credits)
- ANT 370 - Cross-cultural Perspectives on Gender (3 credits)
- ANT 375 - Language, Identity, and Diversity (3 credits)
- ANT 400 - Ethnographic Methods (3 credits)
Geography
- GPY 220 - Cultural Geography (3 credits)
- GPY 235 - Geography for a Changing World (3 credits)
- GPY 324 - Urbanization (3 credits) (fall)
- GPY 335 - Globalization and Development (3 credits)
- GPY 352 - Geography of Latin America (3 credits) (cross-listed LAS 352)
History
- HST 202 - History of Global Change and Social Transformation (3 credits) (cross-listed: GSI 202)
- HST 319 - Human Traffic and Trafficking (3 credits) (cross-listed INT 319 & HRT 319)
- HST 370 - History of Medicine and Health (3 credits)
- HST 371 - Historical Perspectives on Gender and Sexualities (3 credits) (cross-listed WGS 371)
CATEGORY 2
Complete any two courses from this category (only one lower-division course can be taken per category).
Economics
- ECO 100 - Current Economic Issues (3 credits)
- ECO 210 - Introductory Macroeconomics (3 credits)
- ECO 211 - Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
Legal Studies / Political Science
- CJ 101 - Justice and Society (3 credits)
- CJ 355 - Youth Culture and Crime (3 credits)
- LS 101 - Law in our Lives (3 credits)
- PLS/HRT 105 - Introduction to Human Rights (3 credits)
- PLS 310 - Politics and Health Policy (3 credits)
Public Administration
- PNH 270 - Public and Nonprofit Administration (3 credits)
- PNH 310 - Politics and Health Policy (3 credits) (cross-listed with PLS 310)
- PNH 330 - Health Care Financing (3 credits)
CATEGORY 3
Complete any two courses from this category (only one lower-division course can be taken per category).
Psychology
- PSY 301 - Child Development (3 credits)
- PSY 303 - Psychopathology (3 credits)
- PSY 310 - Behavior Modification (3 credits)
- PSY 360 - Social Psychology: Psychology's View (3 credits)
- PSY 364 - Life Span Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- PSY 366 - Perspectives on Aging (3 credits)
- PSY 367 - Health Psychology (3 credits)
- PSY 381 - Group Dynamics (3 credits)
Sociology
- SOC 286 - Health and Society (3 credits)
- SOC 313 - Race and Ethnicity (3 credits)
- SOC 315 - Social Class Inequality (3 credits)
- SOC 317 - Sociology of Gender (3 credits) (cross-listed with WGS 317)
- SOC 322 - Sociology of Community (3 credits)
- SOC 345 - Cultural Sociology (3 credits)
CATEGORY 4
Complete any two courses from this category (only one lower-division course can be taken per category).
- AHS 352 - Introduction to Holistic Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (3, 6, or 12 credits)
- BMS 100 - Human Health and Disease (3 credits)
- BMS 223 - Infectious Human Diseases; Prevention and Control (3 credits)
- COM 209 - Health Communication Systems (3 credits)
- ENG 261 - Foundations of Language Study (3 credits)
- ENG 363 - Applied Linguistics (3 credits)
- ENG 364 - Sociolinguistics (3 credits)
- GSI 201 - (Dis)Order and (In)Justice: An Introduction to Global Studies (3 credits)
- HST 370 - History of Medicine and Health (3 credits)
- INT 201 - Diversity in the United States (3 credits)
- INT 314 - Life Journeys (3 credits)
- PED 207 Personal Health and Wellness (3 credits)
- REC 302 Leisure, Health, and Wellness (3 credits)
- REL 100 - Religions of the World (3 credits)
- SPA 304 - Spanish for Health Professionals (3 credits)
- WGS 200 Introduction to Gender Studies (3 credits)
- WGS 335 - Women, Health and Environment (3 credits)
- Internship Optional Internship (0-7 credits)
- US 301 - Internship and Job Search Strategies (1 credit)
AHS Core: 22 credits
AHS Emphasis Courses
Social Science Core (includes the Capstone and BMS 250 and BMS 251): 29 credits
Specialty Categories: 24 credits
General Education (unduplicated): 26 credits
Internship (optional): 0-7 credits
Electives (minor/certificate/badge): 12-19 credits
Total 120 credits
The internship is offered and encouraged as an elective for students in the AHS program. Students who desire a field experience may choose a healthcare-related internship for either 3 or 6-credits with prior approval from the AHS internship coordinator.
For the allied health sciences emphases that require a minor (general), the minor may be substituted with a combination of Grand Valley State University approved certificates and badges. The combination of certificates and badges must be equal to 18-21 credits to replace the minor.
Suggested Order of Coursework
Year One
Fall Semester:
- AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care (3 credits)
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 100 - Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- General education-Philosophy and Literature (3 credits)
- Electives (2 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester:
- BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- BMS 100 - Human Health and Disease (3 credits)
- PH 222 - Public Health Concepts (3 credits)
- Specialty category course (3 credits)
- Electives (2 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 310 - Equity in Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- General education-Art (3 credits)
- General education-Historical Analysis (3 credits)
- Specialty category course (3 credits)
Year Three
Fall Semester:
- AHS 330 - Health Care: A Global Perspective (3 credits)
- General Education Course-Global Perspectives (3 credits)
- Specialty category course (3 credits)
- Specialty category course (3 credits)
- General education course-Issues (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- SOC 105 - Social Problems (3 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- Specialty category course (3 credits)
- Specialty category course (3 credits)
Year Four
Fall Semester:
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- US 301 - Internship and Job Search Strategies (1 credit)
- General education-Physical Sciences (3 credits)
- Specialty category course (3 credits)
- Specialty category course (3 credits)
- Electives (2 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (3, 6, or 12 credits) advised but not required
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
- Electives
Health Professional Degree Completion Emphasis
Minor not Required; Secondary Admission Required
Minor not Required; Secondary Admission Required
Health professionals whose disciplines have an entry-level 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, paramedic, and dozens more. The health professional degree completion emphasis (AHS-HPD) is an emphasis within the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) major and designed to complement associate degree professionals' education with a path to earn a Bachelor of Science in (AHS), using both 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 health care professional with a Bachelor of Science, but also earning a baccalaureate provides the prerequisite knowledge for the expansion of skills to graduate programs. The AHS health professional degree completion emphasis has two emphasis tracks: Track 1 (Clinical) and Track 2 (Non-Clinical).
Eligibility Criteria-Track 1 (Clinical): A transfer student wishing to enter the AHS health professional degree completion emphasis must meet three criteria for admission consideration to the emphasis:
- Possess an earned Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science from a school accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- The Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science must be in a health profession program requiring external accreditation by the professional body regulating of that profession.
- The health profession offers national voluntary credentialing or requires state licensing and the student either possesses or is eligible for earning that credential or license.
Eligibility Criteria-Track 2 (Non-Clinical): A transfer student wishing to enter the AHS health professional degree completion emphasis must meet the following criteria for admission consideration to the emphasis:
- Possess an earned Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science from a school accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- The Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science or technical certification must be an approved non-clinical health profession program. Approval is issued by the Allied Health Sciences program director.
All students in the Track 1 (Clinical) and Track 2 (Non-clinical) AHS health professional degree completion emphasis are required to complete the following core courses:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits) (fulfilled by the associate degree)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- A Capstone course is also required for the health professional degree completion emphasis: AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
A minor is not required in the AHS health professional degree completion emphasis.
Students in the AHS health professional degree completion emphasis must also complete all General Education Foundations, Global Perspectives, and U.S. Diversity categories, with the upper division General Education Issues requirements being taken at GVSU.
The AHS bachelor's degree requires that 40 of the 120 credits are taken at a senior institution with the last 30 credits being taken at GVSU. During the GVSU application process students will submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Upon acceptance to GVSU, the admissions office will provide a formal evaluation of credits for transfer. The student may then submit the AHS-HPD application. Upon acceptance to the AHS major with either the Track 1 or Track 2 AHS-HPD emphasis declaration, the academic advisor and student will use a formal evaluation of transfer credits to build an academic plan outlining courses required for completion of the AHS-HPD program and general education components of the degree. The remaining credits applied toward the Bachelor of Science degree in allied health sciences (up to 80 total) will come from the professional coursework successfully completed in the respective Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science health profession. Since each student's transcript will be different, depending on the school attended and the health profession pursued, the planning of what courses are required to earn the baccalaureate degree will be individually determined with a CHP advisor.
The AHS program recognizes that many students earning a bachelor's degree through this emphasis are concurrently working in their respective health profession. Every effort will be made to advise students to enroll in online/hybrid and evening course sections to lessen commuting and/or daytime presence.
The course of studies as follows is intended only as an example. It is formatted as a full-time student schedule. A part-time schedule would be different. Each individual student's plan of progress will vary as to the exact courses being taken each semester. Students must meet prerequisites for all AHS courses. Should students be admitted and transfer a lower number of credits, they may utilize elective courses to gain upperclassman status and entrance into junior or senior level AHS courses, such as AHS 340 and AHS 495.
Suggested Order of Coursework
The suggested order of core coursework for both Track 1 (Clinical) and Track 2 (Non-Clinical) AHS health degree completion program is as follows, assuming prerequisite courses such as BIO 120, MTH 110, and WRT 150 are fulfilled with transfer credit. Within the General Education courses listed below, students must meet all General Education and University requirements, including two cultural courses within the Global Perspectives and U.S. Diversity categories.
Semester One (GVSU):
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits) (Issues)
- General education (3 credits)
- General education (3 credits)
Semester Two (GVSU):
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- General education (3 credits)
- General education (3 credits)
- General education (3 credits)
Semester Three (GVSU):
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits) Capstone
- Issues (3 credits)
- General education (3 credits)
- Elective (4 credits)
Total Credits: 40
Histotechnology Emphasis
Minor not Required; Secondary Admission Required
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. With the information learned from the section of tissue biopsy, the pathologist and the patient's physician can make appropriate diagnoses and determine the best course of treatment for the patient.
The histotechnologist emphasis requires students to complete a minimum of 96 credits at GVSU and 24 credits of clinical practicum (AHS 490) at an affiliated hospital that has a nationally accredited histotechnology program, e.g., William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.
National certification in histotechnology requires the completion of a baccalaureate degree and completion of clinical training in a nationally accredited program. The accredited program at William Beaumont Hospital is a 10-month, 40-hour-per-week educational experience. Students spend their senior year at the hospital (known as the 3+1 model). This 3+1 educational model is used by a number of universities for their laboratory-based programs, e.g., medical laboratory science, histotechnology, cytotechnology, and cytogenetics technology. The 24 credits of AHS 490 serves as the student's Capstone course in the major.
To become a certified histotechnologist (HTL), students must complete a baccalaureate degree that includes a clinical practicum in a NAACLS-accredited histotechnology program (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720; Rosemont, IL 60018-5119.) Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree requirements and the clinical requirements, students are eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam for histotechnology (HTL).
Acceptance into an accredited histotechnology program for the required clinical education experience (AHS 490) is a competitive process that includes applying to the clinical site at William Beaumont Hospital. Availabilities are limited and the Beaumont program officials will determine those admitted to the clinical phase. A cumulative grade point average and a science/math grade point average of 3.0 are required for admission into the clinical program. Applicants are also required by NAACLS to complete the following courses prior to the start of their clinical experience: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and intermediate algebra. The application process occurs during the sophomore year. Students must work closely with their academic advisor regarding the application process.
Required Courses for the AHS B.S. with Histotechnology Emphasis
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics (3 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits) (BMS 250 /BMS 251 Anatomy and Physiology I and II can substitute for BMS 208/BMS 290/BMS 391.)
- BMS 310 - Basic Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- BMS 410 - Immunology (3 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- MLS 102 - Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences (1 credit)
- AND
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences (4 credits)
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (3, 6, or 12 credits)
Electives | 5 credits |
Emphasis Total (a minor is not required) | 70 credits |
AHS Core | 22 credits |
General Education | 28 credits |
Total | 120 credits |
Suggested Order of Coursework
Year One
Fall Semester:
- AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care (3 credits)
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits)
- General education-Arts (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
- MLS 102 - Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences (1 credit)
- General education - Historical Perspectives
Year Two
Fall Semester:
- AHS 100 - Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics (3 credits)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits)
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
- General education-Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits)
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences (4 credits)
- General education -Philosophy and Literature (3 credits)
- General education-Historical Analysis (3 credits)
- General education-Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
Year Three
Fall Semester:
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- BMS 410 - Immunology (3 credits)
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences (4 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- General education - U.S. Diversity (3 credits)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- MLS 340 - Hematology I (2 credits)
- MLS 341 - Hematology I Laboratory (1 credit)
- General education-Issues (3 credits)
- General education Global Perspectives
Spring/Summer Semester:
Year Four
Fall Semester:
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (3, 6, or 12 credits) Beaumont Hospital (Capstone)
Winter Semester:
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (3, 6, or 12 credits) Beaumont Hospital (Capstone)
Spring/summer Semester:
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (3, 6, or 12 credits) Beaumont Hospital (Capstone)
Minors Recommended for the AHS Major
If the emphasis admitted to or selected allows the election of a minor, the following are popular choices among allied health sciences students:
- Aging and adult life, biology
- Business
- Health Care Ethics
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Women, gender, and sexuality studies
Other minors may be applicable to the student's need. Please coordinate this choice with your major advisor. Be sure to contact the minor department and meet with an advisor to create a plan for the minor.