Bachelor's in Healthcare Services and Sciences
To join the ranks of today’s health professionals is an act of service, compassion and courage. As we enter a defining era that is reshaping our health systems in a profound way, we need driven students like you to help meet the moment. Our healthcare services and sciences bachelor's degree at Western provides the educational experience to prepare you for a number of impactful careers in this growing field or to continue building your knowledge with a graduate degree. Our program will help you build a strong foundation on what it means to be a health professional. You'll complete coursework, complementary minor and a capstone project or internship opportunity.
What can I do with a bachelor's degree in healthcare services and sciences?
Learn basics like health policy, medical terminology and ethics as well as specifics like health literacy, patient communication and service delivery with a bachelor's in healthcare services and sciences from Western. You'll be prepared to work with patients from all backgrounds and have deep understanding about the business, legal and budget issues specific to health care. You can also create your own pathway to qualify for admission to a graduate health program.
Recent WMU graduates with degrees in healthcare services and sciences are working as:
- Behavioral health directors
- Social services directors
- Clinical research specialists
- Healthcare managers
- Business intelligence analysts
- Lab technicians
- Patient care assistants
The organizations they work for include:
- American Foundation for the Blind
- MillerKnoll
- Corewell Health
- Henry Ford Health System
- Perrigo
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Geisinger
The Healthcare Services and Sciences bachelor's degree can be completed fully online.
What's the curriculum?
With a healthcare services and sciences degree, you'll get critical skills to work in healthcare and find in-depth study of the delivery and organization of health services, safety practices, health disparities, health informatics and more. You will also be prepared for graduate school in a variety of health service and science areas.
WMU also offers a long-term care administration minor, which prepares you to take the Michigan Nursing Home Administrator licensing exam.
Full curriculum details are in the WMU Course Catalog.
Core Requirements
HSV 1000: Introduction to Professions in Health and Human Services
HSV 2250: Lifespan Development
HSV 3000: Research in Health Services
HSV 3700: Health System and Its Environment
HSV 3900: Core Competencies and Contemporary Issues in Healthcare
HSV 4100: Legal Issues in Healthcare Services
HSV 4400: Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Human Services
HSV 4780: U.S. Health Policy
HSV 4800: Healthcare Management
HSV 4860: Health Literacy Practices
HSV 4880: Psychosocial Aspects of Health and Healthcare
Capstone coursework
One of the following:
HSV 4890: Health and Human Services Independent Research
HSV 4895: Capstone Project
HSV 4900: Internship in Healthcare Services
HHS core cognate courses
BIOS 2110: Human Anatomy or
BIOS 1980: Human Form and Function
MDSC 2010: Medical Terminology
PHIL 2010: Contemporary Problems in Ethics or
PHIL 3340: Biomedical Ethics or
NUR 3220: Health Care Ethics
HOL 4700: Relationship-Centered Skills
Capstone experience
Other Healthcare Services and Sciences majors
Healthcare services and sciences resources and experiences
