Health Services
College of Health Professions
The Bachelor of Science in Health Services prepares future health care leaders with the knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the challenges of managing responsibilities across the range of health care organizations. With an emphasis on evidence-based practice, the program prepares students to work as non-clinical health services providers charged with planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services. Graduates will be able to work in diverse health care settings, such as hospitals, specific clinical areas or departments within those facilities, health management organizations or in medical practice groups. Students in the program will have a course in their senior year that will provide an opportunity for service learning and relevant experiential, applied learning in a health services field.
The program is designed for students who wish to create a pathway into a health care field. It provides a core set of courses to build a foundation of health care knowledge. It also provides the flexibility for students to focus their studies on a particular area of interest through the selection of open and restricted elective courses. The flexibility gives students an opportunity to identify how their strengths, values and skills can best serve the health of their communities.
Graduates of the B.S. in Health Services will be prepared to serve in entry-level and middle-level healthcare administrative positions within settings such as hospitals, hospital systems, managed care organizations, outpatient clinics, physician practices, public health facilities, inpatient treatment facilities, accountable care organizations, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and retirement and long-term care facilities.
Submit a change of major form to declare. Students are encouraged to email Eliza Callahan, Director of Advising, at callahane@vcu.edu to schedule an advising appointment prior to, or immediately after, submitting the change of major form.
- Health Services Administrator
- Managed Care Coordinator
- Patient Advocate/Navigator
- Practice Administrator
- Community Health Worker
- Health Administrator
- STAT 210
- Natural Sciences requirement only
- No
- Yes
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
Contact information
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
- Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
- Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
- Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations.
- Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
- Consider applying to the Honors College.
- Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living learning community.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
- Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
- Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
- Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate.
- Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
- Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
- Attend a pre-professional health interest workshop if considering a professional health program like medicine or dentistry.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
- Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
- Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
- Review minors offered at VCU as a way to shape free electives.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
- Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
- Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
- Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
- If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
- Join a student organization such as the Health Disparities Organization or another service organization on campus.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
- Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
- Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
- Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
- Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
- Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
- Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
- Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
- Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
- Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
- Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
- Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
- Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
- If you are considering graduate or professional school, make sure you are integrating the prerequisite courses into your degree plan.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Design a community-engaged research project.
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
- Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
- Attend 2-3 public talks or other events advertised by the College of Health Professions.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
- Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
- Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
- Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
- Participate in a study abroad experience or consider a short-term spring break or summer experience.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewPrep or meeting with a career advisor.
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
- Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
- Consult with your academic advisor about the type of setting/experience for ALHP 435 that would best align with personal and professional goals.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
- Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
- Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
- Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
- Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
- Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
- Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
- Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
- Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
- Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
Health Services
College of Health Professions
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explore | Year 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Experience | Year 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Year 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excel | Year 4 |
|
|
|
|
|