Major Maps

Associate of Science

Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.

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.

The Health Services major can also help prepare students for graduate study in areas such as Health Administration, Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Public Health, Social Work, and Research Evaluation. An accelerated masters option is also available with the Health Services major and the MS in Gerontology.