The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) is an interdisciplinary completion program focused on career and academic advancement for current practitioners as well as to deliver a well-rounded generalist curriculum by providing the skills, competencies, and values needed to advance and professionally contribute to the evolving health care industry. The BSHS program will include six specialty tracks: Respiratory Therapy and Clinical Leadership, Health Coaching and Human Performance, Healthcare Management and Professional Services, Simulation in Healthcare Education, Clinical Science and Community Paramedic.
The curriculum includes a central core of health science courses that will allow students from different health care disciplines the opportunity to work and collaborate as an interdisciplinary team. Specialty elective courses will focus on content designed to further expand the student's expertise in their chosen area of study.
Clinical Science Specialization: The Clinical Science Specialization is designed for pre-professionals who intend to pursue a career in the healthcare provider role. Students interested in earning credit at Palmer Chiropractic will need to consult with their advisor to ensure they are enrolled in the appropriate courses.
Respiratory Therapy and Clinical Leadership Specialization: The Respiratory Therapy and Clinical Leadership Specialization allows graduates of an accredited Associate Degree program, eligible for the National Board of Respiratory Therapy credential, to complete their bachelor's degree. This degree program is designed to provide respiratory therapists with a deeper understanding of healthcare operations, economics, leadership, health information management, ethics and research methods.
Community Paramedic Specialization: The Community Paramedic Specialization introduces exciting career options for future and current Emergency Medical Services professionals. Community paramedics are responsible for evaluating and assessing high-risk patients in their homes-those that are most likely to be frequent users of the emergency department-to help them manage their chronic disease, adhere to medication plans, enroll in insurance coverage or access social services. The goals of the community paramedic are to improve individual and community health, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits and reduce healthcare costs. This specialization offers Florida certified paramedics the opportunity to further expand their expertise in advanced paramedic practice and enhance employment opportunities.
Health Coaching and Human Performance Specialization: The Health Coaching and Human Performance Specialization has been developed in response to the emerging demand for wellness professionals. Companies are seeing wellness as an investment toward decreasing healthcare costs. Prevention-based health coaching models are being implemented to help patients manage chronic diseases and prevent disease occurrence. Additionally, community-based wellness programs are increasing. Labor market trends also indicate a strong and growing need for wellness professionals in healthcare settings, fitness organizations and corporate settings.
Health coaches promote wellness through the development and implementation of strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities. Health coaches work in hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government, physician's offices, private businesses and colleges.
Healthcare Management and Professional Services Specialization: The Healthcare Management and Professional Services Specialization is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide career advancement opportunities for current health profession practitioners as well as individuals seeking future careers in healthcare.
Medical and health services managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, plan, direct and coordinate medical and health services. They may manage an entire facility or specialize in managing a specific clinical area or department. They may also manage a medical practice group of physicians. Most medical and health services managers work in offices in healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes and group medical practices as well as with insurance providers in the area of health-related sales and services.
Simulation in Healthcare Education Specialization: The Simulation in Healthcare Education Specialization prepares students for careers in the growing field of education simulation. Medical simulation is a vital component of educational services offered to healthcare students, residents, nursing staff, ancillary healthcare professionals and practicing physicians throughout the world. Simulation-based medical education offers a consistent clinical learning experience without risk to patients. It also offers a psychologically safe and supportive learning environment for the student/trainee. Creating such learning environments requires a specialized skill set. Therefore, the need for improved and expanded educator skills is required to improve simulation-based learning. This need creates the demand for specialized courses/programs in simulation-based education within the framework of health professions.
In Florida alone, there are approximately 47 simulation centers in colleges, universities and hospitals. Each of these facilities requires trained content and technology experts to develop, execute and evaluate comprehensive simulation education programs.
Applicants seeking admission to Seminole State College's bachelor's degree programs must comply with the College's General Admissions procedures. In addition, students must meet the following program-specific requirements listed below prior to being accepted into upper-division coursework:
• Have a 2.0 or higher GPA in previous course work.
• Completion of an Associate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Students who have earned a minimum of 60 college credit hours from any regionally accredited institution may request to have their admission reviewed and determined by the faculty committee.
* An Associate of Science (AS) or an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in a health-related field from a regionally accredited institution satisfies the Foundation requirements detailed in the Bachelor of Science (BS) Health Science degree program. Students with any other degree must complete the Foundation courses with a grade of "C" or higher.
Associate in Arts degree: Students entering with an AA degree from a regionally accredited institution will be required to complete the foundation courses listed for the degree. Some foundation courses may be waived if a student possesses a medical industry certificate. This certificate and official transcripts must be submitted to the Registrar's office and reviewed by the department for consideration to the program.
Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science, Health-related area: Students entering with an AS or AAS in a health-related area from a regionally accredited institution will be required to complete any additional general education courses to meet the 36 credit hour requirement within the different categories.
Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science, Non-Health related area: Students entering with an AS or AAS in a non-health related area from a regionally accredited institution will be required to complete any additional general education courses to meet the 36 credit hour requirement within the different categories. This student will also be required to complete the "Foundation" courses as listed in the program plan.
Please note: Students who are required to participate in clinical rotations (Community Paramedic) or internships may be required to pass a criminal background check and/or drug screen as per the organization's requirements.
Gen Ed Core
Denotes that a class is a State of Florida General Education Core Course.
Beginning in the 2022-23 academic year and thereafter, students entering associate in arts, associate in
science or associate in applied science, or baccalaureate degree programs must complete at least one (1)
course from each of the general education subject areas listed in this section prior to the awarding of
their degree. Please refer to this catalog's Graduation Requirements section for specific requirements
on the
General Education Core Courses
.
Civic Lit
Denotes that a class counts toward the course Civic Literacy Requirement.
The State of Florida requires that all students graduating from Seminole State College of Florida and
other institutions in the Florida College System (FCS), as well as from any State University System
(SUS) institution, fulfill a Civic Literacy Competency requirement prior to submitting an Intent to
Graduate form in the term they plan to graduate. Requirements vary based on admit term and program.
Please refer to this catalog’s Graduation Requirements section for specific requirements on the
Civic Literacy
Proficiency
Requirement.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Students enrolled in Seminole State College’s baccalaureate degree programs must demonstrate foreign
language proficiency. Students who have previously received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally
accredited institution are exempt from this requirement. Please refer to this catalog's Graduation
Requirements section for specific requirements on
Foreign Language
Proficiency.