Allied health professionals work in health care teams to provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic and direct patient care and support services that are critical to the other health professionals they work with and the patients they serve. The Allied Health Sciences (AHS) major is intended to meet the educational needs of an aspiring health professional.

Health professionals whose disciplines have an entry-level education preparation at the Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree level constitute an important population of health care workers today.

The Allied Health Sciences - Health Professional Degree completion (AHS-HPD) is designed to complement the associate degree professional education with a path to earn a bachelor of science in allied health sciences.

Histology is a laboratory science concerned with the demonstration of cellular morphology, chemical composition, and function of normal and abnormal tissue.

A 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.

Respiratory therapists provide direct patient care for those who have trouble breathing, which can range from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs, children and adolescents with asthma and other respiratory problems, to elderly patients with lung disease. They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from conditions such as heart attacks, drowning, or trauma. Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physician offices, sleep labs and home care settings.

Audiologists are health care professionals who provide patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders for people of all ages.

The audiology degree at Grand Valley State University is a professional degree that is clinically focused, allowing the student greater application of knowledge upon graduation than other research-based programs. Students will be prepared to sit for the national examination and to qualify for state licensure upon completion of the program.

Cardiovascular sonography (CVS) is commonly known as "ultrasound." Sonographers utilize imaging technology to assist in the process of medical diagnosis. Sonographers have skills that are utilized by many specialties, including cardiology, pediatric cardiology, and vascular surgery. Since the foundation of CVS is technology, the field is dynamic and constantly advancing as technology becomes more sophisticated. Sonographers are an integral part of a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, while at the same time interacting directly with patients.

Clinical dietetics uses food as a medical intervention. Registered dietitians/nutritionists perform nutritional assessments and develop individualized treatment plans using food as the therapy modality.

The program has two tracks. Track A is for students desiring a master's degree and the supervised practice necessary to become eligible for the national examination for registered dietitians. This track is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®). Track B is especially for credentialed Registered Dietitians (RDs) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) who desire a masters degree.

A Master of Science in Clinical Dietetics from Grand Valley State University provides the opportunity for students to build on their broad knowledge and attain deeper comprehension and skill in practice. Specialized knowledge allows RDNs to be more competitive in practice now and in the future. This is a benefit not only to the practitioner, but also for his/her patients and clients.

Communication sciences and disorders (CSD) meets the educational needs of the aspiring speech-language pathologist (SLP), audiologist, and other speech- and language-related professionals.

Diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) is commonly known as "ultrasound." Sonographers are healthcare professionals who utilize imaging technology to assist in the process of medical diagnosis. Sonographers have skills that are utilized by many specialties, including emergency medicine, pediatrics, fertility, oncology, musculoskeletal and general medicine.

Since the foundation of DMS is as an imaging modality, the field is dynamically and constantly advancing as technology becomes more sophisticated. Sonographers are an integral part of a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, while at the same time interacting directly with patients.

Information systems studies the use of computers in collecting, organizing, storing, retrieving, processing, and analyzing information in response to the ever-changing challenges faced by organizations.

The health care information systems (HIS) minor is a combination of technology and health care that is in high demand in West Michigan and across the country.

Health Information Management (HIM) is the practice of managing medical information vital to providing quality patient care. HIM organizes health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security. Managers regularly communicate with health care professionals to clarify diagnoses or to obtain additional information.

Medical dosimetrists come from diverse educational backgrounds. They practice in the field of radiation medicine as members of a team to plan and design effective radiation therapy procedures for patients, and to perform radiation-related biomedical research.

Medical laboratory scientists perform complex analyses to develop data on blood, tissues, and fluids of the human body. These laboratory tests play an important role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases.

The postprofessional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (Dr.O.T.) is designed for practicing occupational therapists who have a desire to expand knowledge and advance practice skills in the areas of policy, advocacy, leadership, and education. The program provides practitioners the opportunity to explore innovative and emerging topics in chosen areas.

Students will develop knowledge and skills directed toward enhancing leadership and advocacy, participating in public policy activities, dealing with social determinants of health, providing research-based interventions, and educating new therapists. The program will serve only master's degree credentialed students and qualifies graduates to hold advanced administrative positions in clinic or government settings and to teach at the university level.

The occupational therapy (OT) profession is based on the belief that purposeful and meaningful activities, called "occupations," are the primary tools used for human development (AOTA, 1979). Occupational therapists work with clients of all ages who have physical, mental, or developmental disabilities, to improve performance of daily activities.

Physical therapists provide services that enhance functional independence and address all types of movement disorders or limitations.

Physician Assistants (PAs) are valued members of the medical community who work in collaboration with a supervising physician. They take histories, perform physical examinations, make clinical diagnoses, treat illnesses, provide patient education, counsel patients, assist in surgery, create patient orders, interpret laboratory studies, and prescribe medications.

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) prepares students by enhancing career opportunities through the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative problem solving research skills, service, and experiential learning.

Radiation therapy is a health care discipline that utilizes ionizing radiation for the treatment of mostly malignant diseases. Radiation therapists are health care professionals skilled in the art and science of radiation treatment delivery. The radiation therapy program is designed to prepare students for the technical, theoretical, and psychological aspects of this career.

Recreational Therapy (RECTX) is the specialized application of recreation and experiential activities or interventions that help maintain or improve the health status, functional capacities, and ultimately the quality of life for persons with disabilities.