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2013-2014 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science

Requirements for a Major in Allied Health Sciences

The Allied Health Sciences degree requires a minimum of 120 credits and includes general education requirements, Bachelor of Science degree cognate courses, AHS core courses, and required courses for the completion of an emphasis. Once students declare the Allied Health Sciences major, typically during their sophomore year, they will be assigned a major academic advisor who will assist in selecting the AHS emphasis that best meets their career goals. An approved internship/practicum/clinical experience may be required in a specific emphasis or will be strongly recommended for students not planning to attend graduate school. A minor may be required as a part of the emphasis the student elects or is secondarily admitted into (see table below). If the student is in an emphasis that does not require a minor, the student may, under advisement, declare a minor if he or she has sufficient elective credit available or chooses to earn credits beyond the number required for graduation.

Emphasis within AHS Major Minor Required Secondary Admission Required Capstone Course

General Allied Health Science Emphasis

 YES NO
Pre-Health Professional Emphasis in Physical Therapy NO NO
Pre-Health Professional Emphasis in Physician Assistant Studies NO NO
Pre- Speech Language Pathology Emphasis NO YES
Pre-Health Professional Emphasis in Pre-Dosimetry NO YES
Health Information and Reimbursement Emphasis Yes (CIS minor in Health Information Systems required) YES
Histotechnology Emphasis NO YES (Winter Semester, Year 4)

B.S. in Allied Health Sciences Major Core Courses (22 credits)

Individual emphases will require a Capstone course

B.S. Degree Cognate Requirements:

Emphasis in the AHS Program

In order to graduate with a B.S. in Allied Health Sciences, each student is required to select or apply to an emphasis in the AHS program. Each emphasis is designed to be either preparatory to apply to a graduate level professional health care program or to prepare students for career entry upon bachelors' degree completion.

Emphasis in General Allied Health Sciences ' Minor Required, Secondary Admission not Required

The general emphasis is for students who are undecided as to their career/education/employment goals. A minor, selected and approved by the student's academic advisor, is required for this emphasis.

Emphasis Courses

OR

Minor

 18 - or greater cr (a minor is required for this emphasis, 21 cr used in calculation)
Electives 12 - 15 cr (based on an 21 credit minor and if MTH 110 taken or not - includes 6 cr AHS 490 elective Internship, 15 cr used in calculation)
Emphasis Total 70 cr
AHS Core 22 cr
General Education (unduplicated) 28 cr
Total 120 cr (121 cr if MTH 110 is taken)

Suggested Curriculum Sequence: (assumes a 21 cr Minor)

Fall Year One

Winter Year One
3 cr 4 cr
4 cr 4 cr
(or 4 cr elective) 4 cr General Education Arts 3 cr
General Education Social/Behavioral 3 cr General Education Philosophy 3 cr
Total 14 cr Total 14 cr

Fall Year Two

Winter Year Two
3 cr 3 cr
* 3 cr & * 4 cr
(or) (or)
4 cr Minor Course 3 cr
Minor Course 3 cr Minor Course 3 cr
General Education World Perspective 3 cr General Education U.S. Diversity 3 cr
Total 16 cr Total 16 cr

Fall Year Three

Winter Year Three
4 cr 3 cr
4 cr / 4 cr
(SWS) 3 cr 3 cr
General Education Social/Behavioral 3 cr Issues/Themes 3 cr
Total
 14 cr
 Minor Course 3 cr
Total 16 cr

Fall Year Four

Winter Year Four
3 cr 3 cr
Minor Course 3 cr Minor Course 3 cr
General Education History 3 cr Elective (advised) 6 cr
Minor Course 3 cr Elective 3 cr
Elective 3 cr Total

15 cr
Total 15 cr

Total Credits* 120

* BMS 250 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 cr) and BMS 251 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 cr) may be taken in place of BMS 208, 290, and 291. Student is responsible for earning 1 additional credit if BMS 208/290/291 sequence of Anatomy & Physiology is used. The student is responsible for earning 120 credits should a minor less than 21 credits is taken or a 3 credit elective taken in place of MTH 110.


Student must also take one additional SWS course in either a general education, minor, issues/themes or elective course.

Pre-Health Professional Physical Therapy Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission not Required

Physical Therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with health-related conditions, illnesses, or injuries that limit their ability to move and perform normal daily activities. Employment projections are far greater than normal growth (30% growth between 2008 and 2018) based on changes in health care laws and the aging American population. The American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) accrediting body, The Commission on Accreditation of Physical therapy Education (CAPTE), only accredits graduate programs; however, a baccalaureate degree and the necessary undergraduate preparation is highly recommended for admission into a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The courses in this emphasis were developed in cooperation with GVSU's graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This emphasis also provides a curriculum that generally aligns with entrance recommendations for graduate physical therapy programs across the country. Students need to consult the prerequisites of DPT programs outside GVSU for specific requirements. Students will be advised that the GVSU DPT program requires a minimum GPA of 3.20 and that GVSU, as do most DPT programs in other institutions, admit students with an overall and science GPA far in excess of 3.2. Students are strongly encouraged to meet periodically with their academic advisor to determine their eligibility for continuing the pre-health professional PT emphasis.

The student should be advised that progression through the Pre-Health Professional Physical Therapy Emphasis does not represent the only route of preparation for application to this graduate program. Other majors are also suitable, so long as the student closely follows the prerequisite science curriculum set forth by the GVSU DPT graduate program.

The Pre-Health Professional Physical Therapy Emphasis Curriculum

Students should choose one of the following Anatomy and Physiology sequences: Sequence A BMS 208 - Anatomy 3 credits, BMS 290 - Human Physiology 3 credits, BMS 291 - Human Physiology Laboratory 1 credit (Students may consider BMS 309 - Human Anatomy Laboratory as a recommended elective in this sequence) OR Sequence B BMS 250/251 Anatomy & Physiology I & II 8 credits

Electives 21 credits
Total in emphasis 76 credits
AHS core 22 credits
General education 22 credits (unduplicated)
Total in degree 120 credits

Suggested Curriculum Sequence:

Fall Year One

Winter Year One
3 cr 4 cr
4 cr (General Education Soc/Beh) 3 cr
(or 4 cr elective) 4 cr 4 cr
General Education Arts 3 cr General Education Philosophy 3 cr
Total 14 cr Total 14 cr

Fall Year Two

Winter Year Two
3 cr & 4 cr
3 cr (or) (4 cr)
(or) (4 cr)

(prereq for PHY 220)

 3 cr
4 cr , , or (PT required - fulfills Gen Ed Soc/Beh) 3 cr
3 cr General Education History 3 cr
Elective 3 cr General Education U.S. Diversity 3 cr
Total 16 (17) cr Total 16 cr

Fall Year Three

Winter Year Three
3 cr / 4 cr
5 cr 3 cr
4 cr 5 cr
3 cr 3 cr
(recommended) 1 cr Total 15 cr
Total 16 cr

Fall Year Four

Winter Year Four
3 cr General Education World Perspectives 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
Issues/Themes 3 cr Elective 9 cr
Electives (SWS) 5 cr Total

15 cr
Total 14 cr

Total Credits 120

Pre-Health Professional Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis- Minor not Required, Secondary Admission not Required

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice under the supervision of physicians. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative health care services as well as treating minor injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the PA profession will grow much faster than average between 2008 and 2018. Physician Assistant programs provide this graduate-level education. The Pre-Health Professional Emphasis in Physician Assistant Studies provides those courses necessary to enhance a student's science background needed for applicant consideration. The courses in this emphasis were developed in cooperation with GVSU's graduate Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) program. This emphasis also provides a curriculum that generally aligns with entrance recommendations for graduate physician assistant programs across the country. Students need to consult the course entry requirements of PAS programs outside of GVSU for specific requirements. Students will be advised that while most PAS graduate programs require an overall and science GPA of 3.0 for application, a GPA far in excess of 3.0 is usually needed for admission. Students are strongly encouraged to periodically meet with their academic advisors to determine their eligibility for continuing the pre-PAS emphasis.


The student should be advised that progression through the Pre-Health Professional Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis does not represent the only route of preparation for application to this graduate program. Other majors are also suitable, so long as the student closely follows the prerequisite science curriculum set forth by the GVSU PAS graduate program.

Pre-Health Professional Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis Courses

OR

Electives 25 credits (a minor can be elected with advisement, if desired)
Total in Emphasis 73 credits (calculated using BMS 208/290/291 sequence)
AHS Core 22 credits
General Education Unduplicated 25 credits
Degree Total 120 (121) credits

Suggested Curriculum Sequence:

Fall Year One

Winter Year One
3 cr 4 cr
4 cr 3 cr
(or 4 cr elective) 4 cr 4 cr
General Education U.S. Diversity 3 cr General Education Art 3 cr
Total 14 cr Total 14 cr

Fall Year Two

Winter Year Two
3 cr & 4 cr
3 cr (or) (4 cr)
(or) (4 cr) 3 cr
4 cr Elective 2 cr
Elective 3 cr General Education Social/Behavioral 3 cr
General Education World Perspective 3 cr General Education Philosophy 3 cr
Total 16 (17) cr Total 15 cr

Fall Year Three

Winter Year Three
3 cr / 4 cr
4 cr 3 cr
4 cr 3 cr
3 cr Elective 3 cr
Elective 1 cr General Education History 3 cr
Total 15 cr Total 16 cr

Fall Year Four

Winter Year Four
3 cr 3 cr
(SWS) 3 cr Issues/Themes 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
Electives 3 cr Electives 6 cr
Total 15 cr Total 15 cr

Total Credits 120 (121 if BMS 250/251 taken)

Students are responsible for one additional SWS course, which can be from electives or general education courses.

Pre - Speech Language Pathology Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required

This undergraduate emphasis prepares students for admission into graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology. Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, and treat disorders related to speech and language as well as cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency. Audiologists identify hearing and balance disorders, provide rehabilitative services, assess amplification devices and instruct patients in their care, and consult with industry and the government regarding noise and hearing conservation. Speech and hearing scientists conduct research seeking to improve our understanding of speech, language, and hearing so as to improve the quality of services provided to those with communication impairments.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of entry-level programs are employed in all levels of education, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, extended care and clinical facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12,000 additional speech-language pathologists will be needed to fill the demand between 2006 and 2016 ' an 11% increase in job openings. The Department of Labor also projects that employment of audiologists is expected to grow 25 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than average for all occupations.

Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Emphasis:

Students will apply for admission into the emphasis the second semester of the sophomore year. Prerequisites include 3.0 GPA; completion of 45 semester hours (may be in progress); successful completion of (a grade of C or better) BMS 250/251, PSY 101, and SLP 200; application form; official transcript(s) from all non-GVSU colleges/universities attended.

Required courses for the Speech Language Pathology emphasis:

The AHS/BS degree with a SLP emphasis provides those courses necessary to enhance a student's science background needed for applicant consideration. The GVSU Department of Allied Health Sciences (AHS) developed this set of courses in cooperation with the graduate SLP program; it meets the preferred educational requirements for admittance to GVSU's graduate SLP program and many other similar graduate programs of study at other institutions. These courses have been designed to ensure that students acquire knowledge and skills in areas that are prerequisite for graduate-level study in speech-language pathology.

Emphasis Total 56 cr
AHS core Total 22 cr
Electives 9 cr
General Education (Unduplicated) 33 cr
Total in Degree 120 cr

Suggested Curriculum Sequence:

Fall Year One

Winter Year One
4 cr General Education Arts 3 cr
4 cr 3 cr
3 cr 4 cr
(or 4 cr Gen Ed elective) 4 cr 3 cr
Total 15 cr 3 cr
Total 16 cr

Fall Year Two

Winter Year Two
4 cr 4 cr
Elective 3 cr 3 cr
or 3 cr General Education Philosophy 3 cr
General Education History 3 cr Gen Ed (US Diversity) 3 cr
General Education World Perspective 3 cr Elective 3 cr
Total 16 cr Total 16 cr

Fall Year Three

Winter Year Three
(SWS) 3 cr General Education Social/Behavioral 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
3 cr

SLP 401 Neurological Foundations of Communication Disorders

 3 cr
Total 15 cr Total 15 cr

Fall Year Four

Winter Year Four
3 cr 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
Issues/Themes 3 cr 3 cr
Electives 3 cr Total 12 cr
Total 15 cr

Total Credits 120

Pre-Health Professional Dosimetry Studies Emphasis ' Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required

Dosimetry is a specialization within the field of radiology. Dosimetrists calculate the dosage used in radiation treatments under the guidance of an oncologist and medical physicist. The profession requires both licensure and certification. The field of dosimetry is projected to grow much faster than average with a growth of 27% between 2008 and 2018. The AHS Pre-Health Professional Dosimetry Emphasis was developed in conjunction with the Department of Radiologic Imaging Services within the College of Health Professions. The Pre-Dosimetry curriculum aligns with prerequisites required for admission to the Graduate Dosimetry Program.

Summary of Requirements: Secondary Admissions Criteria for the Pre-Dosimetry Emphasis

The Pre-Health Professional Dosimetry emphasis is a secondary competitive admission emphasis within the AHS major. The admissions process will take place at the end of the sophomore year, and require an application by the student. The minimum criteria for application will be

  1. A minimum overall GPA of 3.00
  2. A completed application form
  3. Completion of 45 semester hours, including current enrollment verified by transcripts

This emphasis is limited to an enrollment of 18 students per year due to limitations of laboratory space.

Pre-Health Professional Dosimetry Emphasis

OR

Emphasis Total 54 cr (calculated with BMS 250/251
Electives 13 cr (if MTH 110 - 4 cr not taken or 14cr)
AHS Core Courses 22 cr
General Education 31 cr
Total 120 cr

Suggested Curriculum Sequence:

Fall Year One

Winter Year One
4 cr (or) 4 cr
General Education Art 3 cr 3 cr
(or elective) 4 (3) cr General Education Social/Behavioral (advised) 3 cr
4 cr 3 cr
Total 15 (14) cr General Education History 3 cr
Total 16 cr

Fall Year Two

Winter Year Two
5 cr

PHY 221 General Physics II

 5 cr
3 cr 3 cr
(or) 4 cr General Education World Perspective 3 cr
3 cr General Education Social/Behavioral 3 cr
Total 15 cr Total 14 cr

Fall Year Three

Winter Year Three
3 cr 3 cr
2 cr 4 cr
3 cr

AHS 340 Health Care Management

 3 cr
5 cr Issues/Themes 3 cr
General Education U.S. Diversity 3 cr Elective 3 cr
Total 16 cr Total 16 cr

Fall Year Four

Winter Year Four
4 cr General Education (SWS) 3 cr
1 cr (SWS) 3 cr
3 cr General Education Philosophy 3 cr
3 cr Electives 5 cr
or 2 cr Total 14 cr
Elective 2 cr
Total 15 cr

Total Credits 120

Health Information and Reimbursement Emphasis with a Minor in CIS Health Information Systems - Secondary Admission Required

Medical records and health information administrators assemble patients' health information including medical history, symptoms, examination results, diagnostic tests, treatment methods, and all other healthcare provider services. Technicians organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security. They regularly communicate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to clarify diagnoses or to obtain additional information.

The increasing use of electronic health records (EHR) will continue to broaden and alter the job responsibilities of health information technicians. For example, with the use of EHRs, technicians must be familiar with EHR computer software, maintaining EHR security, and analyzing electronic data to improve healthcare information. Health information technicians use EHR software to maintain data on patient safety, patterns of disease, and disease treatment and outcome. Technicians also may assist with improving EHR software usability and contribute to the development and maintenance of health information networks.

Certification: Most employers prefer to hire credentialed medical record and health information technicians. A number of organizations offer credentials typically based on passing a voluntary national credentialing exam. AHS has chosen to seek accreditation with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and its affiliated accreditation organization, the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), which has the highest rigor of accreditation standards.

AHIMA offers credentialing as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). To obtain the RHIA credential, an individual must graduate from a program accredited by CAHIIM and pass an AHIMA-administered written examination.

Experienced medical records and health information administrators usually advance their careers by obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree or by seeking an advanced specialty certification. Technicians with a bachelor's or master's degree can advance and become a health information manager.

  • Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an additional 35,100 (20% increase) will be needed by 2018.
  • Job prospects should be very good, particularly for administrators with strong computer software skills.

Students pursuing the Health Information and Reimbursement emphasis will also be required to complete the Minor in Health Care Information Systems, through the Computer Information Systems (CIS) department. Completion of this emphasis will be excellent preparation for the student to enter the career market with enhanced supervisory preparation and provide an avenue of career advancement through application to the existing CIS Master of Science degree in Medical and BioInformatics. This provides an additional career advancement route for those who aspire to executive level responsibilities in health information management.

Summary of Requirements: Secondary Admissions Criteria for the HIR Emphasis

The HIR emphasis is a secondary admission emphasis within the AHS major. The admissions process will take place at the end of the sophomore year, and will require an application by the student. The minimum criteria for application will be

  1. A minimum overall GPA of 2.50
  2. Completion of an application form
  3. Completion of 45 semester hours, which includes current enrollment, verified by transcript
  4. No grade less than a C in BMS 250/251 and AHS 100

The Minor in CIS Health Information Systems* is required in this emphasis.

Total unduplicated emphasis credits 66 cr
Total general education unduplicated credits 29 cr
Electives 3 cr (or 4 cr if MTH 110 is not needed)
Total AHS core credits 22 cr
Total 120-121 cr

Suggested Curriculum Sequence:

Fall Year One

Winter Year One
General Education Physical Science 4 cr 4 cr
4 cr

AHS 110 Introduction to Health Care

 3 cr
4 cr 3 cr
(or elective) 4 (3) cr General Education Arts 3 cr
Total 16 (15) cr 3 cr
Total 16 cr

Fall Year Two

Winter Year Two
4 cr 3 cr
General Education History (advised SWS) 3 cr 3 cr
3 cr (SWS) 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
3 cr 3 cr
Total 16 cr Total 15 cr

Fall Year Three

Winter Year Three
3 cr 3 cr
4 cr 3 cr
General Education Social/Behavioral (1) 3 cr 3 cr
3 cr General Education Social/Behavioral (2) 3 cr
General Education U.S. Diversity 3 cr General Education Philosophy 3 cr
Total 16 cr Total 15 cr

Fall Year Four

Winter Year Four
3 cr 12 cr
3 cr

AHS 495 Issues in Health Professions (Capstone)

 3 cr
3 cr Total 15 cr
General Education World Perspectives 3 cr
Total 12 cr

Total Credits 120 (121)

Histotechnology Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required

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

The Histotechnologist emphasis requires students to complete a minimum of 96 credits at GVSU and 24 credits of clinical practicum (AHS 490) at an affiliated hospital that has a nationally accredited histotechnology program, e.g., William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.

National certification in histotechnology requires the completion of a baccalaureate degree and completion of clinical training in a nationally accredited program. The accredited program at William Beaumont Hospital is a 10-month 40 hour per week educational experience. Students will spend their senior year at the hospital (known as the 3+1 model). This 3+1 educational model is used by a number of universities for their laboratory-based programs; e.g., medical laboratory science, histotechnology, cytotechnology, cytogenetics technology. The 24 credits of AHS 490 will serve as the student's capstone course in the major.

To become a certified histotechnologist (HTL), students must complete a baccalaureate degree that includes a clinical practicum in a NAACLS-accredited histotechnology program (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720; Rosemont, IL 60018-5119.) Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree requirements and the clinical requirements, students are eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam for Histotechnology (HTL).

Acceptance into an accredited histotechnology program for the required clinical education experience (AHS 490) is a competitive process that includes applying to the clinical site at William Beaumont Hospital. Availabilities are limited and the Beaumont program officials will determine those admitted to the clinical phase. A cumulative grade point average and a science/math grade point average of 3.0 are required for admission into the clinical program. Applicants are also required by NAACLS to complete the following courses prior to the start of their clinical experience: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and intermediate algebra. The application process occurs during the sophomore year. Students must work closely with their academic advisor regarding the application process.

Required courses for the AHS BS with Histotechnology emphasis:

(BMS 250 /251 Anatomy & Physiology I & II can substitute for BMS 208/290/291)

Electives 5 cr
Emphasis Total (a minor is not required) 70 cr
AHS Core 22 cr
General Education 28 cr
Total 120 cr

Suggested Curriculum Sequence:

Fall Year One

Winter Year One
4 cr 4 cr
or math equivalent 4 cr 4 cr
3 cr 4 cr
General Education Art 3 cr 1 cr
Total 14 cr General Education History 3 cr
Total 16 cr

Fall Year Two

Winter Year Two
4 cr 4 cr
3 cr / 4 cr
(or) (4 cr) Elective 1 cr
General Education Social/Behavioral 3 cr & 4 cr
3 cr (or) (4 cr)
3 cr General Education Philosophy 3 cr
Total 16 cr Total 16 cr

Fall Year Three

Winter Year Three
3 cr 3 cr
/ 4 cr 3 cr
(SWS) 3 cr General Education Social/Behavioral SWS 3 cr
3 cr Issues/Themes 3 cr
General Education U.S. Diversity 3 cr General Education World Perspectives 3 cr
Total 16 cr Total 15 cr

Spring/Summer Year Three

3 cr

Total 3 cr
Fall Year Four

Winter Year Four
Beaumont Hospital 12 cr

AHS 490 Health Care Internship Beaumont Hospital

 12 cr
Total 12 cr Total 12 cr

Total Credits 120

Minors Recommended for the AHS Major

If the emphasis admitted to or selected allows the election of a minor, the following are popular choices among Allied Health Sciences students: Aging and Adult Life, Biology, Business, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, and Women & Gender Studies. Other minors may be applicable to the students' need. Please coordinate this choice with your major advisor. Be sure to contact the minor department and meet with an advisor to create a plan for the minor.

Allied Health Sciences Program Description

Click here for the program description.


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