2017-2018 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science
- Requirements for a Major in Allied Health Sciences
- Emphasis in the AHS Program
- Emphasis in General Allied Health Sciences ' Minor Required, Secondary Admission not Required
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence (assumes a 21 credit minor)
- Prehealth Professional Physical Therapy Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission not Required
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence
- Prehealth Professional Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission not Required
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence
- Prespeech Language Pathology Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence
- Health Professional Degree Completion Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence
- Histotechnology Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence
- Allied Health Sciences with Respiratory Care Emphasis - Minor not required, Secondary Admission Required
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence - GVSU Student Cohort (1 + 2 + 1)
- Suggested Curriculum Sequence - Students with an A.S. or A.A.S.
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 course requirements, 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). 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 | |
| Prehealth Professional Emphasis in Physical Therapy | NO | NO | |
| Prehealth Professional Emphasis in Physician Assistant Studies | NO | NO | |
| Prespeech Language Pathology Emphasis | NO | YES | |
| Health Professional Degree Completion | NO | YES | |
| Histotechnology Emphasis | NO | YES | (Winter Semester, Year 4) |
| American Sign Language Interpreting Emphasis | NO | YES | |
| Respiratory Care Emphasis | NO | YES |
B.S. in Allied Health Sciences Major Core Courses (22 credits)
- BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics Credits: 3
- AHS 100 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
- AHS 110 - Introduction to Health Care Credits: 3
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research Credits: 3
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care Credits: 3
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management Credits: 3
Individual emphases will require a Capstone course.
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions Credits: 3 for the prehealth professional emphasis in physical therapy, prehealth professional emphasis in physician assistant studies, general allied health sciences emphasis, and health information and reimbursement emphasis.
- SLP 405 - Clinical Methods Credits: 3 for the prespeech-language pathology emphasis.
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship Credits: 1 to 12 for the histotechnology emphasis.
Bachelor of Science Course Requirements
- BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics Credits: 3
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research Credits: 3 OR PSY 300 - Research Methods in Psychology (3 credits)
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
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions Credits: 3
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry Credits: 4
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics Credits: 3
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology Credits: 1
- BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4 AND BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits) (used in calculation of emphasis)
- OR BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits) AND BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits) AND BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (1 credit)
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry Credits: 4
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences Credits: 4
|
Minor |
18 or greater credits (a minor is required for this emphasis, 21 credits used in calculation) |
| Electives | 12 to 15 credits (based on a 21-credit minor and if MTH 110 taken or not -includes six credits AHS 490 elective internship, 15 credits used in calculation) |
| Emphasis Total | 70 credits |
| AHS Core | 22 credits |
| General Education (unduplicated) | 28 credits |
| Total | 120 credits (121 credits if MTH 110 is taken) |
Suggested Curriculum Sequence (assumes a 21 credit minor)
|
Fall Year One |
Winter Year One |
||
| 3 cr | 4 cr | ||
| 4 cr | 4 cr | ||
|
MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits) (or 4 credit 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
|
AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits) (SWS) |
3 cr | 3 cr | |
| General Education Social/Behavioral | 3 cr | Issues | 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 ( AHS 490 - Health Care Internship (1 to 12 credits) 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 credits) may be taken in place of BMS 208, 290, and 291. Student is responsible for earning one additional credit if BMS 208/290/291 sequence of anatomy and physiology is used. The student is responsible for earning 120 credits. A three credit elective should be taken if MTH 110 is not.
Student must also take one additional SWS course in either a general education, minor, Issues, or elective course.
Prehealth 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-percent 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 (D.P.T.) 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 D.P.T. programs outside of GVSU for specific requirements. Students will be advised that the GVSU D.P.T. program requires a minimum GPA of 3.20 and that GVSU, as do most D.P.T. 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 prehealth professional PT emphasis.
The student should be advised that progression through the prehealth 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 D.P.T. graduate program.
Prehealth Professional Physical Therapy Emphasis Curriculum
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions Credits: 3
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology Credits: 1
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry Credits: 4
- MOV 304 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology Credits: 3
- MTH 122 - College Algebra Credits: 3
- MTH 123 - Trigonometry Credits: 3 (or MTH 125 or MTH 201)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I Credits: 5
- PHY 221 - General Physics II Credits: 5
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
- PSY 364 - Life Span Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
- SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 ( ANT 204 or SOC 105 acceptable here also to fulfill General Education Soc/Beh)
- Students should choose one of the following anatomy and physiology sequences: Sequence A BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits) BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits) BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (1 credit) (Students may consider BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit) as a recommended elective in this sequence) OR Sequence B BMS 250/251 - Anatomy & Physiology I & II Credits: 8 Electives 21 credits (a minor can be elected with advisement, if desired) Total in Emphasis 76 credits AHS Core 22 credits General Education (Unduplicated) 22 credits Total in Degree120 credits
Suggested Curriculum Sequence
|
Fall Year One |
Winter Year One |
||
| 3 cr | 4 cr | ||
| 4 cr |
PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits) (General Education Soc/Beh) |
3 cr | |
|
MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits) (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 | (4 cr) | ||
| (4 cr) |
MTH 123 - Trigonometry (3 credits) (prerequisite for PHY 220) |
3 cr | |
| 4 cr | , , or (PT Required - Fulfills General Education 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 | ||
|
BMS 309 - Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1 credit) (recommended) |
1 cr | Total | 15 cr |
| Total | 16 cr | ||
|
Fall Year Four |
Winter Year Four |
||
|
AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits) |
3 cr | General Education World Perspectives | 3 cr |
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| Issues | 3 cr | Elective | 9 cr |
| Electives (SWS) | 5 cr | Total |
15 cr |
| Total | 14 cr |
Total Credits: 120
Prehealth 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 prehealth 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 prehealth 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.
Prehealth Professional Physician Assistant Studies Emphasis Courses
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions Credits: 3
- BIO 328 - Biomedical Ethics Credits: 3
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics Credits: 3
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy Credits: 3 AND BMS 290 Human Physiology Credits: 3 AND BMS 291 Laboratory in Human Physiology Credits: 1
- OR BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits) AND BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology Credits: 1
- BMS 305 - Clinical Nutrition Credits: 3
- BMS 310 - Basic Pathophysiology Credits: 3
- BMS 311 - Pharmacological Aspects of Biomedical Sciences Credits: 3
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry Credits: 4
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences Credits: 4
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
| 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 | ||
|
MTH 110 - Algebra (or 4 credit 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 | (4 cr) | ||
| (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 | ||
|
AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (SWS) |
3 cr | Issues | 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.
Prespeech Language Pathology Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required
This undergraduate emphasis prepares students for admission into a graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology. 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 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, and extended care and clinical facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28,900 additional speech-language pathologists will be needed to fill the demand between 2014 and 2024 ' a 21 percent increase in job openings. The Department of Labor also projects that employment of audiologists is expected to grow 29 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than average for all occupations.
Admission into the Speech-Language Pathology Emphasis
Students typically apply for admission into the emphasis the second semester of the sophomore year. Prerequisites include 3.0 GPA; application form; official transcript(s) from all nonGVSU colleges/universities attended. Application forms can be found on the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) website. All completed materials must be sent directly to the CSD department. Admitted students begin the emphasis in the fall semester. The emphasis must be completed over a minimum of two academic years.
Required Courses for the Speech-Language Pathology Emphasis
The AHS B.S. degree with an 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 and audiology.
Required Coursework for Students Who Do Not Wish to Earn a Major in Allied Health Sciences
Undergraduate students who wish to complete a GVSU major other than allied health sciences can also enroll in the courses that fulfill prerequisite coursework requirement for most graduate schools in SLP or audiology. NonAHS students must complete and submit an emphasis application and be admitted to the program to enroll in the courses. The coursework can be completed in two or four semesters. Courses listed below with an asterisk (*) fulfill the prerequisite requirements for most graduate programs and make up the curriculum for nonAHS major students.
The two-semester sequence is abbreviated, can be completed in a short time period and consists of all of the courses with asterisks, with the following modification: SLP 403 and SLP 405 are not offered.
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
- BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
- BMS 251 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
- PSY 301 - Child Development Credits: 3 OR PSY 364 - Life Span Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- SLP 200 - Introduction to Communication Disorders Credits: 3
- * SLP 302 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism Credits: 3
- * CSD 220 - Communication Development Credits: 3
- * SLP 304 - Phonetics Credits: 3
- * SLP 305 - Introduction to Hearing Science Credits: 3
- * SLP 306 - Speech Science Credits: 3
- * SLP 307 - Language Disorders Credits: 3
- * SLP 308 - Articulation and Phonological Disorders Credits: 3
- * CSD 309 - Basic Audiology Credits: 3
- * SLP 401 - Neurological Foundations of Communication Disorders Credits: 3
- * SLP 402 - Voice and Fluency Credits: 3
- * SLP 403 - Diagnostics in Communication Disorders Credits: 3
- * CSD 404 - Audiologic Rehabilitation Credits: 3
- * SLP 405 - Clinical Methods Credits: 3
| Emphasis Total | 56 credits |
| AHS Core Total | 22 credits |
| Electives | 9 credits |
| General Education (unduplicated) | 33 credits |
| Total in Degree | 120 credits |
Suggested Curriculum Sequence
|
Fall Year One |
Winter Year One |
||
| 4 cr | General Education Arts | 3 cr | |
| 4 cr | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr | 4 cr | ||
|
MTH 110 - Algebra (or 4 credit general education elective) |
4 cr | 3 cr | |
| Total | 15 cr | 3 cr | |
| Total | 16 cr | ||
|
Fall Year Two |
Winter Year Two |
||
| 4 cr | 4 cr | ||
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| or | 3 cr | 3 cr | |
| General Education History | 3 cr | General Education Philosophy | 3 cr |
| General Education World Perspective | 3 cr | Elective | 3 cr |
| Total | 16 cr | Total | 16 cr |
|
Fall Year Three |
Winter Year Three |
||
|
AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (SWS) |
3 cr | General Education Social/Behavioral | 3 cr |
|
SLP 302 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism |
3 cr | 3 cr | |
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr |
General Education EDF 315 - U.S. Diversity |
3 cr | |
| Elective | 3 cr | Issues | 3 cr |
| Total | 15 cr | Total | 15 cr |
|
Fall Year Four |
Winter Year Four |
||
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
|
SLP 401 - Neurological Foundations of Communication Disorders |
3 cr | 3 cr | |
| 3 cr |
SLP 405 - Clinical Methods (Capstone) |
3 cr | |
| Elective | 3 cr | Elective | 3 cr |
| Total | 15 cr | Total | 15 cr |
Total Credits: 123
Health Professional Degree Completion Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required
Health professionals whose disciplines have an entry education preparation at the associate's or Associate's of Applied Science degree level constitute an important population of health care workers today. These professions include medical assisting, occupational therapy assistant, surgical technology, dental hygiene, and dozens more. The health professional degree completion emphasis is designed to complement the associate's degree professional education with a path to earn a Bachelor's of Science in allied health sciences (AHS), using the student's professional education and the essential components of upper-division baccalaureate education to maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Not only is there career enhancement for the health care professional with a Bachelor's of Science, but also earning a baccalaureate provides the prerequisite knowledge for the expansion of skills to graduate programs.
A transfer student wishing to enter the AHS health professional degree completion emphasis must meet three criteria prior to starting the program:
- Possess an earned Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degree from a school accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- The Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science must be in a health profession program requiring external accreditation by the professional body regulating that particular profession.
- The health profession offers national voluntary credentialing or requires state licensing and the student either possesses or is eligible for earning that credential or license.
Up to 80 associate or Associate of Applied Science credits can apply toward earning the AHS bachelor's degree. Transferability of credit will be done on an individual basis through transcript evaluation. If the associate or Associate of Applied Science degree being used in this transfer is less than 80 credits, the additional credits needed to meet 120 credits for the bachelor's degree must be completed at GVSU. The student must earn 40 credits at GVSU with a total of 120 required for the bachelor's degree. Admission to GVSU requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for admission consideration. Precollege preparation courses that transfer as less than 100 level in GVSU's course numbering system cannot be applied to the possible 80 transfer credits.
There is no admission deadline for this emphasis. Enrollment will occur on a continuing basis over the academic year at the start of the next semester. The procedure for application requires the following:
- Application for admission and acceptance to GVSU with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Demonstration of transcript and professional documentation fulfilling the three criteria above.
- Completion of the AHS health professional degree completion application form found at the Allied Health Sciences website: www.gvsu.edu/ahs/.
All students will need to fulfill the AHS core course requirements, unless suitable transfer credit is arranged.
All students in the AHS health professional degree completion emphasis are required to complete the following core courses:
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- A Capstone course is also a part of this health professional degree completion emphasis: ' AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
A minor is not required in the AHS health professional degree completion emphasis.
Students in the AHS health professional degree completion emphasis must also complete all general education Foundations categories, upper-division general education Issues requirements by taking the coursework at GVSU.
The AHS bachelor's degree requires that 40 of the 120 credits be taken at GVSU. During the GVSU application process students will submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Upon acceptance to GVSU, the admissions offer will provide a formal evaluation of credits for transfer. The academic advisor and student will use this information to build an academic plan outlining courses required for completion of the allied health sciences emphasis and general education components of the degree. The remaining credits applied toward the Bachelor's of Science degree in allied health sciences (up to 80 total) will come from the professional coursework successfully completed in the respective associate or Associate of Applied Science health profession. Since each student's transcript will be different, depending on the school attended and the health profession pursued, the planning of what courses are required to earn the baccalaureate degree will be individually determined.
The AHS department recognizes that many students earning a bachelor's degree through this emphasis are concurrently working in their respective health profession. Every effort will be made to advise students to enroll in online/hybrid and evening course sections to lessen commuting and/or daytime presence.
The course of studies that follows is intended only as an example. It is formatted as a full-time student schedule. A part-time schedule would be different. Each individual student's plan of progress will vary as to the exact courses being taken each semester.
Suggested Curriculum Sequence
| Semester One - GVSU |
Semester Two - GVSU |
||
| General Education | 3 cr | General Education | 3 cr |
| General Education | 3 cr | Genearl Education - Issues (advise non-AHS SWS*) | 3 cr |
| 4 cr | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr | 3 cr |
3 cr
| Total | 13 credits | Total | 15 credits |
Semester Three - GVSU
| General Education | 3 cr | ||
| (SWS*) (Capstone) | 3 cr | ||
| General Education | 3 cr | ||
| Elective (advise Gen. Ed. Non-AHS Issues course) | 3 cr | ||
| Total | 12 cr |
Total from Semesters One, Two, and Three: 40 credits
Transferred from Community College: 80 credits (potential)
Total for AHS Bachelor's Degree: 120 credits
The student is responsible to remain in close contact with either the College of Health Professions Student Services Office advisers or AHS faculty advisers when fulfilling the requirements of this emphasis. Students can refer to www.gvsu.edu/gened for an outline of the required general education courses. Students are responsible for fulfilling all general education Foundations, Issues, SWS, and AHS major course requirements, as outlined above, needed for the bachelor's degree in AHS.
*SWS stands for Supplemental Writing Skills. GVSU requires that two classes designated SWS be completed with a grade of at least C for graduation. The two SWS classes cannot have the same course prefix, i.e. AHS.
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 B.S. with Histotechnology Emphasis
- BIO 355 - Human Genetics Credits: 3
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology Credits: 1
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy Credits: 3
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology Credits: 3
- BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology Credits: 1
(BMS 250 /251 Anatomy & Physiology I & II can substitute for BMS 208/290/291)
- BMS 310 - Basic Pathophysiology Credits: 3
- BMS 410 - Immunology Credits: 3
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 232 - Biological Chemistry Credits: 4
- MLS 102 - Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences Credits: 1
- MLS 416 - Hematology Credits: 3 and MLS 417 - Clinical Hematology Laboratory (1 credit)
- PHY 200 - Physics for the Life Sciences Credits: 4
- AHS 490 - Health Care Internship Credits: 1 to 12
| Electives | 5 credits |
| Emphasis Total (a minor is not required) | 70 credits |
| AHS Core | 22 credits |
| General Education | 28 credits |
| Total | 120 credits |
Suggested Curriculum Sequence
|
Fall Year One |
Winter Year One |
||
| 4 cr | 4 cr | ||
|
MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits) or math equivalent |
4 cr | 4 cr | |
| 3 cr | 4 cr | ||
| General Education Art | 3 cr |
MLS 102 - Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences (1 credit) |
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 | ||
| (4 cr) | Elective | 1 cr | |
| General Education Social/Behavioral | 3 cr | 4 cr | |
| 3 cr | (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 | ||
|
AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits) (SWS) |
3 cr | General Education Social/Behavioral SWS | 3 cr |
| 3 cr | Issues | 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 |
||
|
AHS 490 - Health Care Internship - Beaumont Hospital (Capstone) |
12 cr |
AHS 490 - Health Care Internship - Beaumont Hospital (Capstone) |
12 cr |
| Total | 12 cr | Total | 12 cr |
Total Credits: 120
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required
This emphasis prepares students to serve as interpreters for the deaf and/or hard of hearing. The emphasis is designed to educate students in advanced signing skills and the application of those skills to typical settings that frequently require an interpreter, including health care, social services, business, and the legal systems. Each basic course in health care, social services, business, and the legal systems has a signing-associated seminar where the vocabulary needed to be successful in that area is learned and students have opportunities to discuss effective interpreting, business practice, and best practices for the profession.
Secondary Admission Process
Students will apply for competitive admission into the ASL emphasis the second semester of the sophomore year. Prerequisites include 2.0 GPA overall and a grade no less than a C in any of the pre-emphasis courses below; completion of 45 semester hours (may be in progress); and application form. The ASL emphasis will not accept more students than there are community practicum sites (25 students currently) available, thus admission to the emphasis is competitive.
Required Courses for the American sign language Interpreting Emphasis
Pre-emphasis required coursework:
- ASL 201 - American Sign Language 1 Credits: 3
- ASL 202 - American Sign Language 2 Credits: 3
- ASL 203 - American Sign Language 3 Credits: 3
- ASL 210 - Introduction to American Sign Language Interpreting Credits: 3
Emphasis required coursework:
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
- ASL 321 - Medical and Developmental Interpreting Credits: 1
- ASL 323 - Business Interpreting Credits: 3
- ASL 324 - Legal Interpreting Credits: 1
- ASL 325 - Social Services Interpreting Credits: 3
- ASL 326 - Educational Interpreting Credits: 1
- ASL 327 - ASL to English Credits: 3
- ASL 420 - American Sign Language Linguistics Credits: 3
- ASL 421 - Deaf History and Culture Credits: 3
- ASL 422 - Deaf History and Culture Practicum Credits: 3
- ASL 423 - ASL Interpreting Practicum Credits: 6
- EDS 378 - Universal Design for Learning: Elementary Credits: 3
- LS 201 - Introduction to Law Credits: 3
- MGT 331 - Concepts of Management Credits: 3
- CSD 220 - Communication Development Credits: 3
- SW 150 - Human Needs in Complex Societies Credits: 3
| Pre-emphasis Total | 12 credits |
| Emphasis Total | 41 credits |
| General Education (unduplicated) | 28 credits |
| AHS Core Courses | 22 credits |
| Electives (if MTH 110 is not required) | 16 credits |
| Total | 120 credits |
Suggested Curriculum Sequence
|
Fall Year One |
Winter Year One |
||
| 4 cr | 3 cr | ||
|
MTH 110 - Algebra or Math Equivalent |
4 cr | 3 cr | |
| 3 cr | General Education History | 3 cr | |
| 4 cr | General Education Arts | 3 cr | |
| Total | 15 credits | Elective | 3 cr |
| Total | 15 credits | ||
|
Fall Year Two |
Winter Year Two |
||
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
|
ASL 210 - Introduction to American Sign Language Interpreting |
3 cr | General Education World Perspectives | 3 cr |
| General Education Philosophy & Literature | 3 cr | Elective | 3 cr |
| General Education Nonlab Physical Science | 3 cr | Elective | 3 cr |
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits |
|
Fall Year Three |
Winter Year Three |
||
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr | 1 cr | ||
| 1 cr | 1 cr | ||
| 1 cr | 1 cr | ||
| General Education U.S. Diversity | 3 cr | 3 cr | |
| Elective | 1 cr | Elective | 3 cr |
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits |
|
Fall Year Four |
Winter Year Four |
||
| 3 cr |
AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (SWS) |
3 cr | |
| 3 cr | 6 cr | ||
| 3 cr | Issues | 3 cr | |
| 3 cr | Elective | 3 cr | |
| 3 cr | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits |
Total Credits: 120
Students must complete two SWS classes.
Allied Health Sciences with Respiratory Care Emphasis - Minor not required, Secondary Admission Required
Respiratory therapists provide direct patient care for those who have trouble breathing across a broad scope of reasons. The patients of respiratory therapists range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs, children and adolescents with asthma, to elderly patients with emphysema. Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and in-home care where they provide emergency care to patients suffering from pulmonary failure, heart attacks, drowning, trauma, or shock.
The allied health sciences (AHS) respiratory care emphasis is conducted in collaboration with Muskegon Community College's (MCC) fully accredited program in respiratory therapy. There are two ways to be admitted to this emphasis:
-
Up to 18 qualified GVSU students will be admitted to the respiratory care emphasis each year (fall) after completing GVSU's first year science prerequisite and general education courses. The curriculum sequence is listed as follows. Admitted students will complete the professional respiratory therapy curriculum at MCC during their second and third year. Following the completion of the MCC professional respiratory therapy curriculum, students return to GVSU to complete their fourth year, simultaneously earning an Associate's of Science degree from MCC and a Bachelor's of Science degree from GVSU in allied health sciences - emphasis in respiratory care. The program sequence would include: one year GVSU + two years MCC + one year GVSU.
-
Graduates of an accredited Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) associate's or Associate's of Applied Science degree respiratory therapy program may apply to the respiratory care emphasis. Up to 80 undergraduate transfer credits can apply to the AHS bachelor's degree. Transferability of credit will be done on an individual basis through transcript evaluation.
Secondary Admission Requirements for Admissions to the GVSU-MCC Respiratory Care Program
1. Completion of the following courses with no course grade less than a C and an overall GPA of 2.5
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits)
- MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits) (A three-credit general education course can be taken in place of MTH 110 if advanced math placement is achieved.)
- General education social/behavioral course (recommend PSY 101)
2. The following courses must be completed prior to the start of fall-year two, with no course grade less than a C and an overall GPA of 2.50 in order to begin the MCC professional respiratory therapy courses:
- BMS 250 - Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
- General Education Foundations requirement Credits: 3
- General Education Foundations requirement Credits: 3
3. Application process: Students must complete and submit the following materials by February 28 for fall admission of the year of application.
- Application for admission to the respiratory care emphasis (available at www.gvsu.edu/ahs)
- Demonstrated completion of and enrollment in the courses listed above
- Demonstrated fulfillment of minimum grade requirements for courses completed
- Submission of 2 letters of professional reference
Students who are accepted into the emphasis must successfully complete the 1st year sciences and general education courses prior to starting the professional respiratory therapy courses in fall - year 2.
Financial aid plans: Students in the GVSU cohort receiving financial aid will need to meet with a designated GVSU financial aid advisor to coordinate aid between GVSU and Muskegon Community College. This is necessary because there are two consecutive semesters where students take courses only at Muskegon Community College.
Students with an earned associate's or Associate's of Applied Science degree in respiratory therapy (Care):
Students who are graduates of an accredited respiratory therapy (care) program and have an associate's of science or associate's of applied science may apply for admission to the AHS respiratory care emphasis. A total of 80 credits in science and general education courses that have an equivalency with GVSU courses in addition to the professional respiratory therapy courses can transfer to GVSU in fulfilling the AHS bachelor's degree requirements. The maximum transferable credits to GVSU is 80 credits; an additional 40 credits must be taken at GVSU to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 120 credits. Transcript evaluation of applicants for transfer credit will be done on an individual basis and subject to the credit transfer policies of GVSU. Students are responsible for consulting with their advisor to ensure all GVSU general education foundation, issues, and Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) requirements are met.
AHS Core Course Requirements
All students in the AHS respiratory care emphasis, whether in the GVSU cohort or transferring with an earned associate's or Associate's in Applied Science degree in respiratory therapy (care), are required to complete or transfer the following AHS core courses.
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- AHS 301 - Introduction to Health Care Research (3 credits)
- AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (3 credits)
- AHS 340 - Health Care Management (3 credits)
- AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions (3 credits)
Suggested Curriculum Sequence - GVSU Student Cohort (1 + 2 + 1)
|
Fall Year One - at GVSU |
Winter Year One - at GVSU |
||
| 4 cr | 4 cr | ||
| 4 cr | 4 cr | ||
|
MTH 110 - Algebra (or three-credit General Education Foundation) |
3-4 cr | General Education Foundation Requirement | 3 cr |
|
General Education Soc/Beh (recommend PSY 101) |
3 cr | General Education Foundation Requirement | 3 cr |
| Total | 14-15 cr | Total | 14 cr |
|
Fall Year Two - at GVSU and MCC |
Winter Year Two - at GVSU and MCC |
||
| AH 102 - Basic Patient Care Skills | 3 cr | RT 110 - Equipment & Procedures I (with lab) | 3 cr |
| 4 cr | RT 111 - Intro to Respiratory Therapy (with lab) (accelerated Jan-Feb) | 3 cr | |
| RT 101 - Respiratory Therapy Physics | 1 cr | RT 120 - Equipment & Procedures II (with lab) | 3 cr |
| 3 cr | RT 121 - Pharmacology | 2 cr | |
| General Education Foundation Requirement | 3 cr | RT 122 - Clinical I (accelerated Mar-May) | 2 cr |
| General Education Foundation Requirement | 3 cr | ||
| Total | 14 cr | Total | 16 cr |
|
Spring/Summer Year Two - at MCC (May- July) |
Fall Year Three - at MCC |
||
| RT 130 - Equipment & Procedures II (with lab) | 3 cr | RT 141 - Pulmonary Pathophysiology | 2 cr |
| RT 131 - Physiology | 3 cr | RT 144 - Adult Mechanical Ventilation | 3 cr |
| RT 132 - Clinical II | 3 cr | RT 152 - CLI Clinical III (accelerated Aug-Oct) | 5 cr |
| RT 134 - Intro to Mechanical Ventilation | 1 cr | RT 162 - CLI Clinical IV (accelerated Oct-Dec) | 7 cr |
| Total | 10 cr | Total | 17 cr |
|
Winter Year Three - at GVSU and MCC |
Spring/Summer Year Three - at GVSU and MCC |
||
|
AHS 321 - Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care (SWS) |
3 cr | RT 222A - Clinical Rotation VI | 7 cr |
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| RT 210 - Cardiovascular/Renal Physiology | 4 cr | Total | 10 cr |
| RT 220C - Peds/Neonatal Critical Care | 4 cr | Fall Year Four - at GVSU and MCC | |
| General Education Foundation Requirement | 3 cr | ||
| Total | 17 cr | RT 222A - Clinical Rotation VI | 3 cr* |
| RT 240 - Health Care Environment | 1 cr | ||
| General - Education Issue (not AHS) | 3 cr | ||
| General Education Foundation Requirement | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr | |||
| Total | 13* cr |
Total for AHS Bachelor's Degree 122 credits (126 if MTH 110 is needed)
Suggested Curriculum Sequence - Students with an A.S. or A.A.S.
Students who have an earned associate's degree in respiratory therapy or care program can transfer 80 credits in science and general education courses that have an equivalency with GVSU courses in addition to the professional respiratory therapy courses in fulfilling the AHS bachelor's degree requirements. If the transfer of credits is less than 80 then additional GVSU courses must be taken to reach 120 credits and fulfill all GVSU credit categories. Students are responsible for consulting with their advisor to ensure all GVSU general education Foundations, Issues, and Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) requirements are met.
| Winter Year Three |
Fall Year Four |
||
| General Education Art | 3 cr | General Education Foundation | 3 cr |
|
General Education Foundation (recommend Soc/Beh, not PSY 101) |
3 cr | General Education Issues (advise non AHS SWS) | 3 cr |
| 4 cr | 3 cr | ||
| 3 cr | 3 cr | ||
| Total | 13 cr | 3 cr | |
| Total | 15cr |
Winter Year Four
| General Education Foundations | 3 cr | ||
| General Education Foundations | 3 cr | ||
| AHS 495 - Issues in Health Professions | 3 cr | ||
| Electives (GVSU) | 3 cr | ||
| Total | 12 cr |
Total Credits: 120
Students are responsible for fulfilling all General Education Foundation, Issues, and SWS course requirements needed for the Bachelor's of Science Degree in AHS. Individual courses needed by students in the Community College Cohort will be based on transcript evaluation and could vary from those noted above.
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, and sexuality studies. Other minors may be applicable to the student's 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.