2018-2019 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science
- Requirements for a Major in Allied Health Sciences
- Selection of an 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
- 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
- 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 | |
| Health Professional Degree Completion | No | Yes | |
| Histotechnology Emphasis | No | Yes | (Winter Semester, Year 4) |
| Respiratory Care Emphasis | No | Yes |
B.S. in Allied Health Sciences Major Core Courses (22 credits)
Individual emphases will require a Capstone course.
-
Credits: 3 for the prehealth professional emphasis in physical therapy, the prehealth professional emphasis in physician assistant studies, general allied health sciences emphasis, and health information and reimbursement emphasis. -
Credits: 1 to 12 for the histotechnology emphasis
Bachelor of Science Course Requirements
Selection of an 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
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Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 1 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 - Students should choose one of the following anatomy and physiology sequences: Sequence A
- Human Physiology Laboratory Credits: 1 OR Sequence B and 251 - Anatomy & Physiology I and II Credits: 8 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 taken or not - includes six credits 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 is taken)
Suggested Curriculum Sequence (assumes a 21 credit minor)
*
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
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
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Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 1 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 (or or ) -
Credits: 5 -
Credits: 5 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 ( or acceptable here to fulfill general education Social and Behavioral Sciences) - Students should choose one of the following anatomy and physiology sequences: Sequence A
(Students may consider as a recommended elective in this sequence) OR Sequence B /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 Degree 120 credits
Suggested Curriculum Sequence
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
-
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 1 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 3 - Students should choose one of the following anatomy and physiology sequences: Sequence A (Note: Many non-GVSU PAS programs prefer/require this sequence)
-
Anatomy Credits: 3 -
Human Physiology Credits: 3 -
Human Physiology Laboratory Credits: 1 -
Human Anatomy Laboratory Credits: 1
Electives 25 credits (a minor can be elected with advisement, if desired) Total in Emphasis 73 credits (calculated using /290/291 sequence) AHS Core 22 credits General Education (unduplicated) 25 credits Degree Total 120 (121) credits -
Suggested Curriculum Sequence
Students are responsible for one additional SWS course, which can be from electives or general education courses.
Health Professional Degree Completion Emphasis - Minor not Required, Secondary Admission Required
Health professionals whose disciplines have an entry education preparation at the associates or Associates 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 that associates degree professional education with a path to earn a Bachelor's of Science in allied health sciences (AHS), using both the students' 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 from a school accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- The Associates of Science or Associates 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 associates or Associates 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.
- Demonstrate transcript and professional documentation fulfilling the three criteria above.
- Complete the AHS health professional degree completion application form found at the Allied Health Sciences website at 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:
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 foundation 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 as 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 |
| Total | 13 credits | Total | 15 credits |
| General education | 3 cr | ||
| (SWS*) (Capstone) | 3 cr | ||
| General education | 3 cr | ||
| Elective (advise general education Non-AHS Issues course) | 3 cr | ||
| Total | 12 cr |
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 (
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
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 (
Required Courses for the AHS B.S. with Histotechnology Emphasis
(
-
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 3 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 4 -
Credits: 1 -
Credits: 3 and -
Credits: 4 -
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
|
|
3 cr | ||
| Total | 3 cr | ||
| Fall Year Four | Winter Year Four | ||
|
|
12 cr |
|
12 cr |
| Total | 12 cr | Total | 12 cr |
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 Associates 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.
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Graduates of an accredited Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) associates or Associates 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
- Overall GPA of 2.5
- Completion of
with a passing grade - Completion of the following with at least a C (not C-) grade
- General education Social and Behavioral Sciences course (recommend
)
By the fall after admission, students must have completed the following with no course grade less than a C (not C-) and an overall GPA of 2.5 in order to begin the MCC professional respiratory therapy courses.
-
-
- General education Foundations requirement Credits: 3
- General education Foundations requirement Credits: 3
Application process: Students must complete and submit the following materials by March 15 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 two letters of professional reference
Students who are accepted into the emphasis must successfully complete the first year sciences and general education courses prior to starting the professional respiratory therapy courses in fall - year two.
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 associates or Associates of Applied Science degree in respiratory therapy (Care):
Students who are graduates of an accredited respiratory therapy (care) program and have an associates of science or associates 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 associates or Associates in Applied Science degree in respiratory therapy (care), are required to complete or transfer the following AHS core courses.
Suggested Curriculum Sequence - GVSU Student Cohort (1 + 2 + 1)
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 Four
| General education Foundations | 3 cr | ||
| General education Foundations | 3 cr | ||
|
|
3 cr | ||
| Electives (GVSU) | 3 cr | ||
| Total | 12 cr |
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.