Health professionals who enter their fields with an associate’s degree, such as medical assisting, occupational therapy assisting, surgical technology, and dental hygiene, are an important part of today’s health care workforce. The Health Professional Degree Completion emphasis builds on this professional education by providing a pathway to a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences (AHS). The program combines students’ existing professional training with upper-division baccalaureate coursework, preparing them for career advancement and providing the foundation needed for graduate-level education.

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. A secondary application and admission are required.

The Pre-Health Physical Therapy (PT) emphasis is for students who are interested in later applying to the Grand Valley State University PT graduate program. Students may need to complete additional prerequisites when applying to other college/university PT programs. A minor is not required for this emphasis. Students interested in this major are encouraged to meet with a College of Health Professions advisor early in their academic career.  

The Pre-Health Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) emphasis is for students who are interested in later applying to the Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) graduate program. Students may need to complete additional prerequisites when applying to other college/university PAS programs. A minor is not required for this emphasis. Students interested in this major are encouraged to meet with a College of Health Professions advisor early in their academic career.  

The Social Science emphasis consists of the disciplined and systematic study of society and its institutions, and how and why people behave as they do, both as individuals and in groups within society. This emphasis provides versatility that will build strong analytical, research, and critical thinking skills coupled with the ability to understand societal and individual behaviors within health care. The diverse nature of this emphasis provides students with the ability to create an individualized academic plan that will fit the health care needs of today and open the door to health care careers outside of the clinical setting, as well as graduate programs such as Public Health or Occupational Therapy (prerequisites required).