Healthcare Studies

Faculty

Professor Amy L. Everitt, Chairperson

Professors: Michele M. Sweeney, Yvonne M. Vissing

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Science - Healthcare Studies

The Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Studies is a non-clinical degree preparing students to work in a variety of settings in the healthcare industry. Designed with an interdisciplinary approach, students will complete a core of healthcare studies courses before completing a mandatory minor in their chosen concentration. There is also a completion option for Allied Healthcare providers with an associate degree or certificate to finish a bachelor’s degree.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Studies prepares students who would like to enter non-clinical occupations in the healthcare field and may include:

Health care advocate or lobbyist
Medical and health service managers
Marketing and sales in areas such as pharmaceuticals, insurance, healthcare, medical equipment
Healthcare office managers and administrators
Wellness Coordinator
Social Services Case Manager
Children and youth services
Public health services
Health promotions
Health information and data management
Non-profit organizations

The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies requires students to complete 120 credits. A highlight of the program will be an opportunity for workplace observation hours in addition to a senior level internship. This includes 34 credit hours in the Healthcare Studies core with an additional 15 credits of electives to support the core; 35 credit hours of distribution courses in the humanities, natural sciences/mathematics and social sciences; 12 credits of prerequisite support courses and 9-13 credits of free electives. In addition students will complete a mandatory minor of 15-18 credits to support the student’s area of interest in the healthcare field. Suggested minors may include: Accounting, Communication Studies, Computer/Information Studies, Fitness/Wellness, Journalism, Management, Marketing, Public Policy, Public Relations, Social Work, Sociology, or World Languages.

Mission Statement

As Salem State University’s Bachelor of Healthcare Studies department, we prepare our students to live inspired and ethical lives by developing the interdisciplinary knowledge, skills, and values central to the discipline of healthcare exhibiting a commitment to lifelong learning with wisdom, humanity, and courage to change lives in both our local and global communities.

The global goals of the Healthcare Studies program are:

To expose students to the wide range of careers and roles in the health care arena
To prepare students to adapt to the ever changing health care environment
To stimulate students ability to critically examine social problems and issues being faced globally
To ensure students have an understanding of ethical health care practice
To stimulate and support scholarship and research and to facilitate efforts for interdisciplinary collaboration
To foster a sense of civic engagement in the local, national, and global community
To develop an understanding of diverse cultural and social groups to promote respectful relationships
To develop effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills
To identify and explore potential areas of interest as long-term career paths
To instill in students and faculty the value and importance of lifelong learning and incorporating technological innovations