Health Sciences

Degree:Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Major:Health Sciences
Specialization:Healthcare Administration
Minor:Behavior Analysis
Department:Health Sciences and Administration
Building 38, Room 135A
(850) 474-3468
https://uwf.edu/ukcoh/departments/health-sciences-administration/
College:Usha Kundu, MD College of Health
CIP Code:51.0000
Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120

The B.S. in Health Sciences Program is designed for undergraduate students who wish to pursue their studies in health and healthcare. This degree is geared toward developing health professionals and healthcare administrators who are empowered to promote the health and well-being of the populations they serve. The major is intended for students interested in career advancement or for those whose goal is to work in the health professions providing service to individuals and communities. Students choose to pursue either the (1) generalized Health Sciences degree or (2) the specialization in Healthcare Administration. Students interested in pursuing occupational therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic, nutrition, physician assistant or accelerated nursing programs after they graduate should plan early to incorporate the course requirements for those programs, if possible, into their Health Sciences Degree.

Federal and state regulations, as well as most healthcare organization policies, require employees to undergo a background check before hire. Background checking and drug screening is also required prior to placement in an internship. Please consider this when deciding on a major and career path.

Program Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must complete at least 120 semester hours with a minimum of 48 specified upper-division hours (3000/4000 level) at UWF.

Acceptance to the University does not constitute admission to the upper division Health Science Program. Students entering UWF or declaring a major in Health Sciences will automatically be placed in a pending status until they meet the requirements for admission.

  • Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all previously attempted college work
  • Students must successfully complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better
  • Students must be at the level of a sophomore or higher
  • Students must complete the Health Sciences Application form

Those who do not complete these requirements may be denied further registration and may be prevented from further enrollment in Health Sciences courses.

Students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Academic Conduct. The penalty for any instance of academic misconduct will be handled according to the Office of Students Rights and Responsibilities' Academic Misconduct Process. Depending on the seriousness of the violation, that process may result in additional penalties such as a failing grade for the course, denial of admission to or dismissal from the Health Sciences Program, or even suspension or expulsion from the University. Students are advised to take special care to preserve their academic integrity and not to jeopardize it by any form of academic misconduct.

Not all states authorize online programs, if you are residing outside of Florida you will want to check the status of your state's acceptance of this program: UWF State Authorization Status.

This program will not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. Contact International Affairs for further information.

No more than 24% of the program requirements for this degree may be in traditional business subjects.

Consult with your academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.

Health Sciences 

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum: 

Students should take the following to satisfy components of General Education. Students interested in pursuing graduate programs in health should speak to their advisors about taking BSC 1085/BSC 1085L and CHM 2045/CHM 2045L to meet the General Education Requirements:

Mathematics:6
MAC 1105College Algebra3
STA 2023Elements of Statistics3
Social Science3
PSY 2012General Psychology3
Natural Science:4
BSC 1005+LGeneral Biology for Non-Majors (+Lab)4
or BSC 1085
1085L
Anatomy and Physiology I
and Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory

Multicultural Requirement

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy.  The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Students Included in Cohort Civic Literacy Competency Requirement
Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 None
Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 Complete a course or exam
Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter Complete both a course and exam

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.

*BOG 8.006s.1007.25(4,a-b) 

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

BSC 1005+LGeneral Biology for Non-Majors (+Lab) *, **4
MAC 1105College Algebra *3
PSY 2012General Psychology *3
STA 2023Elements of Statistics *3
Total Hours13

Lower Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 sh in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. Students interested in pursuing graduate programs in health should speak to their advisors for guidance on how to meet these requirements.15-27
Total Hours15-27

Major

HSC 3034Career Essentials for Healthcare +3
HSC 3535Medical Terminology +3
HSC 2622Introduction to Global Health Sciences +3
BUL 4602Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare +3
PCB 4703Human Physiology +3
ENC 3213Professional and Technical Writing +3
GEY 4001Gerontology +3
HSC 4404Medical Disaster Management +3
HSA 3551Health Ethics and Professionalism +3
HSC 3147Pharmacology for Health Professionals +3
HSC 3510Data Analysis in the Health Sciences +3
HSA 3111Understanding U.S. Healthcare +3
HSC 4502Principles of Human Disease +3
HSC 4050Health Sciences Capstone Course +3
HSA 4192Current Topics in Health Informatics +3
MCB 4276Epidemiology of Infectious Disease +3
Approved Electives *, +12
Total Hours60

Major-Related

Students should speak with an academic advisor to discuss prerequisites and possible transfer courses (including credit earned through military service schools or USAFI/DANTES) which may meet requirements.

Healthcare Administration Specialization

Healthcare administrators work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, mental health organizations, and insurance companies.  Demographic pressures, advances in medicine and technology, and increased health regulations have led to a rapid increase in the demand for this field.

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum: 

Students should take the following to satisfy components of General Education:

Mathematics:6
MAC 1105College Algebra3
STA 2023Elements of Statistics3
Social Science:3
PSY 2012General Psychology3
Natural Science:8
BSC 1085Anatomy and Physiology I3
CHM 2045General Chemistry I3

Multicultural Requirement

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy.  The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Students Included in Cohort Civic Literacy Competency Requirement
Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 None
Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 Complete a course or exam
Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter Complete both a course and exam

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.

*BOG 8.006s.1007.25(4,a-b) 

Common Prerequisites

BSC 1005+LGeneral Biology for Non-Majors (+Lab) *, **4
MAC 1105College Algebra *3
PSY 2012General Psychology *3
STA 2023Elements of Statistics *3
Total Hours13

 Lower Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 sh in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. Students in the Interdisciplinary Specialization should see the list of Lower Division Requirements for guidance on how to meet these requirements.15-27
Total Hours15-27

Major 

Major Requirements
HSC 3034Career Essentials for Healthcare +3
HSC 3535Medical Terminology +3
HSA 4002Healthcare Administration +3
BUL 4602Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare +3
HSA 4430Health Economics +3
HSA 4340Personnel Administration in Healthcare +3
Choose one3
Introduction to Global Health Sciences +
Essentials of Public Health +
HSA 3111Understanding U.S. Healthcare +3
MAR 3023Marketing Fundamentals +3
HSA 3551Health Ethics and Professionalism +3
HSA 4192Current Topics in Health Informatics +3
HSA 3140Strategic Planning in Healthcare +3
HSA 4383Quality Improvement in Healthcare +3
HSA 3170Principles of Healthcare Finance +3
HSA 4941Internship +3
Choose one3
Healthcare Operations +
Health Sciences Capstone Course +
Approved Electives* +12
Total Hours60

This track is designed specifically for military veterans and active duty personal who have served in a medical services capacity with one of the uniformed services. Credit earned through military service schools or USAFI/DANTES credit may be applied to a student’s lower-division electives and their major-approved electives, provided the following criteria are met:

  • No more than 29 semester hours of combined non-traditional credit (including lower and upper-division credit) may be applied to the degree.
  • No more than 20 semester hours of upper-division transfer credit may be applied to the degree.
  • Students must complete 48 semester hours in the upper-division and complete all major requirements to graduate. 

Students should speak to an advisor to discuss the transfer of credit from military service schools or USAFI/DANTES transcripts.

This track is an informal designation used by the department to indicate an area of strength, but has no formal significance, meaning that it will not appear in official lists in the catalog or on the student transcript. Students enrolled in this track must be enrolled in either the general Health Sciences degree or the Healthcare Administration specialization. 

Minor in Behavior Analysis

See the Minor in Behavior Analysis page for more information.