Academic Catalog

2023-2024 Edition

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences (BSHS) is a foundational degree for those students desiring to enter the healthcare industry in the areas of healthcare management and healthcare advocacy. This program, with recommended concentrations in healthcare leadership and management, psychology, organizational dynamics, etc., helps students develop the competencies to advance their personal careers and overall practices of the medical industry by understanding and applying current policies and regulations, patient-care initiatives, risk management, and the like.

This program is comprised of courses in lab sciences, health sciences, and a recommended concentration which provide the student with a rigorous scientific background applicable to the allied health profession. The focus on human biology further expands on that knowledge base, providing advanced coursework in cellular biology, molecular genetics, immunology, and neuroanatomy/neurophysiology.

The BSHS is built upon the Associate of Science degree in Health Sciences, which promotes Christian values, ethical principles, a General Education Core, and scientific laboratory skills which are transferable to private and public clinical settings. This 120-credit Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences will also serve as a stepping stone into various master’s degrees.

The BSHS program prepares students for service in a variety of healthcare organizations including hospitals, clinics, and public health institutions. Students complete the BSHS in order to gain promotions, develop management and leadership skills, or prepare for graduate-level studies. The BSHS degree contains the prerequisite coursework for the Azusa Pacific University Entry-Level Master's in Nursing (ELM) program. ELM does not guarantee admission to BSHS graduates but does conduct priority admission review for applicants who complete the BSHS program.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) in the B.S. Degree in Health Sciences

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences program will be able to:

  • PLO 1: Integrate God’s Word within the health science industry and society.
  • PLO 2: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
  • PLO 3: Identify and evaluate key personal and organizational ethics affecting healthcare professionals.
  • PLO 4: Utilize technology in statistical analysis and data management.
  • PLO 5: Examine cultural and diversity issues within interpersonal health care.
  • PLO 6: Demonstrate mastery of discipline-specific competencies in the field of health sciences.
 

The Los Angeles Pacific University Core comprises the General Education requirements and the LAPU Distinctives. Students are encouraged to complete the Core before beginning their major requirements. General Education requirements may be met by transfer work. The LAPU Distinctives are required for all undergraduate degrees at LAPU.

Requirement Title Credits
General Education Requirements25
LAPU Distinctives9
Total Credits34

General Education

Requirement Title Credits
English Communication
COMM 105Public Communication3
ENGL 105Introduction to Academic Research and Writing3
Arts
ARTS 110Introduction to Art3
Humanities
ENGL 115Introduction to Literature3
or PHIL 205 Introduction to Philosophy
or PHIL 210 Introduction to Ethics
Quantitative Reasoning 1
STAT 280Applied Statistics3
Behavioral Sciences 1
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology3
Social Sciences
HIST 202World Civilizations3
or HIST 204 U.S. History from 1865
or HIST 420 United States History and the Constitution
Physical and Biological Sciences 1
BIOL 230Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab4
or BIOL 240 Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab
or CHEM 115 Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab
Total Credits25
1

Also meets a requirement within the BS Health Sciences major; this increases allowed electives.

LAPU Distinctives

Requirement Title Credits
BIBL 100Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy3
BIBL 230Introduction to Biblical Literature: Luke/Acts3
ISTU 101Success in the University 13
Total Credits9
1

Must be taken at LAPU.

 

To earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences, students must complete the following degree components:

Requirement Title Credits
Core 124
Program Requisites12
Major Requirements46
Electives38
Total Credits120
1

34 credits total; 10 credits are counted below in Program Requisites and Health Sciences Major Requirements.

In order to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences, students must complete the following required courses while achieving a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 in their major courses.

Requirement Title Credits
Core
Core Requirement 124
Program Requisites
HSCI 100Introduction to Health and Disease3
HSCI 110U.S. Healthcare Systems3
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology3
STAT 280Applied Statistics3
Major Requirements
BIOL 225Microbiology/Lab4
BIOL 230Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab4
BIOL 240Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab4
CHEM 115Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab4
HSCI 105Nutrition and Wellness3
HSCI 300Bioethics3
HSCI 320Medical Sociology3
HSCI 400Health Education Programming3
HSCI 491Senior Seminar: Health Sciences Capstone3
HSCI 497Undergraduate Health Science Culminating Experience3
PSYC 295Human Growth and Development3
PSYC 300Research Methods in Psychology3
PSYC 350Social Psychology3
PSYC 430Cultural Psychology3
Electives (38 credits) 2
Lower or Upper Level Electives32
Upper Level Electives6
Total Credits120
1

10 credits of the 34-credit GS Core are fulfilled within the Program Requisites and Health Sciences Major Requirements.

2

Students may choose from any course in the catalog. If students wish to complete a concentration, they may complete a maximum of two concentrations.

Students may also earn up to 30 credits of electives via Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). 

 

Recommended Concentrations

1

Recommended for students preparing for careers in

  • Personal Health Coach
  • School Health Director
  • Workplace Wellness Coordinator
  • Community Health Educator
  • Leading Personal and Public Exercise and Wellness Initiatives
2

Recommended for students preparing for careers in

  • facilitating communication between healthcare organizations and partners.
  • healthcare office management.
  • management roles in hospitals, private practices, or specialty service organizations.
  • patient relations, staffing, or health organization human resources.
  • quality improvement, control, and assurance within organizations.
3

Recommended for students preparing for careers in

  • community public health programs
  • epidemiology
  • health data analysis
  • health services administration
  • nonprofit health agencies
  • social work organizations

Requires an approved course substitution for PSYC 430.