This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2023-2024 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs
and courses approved by the publication deadline; however we may receive notification of additional program
approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available
in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Laurie Cathers, Ph.D., LMSW
Program director
The Bachelor of Science in Health Services will prepare future health care leaders with the knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the challenges of managing responsibilities across the range of health care organizations. With an emphasis on evidence-based practice, the program will prepare students to work as medical and health services providers charged with planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services. Graduates will be able to work in diverse health care settings, such as hospitals, specific clinical areas or departments within those facilities, health management organizations or in medical practice groups.
The program is designed for students who wish to create a pathway into a health care field. It provides a core set of courses to build a foundation of health care knowledge. It also provides the flexibility for students to focus their studies on a particular area of interest through the selection of open and restricted elective courses. The flexibility gives students an opportunity to identify how their strengths, values and skills can best serve the health of their communities.
Students in the health services program have the option to complete the entire program face-to-face or complete their last two years asynchronously online.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completion of the B.S. in Health Services degree program, graduates will be able to:
- Describe health, illness and human development in the context of the U.S. health care system
- Analyze contemporary issues and trends in health promotion and delivery in the context of the U.S. health care system
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of professional and ethical behaviors within the health care context
- Identify and analyze cultural and economic factors impacting health disparities in the U.S. health care system
- Apply effective written and oral communications skills within the health care services context
- Analyze and apply basic theories of leadership and change management to the health care services workplace
- Evaluate and interpret evidence-based practices in the health care services context
Degree requirements
The B.S. in Health Services requires 120 credits.
Service-learning requirement
All students in the degree program will have a culminating experiential learning opportunity in the final semester of the senior year when they take ALHP 435. All students will receive constructive feedback from their faculty adviser and also the site supervisor for the relevant experiential and applied learning experience. The course is designed to prepare students for career search, future professional and educational opportunities, and reflective oral and written presentations on professional and ethical practice in the service-learning environment.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| ALHP 310 | Introduction to Health Care Professions | 3 |
| ALHP 320 | Person-centered Care | 3 |
| ALHP 325 | Introduction to Rehabilitation Services | 3 |
| ALHP 330 | Human Growth and Development for the Health Professions | 3 |
| ALHP 340 | Health Care Technology and Innovation | 3 |
| ALHP 410 | Professional and Clinical Ethics | 3 |
| ALHP 415 | Health Care Financing and Budgeting | 3 |
| ALHP 416 | Health Care Economics | 3 |
| ALHP 420 | Health Care Leadership Development | 3 |
| ALHP 425 | Health Care Management and Performance | 3 |
| ALHP 430 | Overview of Research in the Health Professions | 3 |
| ALHP 435 | Health Care Career Development and Planning in Allied Health Professions | 3 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| ACCT 202 | Accounting for Non-business Majors | 3 |
| HCMG 300 | Health Care Organization and Services | 3 |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| ECON 210 | Principles of Microeconomics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 3 |
| Restricted electives (Select from the list below.) | 24 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 21 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Restricted electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BUSN 329 | Introduction to Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| GRTY 410 | Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| GRTY 510 | Aging | 3 |
| INFO 360 | Business Information Systems | 3 |
| MGMT 310 | Managing People in Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 331 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| PATC 511 | The Professional Caregiver | 4 |
PSYC 101  Play course video for Introduction to Psychology | Introduction to Psychology (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 4 |
| PSYC 304 | Life Span Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| RHAB 202 | General Substance Abuse Studies | 3 |
| RHAB 321 | Introduction to Substance Abuse | 3 |
| RHAB 502 | American Sign Language I | 3 |
| SLWK 201 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SLWK 230 | Communication in the Helping Process | 3 |
| SOCY 344 | Medical Sociology | 3 |
| SOCY 401 | Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities | 3 |
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| MATH 131 | Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics (satisfies quantitative foundation; any serves as prerequisite for STAT 210) or Algebra with Applications or Precalculus Mathematics or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 3 |
| UNIV 111 Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course (select AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 | |
| General education course (select BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course (select BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logic reasoning) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course (select any AOI) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ACCT 202 | Accounting for Non-business Majors | 3 |
| ECON 210 | Principles of Microeconomics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Restricted elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ALHP 310 | Introduction to Health Care Professions | 3 |
| ALHP 325 | Introduction to Rehabilitation Services | 3 |
| HCMG 300 | Health Care Organization and Services | 3 |
| Restricted electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ALHP 320 | Person-centered Care | 3 |
| ALHP 330 | Human Growth and Development for the Health Professions | 3 |
| ALHP 340 | Health Care Technology and Innovation | 3 |
| ALHP 410 | Professional and Clinical Ethics | 3 |
| Restricted elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ALHP 415 | Health Care Financing and Budgeting | 3 |
| ALHP 425 | Health Care Management and Performance | 3 |
| ALHP 430 | Overview of Research in the Health Professions | 3 |
| Restricted electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ALHP 416 | Health Care Economics | 3 |
| ALHP 420 | Health Care Leadership Development | 3 |
| ALHP 435 | Health Care Career Development and Planning in Allied Health Professions | 3 |
| Restricted electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Health Services and M.S. in Gerontology in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 138 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
Students holding these degrees will have completed advanced course work focused on preparing future health care leaders with the knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the challenges of managing organizations that are involved with health care and health-related services. These career opportunities exist in a variety of health care settings for older adults where graduates can pursue employment in the community, corporate and university health care systems or advanced study and research in the field of health sciences.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 84 undergraduate credit hours including ACCT 202, ECON 210 and STAT 210; an overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.0 in core ALHP courses and restricted electives. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the graduate program director of the M.S. program before they have completed 84 credits. Successful applicants would enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students in an accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate health services adviser and the graduate program director of the graduate gerontology program.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Health Services degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will substitute for restricted electives for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate gerontology courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GRTY 601 | Biological and Physiological Aging | 3 |
| GRTY 602 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| GRTY 603 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| GRTY 606 | Aging and Human Values | 3 |
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ALHP 310 | Introduction to Health Care Professions | 3 |
| ALHP 325 | Introduction to Rehabilitation Services | 3 |
| HCMG 300 | Health Care Organization and Services | 3 |
| Restricted electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ALHP 320 | Person-centered Care | 3 |
| ALHP 330 | Human Growth and Development for the Health Professions | 3 |
| ALHP 340 | Health Care Technology and Innovation | 3 |
| ALHP 410 | Professional and Clinical Ethics | 3 |
| Elective (general or restricted) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ALHP 415 | Health Care Financing and Budgeting | 3 |
| ALHP 425 | Health Care Management and Performance | 3 |
| ALHP 430 | Overview of Research in the Health Professions | 3 |
| GRTY 602 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| GRTY 603 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ALHP 416 | Health Care Economics | 3 |
| ALHP 420 | Health Care Leadership Development | 3 |
| ALHP 435 | Health Care Career Development and Planning in Allied Health Professions | 3 |
| GRTY 601 | Biological and Physiological Aging | 3 |
| GRTY 606 | Aging and Human Values | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 14-16 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| GRTY 605 | Social Science Research Methods Applied to Gerontology | 3 |
| GRTY 607 | Field Study in Gerontology | 2 |
| GRTY 608 | Grant Writing | 2 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 10 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| GRTY 604 | Problems, Issues and Trends in Gerontology | 4 |
| GRTY 607 | Field Study in Gerontology | 2 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Term Hours: | 8 | |
ALHP 202. Creative Expressions of Healing and Resilience. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will take students on a journey exploring ways that people from diverse backgrounds use creative expression (e.g. story, poetry, painting, drawing, dance, music, etc.) to help them define the meaning of life events. During the course, students will explore creative expression from a variety of people who have experienced some major life event and have used creative expression as a part of their healing. In addition, students will have the opportunity to discover their own voice in creative expression through a variety of interactive exercises.
ALHP 310. Introduction to Health Care Professions. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Provides an introduction to health professions and careers with an emphasis on allied health. Introduces concepts of professionalism and interprofessional collaboration in the health care services environment; basic knowledge of issues and trends in health promotion and delivery; and cultural and economic factors impacting health equity and access.
ALHP 320. Person-centered Care. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Provides an introduction to person-centered care and examines the relationships between patients, their families and health care providers. Emphasizes the role that these relationships and interactions play in the current health care services system and how they lead to better quality of care, increased satisfaction with health care providers and improved health outcomes.
ALHP 325. Introduction to Rehabilitation Services. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Provides an overview of rehabilitative services. Familiarizes students in the areas of chronic illness and disability in interdisciplinary rehabilitation professions and settings. Introduces public policy and legislation pertinent to rehabilitation services.
ALHP 330. Human Growth and Development for the Health Professions. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Examines the major theories and research of human development across the lifespan. Focuses on physical, emotional, social and cognitive aspects. Emphasizes how developmental processes relate to persons, including those who experience illness and disability.
ALHP 340. Health Care Technology and Innovation. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Emphasizes the “hows and whys” of recent advances and disrupters in health care information systems. Students will design a life-saving (or money-making) app.
ALHP 391. Special Topics. 1-4 Hours.
Semester course; 1-4 credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered for undergraduate level. Interdisciplinary study through lectures, tutorial study or independent research of selected topics not provided in other courses.
ALHP 410. Professional and Clinical Ethics. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Emphasizes the ethical responsibility of health care providers and health services professionals. Reviews the code of ethics for professional and personal integrity. Applies the principles of ethics toward informed decision-making.
ALHP 415. Health Care Financing and Budgeting. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Examines payment for health care services. Shows how the results of financial operations are recorded and evaluated. Develops basic skills for financial management of health care organizations.
ALHP 416. Health Care Economics. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ECON 210. Provides an introduction to microeconomic concepts and theories as tools for understanding health and health care issues. Explores the fundamentals of health and health services as markets and how these may differ from markets for other goods and services. Describes market failure and the role of government. Examines economics as a way of approaching issues of public policy in the organization and financing of health care services.
ALHP 420. Health Care Leadership Development. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Focuses on the development of leadership skills within a health care services setting. Introduces students to positive organizational scholarship and its impact on organizational performance/outcomes and employee engagement. Provides students with an opportunity to identify and develop their leadership characteristics.
ALHP 425. Health Care Management and Performance. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Examines the role of managers in health care organizations and effective management of organizational performance, including quality.
ALHP 430. Overview of Research in the Health Professions. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Prerequisites: UNIV 200 and STAT 210. Emphasizes the preparation of professionals as consumers of research who will find, understand, interpret and apply research findings in their professional practice. Stresses the capacity to critically analyze and utilize research findings and evaluate the outcomes of programs, interventions and services.
ALHP 435. Health Care Career Development and Planning in Allied Health Professions. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture (delivered online or face-to-face) and 1 field experience hours (60 service hours). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ALHP 310. Emphasizes the preparation of students for job search or future professional and educational opportunities. Provides an opportunity for service learning and relevant experiential, applied learning in a health services field. Graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory.