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Bachelor of Health Sciences

History

In 1973-74, a graduate nursing program was started under the aegis of the School of Graduate Studies. On Nov. 16, 1979, the Board of Curators approved a proposal to establish a school of nursing at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In 1981, following a developmental period, two new curricula were implemented. These were an upper-division baccalaureate degree for registered nurses and a revised master's degree program for clinical nurse specialists. In 1992, the Board of Curators approved the offering of an inter-campus, cooperative doctoral program in nursing (Ph.D. N.D.). The doctoral curricula was implemented on the Kansas City campus in the Fall Semester of 1995. In 2000, the Board of Curators approved the offering of a pre-licensure baccalaureate degree program beginning in the Fall Semester of 2001.  The Board of Curators approved Doctoral of Nursing Practice (DNP) program began in 2007 and graduated its first post-masters class in December 2008. The newest program in the School of Nursing is the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS), which received final approval and began enrolling students in the fall of 2011.

 

Facilities

The University of Missouri-Kansas City has extensive educational facilities on the Volker campus combined with the health care educational facilities and main office on the Hospital Hill campus. These include libraries, resource centers, Financial Aid Office, Health Science book store, audiovisual resources, data processing and science information specialists.

 

Program Outcomes

Interdisciplinary processes health teams:
Students will be exposed to interdisciplinary approaches to health and will learn how interdisciplinary services are related to improved health outcomes. Through writing, discussion, team projects, and service-learning, students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of professional collaboration, effective communication, and team planning. 

Science of health and life span development: Students will have fundamental knowledge of the factors contributing to health and health issues across the life span. 

Health services in multicultural settings: Students will identify the key components of cultural competency and will understand the unique challenges of health in urban settings and underserved populations. 

Health policy and ethics: Students will have a strong foundation in health economics, policy, and social issues. Graduates will also learn about professional standards and ethical behavior, especially as pertinent to health. 

Research Methods: Students will become familiar with the application of research methods to improve health. Students will understand the components of evidence-based health services. 

Effective Communications: Students will demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal skills when interacting with other health professionals and the public. 

Leadership: Students will demonstrate leadership skills through completion of a leadership project in the capstone course. 

Technology: Students will be familiar with the use of technology in health, both at a personal and institutional level.

 

What is a Bachelor of Health Sciences?

Building on a sound liberal arts education, the BHS includes a basic science component combined with coursework in health sciences.  The UMKC BHS Degree Program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for a wide variety of health-related careers or to pursue post-graduate health education.  The UMKC BHS Degree Program, offered through the UMKC School of Nursing, includes coursework in the physical, biological, behavioral, business and social aspects of health.

 

What can I do with a Bachelor of Health Sciences?

The UMKC BHS Degree Program is the perfect choice for students who are interested in a career in health focusing on health prevention, health promotion, population health, and health behavior change. UMKC is offering the new BHS Degree in response to the growing workforce demand for health professionals in a variety of areas including, personal health and wellness, social determinants of health, occupational health and safety, community health, and environmental health. Graduates may find career options in government settings, non-for profit organizations, community health centers, workplace health and wellness companies, and health promotion organizations.

Bachelor of Health Sciences Program Requirements

A sample course of study for a full-time BHS student is listed below. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all HLSC and science coursework and a minimum grade of D in all other courses. To remain academically eligible, a minimum semester GPA of 2.00 must be maintained.

Fall Semester Year 1 (16 hours)
HLSC 101 Introduction to Health Sciences (3)
HLSC 120 Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
ENGLISH 110 English I (3)
COMM-ST 110 Fundamentals of Effective Speaking & Listening (3)
ART-HIST 100 OR CONSVTY 120 OR THEATRE 130 OR THEATRE 120 (3)
 
Spring Semester Year 1 (15 hours)
 MATH 110 College Algebra (3)
 HLSC 160 Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
 HLSC 230 Health Issues in Aging (2)
 POL-SCI 210 or HISTORY 101 OR HISTORY 102 Am. Govt./Constitution (3)
 ENGLISH 225 English II (3)
 
 Fall Semester Year 2 (17 hours)
 PSYCH 210 General Psychology (3)
 Foreign Language I (5)
 HLSC 110 Personal Wellness (3)
 PHILOS 210 OR PHILOS 221 or PHILOS 222 (3)
 SOCIOL 101 Introduction to Sociology (3)
 
 Spring Semester Year 2 (15 hours)
 HLSC 252 Human Growth & Development (3)
 HLSC 280 Medical Terminology/Health Records (3)
 HLSC 356 or Foreign Language 2 (3) or (5)
 CHEM 206 Nutrition (3)
 Elective (3)
 
Fall Semester Year 3 (15 hours)
HLSC 345 Quantitative Analysis in the Health Sciences (3)
HLSC 300 Diversity in Health (3)
HLSC 310 Healthcare Systems (3)
Elective (3)
Elective (3)
 
Spring Semester Year 3 (15 hours)
HLSC 476 Scientific Inquiry (3)
HLSC 410 Epidemiology (3)
HLSC 430 Health Program Mgmt (3)
HLSC 440 Policy & Ethics in Health (3)
Elective (3)
 
Fall Semester Year 4 (15 hours)
HLSC 450 Urban Health (3)
HLSC 460 Global Health (3)
HLSC 470 Technology, Marketing, & Media in Health (3)
HLSC 480 Leadership & Management in Health Professions(3)
Elective (3)
 
Spring Semester Year 4 (12 hours)
HLSC 492 Health Science Specialty Course (3)
HLSC 494 Health Science Capstone (6)
Elective (3)
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