Undergraduate Catalog 2012-13

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Health Science Major

Bachelor of Science with a major in Health Science

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree is an interdisciplinary, degree-completion program that provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills, improving the possibility for career mobility. The program prepares graduates for a variety of positions in health-related organizations including, for example, administration, management, advanced clinical practice, clinical educator, and clinical applications.

This degree program is offered in a totally online format and is designed for those individuals who have earned a clinically based associate degree or are completing their professional coursework in a clinically based healthcare discipline and want to expand their education. Evaluation of transfer credits and program planning is individualized; each student is assisted by a program advisor.

Special admission requirements: The program accepts students throughout the year to begin the program fall, spring, or summer depending on when the program admission process is completed. The first step in the process is admission to NKU. Students must also submit a program application, have an associate degree or 60 credit hours, and hold a certification in an appropriate allied health discipline to be eligible for program admission.

Academic requirements: To be eligible for admission to the health science program, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Possess an earned associate degree in a clinically based healthcare discipline*.
2. Be currently registered/certified in their discipline.
3. Possess a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology, as well as other sciences related to healthcare and the applicant’s discipline.

*Students enrolled in the second year of the RAD or RSP program at NKU may be conditionally accepted; documentation of certification must be submitted prior to completion of the BS degree.

Student criminal background check:

Healthcare agencies are charged with providing care and protecting the safety of vulnerable populations including children and the aged. Agencies used for clinical placement require students to undergo criminal background checks and may deny clinical access to those convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors. Conviction of these offenses may result in a student’s denial of admission to, or dismissal from, the College of Health Professions. Applicants are required to submit to criminal background checks as identified by the College of Health Professions as part of the application process. The cost of this and any subsequent screening will be borne by the student. The student is responsible for notifying the College of Health Professions of any change in the status of this record. Note that successful completion of a criminal background check does not ensure eligibility for certification, licensure, or future employment.

Special graduation requirements:

• A minimum grade of C or better for successful completion of major requirements.
• Verification of registry\certification with appropriate professional organization.

You should also know: The Bachelor of Science in Health Science is delivered completely in the online format. The NKU application for admission and the registration process are handled online. The program application can be downloaded from the Health Science website http://alliedhealth.nku.edu/programs/healthscience/admission.php and faxed to 859-572-1314. The course registration process and new student orientation are also completed online. The format and timeline are flexible in consideration of the working practitioner. See the online program curriculum schedule (http://nkuonline.nku.edu/undergraduate/health.php).

Courses currently available online are included on the elective list and students who wish to enroll in alternate courses on campus may do so with director approval.

Advanced standing: Students who hold advanced credentials in radiologic technology or nuclear medicine (for example, CT, MRI, cardiovascular imaging, PET, etc.) or respiratory care (for example, polysomnography) may be awarded 6 or more hours of coursework at the 300 level or above that may be used to fulfill the elective requirements for the major. Advanced credentials must have been awarded by a recognized national organization, such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, Board of Registered Polysomnography Technologists, or the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The awarding of credit must be approved by the program director; students will be assessed a tuition equal to 25 percent of the current tuition plus any fees.

Credit hours earned under this policy may not be used to satisfy the residency requirements for graduation. Students who earn these credits must meet all prevailing university and program requirements for graduation.

Except for RAD and RSP courses, no more than two non-HSC courses can be taken to fulfill major requirements.

If a particular course has a prerequisite that is not listed as part of the major requirements, then the prerequisite is given in italics below the course for which it is a prerequisite, and it is marked with an asterisk (*). These prerequisites must be completed IN ADDITION TO other program requirements.

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