Health Sciences, Health and Wellness Concentration, BS

Courses Required for Admission:*

For admission to the BS in Health Sciences program, students are required to complete, at minimum, the core general education requirements detailed below. In preparation for graduate school, hours may vary based on graduate program for which the student is preparing. For specific courses, see core requirements and general education.

A minimum of 60 semester credit hours (90-quarter hours) of lower division undergraduate coursework from a regionally U.S. accredited institution is required prior to admission to the BS in Health Sciences program. Prerequisite courses must include the general and biological sciences, mathematics, communications, the social sciences and humanities. Specific prerequisite courses may vary depending on the unique prerequisite requirements of the graduate level health professional program of interest to the student. For example, the pre-requisite lower division course work required for medical school, though similar, may not be the same as that required for application to graduate school in the area of occupational therapy. Specific prerequisite courses are described below.

1. Chemistry (8-20 semester hours)
2. Biology (16-20 semester hours)
3. Physics (4-8 semester hours)**
4. Mathematics and Statistics (6-12 semester hours)
5. Communications (6 semester hours)
6. Social Sciences (6 semester hours)***
7. Humanities and Fine Arts (6 semester hours minimum)
8. Electives (3-9 semester hours)

* Students wishing to enter medicine or the graduate biomedical sciences are required to have 16 semester credits (SC) of chemistry, 20 SC of biology, 8 SC of physics and 6 SH of mathematics (e.g. calculus I and II). Nursing and specific allied health field may require only 8 SC of chemistry, 16 SC of biology, 4 SC of physics and 3 SC of mathematics. Clinical Nutrition requires 8 SC general chemistry, 4 SC of organic chemistry, 3 SC microeconomics, 3 SC accounting, 3 SC and 4 SC food preparation with laboratory.

**The master’s degree programs in medical laboratory science and nursing at Rush University do not require physics.

*** Students wishing to enter Occupational Therapy are required to have one course in sociology, or anthropology plus a course in developmental psychology that covers birth through death lifespan. A combination of child psychology plus a course in adult aging meets this requirement.

Application for Admission

Application for admission into the Bachelor of Science in Health Science program must be made through the Rush University RU Applying site before August 1 for admission into the class entering in September. September is the only admission time for entry into the program. Prospective applicants may submit transcripts and a request for an unofficial evaluation to the College of Health Sciences, 600 South Paulina Street, Suite 1001, Chicago, Illinois 60612. Phone number: 312-942-7120.

Transfer of Credit:

Students who desire to complete additional elective courses, either offered at Rush University or at another regionally accredited college or university, may request to do so, and these electives may be incorporated into the student’s program plan with the approval of the student’s academic advisor.

Students entering the BS in Health Sciences degree program will complete a minimum of 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of prerequisite course work prior to entry into the program.
General Educations requirements are as follows:

Minimum Core General Education Requirements:

All entering students must complete the following core general education requirements in order to be eligible for the Bachelor in Science degree awarded by Rush University.

Proficiency in English

All applicants whose native language is not English must present evidence of proficiency in English by satisfactorily completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination (TOEFL).

A total TOEFL score of at least 88 on the Internet-based version, or 570 on the paper-based version, or 230 on the computer version, must be achieved. In addition, applicants must score no less than 55 on the paper version or, 20 on the computer version or, 18 on the Internet-based version on each of the three subtests of the TOEFL (listening, structure/writing, and reading).

An official report of these scores must be received by the Admissions Office prior to the date(s) on which admission decisions are made for the program(s) to which the applicant has applied. To obtain information or to register to take the TOEFL, write directly to:

The Education Testing Service
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, U.S.A.

Applicants may also wish to visit the TOEFL Web site at http://www.toefl.org. The applicant should indicate on his or her application for the examination that results should be sent to institution code number 1676.

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have graduated from high school or successfully completed a higher education degree program (Associate degree or higher) in the United States or one of its English-speaking protectorates may petition for waiver of the TOEFL requirement to the College of Health Sciences’ Dean’s Office.

Waiver requests should include proof of receipt of a high school or college diploma from an accredited institution in the United States or one of its English-speaking protectorates. College or university degrees must be granted by a regionally accredited college or university to be considered for waiver of the TOEFL.

Essential Functions

The following essential functions are required of all students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program:

1. Observation: The students must be able to observe demonstrations and exercises related to their particular health science discipline including the use of simple and complex instruments.
2. Communication: The student must be able to communicate clearly and sensitively with patients and family members. The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the health care team.
3. Motor: Students must be able to perform tasks related to their particular health science discipline.
4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These intellectual abilities include measurement calculations, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Problem solving is a critical skill requiring all of these intellectual abilities.
5. Behavioral and Interpersonal Attributes: Students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities. This includes, but is not limited to, the exercise of good judgment and the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the performance of procedures with maximal attention to safety of self and others in dealing with potentially hazardous equipment and materials. Students must be able to tolerate periods of taxing workloads and function effectively under stress and with unpleasant materials. Students must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical situations. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation as well as the ability to maintain confidentiality of patient results, are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the education process.
6. Academic Performance: The student must obtain information from lectures, laboratory sessions/exercises, audiovisual materials and written materials. Students must take essay and multiple-choice tests, complete papers, deliver presentations and perform required clinical practice procedures.

Each student is expected to perform the above, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation is defined as any reasonable change in the environment or in the way activities are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to participate as fully as possible in the academic program. Accommodations may include modification of policies, practices and procedures or the provision of auxiliary aids for communication. Students must not pose a threat to the safety or well-being of patients, other students, staff or themselves.

A request for accommodation or modification is not cause for withdrawal of the offer of acceptance. Any student can request accommodations once enrolled in the program. If an accommodation is requested, the department may require additional documentation and information and will follow up with  the student to discuss the specifics of the request and the appropriate plan of action. The program reserves the right to require applicants or students to demonstrate any of these essential functions.

Academic Progression

High academic performance in all courses is expected. Students will be considered in good standing at Rush University unless placed on academic probation. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 is required to be considered in good standing, and to be eligible to continue in the baccalaureate program. Cumulative grade point averages will be reviewed after each quarter.

The faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of a student whose conduct, health, or performance demonstrates lack of fitness for continuance in a health profession. Any such student not voluntarily withdrawing will be dismissed from the University, regardless of grade point average.

Academic Probation

Academic probation is assigned to any student who receives a quarterly grade point average below 2.5, or whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.5. Students placed on probation have two quarters in which to regain the status of good standing as follows:

• The next quarter after being placed on probation, the student must attain a quarterly grade point average of at least 2.5.
• Two quarters after being placed on probation, the student must have a cumulative grade point average above 2.5.

Failure to make the minimum quarterly grade point average one quarter after probation regardless of the cumulative grade point average, or failure to make the minimum cumulative grade point average two quarters after probation will result in dismissal from the University.

“D”, “F” or “N” Grades in the Bachelor of Science Program

Undergraduate students who receive an “F” or “N” grade in any course MUST repeat that course with the “F” or “N” grade being replaced by the grade earned upon repeating the course. In the event that a student is required to repeat a course that is a prerequisite for an advanced course, the advanced course may not be taken until the student successfully passes the prerequisite course. Thus, the student’s progression in the program may be affected. Students who receive a second “D” or “F” or “N” grade in the same academic year will be dismissed from the program, regardless of cumulative grade point average.

Student Appeals

Please see the College of Health Sciences Student Academic Appeal and Grievance Procedures section of the university catalog.

Student Professional and Community Service Requirement

Please see the College of Health Sciences Student Professional and Community Service policy section of the university catalog.

College of Health Sciences/Rush University Academic Policies

Academic policies specific to the College of Health Sciences are located earlier in this catalog. In addition, the Academic Resources and Policies section of this catalog contains Rush University academic policies.

Residency Requirement

The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences requires a minimum of 180 quarter hours. This includes at least 90 quarter hours earned at a lower division college or university, or at an affiliated college. A minimum of 45 quarter hours of academic credit shall be earned as an upper-division student in academic residence at Rush University. Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree must earn a 2.5 cumulative grade point average in all computed upper division credits taken at Rush University. Participation in cap and gown at commencement exercises is expected of all graduates.

Upper Division Course Work

Rush University provides two years of upper division course work to complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences.

Upper division course work consists of core courses required of all students and elective courses offered within three concentrations:

1. Medical sciences
2. Leadership
3. Health/wellness

Students must complete a minimum of 90 quarter hours (QH) of upper division coursework to include a minimum of 45 QH in the required core and at least 45 QH of required concentration course work, as approved by their academic advisor.

Core Courses Required of All Students

• HSC - 301 Introduction to the Health Professions Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 303 Professional Writing Credit Hours: (3)
• HSC - 313 Health Care Ethics Credit Hours: (3)
• HSC - 314 Health Care in America Credit Hours: (3)
• HSC - 323 Health Care Disparities Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 324 Biostatistics Credit Hours: (3)
• HSC - 332 Introduction to Research Credit Hours: (5)
• HSC - 333 Epidemiology Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 403 Health Care Informatics Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 404 Nutrition Credit Hours: (3)
• HSC - 412 Patient Assessment Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 421 Practicum Credit Hours: (variable)
• HSC - 422 Capstone Project Credit Hours: (5)

Health Wellness Concentration

• HSC - 450 Management Principles Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 451 Leadership Theory and Practice Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 453 Patient and Practitioner Education Credit Hours: (5)
• HSC - 470 Principles of Health and Wellness I Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 471 Principles of Health and Wellness II Credit Hours: (4)
• HSC - 472 Corporate Health Programs Credit Hours: (4) *
• HSC - 473 Community Health Credit Hours: (4) *
• HSC - 474 Medical Home Principles and Practice Credit Hours: (4) *
• HSC - 475 Fitness and Health Credit Hours: (3) *
• HSC - 476 Chronic Disease Management Credit Hours: (5)
• Electives Credit Hours: (4)

Health and Wellness Concentration (Subject to change)

Note:

*Electives may be substituted for some of the courses indicated by an asterisk (*). Elective courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the program director and correspond with the student’s career goals.

Transfer of Credit

Students who desire to complete additional elective courses, either offered at Rush University or at another regionally accredited college or university, may request to do so, and these electives may be incorporated into the student’s program plan with the approval of the student’s academic advisor.