Health Sciences (BS)

Application for Admission

Entry term: Fall (September)
Application cycle: Continuous
Recommended application deadline: Aug. 1 

Complete these steps to apply to the Bachelor of Science in health sciences program:

① Submit an application using the Allied Health Centralized Application Service, (AHCAS).

② You will also need to submit the following through AHCAS:

A. Official transcripts from every U.S. college or university attended

B. International course evaluations for all courses and degrees completed at a college or university outside the United States

C. Three professional recommendations. References should be current or former academic advisors, professors, managers or supervisors.
    We will not accept evaluations from coworkers, colleagues, friends or family members.

D. Personal statement

③ If your native language is not English, submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

④ Participate in a personal interview with program faculty.

Prerequisites

All entering students must complete the following core general education requirements in order to be eligible for the Bachelor in Science degree in the Health Sciences program.

Health Sciences (BS): Technical Standards

Rush University is committed to diversity, and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of health care professionals representative of the national population.

Our core values - I CARE (innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence) - translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful, accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.

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

Acquire Information                                                                                                                                    

• Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in courses, such as lecture, group and physical demonstrations
• Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches and data retrieval).
• Identify information presented in accessible images from paper, slides, videos with audio description and transparencies

Use and Interpret

• Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers/procedures
• Use and interpret information generated from diagnostic tools

Motor

• Possess psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with day-to-day responsibilities commensurate with the student’s discipline
• Practice in a safe manner and perform universal precautions against contamination

Communication

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families.
• Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors, employees, other professionals and all members of the health care team during practicum, internship and/or other learning experiences

Intellectual Ability

• Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients and populations
• Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the health sciences role
• Synthesize information, problem-solve and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory, assessment, management or treatment strategy

Behavioral

• Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances
• Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need
• Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings

Character

• Demonstrate concern for others
• Integrity, accountability, interest and motivation are necessary personal qualities
• Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the Rush University and Health Sciences code of ethics

The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program, should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs.

Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to create and implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged. Contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to learn more about accommodations at Rush University:

Marie Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Director, Office of Student Accessibility Services
Rush University
600 S. Paulina St., Suite 901
Chicago, IL 60612     
(312) 942-5237
Marie_Lusk@rush.edu

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 2.0 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 term.

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 term grade point-average below 2.0 or whose cumulative grade-point average falls below 2.0. Students placed on probation have two terms to regain the status of good standing as follows:

• The student must attain a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the term following the term when probation was assigned.
• Two terms after being placed on probation, the student must have a cumulative grade-point average above 2.0.

Failure to make the minimum term grade-point average one term after probation regardless of the cumulative grade-point average or failure to make the minimum cumulative grade-point average two terms after probation will result in dismissal from the University.

D, F or N Grades in the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences 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, F or N grade in the same academic year will be dismissed from the program, regardless of cumulative grade-point average.

Residency Requirement

Students must complete their final 36 credit hours of course work in-residence at Rush University in order to graduate.

Upper Division Course Work

Rush University provides two years of upper-division coursework to complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program. Upper-division course work consists of core courses required of all students and elective courses. Rush offers two organized concentrations though students are not required to choose a specific concentration to complete this degree program:

• Medical sciences
• Leadership and community wellness

Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of upper-division coursework to include a minimum of 27 credit hours in the required core and at least 33 credit hours of courses approved by academic advisor.

Core Courses Required of All Students

• HSC - 354 Introduction to Health Professions Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 352 Professional Writing Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 448 Health Care Ethics Credit(s): 2
• HSC - 364 Health Care Systems and Policies Credit(s): 1
• HSC - 358 Global Health Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 488 Research Methods Credit(s): 3

• Or

• IS - 463 Research & Statistical Methods Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 462 Practicum Credit(s): 9
• HSC - 464 Capstone Credit(s): 3

Electives

Elective courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the program director and correspond with the student’s career goals. Individualized plans of study are developed for each student based on their future academic goals with their advisor. 

• HSC - 350 Medical Physiology Credit(s): 4
• HSC - 360 Human Anatomy/Lab Credit(s): 4
• HSC - 362 Clinical Immunology Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 368 Genetics Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 371 Health Education Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 372 Medical Terminology Credit(s): 1
• HSC - 400 Independent Study Credit(s): 1-12
• HSC - 414 Patient Assessment Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 425 Health Care Informatics Credit(s): 2
• HSC - 435 Nutrition Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 445 Fundamentals of Neuroscience Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 455 Pathophysiology Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 458 Microbiology Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 459 Pharmacology Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 460 Management Principles Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 461 Leadership Theory & Practice Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 467 Issues and Trends in Health Care Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 480 Principles of Health & Wellness Credit(s): 3
• HSC - 483 Community Health Credit(s): 3
• HSM - 688 Topics in Health Systems Management Credit(s): 2
• IS - 305 Intro to Imaging Sciences Credit(s): 3
• IS - 307 Introduction to Patient Care Credit(s): 1-3
• IS - 310 Sectional Anatomy & Pathology Credit(s): 5
• IS - 318 Patient Assessment Credit(s): 3
• IS - 325 Pharmacology and Radiologic Contrast Agents Credit(s): 3
• IS - 340 MRI Safety Credit(s): 3
• IS - 454 Health Care Ethics and Cultural Competence Credit(s): 4
• VAS - 310 Patient Care Credit(s): 2
• VAS - 370 General Pathophysiology Credit(s): 3
• VAS - 390 Introduction to Research Credit(s): 2

Transfer of Credit

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