Associate in Science in Health Sciences

Of the 60 credits required for the Associate in Science in Health Sciences, students must complete 30 credits in the arts and sciences and 30 credits in health sciences.

• Written English Requirement: 3 credits
• Humanities: 6 credits
  • Ethics
  • Humanities elective
• Social Sciences: 6 credits
  • Lifespan Developmental Psychology
  • Social science elective
• Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 6 credits
  • Natural science supportive of health sciences (minimum 2 credits)
  • Mathematics (minimum 2 credits)
  • Additional courses to reach 6 credits
• Information Literacy: 1 credit
• Arts and Sciences Electives: 8 credits
• Applied Professional and/or Additional Arts and Sciences Courses: 27 credits
• Capstone Course: 3 credits

The Health Sciences Component (30 credits) provides you with a solid knowledge base in the health sciences field.

Core Health Science Courses: 9 Credits

Medical Terminology

This course introduces you to the medical language that’s necessary to every career in health care. As you become familiar with medical reporting style guidelines established by the American Association of Medical Transcription (AAMT), you learn how to read and pronounce medical terms. After this course, your working vocabulary will include terminologies of disease, pharmacology, and biological systems in human anatomy and physiology, and you’ll know how to use these terms correctly while writing and talking in health care settings.

Health Care in the United States

Learn how the U.S. health care and health insurance systems work, and how your work fits into the bigger picture. This course covers the ways public, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations deliver, finance, and manage health care services. Topics include: federal regulations such as the Affordable Care Act; access disparity; Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance systems; electronic medical records and medical office information technology; quality and safety in health care settings; and careers in licensed and non-licensed health care professions.

Professionalism in Health Care

Learn best practices for communicating with co-workers, clients/consumers, and families; resolving workplace conflict; planning your professional development; improving your cultural competence with diverse populations; and responding to fraud, malpractice, safety, and negligence. Instruction also covers organizational policy, patient rights, informed consent, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Health Science Electives: 18 Credits

You may be able to satisfy your health sciences electives requirement with credit awarded for your health care license or certification or prior coursework/transfer credits in a health science discipline. Visit the Credit for Health Care Credentials page to learn more.

Sample health science electives at Excelsior College include courses such as:

• Anatomy and Physiology (I and II)
• Introduction to Health Care Management
• Spanish Communication for the Health Care Professions
• Why We Overeat: Perspectives on Nutrition
• Sex, Gender, and Health
• Addictions in America
• Health in the News
• Biology of Health and Disease

Associate Health Sciences Capstone: 3 Credits

This course assesses the knowledge you gained through the associate health science program curriculum. Explore the health care delivery system as it relates to specific health care professions, and exercise and refine your communication skills through activities such as resume writing and responding to interview questions.

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.

Demonstrate critical thinking skills for guiding decision making in various health care scenarios.

Describe the structure and function of the health care delivery system in the United States.

Explain the various roles and responsibilities of health professionals.

Critique current trends and opportunities that improve the provision of health care.