The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Services and Sciences Clinical Practice in Health (HSS-CPH) at Western Michigan University prepares students to understand the healthcare world and how to work successfully in it. This major is specifically designed for those who have an associate’s degree in a clinical area and are licensed or certified in that discipline following a discipline approved licensing exam.
Through the two required elements of 1) core courses and 2) a capstone experience (internship), students gain knowledge and experience to continue to contribute as interdisciplinary team members in today’s health services systems. Typically, students get credit for the capstone experience through the prior learning assessment that is conducted upon admission. Students in this major are not required to complete a minor.
The HSS-CPH Core is comprised of the two sets of courses: Core Major requirements and the Core Cognate requirements. These courses provide an introduction of core competencies that are needed across health services disciplines including delivering patient and family centered care, working in interdisciplinary teams, evidence-based practice, health literacy practices, quality improvement, informatics, and ethical decision making. In addition, the HSS-CPH Core provides a more in-depth study of the organization and delivery of health services, safety practices, health disparities, diversity in delivering services, and health policy. The core and core cognate courses are supplemented by two 15-credit courses, HSV 3100 and HSV 3200 that can be a met through prior learning assessment.
If the prior learning assessment does not reflect significant direct health care experience, the student must complete a capstone experience (usually an internship) that pulls together skills obtained throughout the program and applies them to an internship placement, a professional project, or a research project. (HSS-CPH students may transfer in an equivalent coursework and training in place of their capstone experience.) Please see more information at “Capstone Experience”.
Admission
Admission to the major occurs when students, who have previously been admitted to WMU, select Healthcare Services and Sciences Clinical Practice in Health as their major as long as the student has a 2.0 GPA and is not on academic probation. However, all students must raise their GPAs to 2.5 before taking the required capstone course. In addition, these students should meet with an advisor as soon as possible to determine the likelihood of credit toward the major based on prior learning assessment.
Continuance and Graduation Policy
Students must obtain at least a “C” in all HSS Clinical Practice in Health required core courses with the Health Services (HSV) designation. Students may repeat courses to obtain the required grade of “C”. Only two repeated HSV courses will count toward degree requirements. These two repeated courses may be the same course repeated twice or two separate courses repeated once each.
If after the prior learning assessment the student is required to complete the capstone experience, they must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA when applying for the capstone course. Those who do not have a 2.5 cumulative GPA in the semester before their capstone course may take one additional semester to raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.5 or better. If after this additional semester they do not meet the 2.5 cumulative GPA requirement they will be dismissed from the program.
Academic Advising
The College of Health and Human Services provides advising to all students who wish to enroll in and who are admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Services and Sciences Clinical Practice in Health program. Students should contact an advisor as early as possible.
Advisors will assist students in program planning and determinations for prior learning assessment. Failure to meet with an advisor on a regular basis may result in difficulty in completing the program in a timely manner.
Specific program requirements to follow.
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