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Health Sciences
Program Details
Major Name: Health Sciences
Degree Program: Associate of Science
Degree Designation: AS
- Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics
- Communication Science and Disorders
- Dental Hygiene
- Exercise Physiology
- Health Informatics and Information Management
- Occupational Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
Students who do not select an area of emphasis will graduate with a Health Sciences General Studies degree.
Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Emphasis
Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics scientists perform and interpret diagnostic tests that can help identify medical conditions. This emphasis leads to the possibility of 2 tracks on the WVU School of Medicine campus: Clinical Laboratory Science and Histotechnology. Clinical laboratory scientists perform diagnostic tests using saliva and blood samples while histotechnologists work primarily with tissues.
The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics offers courses required for admission into the WVU School of Medicine Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Bachelor of Science (BS) program. A 2.5 minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) is recommended for admission to BS program. Students with no more than two regular semesters left at PSC who meet the GPA and other program requirements may request direct admit status and reserve their seat in the following year’s cohort, space permitting.
Graduation Requirements
The AS program includes courses in biology, chemistry, and math. To earn an AS degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.
Career Outcomes
Clinical Laboratory Scientists are skilled laboratory professionals that perform laboratory testing on blood and bodily fluids to aid in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients. Laboratory testing encompasses such disciplines as clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, and molecular biology. Clinical laboratory science professionals generate accurate laboratory data that are needed to aid in detecting cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, infectious mononucleosis, and identification of bacteria or viruses that cause infections, as well as in detecting drugs of abuse.
A Histotechnologist is a professional who is qualified through academic and applied science education and training to provide service, research, and management in histotechnology and areas related to anatomic pathology. Histotechnologists are integral to the success of the anatomic pathology department by performing routine and complex procedures to preserve and process tissue specimens. Specific tissue structures are visualized by utilizing specialized stains and are examined by a pathologist to diagnose diseases and disorders.
A degree in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics can also be used as a preparatory degree to apply to medical school, dental school, and other professional schools.
Communication Science and Disorders (CSAD) Emphasis
Communication Science and Disorders explores communication development, anatomy and physiology, and communication disorders. Students who pursue degrees in this field will learn to diagnose and treat different communication disorders.
The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Communication Science and Disorders offers courses required for admission into WVU School of Medicine Communication and Science and Disorders Bachelor of Science (BS) program. The first two years include general education, science, and math courses required for admission. A 2.8 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for admission to Communication Science and Disorders BS program.
Graduation Requirements
To earn an AS degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Communication Science and Disorders, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of a BS program in Communication Science and Disorders, students are prepared for careers which improve the lives of people who have communication disorders. Students can obtain jobs as a speech-language pathologist assistant, audiologist assistant, rehabilitation aide, speech pathologist assistant, or special education teacher.
Students may also choose to further their education in a graduate program for speech-language pathology or audiology.
Dental Hygiene Emphasis
Dental Hygiene focuses on maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity. A licensed dental hygienist is a health care provider dedicated to the care of the oral cavity and providing oral health education.
The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Dental Hygiene prepares students to apply for admission to WVU School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Bachelor of Science (BS) program. The Dental Hygiene emphasis focuses on biology, chemistry, microbiology, social sciences, and general education foundation course work.
Upon completion, students may apply to the WVU Dental Hygiene program. Admission to the WVU Dental Hygiene program is competitive and students must have a minimum overall and prerequisite GPA of 2.5 to apply and be eligible for an interview, in addition to completing all other requirements as published in the WVU Catalog at the time of program application. Students who are enrolled in Health Science Dental Hygiene emphasis and complete the second year at PSC understand they will need to complete the DTHY courses in the sophomore year plan of study once accepted into the Dental Hygiene program. When admitted, they will be admitted as advanced standing fall semester sophomores. Often students choosing this pathway also declare a second major or minor.
Graduation Requirements
To earn an AS degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Dental Hygiene, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of a BS Dental Hygiene program, students have a wide range of career possibilities to choose from. Clinically, students could work as a dental hygienist performing oral hygiene and care, teeth whitening, or x-rays and other diagnostic tests. Students would also be prepared to consult for dental or insurance companies, dental supply sales, or evaluate dental health programs.
Exercise Physiology Emphasis
Exercise physiology explores the body’s responses and adaptations to physical exercise.
The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology provides classes from the first two years of the WVU School of Medicine Bachelor of Science (BS) program in Exercise Physiology. The BS program on the Morgantown campus meets the knowledge, skill, and aptitude (KSA) requirements for students to be eligible to take the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness National Examination and the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Examination. Upon admission to the BS program, students will choose one of 3 tracks, Aquatic Therapy, Dance Science, or Health Professions. A 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for admission to the Exercise Physiology BS program.
Graduation Requirements
The AS program includes courses in science, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and exercise physiology. To earn an AS degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of a BS degree in Exercise Physiology, graduates can begin careers as an exercise physiologist, a personal trainer, a wellness coordinator, a strength and conditioning coach, a clinical research assistant, or other related jobs. Students may also further their education in a Master of Science program or Physical Therapy program.
General Studies Emphasis
Students not declaring an emphasis will earn an Associate of Science (AS) in Health Sciences. This degree is designed for the student who wants to pursue a health career that only requires an associate’s degree. This program offers the core Health Sciences course work and all general education requirements for graduation. It also offers 21 general electives allowing students to tailor the degree to their own specific needs. To earn an AS degree in the general studies emphasis, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.
Health Informatics and Information Management Emphasis
Health Informatics and Information Management centers on the administrative side of healthcare. It focuses on improving patient outcomes by using technology to analyze and manage healthcare data. It also involves using technology to organize, process, and manage patient medical records.
The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) offers courses required for admission into WVU School of Medicine HIIM Bachelor of Science (BS) program. The AS program includes anatomy and physiology and computer science courses and requires students to take HIIM specific courses online through the Morgantown campus. A 2.0 minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for admission to the HIIM BS program.
Once admitted to the Morgantown campus, students will learn using a virtual practice environment and professional practice experiences using electronic health records systems and other key software platforms.
Graduation Requirements
To earn an AS degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in HIIM, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of a BS degree in HIIM, graduates can begin careers as medical and health services managers, clinical data managers, and health informatics specialists.
Occupational Therapy Emphasis
Occupational Therapists empower people with injuries, disabilities, and illnesses to lead independent lives. An occupational therapist works in many different environments such as hospitals, schools, and clinics. To become an occupational therapist, you need to complete a master’s degree.
The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis Occupational Therapy satisfies the pre-requisite course requirements for admission to the 2 + 3 Master’s degree program in Occupational Therapy offered by the School of Medicine at West Virginia University. The AS program includes courses in science, physiology, psychology and general electives. Completion of the AS degree does not automatically assure the student a place in the junior class. A student will be accepted on a competitive basis and selection will be based on scholastic standing and on those personal characteristics that are desirable in occupational therapists. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 cumulatively and in prerequisite coursework in the AS program.
Graduation Requirements
To earn an AS degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Occupational Therapy, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of a MS degree in Occupational Therapy, graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. After successful completion of the exam the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).
Respiratory Therapy Emphasis
A respiratory therapist is a healthcare provider that helps people who are having trouble breathing. Working alongside doctors and nurses, respiratory therapists help diagnose, treat, and manage different lung conditions.
The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis Respiratory Therapy satisfies the pre-requisite course requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in Respiratory Therapy offered by the School of Medicine at WVU. The AS program includes courses in anatomy and physiology, microbiology and chemistry. Completion of the AS degree does not automatically assure the student a place in the junior class at Morgantown. Admission to the BS Respiratory Therapy program is competitive and students must have a minimum overall and prerequisite GPA of 2.5 to apply and be eligible for an interview.
Graduation Requirements
To earn an AS degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Respiratory Therapy, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of a BS degree in Respiratory Therapy, graduates are eligible to sit for the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE), given by the National Board for Respiratory Care and leading upon successful completion to the designation of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).