BS in Health Studies

Program Details

Flexible Learning

Choose the learning path that fits your life and experience. Here are the two ways to earn your degree:

^*May not be available for all programs

Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM)

Earn up to 25 master’s-level credit hours by taking graduate-level courses as an undergraduate. This allows you to complete both degrees in less time than earning each degree separately. Learn more about Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM).

Curriculum

Standard Program

Degree Completion Requirements

• 181 quarter credits (course-based learning) / 180 quarter credits (Tempo Learning^®)
  (1 semester credit equals 1.5 quarter credits)
  
  • General education courses (46 cr.)
  • Core courses (55 cr.)
  • Elective courses (75 cr.)
  • Capstone course (5 cr.)

Students may be eligible to transfer up to 135 credits. At least 45 credits must be completed at Walden.

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-767-9522.

Courses

Show Course Descriptions

Course Code	Title	Credits
HMNT 1001	Living and Learning in the Technological World Show Imagine life without cell phones, television, or the internet. Recent technological developments have significantly altered all aspects of human life: at work; in play; and in personal, family, and social interactions. In this course, students examine the advantages, disadvantages, and controversies of living and learning in an ever-changing technological environment. By exploring multiple perspectives, students discover how technology is changing media, culture, business, health, human behavior, and overall access to information. In a dynamic, reflective, and engaging classroom environment, students use a variety of audio, visual, literary, and artistic resources, to engage in open dialogue. Students are also introduced to the tools essential to success at Walden. Students complete the course with a personalized success plan that provides a customized roadmap and tools that they can use immediately on their journey toward the completion of their bachelor's degree. Note: Virtual, cyber, digital, and asynchronous are used to describe online environments in this course.	(6 cr.)
	Core Courses
HLTH 1000	Concepts of Health Promotion Show Initiatives to prevent illness and promote healthy lifestyles are often more effective and cost efficient than efforts to intervene or treat disease, which is why health promotion is an increasingly popular trend in the field of healthcare. In this course, students formulate a definition of health and discuss the many influences that shape our individual and collective perceptions of health. Students consider the health-wellness continuum, including a number of factors, such as behavioral, demographic, psychological, and social forces. They also examine evidence-based methodologies for interventions to promote health and enhance wellness, and they evaluate health information found online to determine credibility and accuracy. Additionally, students reflect on ways to shape their future career in health and to promote positive change.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 1005	Context of Healthcare Delivery Show Students in this course describe the causes and consequences of historical events on health and medical care in the United States. They explain barriers related to cost, quality, and access to health and medical care. Students examine unique and complex aspects of subsystems and classify vertical and horizontal integrated healthcare delivery systems. They compare characteristics of healthcare in the U.S. with healthcare systems in other countries. Students also identify current and future issues, trends, and forces in healthcare reform.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 2110	Behavioral and Cultural Issues in Healthcare Show Many factors influence the health behavior and wellness of individuals and populations. Understanding these factors helps healthcare professionals reduce health disparities and address healthcare access issues for vulnerable populations. Students in this course examine the cultural and behavioral factors and issues that influence the management and delivery of healthcare services. Students develop a framework for assessing the effect of culture and behavior in a variety of settings and situations. They identify health disparities attributable to diverse cultural and behavioral factors and discuss their implications for healthcare policy. Students also engage in application-based writing assignments to further examine the goals and objectives of addressing health disparities as well as obstacles for confronting vulnerable populations. Prerequisites BS in Health Studies HLTH 2500 BS in Public Health HLTH 2500 All Other Programs None	(5 cr.)
HLTH 2500	Theories of Health Behavior Show Students in this course are introduced to established and emerging health behavior, health education, and health promotion theories and models. Students can develop the knowledge and skills necessary to apply various theoretical frameworks and models related to psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors influencing health behavior and behavior change. Throughout this course, students will focus on the role of theories and models in planning, implementing, and evaluating health interventions in a variety of settings.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4380	Strategies for Health Communication and Wellness Show The principles and theories of health communication and their application to health promotion and behavior change are the foci of this course. Students examine how to design and deliver health messages to various audiences while remaining sensitive to cultural, socioeconomic, and educational factors influencing the audience. Students evaluate important dimensions of intercultural and intracultural communication and study how to make scholarly writing accessible to the general population. They also explore the use of emerging technologies and social media in marketing and communications.	(5 cr.)
PUBH 4030	Planning Public Health Programs Show Planning culturally relevant and effective public health programs is essential to improving the health of populations. In this course, students are introduced to public health program planning and design, including the process of needs assessment. Students examine and apply various models and theoretical frameworks of program planning. They also explore fundamental competencies relating to planning, such as writing goals and objectives, selecting strategies, developing budgets, and planning for specific populations. Students learn about concepts related to program implementation, management, and evaluation as these relate to the planning process. Prerequisites BS in Health Studies HLTH 3115 or HLTH 3115S BS in Public Health HLTH 3115 or HLTH 3115S All Other Programs HLTH 3115	(5 cr.)
PUBH 4100	Evaluating Public Health Programs Show How do public health professionals know when a program is working? This course provides an introduction to evaluating public health programs. It examines various types of program evaluations, including formative, process, outcome, and impact evaluations. Students apply concepts for designing and conducting practical, ethical, and effective program evaluations that determine whether program goals are achieved. Students also explore ways to appropriately disseminate program evaluation results. Prerequisites PUBH 4030	(5 cr.)
HLTH 3115	Public and Global Health Show Through this course, students widen their perspectives of promoting health and preventing disease as they examine health issues that transcend national borders, class, race, ethnicity, and culture. Students discuss the role of the healthcare provider in preserving and promoting health among diverse populations as well as their role in illness prevention and health promotion, protection, and maintenance of targeted populations. They explore principles of epidemiology and the influencing sociopolitical factors that impact health and well-being of humankind. Students also engage in assignments designed to provide practical application of content on topical issues, such as infant mortality rates in the United States and abroad, infectious or communicable disease, and implications of global climate change on health, among others.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4000	Introduction to Healthcare Management Show In this course, students examine management concepts and theories designed to influence and improve the performance of healthcare organizations. They identify and examine the external and internal environments of organizations as well as key management functions, roles, and responsibilities. Exploring essential aspects of healthcare management, students engage in a variety of conceptual and practical activities, such as profiling a healthcare manger, assessing the value of leadership in decision making, and comparing strategic plans. Students delve deeper into content through weekly discussions on a variety of topics, such as emotional intelligence, applications of financial management, issues of quality and safety, the purpose of strategic planning, and challenges in human resources.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4200	Principles of Epidemiology Show Students in this course focus on the principles governing the study and practice of epidemiology. Consideration is given to the various methods available to health professionals for selecting and measuring factors of interest, describing their distribution, detecting associations, and identifying populations at risk. The features, advantages, and limitations of common epidemiologic research designs are addressed. Prerequisites MATH 1002/1030 or MATH 1040 or STAT 3001 Note: Students who wish to pursue graduate school should consider taking STAT 3001 in addition to MATH 1002.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4205	Introduction to Research Methods and Analysis Show In this course, students examine the basic components required for the conduct of health-related research and provides students with the analytic tools needed to understand and assess research methods described in the scientific literature. Basic research methods are described, including surveys, observational studies, experimental and quasi-experimental design, use of primary and secondary data, and statistical techniques for analyzing and interpreting data. Prerequisites BS in Healthcare Management HLTH 4000 All Other Programs None	(5 cr.)
	Capstone
HLTH 4900	Capstone Show This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and skills acquired throughout their program into a practical, integrative literature review of a selected topic specific to their area of concentration and personal interest. Through this project, students gain experience in refining their résumé, locating and assessing professional literature, and presenting arguments and findings. Students also engage in weekly discussions on networking, professional organizations, and the promotion of positive social change. They also reflect on their learning experience throughout the program and consider how they can use these experiences to enrich future professional endeavors. Prerequisites All prior health core and concentration courses completed. This course must be taken in the student's final quarter.	(5 cr.)
	Concentration Courses
	Choose 15 courses from general education, BS in Health Studies, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs. Your elective credits should total 75 to meet your program requirements. You may also be eligible to transfer previous credit to meet your elective requirements. Note on minors: Electives can also be used to complete a six-course minor.
VIEW ALL COURSES Less Courses

Accelerate Into Master's (AIM)

Admission Requirements

Admission is considered for adult students who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

• You are 21 years of age or older.
• You are less than 21 years of age with at least 12 quarter credits.
• You are an active member of the military or a veteran with documentation of service.

More information for international applicants.

Tuition and Fees

COURSE-BASED LEARNING

Curriculum Component	Requirements	Cost	Amount
Tuition	181 quarter credit hours	$325 per quarter hour	$58,825
Technology Fee	Per quarter	$160	$2,560
			$61,385*

Effective February 28, 2022

Curriculum Component	Requirements	Cost	Amount
Tuition	181 quarter credit hours	$333 per quarter hour	$60,273
Technology Fee	Per quarter	$165	$2,640
			$62,913*

*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 135 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $5,000.

TEMPO LEARNING®

Concentrations

Program Outcomes

Turn Your Passion Into Impact

Walden’s Bachelor of Science in Health Studies program empowers you with the knowledge and skills to help others shape a healthier future. A BS in Health Studies degree prepares students for increasing responsibility in nonclinical careers in fields ranging from public health to health education. Apply what you learn immediately to make a greater impact in your current job—or take the next step in your career.

What’s the Career Impact of Earning a BS in Health Studies? 

Find Your Opportunity in a Thriving Field

As the population ages, the demand for healthcare services is greater than ever. Healthcare jobs are predicted to surge 18% through 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, this industry is expected to create more jobs than any other occupational group—approximately 2.4 million.²

Be a Health Change Agent

Walden’s BS in Health Studies program can prepare you for roles in a range of settings. Career options include:

Potential settings in which you could work with a health studies degree include:

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this health studies degree program will be prepared to:

Resources