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Applied Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Sciences

Ready for a rewarding career in healthcare?

Good health starts with the prevention of disease. IU’s Online Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares you for a high-growth job market in disease prevention, health planning, research, education, policy-making, and therapeutic intervention. Graduates may work in a variety of public health, wellness education, and health organization positions.

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science program is an applied degree. That means that some of the competencies within the degree courses will be applied in a real-world setting, including service learning in your community and a final 75-hour internship at an agency appropriate to the track in which you are enrolled.

There are two tracks to choose from: Community Health Education and Health Administration. All major courses for the degree are fully online, and the program can be taken full-time or part-time.

Community Health Education

Do you have a passion to improve overall health and wellness?

Community health education specialists teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities. They serve as a health advisor, family advocate, health educator, liaison, peer counselor, health interpreter, and health promoter. These professionals engage in health education, advocacy, policy development, and community development.

Coursework in the Health Educator track will provide instruction in the skills necessary to conduct general health and wellness assessments, planning, and implementation of health education within a community.

Students in the Health Educator track will have the ability to take the Certified Health Education Specialist Examination (CHES®) offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. Becoming a CHES® opens many more opportunities in public health.

A wide variety of career opportunities exist for community health educators, ranging from hospitals to clinics, health departments, wellness centers, fitness agencies, schools and colleges, non-profit agencies related to health promotion and education, and alcohol and drug prevention organizations.

Health Administration

Want to be part of the growing healthcare industry and improve health care services?

An administrator's responsibilities depend on the position, but involve elements of budgeting, planning, overseeing systems, maintaining community outreach, and recruiting & managing personnel. Health care administrators also direct changes that conform to healthcare laws, regulations, and technology.

Coursework in the Health Administration track will provide instruction in health care organization, planning, budgeting, and finance. Students will utilize problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in a variety of health care settings and situations.

Career opportunities for health care administrators range from hospitals to clinics, private or group medical practices, nursing homes, insurance companies, and other health industries.

View degree requirements

Career opportunities include:

  • Health Educator (salary: $54,220/year)
  • Wellness Consultant (salary: $75,000/year)
  • Health Service Manager/Administrator (salary: $98,350/year)