The Health Sciences Program provides an opportunity for licensed, registered, or certified health care practitioners who are graduates of an accredited associate degree health care program but do not hold a baccalaureate degree to earn a bachelor of science. Very often the bachelor’s degree is required for career advancement, particularly into management positions.
Because of the necessary sequencing of courses, students must enroll in a group or cohort whose members will take the same classes at the same time as they progress through the program. The health sciences program operates on a three-semester-per-year basis in order to afford students as timely a completion as possible.
The program is primarily designed for part-time and/or nontraditional students. Students elect to participate in a five- or six-semester degree completion cohort. Each cohort will begin classes in the fall term. In special situations, with approval of the dean and appropriate advisement, a student may complete the program on an alternative schedule.
All applicants pay a nonrefundable application fee of $25. Applications may be obtained from the Office of Student Records and Registrar, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39216-4505, by calling (601) 984-1080, or by calling the Dean’s office at (601) 984-6300.
Or, click here to download a PDF application.
Students who satisfactorily complete the requirements will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from The University of Mississippi. Candidates for a degree must have an overall GPA in UMC coursework of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A degree cannot be granted unless the student has spent the equivalent of at least one full academic year in residence*, has earned a minimum of 30 semester hours of residence credit, and has completed the required course of study in the health sciences. Since the program is designed for part-time and/or nontraditional students, classes meet once a week at night or in late afternoon. Many classes are computer-augmented, with the student gaining access through the internet. The computer-augmented classes meet on campus less frequently than once a week.
*In residence is defined as campus of student enrollment: Southaven, Tupelo, or Jackson.
Required courses are listed below. (3 semester hours each)
| HS 300 | Survey of Health Care Delivery |
| HS 302 | Computer Applications in Health Care |
| HS 306 | Medical Terminology |
| HS 308 | Disease and Health |
| HS 310 | Principles of Management in Health Care |
| HS 312 | Continuing Education in Health Care |
| HS 314 | Professional Communication in Health Care |
| HS 404 | Political and Sociological Issues in Health Care |
| HS 406 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care |
| HS 408 | Organizational Behavior in Health Care |
| HS 427 | Finance and Reimbursement in Health Care |
| HS 429 | Evidence-Based Decision Making in Health Care |
| HS 451 | Senior Directed Study for Health Care Practitioners |
The program requires 39 semester hours. Including academic transfer credits, students must earn at least 120 semester credit hours in order to graduate.
At the completion of the curriculum, students will participate in HS 451, Senior Directed Study for Health Care Practitioners. Successful completion of HS 451 will allow students to be awarded 30 semester hours of transfer credit for professional or technical coursework taken while obtaining the health care credential. The disciplines eligible for such credit are the health care professions that UMC offers or has offered in the past. Health care disciplines which require an associate’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning are also acceptable, if approved by the dean.
| Required Courses* | Number of Hours |
| English Composition | 6 |
| Humanities** | 6 |
| College Algebra | 3 |
| Laboratory Science | 6 |
| Fine Arts | 3 |
* Students enrolled in an institution which uses the quarter academic calendar must complete the required sequence of courses which are equivalent to The University of Mississippi courses.
** Humanities include history, literature, foreign language, journalism, sociology, political science, philosophy and religion.
All applicants must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale prior to admission. A minimum grade of C is required on each course accepted for transfer.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers equal opportunity in education and employment, M/F/D/V.
| Fall I | Spring I | Summer I | Fall II | Spring II | Summer II | |
| 6 Semester | HS 300 HS 302 | HS 306 HS 314 | HS 308 HS 310 | HS 312 HS 404 HS 406 | HS 408 HS 427 | HS 429 HS 451 |
| 5 Semester | HS 300 HS 302 HS 306 | HS 308 HS 310 HS 314 | HS 312 HS 404 | HS 406 HS 408 HS 427 | HS 429 HS 451 |
In special situations, with approval of the dean and appropriate advisement, a student may complete the program on an alternative schedule.
Ms. Rebecca Yates, M.Ed., R.H.I.A., Program Director
Health Sciences
School of Health Related Professions
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39216-4505
Telephone: (601) 815-1150
Fax: (601) 815-1717
E-mail: byates@shrp.umsmed.edu
Ben L. Mitchell, Ph.D., Dean
Telephone: (601) 984-6300
Fax: (601) 984-6344
Email: blmitchell@shrp.umsmed.edu
