Associate in Applied Science in Health Studies

Program Overview

The Associate of Applied Science in Health Studies equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in various healthcare settings. The program covers topics such as medical terminology, body structure and function, health information technology, and ethical and legal aspects of healthcare. Graduates are prepared for careers as billing supervisors, patient service representatives, medical administrative assistants, and allied health instructors, among others. The program's high job placement rate and competitive salaries make it an attractive option for those seeking advancement in the healthcare field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Associate of Applied Science in Health Studies is designed for individuals seeking to advance their careers in the healthcare field. Upon completion of the program, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to work in various healthcare settings, including billing supervisor, patient service representative, medical administrative assistant, medical supply manager, and allied health instructor. This program is particularly beneficial for those who have completed certificates of competency and proficiency programs in Allied Health and Nursing and wish to complete a degree course of study. The program provides a broad perspective on healthcare-related topics while also providing a foundation in liberal studies.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomical structure and physiological functioning of the human body and of medical terms descriptive of body systems.
• Perform the administrative duties required in a health care setting.
• Describe the ethical and legal issues related to health care delivery.
• Define the roles and responsibilities of various providers and disciplines throughout the continuum of health care.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the issues and practices applicable to health information including electronic health records.

Outline:

Program Content and Structure:

The Health Studies program is a two-year, full-time program that consists of 62 credit hours. The curriculum includes coursework in the following areas:

• Health Care Administration
• Medical Terminology
• Body Structure and Function
• Health Information Technology
• Medical Coding
• Medical Office Management
• Ethical and Legal Aspects of Health Care Management
• Communication
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Biology
• Mathematics

Course Schedule:

The program is offered on a semester basis. The following is a sample course schedule:

First Semester

• ENG 100: English Composition I (3 credits)
• CS 100: Introduction to Information Technology (3 credits)
• AHM 102: Introduction to Health Care (3 credits)
• AHM 233: Medical Terminology (3 credits)
• AHM 140: Professional and Communication Issues in Health Care (3 credits)

Second Semester

• COMM 100: Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
• SOC 110: Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
• AHM 104: Body Structure and Function I (3 credits)
• PSY 140: General Psychology (3 credits)
• Select one of the following (3 credits):
• MAT 120: Modern College Mathematics
• MAT 121: Introduction to Probability and Statistics
• MAT 210: Statistics

Third Semester

• AHM 105: Body Structure and Function II (3 credits)
• AHM 202: Fundamentals of Health Information Technology Science (3 credits)
• AHM 130: Medical Coding Concepts for Allied Health (3 credits)
• BIO 100: Biological Sciences (4 credits)
• Open Elective (3 credits)

Fourth Semester

• AHM 241: Revenue Cycle Management and Reimbursement Methodologies (3 credits)
• AHM 185: Medical Office Management (4 credits)
• AHA 207: Ethical/Legal Aspects of Health Care Management (3 credits)

Careers:

Career Paths and Opportunities:

Graduates of the Health Studies program are prepared for a variety of career paths in the healthcare field, including:

• Billing Supervisor
• Patient Service Representative
• Medical Administrative Assistant
• Medical Supply Manager
• Allied Health Instructor
• Medical Records Technician
• Health Information Manager
• Insurance Claims Analyst
• Healthcare Consultant

Career Outcomes:

Graduates of the Health Studies program are in high demand due to the increasing need for qualified healthcare professionals. The program's graduates have a high job placement rate and earn competitive salaries.