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College of Health Sciences and Public Policy:
BS in Health Studies

Walden University’s BS in Health Studies program is designed to empower students as critical and creative thinkers who are capable of addressing the health needs of local and global communities through the delivery of health services. Students will gain the knowledge base required to understand and anticipate the continuing changes in the health industry and prepare professionals to work within a variety of health settings.

Note: The BS in Health Studies program is offered in two different learning modalities: the course-based modality and the competency-based modality, Tempo Learning®.

Learning Outcomes

Roman numerals in parentheses at the end of each learning outcome indicate alignment to the Walden University outcomes.

At the end of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate health and wellness promotion initiatives. (II, IV, V, VI)
  2. Critically appraise the context and quality of healthcare delivery within and outside of the United States. (II, IV, V, VI)
  3. Evaluate health-related research and research methods. (IV, V, VI)
  4. Explain how a variety of factors (including behavioral theories, social and cultural factors and epidemiological principles) impact health. (II, IV, V, IX)
  5. Assess public and global health issues across class, race, ethnicity and culture. (I, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX)
  6. Demonstrate the skills needed to create effective health programs and services (inclusive of program planning, healthcare management and program evaluation). (II, III, IV, V, VI)
  7. Demonstrate effective communication skills necessary to advance social change in health education and promotion. (I, II, VIII)

Course-Based Program

Degree Requirements

  • 181 total quarter credit hours
  • General education courses (46 credits)
  • Core courses (55 credits)
  • Concentration courses (0–25 credits, depending on concentration)
  • Elective courses (50–75 credits, depending on concentration)
  • Capstone course (5 credits)

Curriculum

General Education Courses (46 credits)

See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Note: A minimum of 60 quarter credits must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level in order to meet program requirements. In some cases, this means that students will need to select 3000 or 4000 level courses as either general education or elective options. Students should consult their student success advisor if they have questions about individual program requirements.

First Term Course (6 credits)

Core Courses (55 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Concentrations (0–25 credits, depending on concentration)

Electives (50–75 credits)

Students following a specific concentration are to select 10 additional courses to fulfill the elective requirement; students choosing the General Program select 15 additional courses. Students may choose courses from General Education, BS in Public Health, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs. Students may also be eligible to transfer previous credit to meet their elective requirements. These credits of electives are in addition to the 5-credit general education elective.

Note on Minors: Electives can also be used to complete a six-course minor.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

Tempo Learning® Program

Tempo Learning® is Walden’s competency-based education modality, an alternative way of earning a Walden degree offered for some Walden programs. Instead of courses, the Walden Tempo Learning® program is comprised of competencies and rigorous assessments. Students progress through the Tempo Learning® model by successfully passing competency assessments. A student must successfully achieve or master all competency assessments to graduate from the program.

Students earn the same Walden degree whether they choose the course-based or the competency-based modality.

Degree Requirements

  • 180 total credits
  • General education courses (45 credits)
  • Core competencies (55 credits)
  • Concentration courses (0 credits) or
    • Health Promotion and Wellness concentration (25 credits)
    • Healthcare Management concentration (25 credits)
  • Elective courses (75 credits) or
    • Health Promotion and Wellness concentration (50 credits)
    • Healthcare Management concentration (50 credits)
  • Capstone competencies (5 credits)

Curriculum

General Education Courses (45 credits)

See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Note: A minimum of 60 quarter credits must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level in order to meet program requirements. In some cases, this means that students will need to select 3000 or 4000 level courses as either general education or elective options. Students should consult their student success advisor if they have questions about individual program requirements.

Core Competencies (55 credits)

  • CH1001 Health Promotion
    Identify concepts relating to health promotion.
  • CH1002 Dimensions of Wellness
    Apply dimensions of wellness to personal health goals.
  • CH1003 Health Literacy
    Analyze the relationship between health literacy, health marketing, and consumer behavior.
  • CH1004 Health Indicators
    Analyze social determinants of health that impact health indicators.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • HD1001 Bills and Laws
    Identify the key points of historical bills and laws in healthcare.
  • HD1002 Healthcare Systems
    Compare aspects of the U.S. healthcare system to other countries.
  • HD1003 Vertical and Horizontal Integrated Systems
    Analyze the benefits and limitations of integrated systems.
  • HD1004 Current Health Issues in the Workplace
    Analyze the impact of current healthcare delivery issues.
  • HD1005 Barriers to Care
    Apply strategies to mitigate barriers of care.
  • HD1006 Continuum of Care
    Develop patient plans throughout the continuum of care.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • BC2001 Health Disparities
    Demonstrate understanding of health disparities.
  • BC2002 Cultural Competence
    Apply culturally competent practices when working with patients and other healthcare professionals.
  • BC2003 Social Ecological Model
    Apply the social ecological model to community health issues.
  • BC2004 Health Disparity Programs
    Evaluate intervention programs aimed at mitigating health disparities.
  • BC2005 Advocacy
    Advocate for changes to policies or programs that positively impact the health of vulnerable populations.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • HB2001 Influences on Health Behavior
    Analyze the influences of personal, social, and environmental factors on health behaviors.
  • HB2002 Health Behavior Theories and Models
    Describe key concepts associated with health behavior theories and models.
  • HB2003 Changing Health Behaviors
    Analyze theory-based strategies to change health behaviors.
  • HB2004 Applying Health Behavior Theories and Models
    Apply theories and models to the development of strategies that influence health behaviors in specific populations with health issues.
  • PG3001 Global Health Trends and Practices
    Identify key influences on global health trends and practices.
  • PG3002 Global Health Populations
    Describe key public health populations and global health factors that affect diverse populations and cultures, as well as women and children.
  • PG3003 Infectious Disease
    Identify and describe infectious diseases and their modes of transmission.
  • PG3004 Chronic Disease
    Identify chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and their impact on global health trends.
  • PG3005 Global Health Organizations and Strategies
    Describe global health agencies, their roles, and the ways in which they support global public health.
  • PG3006 The Future of Global Health
    Recognize emerging trends in global public health as they relate to population growth, new technology, and ethical/legal considerations.
  • PG3007 Apply Principles of Global Public Health
    Recommend strategies to positively affect global public health in an identified population.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • HM4001 Manager vs. Leader
    Differentiate the characteristics of managers and leaders.
  • HM4002 Emotional Intelligence
    Analyze the influence of emotional intelligence on leadership style.
  • HM4003 Roles and Responsibilities
    Delegate responsibilities within a healthcare management team.
  • HM4004 Leadership Strategies
    Apply leadership strategies to management scenarios.
  • HM4005 Leadership Philosophy
    Develop a personal leadership philosophy reflective of emotional intelligence and leadership style.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • PE4001 Descriptive Epidemiology
    Analyze the epidemiologic factors of disease related to person, place, and time.
  • PE4002 Study Designs
    Analyze study designs as they apply to the surveillance of diseases.
  • PE4003 Role of the Epidemiologist
    Analyze the role of the epidemiologist in informing scientific, ethical, economic, and political decisions within public health.
  • RM4001 Research Questions
    Develop health-related research questions designed around the scientific method.
  • RM4002 Literature Review
    Evaluate peer-reviewed research surrounding health-related topics.
  • RM4003 Research Design
    Apply research design to health-related topics.
  • RM4004 Ethics in Research
    Apply ethical principles to health-related research.
  • RM4005 Data Collection and Analysis
    Apply data collection and analysis tools to health-related topics.
  • RM4006 Presenting Your Proposal
    Present formal research proposals.
  • CW4001 Key Characteristics of Health Communications
    Analyze the components and processes of health communication.
  • CW4002 Resource Evaluation
    Evaluate credible sources.
  • CW4003 Health Behavior Theories
    Apply health behavior theories and models to develop effective communications.
  • CW4004 Designing Health Communications
    Design targeted health communications for diverse and low literacy populations.
  • CW4005 Emerging Technologies
    Recommend technology-based strategies to communicate to diverse populations.
  • CW4006 Social Marketing Plan
    Develop social marketing plans.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • PP4001 Community Needs Assessment
    Justify the selection of public health problems within targeted communities.
  • PP4002 Planning Models
    Justify the selection of planning models to address chosen public health problems within targeted communities.
  • PP4003 Mission, Goals, Objectives, and Strategies
    Develop measurable goals, objectives, and intervention strategies to address chosen public health issues.
  • PP4004 Implementation
    Develop budgets, timelines, and marketing strategies for program plan implementation.
  • PP4005 Program Proposal
    Develop proposals to present program plans.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • EV4001 Purposes of Program Evaluation
    Analyze purposes of program evaluation and distinguish between types of evaluation.
  • EV4002 Program Evaluation Steps
    Apply the steps in designing and conducting program evaluations.
  • EV4003 Program Evaluation Standards
    Assess program evaluation criteria to meet standards.
  • EV4004 Data Collection
    Recommend valid data collection tools applicable to program evaluation plans.
  • EV4005 Data Analysis and Reporting
    Develop plans for data analysis and reporting evaluation results.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Concentration Courses (0 or 25 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular concentration. Please see the course list on each concentration page.

Electives (75 or 50 credits)

Students are to select 15 or 10 additional courses (based on their concentration) to fulfill the elective requirement. Students may choose courses from either General Education, BS in Health Studies, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs. At least 30 credits must be at the 3000 level or higher. Individual course prerequisites apply.

Capstone Competencies (5 credits)

  • CS4001 Professional Standards
    Analyze health knowledge as it applies to professional skills and responsibilities.
  • CS4002 Professional Development
    Apply communication skills related to professional development.
  • CS4003 Annotated Bibliography
    Evaluate evidence-based resources relating to selected health issues and professional standards.
  • CS4004 Communication Skills
    Apply communication skills to selected health issues and professional standards.
  • CS4005 Social Change
    Apply social change concepts to a selected health issue.

Note on Curriculum

In an effort to ensure competencies are kept up to date and relevant to meet the learning outcomes of the program, the number and subject matter of individual competencies needed to satisfy program course requirements may change. However, program outcomes and the number and subject matter of courses will not be impacted. As a result, the required competencies listed in a student’s individual learning plan may differ from what is currently listed in the catalog.