May 05, 2024  
2023-2024 Rivier Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Rivier Academic Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Health Science


The focus of this Bachelor of Science in Health Science major is designed to prepare a non-clinical health care worker. However, many people with this degree will often pursue certification in the following areas: (cardiovascular technician, anesthesia technician, respiratory therapy technician, registered health information technician, biomedical equipment technician, medical lab technician, cancer registrar, EKG technician, paramedic completion).  Employment opportunities include and are not limited to health claims reviewer, insurance company analyst assistants, health education specialist, medical and biomedical equipment specialist, healthcare navigators, health education specialists, prosthetics technicians, and audiology technicians. Upon completion of the degree, many of these graduates learn technical and leadership skills on the job or earn certification sometimes paid for by their employer or where they received their internships.   Employment opportunities with this degree are booming.  This degree also prepares students for graduate school across the healthcare continuum.

Student Learning Outcomes:  Upon successful completion of the Health Science (B.S.) degree requirements, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a solid foundation in behavioral, natural, social, and health sciences applicable to entry level positions in healthcare environments.
  • Communicate verbal, electronic and written information clearly and accurately in a way that represents competence and professionalism in the healthcare field.
  • Analyze bioethical issues facing healthcare practitioners and the healthcare environment.
  • Appreciate the diverse roles of professionals within the healthcare team.
  • Demonstrate problem solving abilities when working as a novice healthcare professional within the internship environment.
  • Recognize diversity, differing beliefs and value systems within the individual and workplace culture.
  • Develop self-directed and engaged learning skills needed for independent and lifelong learning.
  • Utilize data to analyze a problem or activity with a minimum of direction.

General Education Requirements (40-42 credits)


  • Credits: 3
  • Credits: 3
  • Credits: 1
  • Credits: 1
  • Credits: 3
  • Credits: 1
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    Who is My Neighbor?  Students explore this question in their second and third years.(6 credits)

    • HUM 200 - Literature, Art and the Human Credits: 3
    • HIS 203 - Interactions: the West in the World I Credits: 3 OR HIS 204 - Interactions: the West in the World II Credits: 3

    How Shall We Live? Students explore this question in their junior and senior years. (6 credits)

    • Religion Elective Credits: 3
    • Philosophy Elective Credits: 3

    What, then, Shall We Do? Students explore this question in their junior or senior year. (3 credits)

    • Junior Year Seminar Credits: 3

    Area Distribution Courses: The Core Complement (15 credits)

    • Humanities course from: English, History, Modern Language, Philosophy, Religion Credits: 3
    • Social Science course from: Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology Credits: 3
    • Mathematics course:  MA112 College Algebra or higher course level Credits: 3
    • Natural Science course from: Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or Physical Science Credits: 3
    • Modern Language course: SPA 105 - Spanish for Health Care Professionals Credits: 3

General Electives (18 credits)


Degree Requirements (120 credits)