Bachelor of Science in Health Services
The Bachelor of Science in Health Services will prepare future health care leaders with the knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the challenges of managing responsibilities across the range of health care organizations. With an emphasis on evidence-based practice, the program will prepare students to work as medical and health services providers charged with planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services. Graduates will be able to work in diverse health care settings, such as hospitals, specific clinical areas or departments within those facilities, health management organizations or in medical practice groups.
The program is designed for students who wish to create a pathway into a health care field. It provides a core set of courses to build a foundation of health care knowledge. It also provides the flexibility for students to focus their studies on a particular area of interest through the selection of open and restricted elective courses. The flexibility gives students an opportunity to identify how their strengths, values and skills can best serve the health of their communities.
Students in the health services program have the option to complete the entire program face-to-face or complete their last two years asynchronously online.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completion of the B.S. in Health Services degree program, graduates will be able to:
- Describe health, illness, and human development in the context of the U.S. health care system.
- Analyze contemporary issues and trends in health promotion and delivery in the context of the U.S. health care system.
- Identify and analyze cultural and economic factors impacting health disparities in the U.S. health care system.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of professional and ethical behaviors within the health care context.
- Apply effective written and oral communications skills within the health care services context.
- Analyze and apply basic theories of leadership and change management to the health care services workplace.
- Evaluate and interpret evidence-based practices in the health care services context.
Curriculum
ALHP courses are generally open to all interested students. We welcome students from other disciplines who want to enroll in our courses. Courses are offered in both in person and online asynchronous modalities. The in person courses meet in the College of Health Professions building (900 E Leigh St) on the MCV campus.
For Fall 2026, most online sections of ALHP courses will be restricted to declared Health Services majors and minors due to capacity limitations. ALHP 310 is open to all VCU students. Students in other fields can complete the ALHP Course Override Request Form to request permission to register for an online section of an ALHP course. Approvals will be granted on a space-available basis starting May 19.
The VCU Bulletin is the official source for academic course and program information. For information about the plan of study or degree requirements, visit the VCU Bulletin for the Bachelor of Science in Health Services.