Program Overview
Learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Health Science online program
The Bachelor of Science in Health Science program from Northern Kentucky University is designed for professionals with an associate degree in a healthcare discipline. This 100% online degree completion track program prepares you for career mobility in a variety of positions in health-related organizations.
Topics of study include leadership/management, research, global health, health informatics, management of chronic diseases, current trends and cultural issues in healthcare as well as teaching and learning in healthcare education. Our upper-level courses blend humanistic and technical theories to give you a foundation for advanced positions while also preparing you for graduate studies.
In this online program, you will:
- Apply critical-thinking skills and analysis to gather, assess, interpret, and communicate relevant information related to the health sciences
- Study ethical and legal issues often seen in healthcare as well as how aging and chronic disease impacts patient care, quality of life, and the economic and financial impact on the patient
- Discuss and research current issues related to healthcare professions, government policies, global health, and our healthcare system
- Learn leadership skills and basic applied management functions with introductory exposure to health informatics
Credit for prior learning acknowledges your experiences and can save you time and money on your degree.
You might be closer to graduation than you think!
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Also available:
Check out our other innovative online healthcare programs.
Tuition
Discover the benefits of NKU’s affordable tuition
The BSHS online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included in the total tuition cost. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | University Fee Per Credit Hour** | Total Program with Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSHS | $461 | $16 | $15,741 |
| Program with Path to Success Scholarship and Locked-In Tuition* | $9,603 | ||
*The Path to Success Scholarship with Tuition Lock is available to first-time NKU OnlineA students only; existing students may not participate. The Scholarship is comprised of a $186 savings off the original price of $461, for a $275 per-credit-hour tuition rate, bringing the total cost to $291 per credit hour, including the activity fee. The Scholarship cannot be combined with any other offer and is not available for the RN to BSN online program. Students who step out of the program for more than a year (thus requiring a new application) will no longer receive the $275 tuition lock; instead, they must pay the tuition rate at the time of new enrollment.
Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022
Calendar
Take a look at our dates and deadlines
The BSHS is delivered in a convenient online format, with 7-week courses that start six times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you and be sure to note corresponding deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 05/08/2023 | 04/26/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/2023 | 06/14/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/2023 | 08/09/2023 | 08/14/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/2023 | 10/05/2023 | 10/10/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 10/18/2023 | 12/08/2023 |
| Spring 1 | 01/08/2024 | 01/02/2024 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/202$ |
| Spring 2 | 03/11/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/04/2024 | 03/08/2024 | 03/11/2024 | 04/26/2024 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
See how to apply to our online health science degree program
The admission process is the first step toward earning your BSHS online from NKU. Requirements for admission include:
View full admission requirements
BSHS Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alumni or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
- Associate degree in a healthcare discipline from an accredited university
- Minimum 2.3 GPA
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
Northern Kentucky UniversityOffice of Admissions
Lucas Administrative Center
400 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Check out the topics you’ll study in this online health science bachelor’s program
For the BSHS online program, you must complete the required core courses (33 credit hours) as well as general education courses for a total of 120 credit hours. The 120 hours may come from a combination of previous transfer credits (from an associate degree) and/or general education courses completed as corequisites with the online core courses. All courses are seven weeks in length.
Students must take the following courses:
HHS 500: Teaching and Learning in Healthcare Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Characteristics and learning styles of diverse populations of healthcare learners are examined. A variety of teaching methods that can be utilized by healthcare providers to promote optimal learning in different education settings including the online environment are presented and analyzed.
HSC 410: Healthcare Management
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Basic applied management functions in the healthcare setting; personnel and patient scheduling; purchasing procedures; budget and quality improvement process; organization relationships and authority.
HSC 413: Aging in Today’s Society
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Role of the older adult in society; promotion of health, support of continued learning, right to peaceful death. Theories of aging and ethical/legal concepts. Includes experiences with the older adult in the community, acute and long-term care settings.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is an overview of the research process for healthcare professions; historical development of research in healthcare; role of research in scientific advancement of healthcare; development of ability to critique clinical healthcare studies.
HSC 480: Global Perspectives of Healthcare
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will enable students to better understand healthcare systems around the world and healthcare/public health dilemmas. The focus of this course is on healthcare systems, policies, legislation, the politico-economics of healthcare, and the role of healthcare professionals in upholding our code of ethics and standards of care.
HSC 440: Issues in Chronic Disease Management
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth study of various chronic diseases that impact patient care and quality of life from a multidisciplinary viewpoint; evaluation on economic and financial impact on the patient and the healthcare system with a focus on case management.
HSC 415: Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course presents an overview of the legal and ethical issues often seen in the health care industry. It provides students with basic working knowledge of healthcare law and ethics.
HSC 510: Current Trends and Cultural Issues in Healthcare
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is an overview of the U.S. healthcare system; in-depth analysis of modern and potential future trends; evaluation of current status of healthcare system with emphasis on cultural diversity and competency.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to concepts and trends in the health informatics field, both locally and nationally. Several areas will be introduced that will provide baseline knowledge for a health informaticist.
LDR 308: Leadership Development
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on concepts and skills for leadership development. Students examine organizational, leadership, and human development theories with consideration towards application of knowledge and skills towards their personal leadership development and growth. Special focus will be placed on increasing the capacity of the individual to lead and develop others.
STA 205: Introduction to Statistical Methods
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Graphical descriptive measures; numerical descriptive measures; probability; hypothesis testing, estimation; analysis of variance; chi-square; regression; analysis by means of statistical software.
