Hello! I used to attend a traditional university, but having a chronic illness has made this impossible. I'm now looking at getting my BS online, and I'm interested in science and, specifically, the healthcare industry. I would be interested in a career in patient advocacy, coordinating patient care, educating patients about their illness/diagnosis. I love all aspects of science, as well. I was pursuing my BS in biology at the traditional university, but I know this will not be possible online. That's ok. Please try to keep the following in mind if you decide to give me advice: I have a chronic and progressive illness that is very likely to shorten my lifespan. My main reason for trying to continue my education is that I genuinely love learning, school, and achievement. So, this experience of earning a degree will be primarily for pleasure, but I do want to be taken seriously. I know this may be hard to understand, especially since I may not wind up being able to work outside the home (or even live long enough to graduate), but it's something I really want to do. I've been looking at the various "health sciences" degrees offered from different online universities, but they all sound so similar that it's hard to choose. I don't want to choose the "wrong" one (I'm most concerned about avoiding choosing something completely irrelevant or useless), so I'm reaching out for advice. Any advice, experience, or wisdom is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Health Advocate Programs provides a list of degree programs, a number of which are online: Master List of Educational Programs - Master List of Health and Patients Advocates Programs - Certificates, Degrees, Courses, Educational Opportunities
Hi Cassi - I think you'll find that you have a bunch of choices. Here's the first one that comes to mind: B.S. in Health Studies | Online Bachelor's Degree | Walden University Our other members will post more.
Hi, I completed my BS in Health Sciences with a focus in Healthcare Management at Excelsior college. I believe they have 3 different areas of concentration. It is completely online. If yuo take CLEP and DSST exams you will have to take 7 actual classes with EC if you test out using two of their exams. You can take all 9 classes online. Most are 15 week courses with weekly discusison board responses and papers or projects. Some of the courses do team assignments as well. You can register for as many classes as you want. I did one per term, doubling up in the end with the finance class and my capstone. I know they just started a new program that is a bridge so you can do your BSHS then bridge into their MBA. You can find out more at Excelsior College - excelsior.edu Good luck!
Some additional choices… University of South Dakota: BS in Health Sciences Online B.S. in Health Sciences - USD Northern Arizona University: BS in Health Sciences Health Sciences Distance Learning: Program Overview Nova Southeastern University: B.H.Sc Bachelor of Health Science Program at Nova Southeastern University Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: BS in Health Sciences MCPHS BS in Health Sciences Online Degree Completion Program Florida Gulf Coast University: BS in Health Science Health Science - BS South University: BS in Health Science Health Science Degree - Online - South University Trident University: BS in Health Sciences CHS Bachelor’s Degree | TUI Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences: BS in Radiologic Sciences or BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Radiology & Sonography Degrees | Online Florida Hospital College
Hi, Most, but not all, bachelor's level health science programs are degree completion programs for allied health professionals. There are exceptions to this rule, but just keep this in mind. Actually, it is possible to complete your BS in Biology online through Excelsior College. To learn more, you can sign up for free on their site and then download the liberal arts catalog. Excelsior College is very liberal regarding transfer credit. Most, if not all of your previously earned credits should transfer over to Excelsior. Best of luck,
Thank you all for your replies. I looked into Excelsior, which seemed great at first, but the bottom line is Excelsior is just too expensive. I will be relying on federal financial aid, and it seems that there is just too much cost that would not be covered if I go to Excelsior. I am looking into the colleges that Major recommended. Walden was the first one I found, but it's nice to see that I have other options, too. It's especially nice to see that many of the colleges you recommended provide their course list - if Walden does, I have not been able to find it easily. I am aware that many degree programs are just "completion programs." I've been running into this a lot, but I now know what to watch out for and what questions to ask to make sure the program I'm considering is a complete program and not just a completion program. Thanks again for all of your help.