New MU Degree to Bring More Students into Health Care

Bachelor of Health Science approved by Board of Curators

June 11, 2008

Story Contact:  Jennifer Faddis, (573)882-6217, FaddisJ@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Students who don’t want to be doctors or nurses, but want a career in health care now have a new option. The University of Missouri School of Health Professions now offers a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) degree. The degree option was approved at the June Board of Curators meeting.

“This degree will prepare students who would like to start a career in the health field after graduating, even if they are not necessarily interested in clinical work,” said Ruth Crozier, director of student affairs in the MU School of Health Professions. “It also will prepare students who would like to enter a clinical field. The best thing about the BHS is that it gives student options. It is unlike any other degree on campus.”

Crozier said the courses required for the Bachelor of Health Science will give students a solid health care background and prepare them for careers such as placing persons with disabilities in jobs, working for an insurance company, lobbying for healthcare, pharmaceutical sales, or preparing for graduate studies.

“These courses will more directly prepare students for the health professions and give them more exposure to healthcare,” Crozier said. “Health care is a growing field and this is one more way to prepare students to meet the needs of Missouri and the nation.”

People without a bachelor’s degree who are already in the workforce have expressed interest in this new degree option. Crozier said offering this new program online would be helpful for non-traditional students.

This degree also will give students a broad knowledge of health care and provide a good education base if they decide to become a specialist at a later date. The School of Health Professions offers degrees in nine health care professions, including medical technology, physical therapy, nuclear medicine and respiratory therapy. It is one of the fastest-growing units at MU, reporting a 56 percent enrollment increase since 2002.

-30-