Department of Health Sciences
Health Sciences - Medical Assisting, Bachelor of Science
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Careers
What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - Medical Assisting?
Our program can provide a convenient, flexible way for students and working professionals to complete their bachelor’s degree. The program will give you an avenue to success, preparing you for employment in hospitals, schools, government health agencies, private industry, and nongovernmental organizations.
Note: To be eligible for this academic plan, students must be admitted to, enrolled in, or be graduates from an associate degree program at a regionally accredited community college or university in an allied health discipline.
Career opportunities that might be pursued:
- Community colleges
- County health departments
- Hospital administration
- Indian Health Service
With further education, one of these paths is possible:
- Ultrasound tech
- Community health educator
- Physician
- Nurse
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University Requirements
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's liberal studies, diversity, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
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Overview
In addition to University Requirements:
- Students may transfer up to 90 units of community college and/or university credit from regionally accredited institutions of higher education
- At least 30 units of major requirements from NAU
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units
Please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The online B.S. Health Sciences Medical Assisting program provides an innovative "upside-down 2+2" curriculum that prepares students to advance their careers in health-related fields. These programs are specifically designed for students who have completed their associate’s degree in an allied health discipline from a regionally-accredited program and who have successfully obtained the related professional license. Our programs provide students with foundational knowledge of health promotion, disease promotion concepts, and understanding of the interconnectedness of personal, family, organizational, community, and societal health. Our students will use this knowledge to work collaboratively to provide comprehensive patient-centered care. While completing this degree, students will expand their critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills and enhance their ability to communicate effectively with others in order to provide excellent care for their patients. We specialize in preparing students in enhancing their careers with an understanding of the importance of leadership and interprofessional teamwork among health professionals, as well as skills to sustain personal health and well-being.
Student Learning Outcomes
Program Outcome 1: Graduates will demonstrate foundational knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention concepts.
- Identify and explain the determinates of optimal health and wellness in each of the six interrelated dimensions.
- Identify risk factors, signs and symptoms, and treatment associated with specific diseases
- Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of human diseases.
- Locate information concerning the identification and recognition of disease.
- Explain key concepts of epidemiology.
- Explain key concepts of epidemiologic data.
- Define stress and major types of stress.
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of individuals in maintaining personal, family and community health.
- Recognize evidence of informational knowledge of the effects of attitudes, emotions, and relationships in the mind-body-spirit aspect of health.
- Explain how social and behavioral factors influence diseases and conditions.
- Identify credible, evidence-based sources of health-related information
- Critically analyze sources of health information related to disease topics.
- Describe the current status of health service delivery, with a primary focus on the US system of health services delivery.
- Compare the health care system of another country with the USA’s health care system.
- Critically assess the USA’s current and future trends in health service organization and administration.
- Demonstrate writing skills using professional language appropriate for the topic, purpose and audience using APA format.
- Communicate health-related information effectively.
- Demonstrate effective writing and communication skills essential to the health professions workplace.
- Apply principles of ethical and/or professional health practice appropriate to the discipline.
- Analyze issues related to course topics in leadership skills and inter-professional teamwork identified during the observational experiences.
- Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Complete a behavior change project utilizing effective and appropriate strategies.
- Identify the stress-related consequences of personality and temperament.
- Implement various stress management techniques and interventions.
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Details
Additional Admission Requirements
- Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- To be eligible for this academic plan, students must be admitted to, enrolled in, or be graduates from an associate's degree program at a regionally accredited community college or university in an allied health discipline corresponding with your certification/licensure:
- Medical assisting
Additionally, a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA in your associate's degree is required for admission to this degree plan.
Major Requirements
Northern Arizona University will accept up to 90 units of transfer credit toward the completion of this degree.
Take the following 30 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
Health sciences courses (30 units)
In addition, complete the Medical Assisting requirements from a nationally accredited program at a regionally accredited community college or university. This block includes courses that meet the requirements for graduation and for national certification or licensure in the discipline.
Note: Prior to beginning the HS 460C capstone course, students must have completed their Associate's degree and hold a current certificate or licensure in Medical Assisting. The student is also required to have a current cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to be eligible to enroll in HS 460C.
General Electives
Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
Note: Prior to beginning the HS 460C capstone course, students must have completed their Associate's degree and hold a current certificate or licensure in Allied Health. The student is also required to have a current cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to be eligible to enroll in HS 460C.
Additional Information
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.