Bachelor of Science
Applied Health Sciences
Take the next step in your education with an applied health sciences degree.
If you hold an AAS degree in a health-related field, our applied health sciences major gives you an affordable, convenient path to a bachelor’s degree and beyond. You can transfer up to 65 credits from an accredited community college, completing your applied health sciences degree from Oakland University in about two years. A bachelor of science in applied health qualifies you for better jobs than an AAS, with higher pay and more opportunities for promotion. The applied health sciences major can also propel you to graduate studies, medical school, physician’s assistant school, or another professional degree program. We designed our applied health sciences degree for students with AAS degrees in Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, or Surgical Technology. If your AAS major is not listed here, you can seek permission to enroll from the chair of the interdisciplinary health sciences department.
If you hold an AAS degree in a health-related field, our applied health sciences major gives you an affordable, convenient path to a bachelor’s degree and beyond. You can transfer up to 65 credits from an accredited community college, completing your applied health sciences degree from Oakland University in about two years. A bachelor of science in applied health qualifies you for better jobs than an AAS, with higher pay and more opportunities for promotion. The applied health sciences major can also propel you to graduate studies, medical school, physician’s assistant school, or another professional degree program. We designed our applied health sciences degree for students with AAS degrees in Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, or Surgical Technology. If your AAS major is not listed here, you can seek permission to enroll from the chair of the interdisciplinary health sciences department.
Applied Health Sciences Degree: The Oakland University Advantage
Our applied health sciences degree combines the advanced resources of a large university with the personalized attention and one-on-one support of a much smaller institution. You’ll work in state-of-the-art facilities and labs, enjoy undergraduate research opportunities, and have access to specialized technology and faculty.
Our applied health sciences degree also provides you with:
- Broad career opportunities. The applied health sciences degree prepares you for a wide variety of professional niches in the health care industry. Many applied health sciences majors go into health care management and administration. Others become front-line care providers, technologists, community health specialists, or other types of health care professionals.
- Professional connections. Numerous academic departments at Oakland University have active partnerships with health care organizations off campus. You can leverage those relationships as an applied health sciences major to arrange internships, field placements, research projects, and other professional development opportunities.
- Academic flexibility. Our applied health sciences major includes many options and electives, so you personalize the degree to suit your strengths and career objectives. You’ll choose one of two academic tracks (health care leadership or health promotion), then work closely with your academic adviser to plan a course sequence that aligns with your educational and career goals.
- Attentive faculty. At Oakland University you’ll learn from experienced instructors who are focused on student success. Nearly all of our applied health sciences courses are taught by seasoned faculty (not adjuncts or graduate students), and our small class sizes allow you to interact directly with professors for academic support and professional guidance.
- Well-rounded skill set. Today’s health industry employers seek professionals who have more than health sciences expertise. Our applied health sciences degree equips you with versatile skills such as excellent writing, strong communication, data fluency, and cultural adaptability. All of these attributes help you stand out in the job market and grad school applicant pool.
What can you do with an applied health sciences degree?
Applied Health Sciences Careers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth in the health care industry to exceed 2 million new jobs over the next decade. Our applied health sciences degree gives you the ability to pursue virtually any health science career niche. Whether you seek employment immediately after graduation, or continue your studies in a graduate program or professional school, the applied health sciences degree equips you for career success.
Oakland University graduates work in all segments of the health care industry. Some of the most common objectives for applied health sciences majors include:
- Health care project management
- Health services case management
- Health information
- Respiratory therapy
- Surgical technology
- Health care data analysis
- Public health
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Hospital management
- Insurance administration
Applied Health Sciences Degree: What You’ll Study
Academic requirements for the applied health sciences degree vary widely from student to student. The program includes broad flexibility, enabling you to align your course selections with your professional objectives. We recommend that you work with closely an academic adviser to develop a plan that fits your needs.
To transfer in as an applied health sciences major, you need to hold an AAS degree in one of these disciplines:
- Dental assisting
- Health information technology
- Medical assistant
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Pharmacy technician
- Physical therapy assistant
- Respiratory therapy
- Surgical technology
If your AAS major isn’t listed above, you can seek permission to enroll from the chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health.
Upon admission to the applied health sciences program, you’ll take required courses in:
- Patient care
- Hospital safety
- Personal and occupational health
- Community and public health
- Health care law and values
- Statistical concepts
Additional coursework is highly flexible and depends upon your academic and professional goals. Consult the Oakland University catalog for a list of electives and course options.