Masters of Accountancy
The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a...
B.S. in Health Services
Richmond, Virginia
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Services program prepares students for careers in various sectors of the healthcare industry. This interdisciplinary program combines coursework in health policy, healthcare management, public health, and healthcare delivery systems to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare landscape. Through a blend of classroom instruction, practical experiences, and research opportunities, students develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to address the complex challenges facing the healthcare sector.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the B.S. in Health Services program at VCU covers a wide range of topics essential for understanding the healthcare industry. Core courses typically include healthcare organization and management, health policy and politics, healthcare ethics, healthcare economics, epidemiology, and healthcare informatics. Additionally, students may have the opportunity to choose elective courses in areas such as population health, healthcare quality improvement, health disparities, global health, or healthcare law and regulation. The curriculum often incorporates experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, field placements, or service-learning projects, to provide students with real-world experience and practical skills.
Research Focus: Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to advancing research in healthcare and addressing pressing issues in public health, healthcare delivery, and health policy. Faculty members in the B.S. in Health Services program are actively engaged in research across various areas of healthcare, including healthcare access, healthcare disparities, healthcare financing, healthcare management, and healthcare innovation. Students may have the opportunity to participate in faculty-led research projects, independent research initiatives, or collaborative research efforts with healthcare organizations or community partners. Through research experiences, students develop critical thinking skills, analytical abilities, and evidence-based approaches to address healthcare challenges.
Industry Engagement: VCU maintains strong connections with the healthcare industry, providing students with numerous opportunities for industry engagement and professional development. The B.S. in Health Services program collaborates with healthcare organizations, hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to offer internships, externships, and practicum experiences. These experiences allow students to gain practical insights into healthcare operations, build professional networks, and explore potential career paths in healthcare management, healthcare administration, health policy, or public health. Additionally, VCU's Career Services Center offers career counseling, job fairs, networking events, and alumni connections to support students in their career exploration and job search efforts.
Global Perspective: The B.S. in Health Services program at VCU incorporates a global perspective by examining healthcare systems, public health issues, and healthcare policies from an international and comparative standpoint. Students learn about global health challenges, such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, noncommunicable diseases, and health disparities, and explore strategies for addressing these challenges at the local, national, and global levels. They examine the impact of globalization, migration, and environmental factors on health outcomes and healthcare delivery. Through coursework, study abroad opportunities, and international collaborations, students develop a broader understanding of global health issues and enhance their cultural competence, preparing them to work in diverse and multicultural healthcare environments.
Location
Richmond, Virginia
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
USD 37588
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fees: US$ 80
Academic Qualifications: Prospective undergraduate students are required to have a minimum academic achievement of 75% or above in their previous educational qualifications.
English Language Proficiency
- IELTS Requirement: A minimum overall score of 6.0 with no individual band score below 5.5.
- TOEFL Requirement: A minimum overall score of 70 is often required.
- PTE : A minimum overall score of 53 is required.
- DET Requirement: A DET score of 105 is required.
Students must provide:
- academic marksheets & transcripts
- letters of recommendation
- a personal statement - SOP
- passport
- other supporting documents as required by the university.
It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.
Scholarships for International Students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Global Excellence Scholarship: This highly competitive scholarship is awarded to outstanding incoming international undergraduate students. It provides full tuition coverage for up to four years of study at VCU. Recipients are selected based on academic merit and their potential to contribute to the VCU community.
International Student Scholarships: VCU offers a range of merit-based scholarships for international undergraduate students. These scholarships vary in award amounts and eligibility criteria. They are typically based on academic achievements, standardized test scores, and other accomplishments.
VCU Presidential International Graduate Scholarships: These scholarships are available for international students pursuing graduate studies at VCU. The awards cover partial tuition costs and are granted based on academic excellence. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievements and meet specific GPA requirements.
VCU Honors College Scholarships: The Honors College at VCU provides scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate international students. These scholarships are typically based on academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
VCUarts Scholarships: For international students interested in pursuing degrees in the arts, VCUarts offers scholarships that are specific to their programs. These scholarships may include awards for outstanding portfolios or auditions.
VCU School of Engineering Scholarships: International students studying engineering at VCU may be eligible for scholarships offered by the School of Engineering. These scholarships are based on academic achievements and career aspirations in engineering fields.
Departmental Scholarships: Various academic departments at VCU may offer scholarships to international students within their specific fields of study. Eligibility criteria and award amounts vary by department.
External Scholarships: VCU encourages international students to explore external scholarship opportunities, such as those offered by government agencies, foundations, and international organizations. The university's scholarship office provides guidance on finding and applying for external scholarships.
It's important for international students to check the specific eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and application procedures for each scholarship they are interested in. Additionally, maintaining good academic standing is typically a requirement to retain scholarship awards.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Services program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) are well-equipped to pursue a wide range of careers in the healthcare industry. This interdisciplinary program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems, policies, management, and delivery, preparing them for diverse roles in healthcare administration, public health, healthcare management, policy analysis, and healthcare consulting.
Healthcare Administrator: Healthcare administrators, also known as healthcare managers or healthcare executives, oversee the operations of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or medical practices. They manage staff, finances, facilities, and services to ensure efficient and effective delivery of healthcare. Healthcare administrators may work in various settings, including hospitals, healthcare systems, long-term care facilities, government agencies, or healthcare consulting firms.
Health Policy Analyst: Health policy analysts analyze healthcare policies, laws, regulations, and reforms to assess their impact on healthcare delivery, access, quality, and affordability. They conduct research, evaluate policy proposals, and make recommendations to policymakers, healthcare organizations, or advocacy groups. Health policy analysts may work for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, healthcare associations, or consulting firms.
Public Health Specialist: Public health specialists focus on promoting and protecting the health of communities through disease prevention, health education, and population-based interventions. They conduct epidemiological investigations, develop health promotion programs, and implement public health policies to address community health needs. Public health specialists may work in government health departments, community health organizations, nonprofit agencies, or international health organizations.
Healthcare Quality Improvement Specialist: Healthcare quality improvement specialists work to enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of healthcare services by implementing quality improvement initiatives, patient safety programs, and performance measurement systems. They analyze healthcare data, identify areas for improvement, and implement evidence-based practices to optimize patient outcomes and healthcare delivery processes. Healthcare quality improvement specialists may work in hospitals, healthcare organizations, quality improvement agencies, or consulting firms.
Healthcare Consultant: Healthcare consultants provide strategic advice, technical expertise, and project management support to healthcare organizations seeking to improve their operations, reduce costs, or implement new initiatives. They assess organizational needs, develop recommendations, and assist with the implementation of solutions to achieve organizational goals. Healthcare consultants may work for consulting firms, healthcare technology companies, or be self-employed.
Health Educator: Health educators design, implement, and evaluate health education programs and interventions to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. They develop educational materials, conduct workshops, and deliver presentations to individuals, groups, or communities on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation, or chronic disease management. Health educators may work in schools, community organizations, healthcare settings, or public health agencies.
Medical Practice Manager: Medical practice managers oversee the administrative and operational aspects of medical practices, such as physician offices, clinics, or outpatient centers. They manage billing and coding, scheduling, staffing, and regulatory compliance to ensure efficient practice operations and high-quality patient care. Medical practice managers may work for physician groups, specialty practices, or healthcare management companies.
Healthcare Researcher: Healthcare researchers conduct research studies and evaluations to generate new knowledge, inform evidence-based practice, and improve healthcare outcomes. They design research protocols, collect and analyze data, and disseminate research findings through publications, presentations, or policy reports. Healthcare researchers may work in academic institutions, research organizations, government agencies, or healthcare consulting firms.
