Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Online
Gain an in-depth understanding of health and contemporary healthcare issues with an online B.S. in Health Studies.
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Program Overview
Here’s what you need to know about our online health studies degree
Prepare for a wide range of careers in healthcare with an online Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from Arkansas State University. This 100% online program will provide you with in-depth knowledge of modern health and the U.S. healthcare system.
Learn current industry standards in patient care, public health, interpreting lab data, medical terminology, health profession ethics and critical issues in health. Gain practical experience in healthcare management, preventative care, chronic illness, mental health and healthcare service delivery. A clinical internship is not required to graduate.
By offering two tracks of study, you can tailor this online health studies program to meet your academic goals. Choose the Professional Track if you already have an associate of applied science degree in an allied health-related field (PTA, OTA, MLT, Paramedic); choose the Non-Professional Track if you do not. Both Tracks lead to a BS degree in Health Studies, which does not carry a professional credential or state licensure. The BSHS degree alone will allow a graduate to pursue non-clinical healthcare jobs. BSHS graduates may also consider applying to professional doctoral or graduate programs, assuming they completed pre-requisite courses required to apply, as electives in the BSHS curriculum, or as stand-alone courses.
Career opportunities for graduates of the B.S. in Health Studies:
- Care Coordinator
- Disabilities Rights Advocate
- Medical and Health Services Manager
- Community Health Coordinator
- Case Manager
- Clinical Coordinator
- Doctoral Candidate
- Care Coordinator
- Disabilities Rights Advocate
- Medical and Health Services Manager
- Community Health Coordinator
- Case Manager
- Clinical Coordinator
- Doctoral Candidate
In this 100% online B.S. in Health Studies program, you will gain industry-relevant skills that employers seek:
- Understanding of the U.S. healthcare system, medical terminology, current social problems affecting healthcare and healthcare management
- Competence to work in community health, support services, healthcare navigation, claims services, medical sales and patient services
- Broad and detailed knowledge of the ethics in the health profession, patient safety, cultural competency and mental health issues affecting healthcare today
- Effectiveness to serve communities with quality improvement in healthcare, preventative health, advocacy and patient education
- Superior written and verbal communication proficiency
- Understanding of the U.S. healthcare system, medical terminology, current social problems affecting healthcare and healthcare management
- Competence to work in community health, support services, healthcare navigation, claims services, medical sales and patient services
- Broad and detailed knowledge of the ethics in the health profession, patient safety, cultural competency and mental health issues affecting healthcare today
- Effectiveness to serve communities with quality improvement in healthcare, preventative health, advocacy and patient education
- Superior written and verbal communication proficiency
Also available:
A-State offers a variety of undergraduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online undergraduate programs.
Tuition
A-State's pay-by-the-course tuition is designed for students like you
A-State's online programs are affordable and convenient. You may also qualify for financial aid. Learn more.
The B.S. in Health Studies online program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.
Tuition breakdown:
Transfer your credits for lower tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
You may be closer to Graduation than you think!
A-State-approved credit for prior learning recognizes your previous accomplishments, reducing your tuition costs and time to graduation.
Calendar
Keep these important dates in mind
Our B.S. in Health Studies is a flexible online program featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.
Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 5/26/26 | 5/12/26 | 5/12/26 | 5/21/26 | 5/22/26 | 6/26/26 |
| Summer 2 | 6/29/26 | 6/15/26 | 6/15/26 | 6/25/26 | 6/26/26 | 7/31/26 |
| Fall 1 | 8/19/26 | 8/5/26 | 8/5/26 | 8/13/26 | 8/14/26 | 10/2/26 |
| Fall 2 | 10/12/26 | 9/28/26 | 9/28/26 | 10/8/26 | 10/9/26 | 12/4/26 |
Now enrolling:
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Admissions
Here's the checklist before you apply to our online B.S. in Health Studies
Review the admission requirements for the online B.S. in Health Studies program and take the next step toward earning your degree.
Applying to A-State Online is simple. Our streamlined process and dedicated enrollment specialists are here to help you complete your application quickly and confidently.
Admission Requirements:
- Online application
- Official transcripts
- 2.5 GPA for transferring credits
Admissions Requirements Details
Arkansas State University offers multiple admission pathways for undergraduate students, based on your academic background and prior college experience.
Transfer Students (13+ College Credits)
You may be admitted as a transfer student if you:
- Have 13 or more transferable college credit hours
- Earned a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher on all transferable coursework
First‑Time Freshmen (0–12 College Credits)
All freshman applicants are required to submit official ACT or SAT scores.
Recent High School Graduates (within the last 5 years)
You may be automatically admitted if you meet one of the following criteria:
- 3.0 cumulative high school GPA (or equivalent GED score), or
- ACT 19+ (super score) or SAT 990+, or
- Top 20% of your high school graduating class
Applicants who do not meet automatic admission criteria may still be considered through an admissions appeal process.
Non-Traditional Students (Out of High School 5+ Years)
If you have been out of high school five years or more and have completed 12 or fewer college credit hours, you may be admitted if you:
- Hold a high school diploma or state‑approved equivalent
- Submit official Accuplacer, ACT or SAT scores
- Have not previously enrolled at Arkansas State University
High school GPA is not considered for this admission pathway. Applicants are admitted based on diploma status and test scores.
Note: Regardless of admission type, if you have 0-12 transferable college hours, test scores will still need to be submitted for reporting purposes to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). Although test scores are not needed for an admission decision, they are needed to register for your first course. Accuplacer test scores are an acceptable alternative to ACT/SAT scores and must be dated within the past five years.
Application Submission Requirements
Submitting your application takes three easy steps: filling out the application, submitting your documents and paying the application fee.
- When completing the online application, select 100% online student and then complete all the steps on the online application.
- Pay $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
- Submit all official college transcripts.
- Submit official high school transcripts (if applicable).
- Submit official ACT/ SAT test scores (if applicable).
If you have any questions along the way, call us at 866-621-8096 and we’ll be happy to help answer questions.
Document Submission Address
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For non-US postal mail overnight delivery only:
A-State Onlinec/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
Topics you'll study in your online B.S. in Health Studies program
To earn your Bachelor of Science in Health Studies, you need to complete 120 credit hours of coursework whether you take the Professional Track or Non-Professional Track. The program includes 38 credit hours of general education courses, 47 credit hours of major courses, 3-17 credit hours of support courses and 6-18 credit hours of electives dependent upon Track pursued. You can finish faster by transferring previously earned credit hours. Transfer credit hours will be evaluated during the admission process.
You can view your schedule of courses for this degree through the Course Smartsheet:
View the AOS Course Smartsheet
How to Use the Course Smartsheet
These major courses must be completed to earn a degree in both program tracks. Students must take one of the two: PHIL 3713 or DPEM 3503. Non-professional students must complete an additional 17 credit hours of support courses to complete their degree.
What is preventive health?
Preventive health focuses on disease prevention and health promotion through primary, secondary, and tertiary approaches. It includes screening programs, immunizations, lifestyle interventions, and chronic disease management. This field applies behavior change theories, patient education, and evidence-based strategies to reduce disease burden.
This course focuses on teaching and coaching strategies that empower individuals — particularly those in the Delta region — to manage, mitigate and prevent health dysfunctions. It emphasizes the role of health promotion and preventive practices in improving quality of life across the lifespan.
Learners will:
Identify and access current, evidence-based resources related to preventive health
Communicate health information effectively through scholarly writing and discussion
Apply intervention techniques to address environmental and health-related challenges
Promote healthy eating and informed decision-making
Explore methods to prevent or delay disease
Recognize physical safety risks and broader preventive health issues
Engage in meaningful communication to support individual and community health
By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to guide patients in making proactive health choices that contribute to long-term wellness.
You must complete 6-18 credit hours of electives to satisfy the 120 credit hours required for this program. Courses must be chosen with the assistance of an advisor and per your degree plan. Electives can come from any courses offered as long as prerequisites are met.
You must take the following courses.
First-year course: Non-Professional Track students must take a Making Connections online course. Any A-State Making Connections online course is applicable.
Departmental Option (3 hours)
COMS 1203
Communication Requirement (6 hours)
ENG 1003
ENG 1013
Mathematics Requirement (3 hours)
Students must take MATH 1023 or any MATH course that requires MATH 1023 as prerequisite.
Arts and Humanities Requirement (6 hours)
Students must complete 3 hours of Arts courses (MUS 2503, ART 2503 or THEA 2503) and 3 hours of Humanities courses (ENG 2003, ENG 2013 or PHIL 1103).
Social Sciences Requirement (9 hours)
Students must complete 9 credit hours of Social Sciences courses. At least one course must be selected from POSC 2103, PSY 2013, HIST 2763 or HIST 2773.
Life Science Requirement (4 hours)
Students must complete BIO 2203 with BIO 2201 lab.
Physical Sciences Requirement (4 hours)
Students must complete CHEM 1043 with CHEM 1041 lab.
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