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College of Health and Human Services

Health Science, Health Care Coordination Track

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We are no longer accepting applications for this track. We are now offering a new Track in Community Health for those interested in the field.

Point of Contact
Dr. Jim Metcalf
Coordinator
Phone: 703-993-2070
Email: jmetcalf@gmu.edu

The Health Science program prepares graduates to function as managers and clinicians in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, community health, schools, home care, long term care, employee health, managed care organizations, group medical practices, manufacturing, medical technology and supply organizations, the health insurance industry and financial consultant services.

The program may be completed on a full or part-time basis, and special accelerated tracks for graduates of allied health technical programs take into account the needs of the adult learner. Students interested in the program should contact the Health Science Program prior to admission. All pathways lead to completion of the objectives of the undergraduate Health Science program. The major begins at the junior year. Students must complete a pre-health science curriculum prior to enrollment in major courses.

Traditional Track

Please refer to the GMU Catalog for Course Descriptions.

  • Language Arts and Humanities (30)
    • English Composition (6) - ENGL 101 and 302
    • Communications (9) - COMM 101, 305, and 320
    • PHIL 309
    • Literature (3)
    • US History (3)
    • Western Civilization (3)
    • Fine Arts (3)
    • Global Understanding (3)
  • Behavioral and Social Sciences (12)
    • Sociology or Anthropology (3) - SOCI 101 or ANTH 114
    • Psychology (9) - PSYC 100, 211, 321
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics (14)
    • Biology (8) - BIOL 124 and 125
    • IT 103
    • STAT 250
  • Business and Management (9)
    • ECON 103
    • Management (6) - MGMT 302 and 312
  • Electives (16)
    • Two must be in GCH
  • Health Care Coordination Pathway (45)
    • GCH 350 (3:3:0)
    • GCH 295 (3:3:0)
      Nutrition for Health Professionals
      Prerequisite: one semester of science or permission of instructor. Introduction to nutrition science, emphasizing macro- and micro-nutrients in the body, digestion, energy metabolism, weight loss, fitness and nutrition, prevention of chronic diseases, nutrition therapy, and nutritional assessment. Problem solving and critical thinking methodologies are utilized in group presentations that address nutrition-related case studies. In-class activities, outside readings, and class discussion reinforce concepts. Students use computer-based diet analysis to evaluate personal dietary intakes.
    • GCH 332 (3:3:0)
      Concepts of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Throughout the Lifespan
      Introduces epidemiology, health promotion, disease prevention, and their impact on health of culturally diverse and vulnerable individuals, families, small groups, and communities. Focuses on health problems and potential interventions throughout the life span, and incorporates teaching, learning, and critical thinking as they apply to health professionals.
    • HAP 344 (3:2:2)
      Health and Risk Appraisal
      Exposure to a number of models of health appraisal and risk assessment through multiple technological means. Students implement a model of their choice in their practicum site.
    • GCH 402 (3:3:0)
      Case Management
      Prerequisite: bachelorÕs degree or permission of instructor. Open to seniors. Survey course on the state of case management programs and practice for health and human service professionals. Special emphasis on comparing nature, process, and outcomes for baccalaureate and graduate students guided by the objectives.
    • HAP 436 (3:3:0)
      Leadership and Management of Health Care
      Prerequisite: completion of GCH 300-level requirements. Introduces leadership and management of health-related organizations. Reviews administrative issues in health-related services, emphasizing developing organizational strategies for effective interfacing of medical, nursing, allied health, and administrative staff.
    • GCH 440 (3:3:0)
      Community Health and Epidemiology
      Prerequisite: completion of GCH 300-level requirements. Addresses population-focused healthcare. Emphasizes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of health problems. Examines concepts of community, public health, and health policy affecting culturally diverse and vulnerable populations.
    • GCH 450 (3:3:0)
      Research in Nursing and Health Science
      Prerequisite: completion of GCH 300-level requirements. Introductory research course to present basic concepts and methods of research. Research process examined as a foundation for scholarship. Emphasizes critique and use of current nursing and health science research in clinical practice.
    • NURS 465 (3:3:0)
      Professional Transition and Role Integration
      Meets Mason requirement as synthesis course. Additional corequisite for nursing majors: satisfactory completion of NCL Review Testing and Study Plan for LPN and traditional and second-degree pathway; completion of all general education requirements and English 302. Capstone seminar course synthesizing varied dimensions of health professionalÕs role in global society. Examines issues in healthcare through reflection on natural and behavioral sciences, humanities, and other prerequisite coursework. Selected topics examined through reading, writing, and discussion. Content builds on knowledge and skills acquired through course work and field experience in the major and general education, as well as through life experience. Application of literature in professional practice and related disciplines expected in formal and informal writings on issues. Student writings and presentations receive written self-evaluation and formal review by peers and multiple faculty members involved in teaching the course. Writing-intensive.
    • GCH 498 (9:2:14)
      Health Science Internship
      Prerequisite: open to GCH majors only. Taken in last semester of studies after completing all course requirements. Capstone course involves two-hour weekly seminar, and 14-16 hour internship in a health related organization. Provides variety of applied experiences in the chosen area of concentration under direction of CHHS faculty member and preceptor in the field agency. Integrates critical thinking, project planning and management, communication, and analytic skills in internship and development of project product.
  • Total = 120 Credits

Accelerated Track

The Accelerated Upper Division Program in Health Science offers students with an Associate Degree in a clinical discipline the opportunity to continue on toward the bachelor's degree. There is opportunity for for Advanced Placement (with appropriate clinical experience) credit equal to nearly one year of academic work. Thus, the B.S. degree may be completed in one year and one summer of full-time academic work.

Students who enter the accelerated pathway must present evidence of successful completion of the University general education requirements including: 15 credits of Language Arts and Humanities, 6 credits in Behavioral and Social Sciences, 11 credits in natural Science (8 credits in biology and 3 in computer science), etc. Transcripts must be analyzed by program representatives at time of matriculation.

The prerequisites differ for the Health Systems Management and Health Care Coordination tracks. Eligibility for advanced placement may not be available to all students. Consultation with an academic advisor in the Health Science program is necessary.

Please refer to the GMU Catalog for Course Descriptions.

  • Language Arts and Humanities (33)
    • English (6) - ENGL 101 and 302
    • Communications (9) - COMM 101, 305, and 320
    • PHIL 309 (3)
    • Literature (3)
    • U.S. History (3)
    • Western Civilization (3)
    • Global Understand (3)
    • Fine Arts (3)
  • Behavioral and Social Sciences (12)
    • Sociology or Anthropology (3) - SOCI 101 or ANTH 114
    • Psychology (9) - PSYC 100, 211, and 321
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics (14)
    • Biology (8) - BIOL 124 and 125
    • IT 103
    • STAT 250
  • Business and Management (9)
    • Economics (3) - ECON 101 or 103
    • Management (6) - MGMT 302 and 312
  • Health Care Coordination Pathway (52)
    • GCH 350 (3:3:0)
    • GCH 295 (3:3:0)
      Nutrition for Health Professionals
      Prerequisite: one semester of science or permission of instructor. Introduction to nutrition science, emphasizing macro- and micro-nutrients in the body, digestion, energy metabolism, weight loss, fitness and nutrition, prevention of chronic diseases, nutrition therapy, and nutritional assessment. Problem solving and critical thinking methodologies are utilized in group presentations that address nutrition-related case studies. In-class activities, outside readings, and class discussion reinforce concepts. Students use computer-based diet analysis to evaluate personal dietary intakes.
    • GCH 332 (3:3:0)
      Concepts of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Throughout the Lifespan
      Introduces epidemiology, health promotion, disease prevention, and their impact on health of culturally diverse and vulnerable individuals, families, small groups, and communities. Focuses on health problems and potential interventions throughout the life span, and incorporates teaching, learning, and critical thinking as they apply to health professionals.
    • HAP 334
    • HAP 344 (3:2:2)
      Health and Risk Appraisal
      Exposure to a number of models of health appraisal and risk assessment through multiple technological means. Students implement a model of their choice in their practicum site.
    • HAP 378 (3:3:0)
      Health Care Delivery in the United States
      Introduces history and current structure and function of U.S. healthcare delivery. Explores components and subsystems of healthcare and the sociopolitical (public and private) context that shapes the system and impacts access to healthcare and delivery of health services.
    • GCH 402 (3:3:0)
      Case Management
      Prerequisite: bachelorÕs degree or permission of instructor. Open to seniors. Survey course on the state of case management programs and practice for health and human service professionals. Special emphasis on comparing nature, process, and outcomes for baccalaureate and graduate students guided by the objectives.
    • HAP 436 (3:3:0)
      Leadership and Management of Health Care
      Prerequisite: completion of GCH 300-level requirements. Introduces leadership and management of health-related organizations. Reviews administrative issues in health-related services, emphasizing developing organizational strategies for effective interfacing of medical, nursing, allied health, and administrative staff.
    • GCH 440 (3:3:0)
      Community Health and Epidemiology
      Prerequisite: completion of GCH 300-level requirements. Addresses population-focused healthcare. Emphasizes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of health problems. Examines concepts of community, public health, and health policy affecting culturally diverse and vulnerable populations.
    • GCH 498 (9:2:14)
      Health Science Internship
      Prerequisite: open to GCH majors only. Taken in last semester of studies after completing all course requirements. Capstone course involves two-hour weekly seminar, and 14-16 hour internship in a health related organization. Provides variety of applied experiences in the chosen area of concentration under direction of CHHS faculty member and preceptor in the field agency. Integrates critical thinking, project planning and management, communication, and analytic skills in internship and development of project product.
  • Total = 120 Credits

Explanation of Credit Hours
Course titles are followed by numbers in parentheses (0:0:0), separated by colons. The numbers have the following significance:

  • First Number: credits for the course
  • Second Number: hours of lecture or seminar per week for the course
  • Third Number: hours of laboratory for the course

For independent study, readings, topics, or similar courses, individual instructors set hours.