A health sciences bachelor completion program gives eligible allied health professionals who already have an associate degree a pathway to earn a bachelor’s degree without starting their college education over. Previously earned credits may apply toward the bachelor’s degree requirements, allowing students to complete the remaining coursework needed for the degree.
At MedQuest College, our Bachelor Completion Program in Health Sciences is a 100% online, 72-week curriculum designed specifically for working professionals. The program allows individuals with an associate degree in a healthcare field, such as dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, and veterinary technicians, to transfer up to 90 credits and focus on upper-level coursework. In this guide, we break down how completion programs are structured, how transfer credits apply, and what subjects you can expect to study.
What Is a Health Sciences Bachelor Completion Program?
A health sciences bachelor completion program is an academic track designed for individuals who have already earned an associate degree from an accredited institution. Instead of requiring four full years of on-campus study, a completion program recognizes your existing academic and clinical background, allowing you to focus on upper-level healthcare coursework.
Key features of a bachelor completion program include:
- Maximizing Prior Credits: Transferring general education and technical associate degree credits directly toward your four-year degree requirements.
- Focused Upper-Level Coursework: Concentrating remaining classes on healthcare leadership, health law, research methods, ethics, and community health.
- Flexible Learning Formats: Participating in online learning, allowing working healthcare professionals to maintain their current employment while completing coursework.
Wondering how many of your credits may transfer? MedQuest College can review your prior education and help you understand which credits may apply toward the Bachelor Completion Program in Health Sciences.
How Do Transfer Credits Work in a Bachelor’s Completion Program?
Transfer credits allow eligible students to apply qualifying coursework from a previous institution toward a new degree. In a bachelor’s completion program, those credits may satisfy some of the degree’s existing requirements, leaving the student to complete the remaining coursework.
For example, a student who has already completed an associate degree may have coursework that applies toward general education or other bachelor’s degree requirements. Instead of repeating equivalent classes, the student can focus on the remaining courses required for the bachelor’s degree.
There are a few important things to understand about transfer credits:
- Up to 90 credits may transfer: MedQuest College accepts up to 90 credits from an associate degree.
- Transfer is not automatic: The number of credits accepted depends on the student’s previous coursework and the school’s evaluation.
- Previous coursework is reviewed: Students should provide the required academic records so the institution can determine which credits apply.
- The remaining curriculum focuses on bachelor’s-level coursework: Once applicable transfer credits are established, students complete the courses that remain in the degree program.
Because transfer-credit policies can vary, prospective students should speak with an admissions advisor about their individual academic history before assuming that all previously completed credits will apply.
What Subjects Are Taught in a Health Sciences Completion Curriculum?
A health sciences completion curriculum can expand on the foundation students developed during their associate-level education. Bachelor’s-level health sciences coursework builds on prior healthcare education by examining the broader systems, policies, research, and organizational issues that influence healthcare delivery.
At MedQuest College, core coursework includes subjects such as:
- Health Research Methods: Examining research processes and approaches used in health sciences.
- U.S. Healthcare Systems: Exploring the structure and operation of the healthcare system.
- Health Ethics & Law: Studying ethical considerations and legal issues within healthcare.
- Health Policy: Examining policies and factors that influence healthcare delivery.
- Interprofessional Collaboration: Exploring communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals.
- Conflict Resolution in Healthcare: Examining approaches to addressing conflict in healthcare settings.
- Foundations of Health Sciences: Building broader knowledge of the health sciences field.
- Senior Capstone Project: Applying knowledge from the program to a culminating academic project.
The curriculum also includes general education courses such as advanced written communication, psychology of human behavior, advanced interpersonal communication, digital humanities, and sociology and social change.
Together, these courses provide a broader academic perspective on healthcare beyond the technical responsibilities associated with a specific allied health profession.
What Specialized Elective Tracks Can You Choose?
One advantage of a health sciences completion curriculum is the ability to select coursework related to a particular area of interest. MedQuest College offers five elective tracks:
- Leadership: Coursework related to healthcare leadership and organizational responsibilities.
- Education: Coursework focused on education and healthcare instruction.
- Finance: Coursework related to financial concepts within healthcare organizations.
- Community Health: Coursework focused on population and community health.
- Research: Coursework related to health sciences research and data.
Students select electives based on their chosen track and complete a Senior Capstone Project within that area of study, with faculty guidance.
The available tracks allow students to shape part of their bachelor’s-level education around an area of healthcare that aligns with their academic interests and professional goals.
Learn more about what you can do with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and the types of roles associated with these areas of study.
How Does an Online Learning Format Support Working Professionals?
An online format can give working students more flexibility in when and where they complete coursework. For healthcare professionals who are already employed, an online bachelor’s completion program may make it possible to continue working while completing their degree requirements.
MedQuest College’s Bachelor Completion Program in Health Sciences is delivered 100% online and is available to eligible students in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. The online format eliminates the need for regular campus attendance, which may make completing a bachelor’s degree more manageable for allied health professionals balancing work and other responsibilities.
Students should review the program’s specific course requirements and expectations to understand how online coursework fits into their schedules.
How Long Does a Health Sciences Completion Program Take?
MedQuest College’s Bachelor Completion Program in Health Sciences is structured to take 72 weeks, excluding scheduled breaks, which is approximately 18 months. Program length at other institutions can vary based on curriculum and transfer-credit requirements.
The program’s published length should not be confused with a guarantee that every student will complete the program within the same timeframe. Students must meet the program’s academic and enrollment requirements to progress through the curriculum.
If you are considering a health sciences completion program, an admissions advisor can help explain the program structure, transfer-credit process, and requirements that apply to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Sciences Completion Programs
Who is eligible for a health sciences bachelor completion program?
Health sciences bachelor completion programs are generally designed for students who already hold an associate degree. Individual institutions may have additional admission requirements, so prospective students should review the requirements for the specific program they are considering.
At MedQuest College, the Bachelor Completion Program in Health Sciences is designed for allied health professionals who already have an associate degree.
How many credits can I transfer into a health sciences bachelor’s degree?
MedQuest College accepts up to 90 transfer credits from an associate degree. The actual number of credits that apply to an individual student’s degree requirements is determined through the school’s transfer-credit evaluation process.
Will all of my associate degree credits transfer?
Not necessarily. Transfer-credit acceptance depends on the institution’s policies and an evaluation of the student’s previous coursework. Students should have their academic records reviewed before determining how many credits will apply toward a bachelor’s degree.
Can I complete a health sciences bachelor’s degree online?
Yes. MedQuest College’s Bachelor Completion Program in Health Sciences is offered 100% online. The program is available to eligible students in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.
What will I study in a health sciences completion program?
Coursework varies by institution. At MedQuest College, students study topics including health research methods, U.S. healthcare systems, health ethics and law, health policy, interprofessional collaboration, and conflict resolution in healthcare. Students also choose electives within one of five tracks: Leadership, Education, Finance, Community Health, or Research.
How long does the MedQuest health sciences completion program take?
The MedQuest College Bachelor Completion Program in Health Sciences is structured to take 72 weeks, excluding scheduled breaks. This is approximately 18 months.
Is financial aid available for a bachelor’s completion program?
Financial aid may be available to eligible students enrolled in qualifying programs. Prospective students should speak with a MedQuest College financial aid advisor to discuss available options and eligibility requirements.
Ready to Build on Your Associate Degree?
A bachelor’s completion program can provide a more direct path toward a bachelor’s degree for allied health professionals who have already completed associate-level education. At MedQuest College, eligible students may transfer up to 90 credits toward the Bachelor Completion Program in Health Sciences and complete the remaining coursework 100% online.
The 72-week program includes coursework in healthcare systems, leadership, policy, research, ethics, and other areas, with elective tracks in Leadership, Education, Finance, Community Health, and Research.
If you are considering taking the next step in your education, connect with an advisor, request a review of your transfer credits, or discuss financial aid options today.