Department of Health Sciences

[1] Purposes

The basic aims of the Department of Health Sciences are to (1) contribute to the general health promotion and education of all students and (2) provide advisement/counseling, comprehensive professional preparation, and foundation courses designed to prepare students for careers as health-care professionals, health education specialists, health promotion directors, health coaches, addiction counselors, and wellness coordinators in private or public health settings.

[2] Honors in Health Sciences

Students who major in Health Sciences, Health Promotion, or Addiction Studies and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.

[3] Baccalaureate Degree Programs

[3.1] Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion

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The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in health promotion requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses; (2) degree requirements; (3) major courses as listed below; and (4) 40 upper-division hours.

Elective and required health science courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living  and Communication. Students will take HLTH 1320 to fulfill the First Year Seminar requirement and the Responsible Living requirement but may also take HLTH 2320 as an elective to fulfill those requirements as well as the Social Science requirement.

For upper-division UCA Core requirements, students will take HLTH 3300 for Communication, HLTH 3301 for Responsible Living, HLTH 3320 for Critical Inquiry, and HLTH 4600 for the UCA Core Capstone. Students may choose HLTH 3305, 4343, 4395, or 4396 to fulfill the Diversity requirement.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Health Promotion enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

[3.1.1] Major in Health Promotion

Major requirements in Health Promotion (42 hours)

The major in Health Promotion requires 42 hours plus an additional 11 hours of related requirements.

Required Core Courses (27 hours)

Required Content Courses (6 hours):

Health Promotion Elective Courses (9 hours)

Students are required to select at least one course designated as an upper-division UCA Core Diversity course.

Related Requirements (11 hours)

The remaining credits (32) in the degree plan will be met with elective courses approved by the major advisor.

[3.1.2] Minor in Health Promotion (25 hours)

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The minor in Health Promotion requires successful completion of 25 hours:

Required Health Promotion Courses (12 hours)

Health Promotion Electives (5 hours)

Related Requirements (8 hours)

[3.1.3] Certificate of Proficiency in Health Coaching

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The Certificate of Proficiency (CP) in Health Coaching requires completion of 14 credit hours. This CP prepares students for employment in health promotion and wellness programs found in businesses, corporations, exercise/fitness centers, and clinics, as well as for self-employment opportunities.

[3.2] Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

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Degree requirements include successful completion of a minimum of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements designated courses; (2) degree requirements; (3) related requirements; and (4) electives, including 40 upper-division hours. Because of the number of hours included in the health science major, no minor is required.

Elective and required science courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living and Communication. Students should take HLTH 1320 to fulfill the First Year Seminar requirements and the Responsible Living requirement but may also take HLTH 2320 as an elective to fulfill those requirements as well as the Social Science requirement.

For upper-division UCA Core requirements, students will take HLTH 4600 for the UCA Core capstone. The additional upper-division UCA Core requirements will be met by taking elective courses chosen with approval of the major advisor.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Health Science, Health Services Administration enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.

Health Services Administration Emphasis

Degree Requirements (46 hours)

Related Requirements (27 hours)

Statistics (Choose one of the following)

The 15 hours of lower-division business courses and a basic statistics course must be completed prior to enrollment in upper-division courses.

Electives (6 hours)

[3.3] Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies

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The Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies was the first BS program in Addiction Studies in Arkansas. The degree has two tracks: Prevention and Treatment. The degree requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses; (2) degree requirements; (3) major courses as listed below; and (4) upper-division hours.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Addiction Studies enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Elective and required health science courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living and Communication. Students may take HLTH 2320 to fulfill the First Year Seminar requirement for Responsible Living as well as the Social Science requirement.

For the prevention track upper-division UCA Core requirements, students will take HLTH 3300 for Communication, HLTH 3301 for Responsible Living, HLTH 3320 for Critical Inquiry, and HLTH 4600 for the UCA Core capstone. The upper-division diversity course will be an elective chosen with approval of the program advisor.

For the treatment track upper-division UCA Core requirements, students will take H SC 4321 for Critical Inquiry, H SC 4314 for Diversity and H SC 4610 for the UCA Core capstone requirement. The additional UCA Core upper-division courses will be taken as electives with approval of the program advisor.

[3.3.1] Core Courses and Related Requirements

Both the Prevention and the Treatment tracks require the following Addiction Studies core courses (12 hours).

Related requirements for the prevention and treatment tracks (13 hours)

[3.3.2] Prevention Track

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Requirements for the Prevention track (25 hours):

Remaining credits (31) may be selected for a declared minor or from recommended courses selected in consultation with the departmental advisor.

[3.3.3] Treatment Track

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Requirements for the Treatment track:

Remaining credits (27) may be selected for a declared minor or from recommended courses selected in consultation with the departmental advisor.

[3.3.4] Minor in Addiction Studies – Treatment

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The minor in addiction studies requires successful completion of 18 hours of course work, including the following:

This is an appropriate minor for any student majoring in a health, behavioral, or social science field. Any student graduating with a degree in any of these fields would enhance their employment potential by having a minor in Addiction Studies. Students with a minor in Addiction Studies would be qualified for entry level addiction treatment positions in residential treatment facilities, the criminal justice system, drug courts, and outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities in addition to positions in other fields that involve potential contact with a chemically dependent clientele. In addition to increasing employability, it would also provide students the opportunity to serve the greater good by providing them with the tools to assist those afflicted with the disease of addiction.

[4] Allied Health Programs

[4.1] Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

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Medical laboratory science (also known as medical technology) is a profession that is practiced almost exclusively in hospitals and diagnostic clinics. These specialists perform the laboratory tests ordered by physicians and are the only laboratory technicians who are qualified to work independently of supervisory personnel. Upon completion of the professional program, the graduate is eligible to take various certification examinations required for licensure.

The Department of Health Sciences, in cooperation with Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR), offers a Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory science. Commonly, three years of this program are taken on the UCA campus, and the fourth is completed in the hospital-associated teaching laboratories.

The Medical Laboratory Science program at BHCLR is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Requirements for the degree are as follows:

1. Completion of a minimum of 82 semester hours described below with at least a 2.5 GPA is necessary for application to the professional curriculum. In order to receive credit toward a degree from the university, the student must apply and be admitted to UCA prior to enrolling in the professional curriculum in medical laboratory sciences. In all cases, students will be required to complete a total of 120 hours with a minimum of 30 hours of residence credit.
2. Acceptance into the clinical program in medical laboratory sciences at Baptist Health.
3. Completion of the professional curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

The curriculum for medical laboratory science is shown in the table below. Note that students wishing to earn the BS in Medical Laboratory Science must satisfy the requirements of the lower-division UCA Core (see the UCA Core requirements).

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Medical Laboratory Science enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.

This degree is exempt from upper-division (UD) Core requirements. Consult the program advisor for specific details of the UCA Core as it applies to the BS in Medical Laboratory Science.

[4.2] Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology

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The nuclear medicine technologist (NMT) is a highly skilled professional who utilizes radioactive materials to image the function of different organs, analyze biologic specimens, and treat certain diseases. The responsibilities of the NMT are varied and can include radiation safety, quality control, radiopharmaceutical preparation and administration, the performance of diagnostic imaging procedures on patients, and computer acquisition and analysis of data. The NMT works closely with nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, and referring patient physicians in order to ensure that each patient receives the highest quality study possible.

The Department of Health Sciences in cooperation with Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR) offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nuclear medicine technology. The degree requirements generally consist of 3 years and 73 hours of course work at UCA and 47 hours taken over 12 months at BHCLR. In order to receive credit toward a degree from UCA, the student must apply, be admitted to UCA, and complete the prerequisite course work prior to selective admission into the clinical curriculum at BHCLR. Students may transfer into the nuclear medicine program, but they must complete a minimum of 30 hours of on-campus course work at the University of Central Arkansas prior to selective admission into the clinical curriculum at BHCLR.

The clinical program at Baptist Health College Little Rock is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).

Admission and acceptance into the clinical curriculum at BHCLR is on a competitive basis. Applicants are required to have the results of the American College Test (ACT) with a preferred composite score of 19, with a math and science score of 17.  Additionally, students applying to the clinical phase must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all undergraduate course work to be considered eligible for the clinical phase of the nuclear medicine program at BHCLR, with a final grade of “C” or higher on certain prerequisite courses (see the list below). The application deadline for the clinical phase of the nuclear medicine program is March 1, and classes begin in July at BHCLR.

Information concerning the clinical curriculum and requests for applications should be directed to BHCLR. All questions regarding prerequisite course work should be directed to the UCA nuclear medicine technology advisor.

[4.2.1] Prerequisite Curriculum at UCA (73 hours)

The UCA Core: Complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements). This degree is exempt from upper-division (UD) Core requirements. Consult the program advisors for specific details of the UCA Core as it applies to the BS in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Other required courses (some of these courses are part of the 38-hour lower-division UCA Core): CHEM 1450, 1451, 2401; MATH 1390; BIOL 1440, 3406 and 3407 or 1410 and 2410; CSCI 1300 or CISA 1300; PHYS 1410, 1420; Statistics (MATH 2311 or PSYC 2330 or SOC 2321 or ECON 2330).

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Nuclear Medicine Technology enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.

Baptist Health College Little Rock requires that an applicant have earned a final grade of “C” or better in the following prerequisite courses:

[4.2.2] Professional Curriculum at BHCLR (47 hours)

[4.3] Bachelor of Science in Radiography

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The field of radiology has evolved over the past 100 years into one of the most valuable diagnostic tools in medicine. The discovery of X-rays in 1895 has had a great impact on the medical world. This imaging application of X-rays parallels the development of diagnostic radiology. Services provided range from routine chest films to an elaborate study of body systems that involves tremendously complicated and expensive equipment. The final results of the examination represent the combined efforts of the Radiologic Technologist (the person who takes the X-rays) and a Radiologist (a physician who specializes in the interpretation of the X-ray films and other forms of imaging for diagnosis and treatment). Radiologic technologists may work in departments with the use of modern radiographic and fluoroscopic tools; general vascular and cardiovascular units, nuclear medicine; emergency rooms; and day surgery facilities. Radiologic technologists can be trained in the use of computerized axial tomography (CT scans) and magnetic resonance imaging, commonly called MRI.

The Department of Health Sciences, in cooperation with Baptist Health College Little Rock and St. Vincent Health System Little Rock, offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in radiography. The BS program in Radiography does not require a minor. The degree requirements consist of 61 hours of prerequisite course work at UCA and 60 hours taken over 24 months at Baptist Health College Little Rock or St. Vincent Health System Little Rock. In order to receive credit toward a degree from UCA, the student must apply, be admitted to UCA, and complete the prerequisite course work prior to selective admission into the didactic and clinical curriculum at an affiliated hospital radiography program. Students may transfer into the radiography program, but they must complete a minimum of 30 hours of on-campus course work at the University of Central Arkansas prior to selective admission into the didactic and clinical curriculum at an affiliated hospital’s radiography program.

Admission and acceptance into the didactic and clinical curriculum at an affiliated hospital is on a competitive basis. Students applying to the affiliate must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all undergraduate course work to be considered eligible for the didactic and clinical phase of the radiography program. Applicants are required to have the results of the ACT with a preferred composite score of 19 or higher, and a preferred score of 17 or higher in Math & Sciences to be eligible at Baptist Health College Little Rock. The application deadline for the affiliate programs is March 1st and classes begin in early July. Information concerning the affiliate curriculum and requests for applications should be directed to the affiliated hospital programs. All questions regarding prerequisite course work should be directed to the UCA radiography advisor.

The didactic and clinical curriculum of each affiliate is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Graduates of the professional curriculum are eligible to apply for examination by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

[4.3.1] Prerequisite Curriculum at UCA (61 hours)

1. The UCA Core: Complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements). This degree is exempt from upper-division (UD) Core requirements. Consult the program advisors for specific details of the UCA Core as it applies to the BS in Radiography.
2. Other required courses (courses in this list marked with “*” should be used to fulfill the appropriate general education requirement):
   CSCI 1300 or CISA 1300
   * PSYC 1300
   PSYC 3360 or 4320
   * BIOL 1400 or 1440
   BIOL 3406
   BIOL 3407
   * PHYS 1405 or 1410
   * MATH 1390
3. Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Radiography enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.
4. Applicants are required to schedule and complete a tour of both hospital facilities prior to applying.
5. Baptist Health College requires 6-8 hours of observation in the field of Radiography. St. Vincent highly recommends applicants complete some observation hours prior to applying.

[4.3.2] Didactic and Clinical Curriculum at an affiliated hospital program (60 hours)

Note: To receive a Bachelor of Science degree in radiography, the student must complete the hospital phase at an affiliate-based radiography program. All prerequisite course work must be complete prior to the program start date.

[5] Master’s Degree

See the Graduate Bulletin.

[6] Course Links (HLTH, H SC, MD T, NMT, RADG)

Follow this link for HLTH course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for H SC course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for MD T course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for NMT course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to RADB course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to RADV course descriptions: course link.