Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Health Science

College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing
School of Public Health and Health Sciences

Our Mission

The School of Public Health and Health Sciences programs are designed to:

Strengthen students' intellectual capacities and abilities to develop and mobilize human and institutional resources and services to meet the health needs of diverse individuals and populations, as well as the communities in which they reside.

Educate students in developing and implementing evidence-based assessment and intervention models that improve the biopsychosocial health of diverse individuals and populations, as well as the communities in which they reside.

Prepare scholar-practitioners to engage in multidisciplinary scientific inquiry that advances the knowledge base of research and practice in the health disciplines.

Prepare graduates who will be leaders in their fields and professions to inform and influence professional dialogues on key health issues affecting diverse individuals and populations, as well as the communities in which they reside.

Prepare scholar-activists who – with global consciousness and ecosystemic perspectives – are committed to attaining health equity and collective well-being through the promotion of human development, universal human rights, and social justice.

Program Description

Health Science offers a variety of programs including a major with different options leading to the Bachelor of Science in Health Science.

The Community Health Option is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and perspectives to function as effective community health workers and educators in an urban population that is diverse ethnically, economically, and demographically. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of health behavior and strategies for change, health disparities among diverse populations, and the development of programs that increase access to healthcare and related services.

A student in this option will acquire oral and written communication skills needed to develop health education materials and gain a basic understanding of public health problems and methods commonly used in studying and addressing these problems. Registered nurses and allied health care workers will be able to serve their patients more effectively by becoming knowledgeable about community health service agencies and public health policy at all levels of government. Upon completion of the Community Health Option, students will qualify to take the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.

The Healthcare Management Option is designed to provide students with a general foundation in the principles and theories of management, the skills needed by frontline or middle-level supervisors in a health care unit, an understanding of the organizational structure of the health care system, the financing of health care services in the United States, and knowledge of current health policies at local, state and federal levels.

The Radiologic Technology Option is designed to accommodate the transfer student already certified in the profession. This is not an entry point into the profession. A radiographer who holds a current certification from the ARRT or is a licensed CRT in California is eligible to enter this option to earn a BS degree in Health Sciences.

Features

The Healthcare Management and Community Health options are designed for practicing health professionals and future community health and healthcare personnel. Students may also apply to Radiologic Technology. Since many students work during the day, many health science courses are offered in the late afternoon, evening, and on weekends, and many meet only once a week. To keep the health science programs contemporary, most of the health science courses are taught by practicing professionals.

The transfer program is designed for Certified/Registered Radiologic Technologists who wish to earn a BS degree. This program is not competitive but students must meet admission criteria.

Academic Advisement

All students are urged to consult with advisors throughout their matriculation at CSU Dominguez Hills. At the very least, advisors should be consulted for the following:

  • Admission

  • Career plans and choices

  • Selection of options

  • Variation in programs and/or "course substitution"

  • Pre-registration advisement

  • Filing for graduation

Advisement is available through the College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing Student Services Center at 1-310-243-2120 or 1-800-344-5484.

Preparation

Students interested in healthcare management or community health may complete their lower division general education, preferably with an associate of science degree, before coming to CSU Dominguez Hills.

Credit for Prior Health Education

If students have completed a clinical program for which they did not receive academic credit, they may be granted credit for that education. Please consult the health science office for details. The credits obtained for a clinical program may be applied as lower-division elective credits toward the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science only.

Procedures and Admission Criteria

Only a limited number of students can be accommodated in the clinical options. In addition to filing a completed application to the university, students must also complete the desired option application form to be considered for admission. Admission to these clinical options is not automatically ensured by meeting academic requirements, nor does admission to CSU Dominguez Hills as a Health Science Major guarantee acceptance into individual clinical options.

Graduation with Honors in the Major

An undergraduate student may be a candidate for graduation with honors in Health Science provided s/he meet the following criteria:

  1. A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills;

  2. A minimum grade point average of at least 3.5 in courses used to satisfy the upper division requirements in the major.

Students who achieve honors in Health Science will have the information recorded on their transcripts and diplomas.

Radiologic Technology Option

The Radiologic Technology option is for a post-certification option for Certified Radiologic Technologists (CRTs) who wish to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree in Health Science.

Post-Certification Option: To be eligible for the post-certification option, an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Either be a Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT) or registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (R.T.).
  2. Completion of all lower division required courses. A grade of "C" or better in each course is required. The completion of 56-70 units of lower-division coursework is highly recommended before application to the program.
  3. Applicants must submit an application, with supporting documents, to CSU Dominguez Hills.
  4. Admission to this option is not competitive as long as the above requirements have been met.

Please note that BS Health Science– Radiologic Technology Option is not currently accepting new students. The post-certification option is currently being structured and will be offered in the near future.

Orthotics and Prosthetics Option

Submit the application directly to the National Commission for Orthotics and Prosthetics Common Application System:

  1. M.S. in Health Science, Orthotics and Prosthetics Program Application is available at http://portal.opcas.org. (Common Application System) Applications to the program are accepted one time each year. Students planning to seek admission should submit both applications including all supporting materials no later than December 31 preceding a summer semester admission to the program.  The application deadline may be extended to accommodate enrollment;
  2. Record of experience in an Orthotic and Prosthetic facility (recommended at least 40 hours)
  3. a copy of official transcripts;
  4. GRE Test  scores (optional);;
  5. a statement of interest;
  6. three letters of recommendation must be submitted directly to the Common Application System.
  7. A subsequent interview by a panel consisting of orthotics and prosthetics faculty.
  8. Upon admittance, to the program applicants must submit a complete graduate admission application to the University at calstate.edu/apply. Please note: Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Check with the O&P Program for the deadlines of the current application cycle.