Program Information
The Bachelor of Science in Health Management (BSHM) program offers both in-person hybrid and online options to accommodate diverse student needs.
- The hybrid option combines traditional in-person classes with online coursework, providing flexibility in course design. This format encourages community engagement, allowing students to connect with peers and faculty.
- NEW! The online option delivers a robust, flexible education with a focus on interactive learning through virtual simulations, group projects, and real-time discussions. This format ensures accessibility, making it ideal for students balancing multiple commitments.
Faculty members are trained and certified in Quality Matters (QM) standards, ensuring high-quality online education. This training enables faculty to create engaging and interactive content using multimedia, discussion forums, and other tools that enhance the learning experience. With ongoing professional development, faculty stay current with the latest trends and technologies in online education, ensuring the program remains relevant and effective in preparing students for successful careers in health management.
| Course | Title | Hours |
Fall |
Spring |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Terminology1 | 2-3 | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA | |
| PHS 100 | Introduction to Aging Studies1 | 3 | HYB1/OLA | OLA | HYB1/OLA | OLA | OLA |
| PHS 101 | Introduction to Public Health1 | 3 | OLA | OLA/HYB1 | OLA | OLA/HYB1 | OLA |
| PHS 310 | Introduction to US Healthcare and Administration1 | 3 | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA |
| PHS 325 | Epidemiology | 3 | HYB1 | OLA | HYB1 | OLA | |
| PHS 326 | Emerging Healthcare Issues | 3 | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA |
| PHS 344 | Culturally Informed Healthcare | 3 | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA | |
| PHS 356 |
Foundations of Healthcare Policy, Law, |
3 | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA | |
| PHS 408 | Adaptive Leadership | 3 | TCI/OLA | TCI/OLA | TCI/OLA | TCI/OLA | OLA |
| PHS 410 | Health Communication | 3 | HYB1 | OLA | HYB1 | OLA | |
| PHS 428 | Healthcare Organizations | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| PHS 442 | Foundations of Healthcare Finance | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| PHS 448 | Foundations of Healthcare Quality | 3 | OLA | HYB1 | OLA | HYB1 | |
| PHS 621 | Effective Management in Healthcare2 | 3 | OLA | HYB1 | OLA | HYB1 | |
| PHS 622 | Human Resources Management in Healthcare2 | 3 | HYB1 | OLA | HYB1 | OLA | |
| Total Credit Hours | 44-45 |
1These should be the first courses students complete in the degree program.
2These courses can be used in the Dual/Accelerated BS in health management to Master of Health Administration. Consult with the director of graduate programs (phs@wichita.edu) prior to taking PHS 621 and PHS 622 to apply and create your plan of study.
Major Concentrations
Aging Studies
Students will work directly with the aging studies program coordinator (phs@wichita.edu) to select one of the following concentrations options for a total of 9 credit hours.
The general aging studies concentration is for students interested in entry-level roles in community services for older adults, such as senior centers and aging-focused nonprofits.
| Course | Title | Hours | Fall Even Years |
Spring Odd Years |
Fall Odd Years |
Spring Even Years |
Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHS 404 | Psychology of Aging | 3 | HYB1 or OLA | HYB1 or OLA | HYB1 or OLA | HYB1 or OLA | OLA |
| PHS 405 | Sociology of Aging | 3 | OLA | TCI | OLA | TCI | |
| PHS 406 | Biology of Aging | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
The senior living management concentration is available for bachelor's credit or as part of the Dual/Accelerated Bachelor's in health management to Master's in aging studies3 program. It prepares students for the PHS 660 Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Practicum or a Long-Term Care Operators License course post-BS in health management.
| Course | Title | Hours | Fall Even Years |
Spring Odd Years |
Fall Odd Years |
Spring Even Years |
Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHS 560 | Community Resources and Aging Network | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| PHS 562 | Senior Living Operations | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| PHS 626 | Senior Living Hospitality | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
3For more information about application to the Dual/Accelerated Bachelor's in health management to Master's in aging studies, contact the director of graduate programs phs@wichita.edu.
Public Health
The public health concentration is tailored for students driven by a commitment to enhance the welfare of both local and global communities and populations. Additionally, this concentration lays a solid foundation for students interested in pursuing advanced studies in the field of public health.
| Course | Title | Hours | Fall Even Years |
Spring Odd Years |
Fall Odd Years |
Spring Even Years |
Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHS 416 | Foundations of Environmental Health | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| PHS 617 | Public Health Practice | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| PHS 618 | Population Health Data Analytics | 3 | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
Health Administration
The health administration concentration is for students who want to enhance healthcare delivery, elevate patient outcomes, and navigate complex healthcare systems. It provides essential skills for efficiently managing healthcare organizations, hospitals, and clinics, while also serving as a strong foundation for advanced study in health administration.
| Course | Title | Hours | Fall Even Years |
Spring Odd Years |
Fall Odd Years |
Spring Even Years |
Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHS 407 | Foundations of Healthcare Informatics4 | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| PHS 447 | Healthcare Operations | 3 | OLA | OLA | |||
| PHS 478 | Foundations of Healthcare Economics | 3 | OLA | HYB1 | OLA | HYB1 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
4If pursuing the Dual/Accelerated BS in health management to Master of Health Administration take PHS 807 Healthcare Informatics.
Health Science
The health science concentration is for students with a passion for advancing public health, fostering wellness, and fueling healthcare innovation. It enables individuals to have a substantial impact on both individual well-being and the larger healthcare landscape.
| Course | Title | Hours | Fall Even Years |
Spring Odd Years |
Fall Odd Years |
Spring Even Years |
Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL 327 | Bioethics | 3 | TCI | TCI | TCI | TCI | OLA |
| PHS 300 | Careers in Healthcare | 3 | OLS | OLA | OLS | OLA | OLA |
| PHS 331 | Principles of Dietetics and Nutrition | 3 | TCI/OLA | TCI/OLA | TCI/OLA | TCI/OLA | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
Culminating Experience
Students must be in the final year of their program of study and must be health management majors to take PHS 485 or PHS 495. Students enrolled in PHS 495 are required to purchase professional and general liability insurance coverage. The cost of this insurance is included in the university's comprehensive fee schedule and is part of the fee requirements for this major.
| Course | Title | Hours | Fall Even Years |
Spring Odd Years |
Fall Odd Years |
Spring Even Years |
Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHS 494 | Practicum Preparation5 | 3 | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA | OLA |
| PHS 485 | Capstone | 0 | OLS | HYB1 | OLS | HYB1 | |
| PHS 495 | Practicum | 3 | CPI | CPI | CPI | CPI | CPI |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 |
5PHS 494 must be successfully completed for enrollment in PHS 495.
Instructional Method:
OLA - Online asynchronous instruction via internet only.
OLS - Online synchronous instruction via internet at required days/times.
HYB1- Hybrid instruction combining various methods including in-person and online;
more than 25% in-person instruction.
TCI - 100% In-person instruction
CPI - Academic activity courses such as co-op/internships, practicum, independent
study, etc.
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Required Program Courses | 44-45 |
| Concentration Courses | 9 |
| Culminating Experience | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 59-60 |
Graduation
Students majoring in department of public health sciences undergraduate programs (health science and health management) must fulfill Applied Learning Portfolio activities to successfully complete their degree. Evidence of completed activities along with written entry for each activity is required. You can find information about the Applied Learning Portfolio on the public health sciences' website. Questions about the Portfolio may be sent to the undergraduate program director at phs@wichita.edu.
To be eligible for graduation from Wichita State University, students must have 120 acceptable credit hours toward their degree and a grade point average (GPA) in the major of 2.000. Students transferring from a two-year college must complete at least 60 credit hours of four-year college work and 45 credit hours of upper-division coursework to qualify for graduation. Public health sciences (PHS) policy requires a program cumulative GPA of 2.000 with no individual program course generating a grade less than 1.700 credit points per credit hour.