Frequently Asked Questions | Bachelor of Health Science Program

When can I begin the BHS program?

Each cohort begins late August. Please visit our Admissions webpage for further details about how to apply.

What is the Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) Program at Pacific University?

The 40-credit degree completion program in healthcare management at Pacific University is an 11-month, 100% online program. The program is offered through the School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership, housed on our College of Health Professions campus in Hillsboro, Oregon. The coursework in the program is delivered through Moodle (our online learning management system) by faculty who are working professionals in the fields for which they teach. 

What does a healthcare manager or a healthcare administrator do?

Essentially, healthcare managers are healthcare workers with specific experience in the healthcare industry who have also received training in how to conduct administrative work. Healthcare managers are leaders in their field who take on roles within an organization that are often described as “healthcare coordinators”, “healthcare managers”, or healthcare directors”. Because health care is one of the fastest growing businesses in the US, there are many opportunities for advancement within larger organizations which have multiple layers of managerial responsibility. Think of a healthcare administrator as a principal of a school and clinical staff as the teachers in a school. In order for the school to operate smoothly, the teachers need someone to make sure the school system is operating at higher levels so they can focus on teaching students. The same is true of healthcare administrators and clinicians. Clinicians need healthcare managers to take care of the infrastructure and management aspects of running a healthcare organization so they can focus on what matters most: patients.

What kinds of jobs can I get after I finish the program?

Often, students are looking to be promoted within their current workplace and have found that they are not eligible to apply for management positions without an earned bachelor’s degree. All graduates of the BHS program will be eligible to apply for entry-level management positions. 

Does the BHS program have any scholarships available?

Yes! The BHS program has scholarships available. The Early Commitment Scholarship is available to students who accept their offer of admission and pay their tuition deposit by a designated date.  Please contact our BHS Admissions Counselor, Emily Josi, for more information about the Early Commitment deadline.  All BHS scholarships (including the Early Commitment Scholarship) are awarded to students in the spring semester and will be applied to students' accounts in the spring.

Students need to complete the FAFSA online before applying for financial aid. The amount of financial aid each student is eligible to receive is determined on a case-by-case basis. If you have questions about financial aid, budgeting, repayment, or other education-related financial concerns, please contact Pacific's Financial Aid Office.

I'm a busy working professional and I have a family to take care of! How many hours a day do I need to set aside to be successful in the program?

The BHS program is designed for the working professional using distance technology for course delivery. The number of hours each student may spend to study and prepare course assignments varies, but a student should expect 6-8 hours of coursework per class per week. All coursework is done on the student's own time.  Assignments may include watching recorded lectures, participating in online forums, and completing papers.  Although students still have due dates and deadlines for submitting assignments in Moodle (Pacific's learning management system), and are required to login to Moodle frequently, they can work on assignments on their own time. There are no required live online classes where students are required to attend.

Some of the Bachelor of Health Science faculty do hold weekly Zoom meetings for students who have questions or need help with an assignment, but these Zoom meetings are optional.  

How long will it take me to complete the BHS program?

The BHS program only takes 11 months to complete during three continuous semesters (fall, spring, and summer). Classes begin at the end of August and end at the beginning of the next August. 

Is the program accredited or certified?

Great question, and one you should ask about any learning institution you are seeking to attend. The BHS program is accredited as part of Pacific University’s institutional accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Do I have to have an Associate Degree to apply?

Applicants are not required to have an Associate's Degree to apply to the BHS program, but applicants will need to fulfill the program's general education requirements before graduation. Ideally, students should have 114 quarter or 76 semester credits prior to starting the program so they are able to graduate with their cohort after completing the 40-credit BHS program. Students who take Healthcare Spanish I & II to meet Pacific University's language requirement will have an additional 4 credits to apply toward meeting the 120 credit minimum to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. 

Is a minimum GPA required to be admitted to the program?

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. The Admissions Committee will review applications and evaluate each candidate from a comprehensive perspective that includes professional experience (resume), and a personal essay. See our Admissions Requirements for more information.

Do applicants need previous healthcare experience?

Yes. Applicants should have experience working in the healthcare industry. This experience can be volunteer work, internships, job shadowing, or paid experience. See our Admissions Requirements for more information.

Will my coursework from another institution transfer?

Student transcripts will be reviewed and evaluated by the Admissions staff on an individual basis. Each student will have an opportunity to discuss transfer credits and total credits needed to complete Pacific's bachelor's degree requirements. Credit transfers are only accepted from regionally accredited institutions, but we encourage you to submit transcripts from all previous institutions.

Contact Us

Emily Josi | Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Admissions
503-352-7219 | emcdaniel@pacificu.edu

Financial Aid Office
503-352-2222 | financialaid@pacificu.edu
Toll-free: 877-722-8648 ext. 2222