Health Profession Studies, B.A.

Q: What kinds of jobs can I get directly out of this program without going to graduate school? A: The HPS degree opens doors to many entry-level and mid-level healthcare roles that are often overlooked: patient care coordinator, patient navigator, patient access representative, hospital intake specialist, rehabilitation aide, health advocate, activity coordinator in a long-term care facility, hospice support worker, community health worker, and health office manager — to name the most common. These roles are found in hospitals, physician offices, long-term care facilities, hospice organizations, rehabilitation centers, and community health agencies throughout New Jersey. They typically require a bachelor’s degree and strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills — all of which the HPS program develops.

Q: Is this a good degree if I want to eventually go to nursing school? A: Yes — especially for students interested in an Accelerated B.S.N. or Direct Entry M.S.N. program. These programs admit applicants with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields, provided they’ve completed prerequisite science coursework. GCU’s HPS program covers Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II (required by most nursing programs), statistics, and a broad healthcare knowledge base — making graduates competitive applicants for accelerated nursing programs. Speak with your advisor about which specific nursing program prerequisites you should include in your HPS elective choices.

Q: What is the NBC-HWC certification track, and how do I complete it? A: The NBC-HWC (National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach) is a nationally recognized professional credential from the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching. Students who complete four specific IH courses — IH210, IH305, IH325, and IH337 — will have fulfilled the NBHWC approved training program requirement and become eligible to sit for the certification exam. Two of these four courses can double-count as your HPS elective credits. This is a meaningful professional credential to hold alongside a bachelor’s degree, particularly for students interested in corporate wellness, community health, or private health coaching.

Q: Can I transfer from a community college health program into this degree? A: Yes — and GCU specifically designed this program with transfer students in mind. Occupational and technical credits from a health-related A.A.S. program (medical assisting, health information technology, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, emergency medical technology, etc.) may transfer as general electives, potentially saving significant time toward your bachelor’s degree. Contact the Registrar and your academic advisor early to get a detailed transfer credit evaluation.

Q: What is the difference between Health Profession Studies (B.A.) and Health Sciences (B.S.)? A: The B.A. in Health Profession Studies is designed for students who want to enter the healthcare workforce directly after graduation or who are building toward graduate programs in nursing, social work, or speech pathology — without the intensive chemistry, physics, and premedical science curriculum. It’s accessible, flexible, and career-ready. The B.S. in Health Sciences is more science-intensive — requiring organic chemistry, college physics, genetics, and biochemistry — and is specifically designed for students planning to apply to medical school, PA programs, dental school, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. Both share a common core of anatomy, physiology, health policy, bioethics, and statistics, but diverge significantly in the upper-level science requirements.

Q: What is the Nutrition Sciences Concentration, and is it really online? A: The Nutrition Sciences Concentration is a specialized track within the B.S. in Health Sciences designed for students interested in dietetics, nutrition counseling, food science, and clinical nutrition careers. It is offered online through a consortium of accredited colleges and universities Y meaning some courses are taught by GCU faculty and others by partner institution faculty, with technology and administrative support provided by Rize Education. All coursework is overseen and approved by GCU, and students register through GCU and receive GCU credit. The Nutrition Sciences Concentration is one of two GCU programs offered through this consortium arrangement.

Q: What is the Advanced Admission pathway to the M.A. in Integrative Health? A: After completing 75 credits (and at least three-fourths of your major credits) with a 3.2 GPA or higher, you can apply for Advanced Admission to GCU’s M.A. in Integrative Health program. You’ll need three letters of recommendation (including one from an Integrative Health faculty member), an admission interview with Dr. Komagata, and a maintained 3.0 GPA throughout. Once accepted, you can take up to 4 graduate IH courses (12 credits) as an undergraduate. Acceptance into the M.A. program is deferred until your bachelor’s degree is conferred.

Q: Is Spanish required in this program? A: Yes — Elementary Spanish I (SP101) or Spanish for Specialized Work Settings (SP107) is required. This reflects the demographics of healthcare in New Jersey, where Spanish-speaking patients are a significant portion of the population across many counties and communities. Healthcare professionals who can communicate in Spanish — even at a basic level — are genuinely more effective advocates and coordinators in these environments.

Q: When should I apply? A: Rolling admissions — apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1.