Bachelor of Science in Public Health Public Health with a Major in Health Services Administration (BSPH)

Webpage: Health Services Administration (B.S.P.H.) | Old Dominion University
Program Email: Healthadminmajor@odu.edu

Program Director:  Dr. Maria Kronenburg

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) degree with a major in Health Services Administration (HSA) aims to provide students with current, relevant information and experiences that will enable them to function as entry-level health service administrators in local, state, and national arenas. Additionally, the program will prepare persons seeking advanced study in preparation for the MHA, MPH, MPP, MPA, and MS degrees and the foundation for PhD or MD educational career paths.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a major in the Health Services Administration Program will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance the administration and the delivery of health services through health care management and policy education. These graduates will serve as leaders for health care organizations in the public, private, and military organizations. The curriculum for the Health Services Administration major integrates a multidisciplinary approach that includes global and public health, health care finance, health services research, epidemiology, health care policy and management. Students will have the opportunity to gain practical health care management experience and drive innovation in health care policy.

Graduates of the program will be ready to serve as invaluable leaders in health care services.

The Health Services Administration major is available fully online, with the option to complete some courses on campus. 

Major Declaration: Health Services Administration Program

To officially declare a major in Health Services Administration (HSA), students must complete the following courses with a grade of C- or better:  PUBH 200,  PUBH 320,  PUBH 335,  PUBH 390, and STAT 130M.

1. Students who have met all major declaration requirements and meet the minimum cumulative GPA (2.00) requirement will be referred by their advisor in the Virginia Health Sciences Advising Center/ODU Global Health Sciences advisor to the program director for major declaration and assignment to a program advisor. For additional information, please contact the Program Director at: Healthadminmajor@odu.edu or the Virginia Health Sciences Advising Center at VHSadvising@odu.edu.

2. Students must be accepted to the program before enrolling in any 400-level required course.

Continuance and Readmission Policy

In addition to the Old Dominion University continuance policies in this catalog, the following policies are specific to all declared majors in the Health Services Administration (HSA) Program:

1. A grade point average of a C or higher is required in the major to continue in the program.
2. A student who earns a grade below a C- in a required major course will not be considered in good academic standing in the major and must retake the course in the next semester the course is offered.
3. A grade of C or better is required in the “W” (writing-intensive course) in order to meet the ODU undergraduate writing requirement.
4. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher is required to continue in the HSA program.

Students who fail to meet the continuance requirements for the major will revert to intended degree, and an advising hold will be placed back on their account.  A meeting with the program director will be required to create a success plan before a student may enroll in additional courses.  

To be readmitted to the HSA program:

1. Students must meet with the program director to create a success plan. 
2. Students must successfully complete all major courses with a grade point average of C or higher, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, and meet the program director again before the major will be redeclared.  Students are responsible for contacting the program director when all readmission requirements have been met. 
3. A student who is readmitted to the major may be required to take additional course work prior to or concurrent with readmission.

Internship

The PUBH 468 internship is designed to provide students with practical experiences in a health setting. This allows students to apply their academic knowledge to real-life situations within an organization or community context that focuses on health activities. During the internship, students will acquire practical skills by completing assignments that challenge them to utilize the competencies learned in their coursework. They will also gain a deeper understanding of the political, economic, social, and organizational factors that influence health services administration.

The PUBH 468 internship is a crucial component of the BSPH degree, serving as a culminating experience. To be eligible for the internship, BSPH-HSA students must fill out an internship learning contract for approval and have completed at least 90 credits and half of the major coursework. Internships must be planned and approved in advance by the program internship coordinator. The internship course may be taken concurrently with other courses within the credit hour limits for the term. A learning contract must be submitted for approval prior to the following internship deadlines: May 1 for summer, August 1 for fall, and December 1 for spring.

Internships should occur with sites that are relevant to health services administration, such as agencies, departments, or community-based organizations. Some internship facilities may require background checks, drug screenings, trainings, certifications (like CPR), proof of vaccinations, or other mandatory compliance requirements.

Students with at least five years of relevant supervisory, administrative, or management experience in health services administration may be eligible for the Prior Learning Challenge to fulfill the internship requirement. A cover letter and resume are required for initial review. For further information or to discuss the Prior Learning option, please contact the program internship coordinator.

Careful planning and coordination with the program internship coordinator are essential for a successful internship experience. Students should select internship placements that align with their career goals and provide valuable learning opportunities.

 Requirements

Lower-Division General Education

Written Communication: grade of C or better required in both courses

Mathematics: STAT 130M required; must be completed with a grade of C- or better prior to major declaration.

Information Literacy and Research: PUBH 120G preferred

Philosophy and Ethics: met in the major by PHIL 345E

Impact of Technology: met in the major by PUBH 485

Upper-Division General Education

Completion of the MGMT courses required for the major with a grade point average of C or higher results in a minor in management and meets upper-division general education.

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements for graduation include the following:

• Minimum of 120 credit hours.
• Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
• Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
• Completion of Senior Assessment.

Health Services Administration Major

To officially declare a major in Health Services Administration, students must complete the following courses with a grade of C- or better: PUBH 200,  PUBH 320,  PUBH 335,  PUBH 390, and STAT 130M.

A grade point average of a C or higher is required in the major to continue in the program.

Students must be a declared major prior to starting 400-level major courses.  All courses required for the major must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

*

Grade of C or better is required in the PUBH 430W course

**

Grade of C- or better required in the course. 

 Electives

Elective credits may be needed to achieve the minimum 120 credit hours required for the degree.  Electives can be from any college.  Some electives that can be considered are PUBH 421, PUBH 422, and ENVH 448.

Degree Program Guide

The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years.  It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor.  Additional information can also be found in Degree Works. 

*

Grade of C or better required.

**

Grade of C- or better required.