Health Care Professional Services Major, B.S.

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. 

• Degree and Certificate Requirements 
• General Studies Requirements 
• Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement 
• Senior Experience Graduation Requirements 

• A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation. 
• A grade of C or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. 
• A minor is required for this program. 
• Students can contact the Department of Health Professions at 303-615-1200 for advising. 
• New or transfer students interested in the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Professional Services can also seek advising through the College of Health and Human Sciences Advising Office at 303-615-1099.

Prior Learning Assessment Information

A Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is available for HCM 3600 Health Care Information Systems and ITP 1700 Medical Terminology. The Center for Individualized Learning will work with students to understand and navigate the process. Once students have obtained permission to take the exam from the Prior Learning Specialist - Brandy Schooler, bschool1@msudenver.edu, the Application for Credit by Examination form will need to be completed. The student will take the form to the Bursar’s Office to pay. After paying, the student will return with the receipt to the Center for Individualized Learning and then the student will need to set up an appointment with the MSU Denver Assessment and Testing Center. They will verify the student’s identification, provide a secure, quiet space to take the exam and at a mutually acceptable time. 

The test will be timed and you cannot use any materials (books, notes, Internet) while taking the exam. The test will be returned to the Department for grading. A faculty member in the Program or the Department will determine if you have passed the examination with a grade sufficient to obtain credit. Signatures are needed from the faculty member, Chair, and Dean, so that the form can be sent to the registrar to enter credit on the student’s transcript. The student may take the examination a maximum of two times. 

The cost of the credits is half the tuition for the course and must be paid whether or not the examination is passed. You will receive 3 credits on a pass/fail basis. These credits are treated as non-resident (transfer) credits and will not count towards the 30 minimum resident credits required for a Bachelor’s degree at MSU Denver.

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.  

• Written Communication (6 credits) 
• Oral Communication (3 credits) 
• Quantitative Literacy (3 credits) 
• Arts and Humanities (6 credits) 
• Historical (3 credits) 
• Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits) 
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 
• Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences. 

• Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.  
• Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement. 

• * Indicates pre-requisite requirement. Check with academic advisor regarding pre-requisite requirement(s).
• ** Has a Prior Learning Assessment

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.