Curriculum & Course Descriptions

Coursework for the online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies will be completed in one and a half years over four semesters. Students will have a predetermined schedule with 12-13 credit hours each semester, for a total of 49 credit hours.

Topics covered in the curriculum include:

• Foundations of Public Health
• Social Determinants of Health
• Etiology and Pathophysiology of Chronic Diseases
• Applied Research and Statistics in the Health Sciences
• Epidemiology
• Program Planning and Implementation
• Evaluation of Health Programs
• Introduction to Health Behavior and Education
• Overview of the U.S. Health Care System
• Introduction to Health Policy
• Practicum

Course Descriptions

Full course descriptions can be found in the MUSC Bulletin. All courses for the Healthcare Studies are indicated with the prefix "HCS."

Curriculum

In addition to the coursework outlined below, students are required to attend a full-day virtual course orientation session at the beginning of each semester (August, January, May). 

Curriculum

In addition to the coursework outlined below, students are required to attend a full-day virtual course orientation session at the beginning of each semester (August, January, May).

Year 1, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

HCS300	Introduction to Health Behavior/Education	3
HCS301	Health Drivers & Emerging Inn	3
HCS302	Foundations of Public Health	3
HCS307	Academic and Scientific Writing	3
Semester Total		12

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

HCS310	Program Planning and Implement	3
HCS312, HAP512	Overview of the US Health, or US Health Care System	3
HCS316	Etiology and Pathophysiology	3
HCS324, HAP524	Principles of Epidemiology, or Epidemiology	3
HCS330	Practicum Development	1
Semester Total		13

Year 1, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

HCS320	Introduction to Health Policy	3
HCS318	Evaluation of Health Promotion	3
HCS314, HAP514	Applied Research & Statistics	3
HCS412, HAP737	Leadership in the Health Profession, or Organization Theory	3
HCS331	Practicum Development II	1
Semester Total		13

Year 2, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

HCS406	Global Health	3
HCS410	Rural Public Health	3
HCS322	Health and Disease Across the	3
HCS480, HAP580	Guided Practicum, or Guided Practicum Health Administration	3
Semester Total		12

Curriculum Total		50
Prerequisite Credit Hour Total		72
Required Credit Hour Total		122

* Required Courses for Accelerated Pathway/Advanced Standing for the BSHS to Master in Health Administration program.

** If addition work required.