Education
The health care industry consists of a large array of professions, each with its own set of responsibilities and duties:
- allied health (including therapists, laboratory sciences and others)
- behavioral/mental health
- fields in nursing
- dentistry/dental hygiene
- healthcare administration
- medicine
- pharmacy
Entering the workforce as a health care professional requires specialized training and education. Many positions require a degree or certification from an accredited educational program. This is significant for students interested in a health career, as well as current professionals interested in advancing within their current profession, or exploring alternative health careers.
Some colleges, universities and other educational programs that offer programs of study in the health care field have been identified below. Remember that employers and licensing boards require graduation from an accredited program. Be sure to ask about the accreditation status of programs which you are interested before pursing the program.
Accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules, and to the oversight of preparation for work in the profession.
Links to Clayton State's health programs:
Clayton State University offers four programs of study that lead to Bachelor of Science degrees. Entry into the health care field can be difficult, so here at Clayton State, we help students see the big picture and piece together the components necessary to be successful in a health profession. To learn more, visit Health Careers...a puzzle.
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Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH)
Clayton State's program of study differs from the traditional Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degree available from most institutions. It is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. This baccalaureate program offers a foundation beyond clinical skills and basic dental science knowledge. It examines the broader perspective of the health care environment to ensure that graduates may seek employment as a clinician, researcher, instructor, office manager, marketer or public health hygienist. This expanded curriculum assures personal and professional development and provides opportunities for admission to graduate work. -
Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management (BSHCM)
The School of Nursing, in cooperation with the School of Business at Clayton State, offers this program of study which prepares students for a variety of entry and mid-level management positions in health services organizations. It is one of few undergraduate programs in the Southeast to be certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration which distinguishes its graduates from those of traditional health care management programs available at most institutions. The significant strength of the program is the well-rounded mix of learning opportunities and methods used to reinforce learning. Blended course work in business, health care, technology, and the arts and sciences provides the interdisciplinary perspective required for performance in complex health care organizations. -
Bachelor of Science in Health and Fitness Management (BSHFM)
The first four-year program of its kind in Georgia to combine the exercise science field with management and healthcare coursework. It prepares students for a variety of entry and mid-level management positions within the broad field of health and fitness. An interdisciplinary approach is used to address societal health care concerns while building upon the intellectual and practical framework necessary for success in corporate fitness, personal training, health education/promotion, and other areas of health and fitness service. Traditional classroom instruction is paired with management and internship experience to provide the initial tools necessary to become a highly qualified professional in this field. While no specific accreditation body exists at the present time, this program was established using the American College of Sports Medicine endorsement program based on existing "knowledge, skills and abilities" required for certification. This program will undergo endorsement review once it is fully established. -
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Clayton State's program of study differs from the traditional associate degree in nursing that is offered at two-year colleges as well as some hospital schools of nursing, colleges, and universities. The program offers two tracks: a basic licensure track to prepare graduates to seek initial licensure as registered nurses and a degree completion track for current registered nurses. It is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and holds preliminary approval by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with supervised, hands-on clinical experiences in various health care settings. This degree is also a step stone to master’s level education where the registered nurse can specialize in an area, vastly expanding opportunities for career advancement
Links to education search engines:
- College is Possible
College Is Possible is the American Council on Education's K-16 youth development program that motivates middle- and high school students from underserved communities to seek a college education. - College View
This website pledges to be "your career, college, and financial aid solutions." Examine more than 3,800 schools to find the college that's right for you. Take a virtual campus tour, apply online, and more. - My College Guide
This website is for college-bound high school students seeking to make a successful transition from high school to college. -
Universities. COM
This website has organized the most extensive collection of post-secondary distance learning and on-campus colleges and universities. Browse and search 1,164 distance learning degrees online. - U.S. Department of Education
The United States Department of Education promotes educational excellence for all Americans. - U.S. News and World Report
Use sortable ranking tables, searchable directory, articles, interactive tools, and more to compare schools and programs. Master the application process, do your best on the tests, and understand the complicated world of financial aid.
Links for education opportunities in the state of Georgia:
- Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education
The Consortium comprises 19 public and private colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning, as well as five affiliated independent libraries and 12 corporate and non-profit community partners. The website includes a compiled inventory of online higher education resources with links to public colleges and universities in the state, state library system, regional and national associations, government resources, higher education news and commentary research and data resources, and more. - University System of Georgia
A listing of higher education options at 34 institutions throughout the state of Georgia, providing a wide range of academic programming, including certificates, associate, baccalaureate, master's, doctoral and professional degrees. These public colleges and universities are overseen by the Board of Regents which was created in 1931 as part of a reorganization of Georgia's state government.
Links for educational institutions that offer programs in the health field:
- All Nursing Schools
This website is a complete online guide to nursing education and careers. It allows students to compare schools, contact them, read common questions and answers, and ask questions. This site is dedicated to addressing the nursing shortage in the United States with a motto of "Find the Nursing School That's Right for You." - Association of University Programs in Health Administration
A global network of colleges, universities, faculty, individuals and health care organizations dedicated to the improvement of health care delivery through excellence in health administration education. Membership represents more than 230 colleges, universities, and organizations to include the premier Baccalaureate and Masters degree programs in health administration education in the United States and Canada. - Health Care Colleges
This robust directory of health care colleges can help you find an accredited degree or certificate program, whether you are interested in nursing college, medical assisting programs, or massage therapy schools.