College Catalog

Applied Health Studies (BAH) is a unique program that provides the student with an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree through Pennsylvania College of Technology and prepare for application to the Cardiovascular Technology program (CVT) at Geisinger Medical Center.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this major will be credentialed health care practitioners. This degree can offer opportunities within disciplines and/or health care systems, to expand clinical roles and/or seek positions of management, administration, or education.

Recommended High School Subjects

A science-based academic program at the high school level is recommended for this major. However, an individually developed program of college level course work can be designed to augment high school (or secondary) course work.

Special Admissions Requirements

Application requirements for the BAH major at Penn College: students will be required to make application to Penn College and meet all requirements of the application process, including associated fees; students will be assigned an academic adviser at Penn College who will be responsible for working with the student for all matters related to the major. Application requirements for the CVT through Geisinger Medical Center: students will be required to make application to the Cardiovascular Technology Program at Geisinger Medical Center and meet all requirements of the application process, including associated fees. NOTE: Two seats per class will be reserved for students in the Penn College-Geisinger CVT program. Providing students meet minimum requirements, the two seats will be assured to Penn College students; students will be assigned an academic adviser at the School of Cardiovascular Technology, Geisinger Medical Center who will be responsible for working with the student for all matters related to this program and will maintain contact with the Penn College BAH adviser. The School of Cardiovascular Technology reserves the right to establish and maintain selection of students for the CVT program. Changes will be related to Penn College at least nine months prior to going into effect unless both institutions agree to a different timeframe. Selection criteria are as follows: students must have a physical examination prior to enrollment; students must be enrolled and in good standing in the Pennsylvania College of Technology Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Studies major; students must apply to Geisinger Medical Center School of Cardiovascular Technology after their fourth semester in the Pennsylvania College of Technology Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Studies major; students must provide a completed application, educational transcripts, and three letters of recommendation; students must complete the application process prior to September 1 of the year following the student's fourth semester in the Pennsylvania College of Technology Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Studies major; students must participate in personal interview(s) by the educational committee as requested by Geisinger Medical Center School of Cardiovascular Technology. Due to limited spaces, neither Penn College nor Geisinger guarantee that entrance into the BAH major will result in acceptance into the CVT portion of the curriculum.

Remediation Strategies

All developmental needs must be remediated before entry into this major. Students who enter this major must have a GPA of at least 2.0.

Transfer Procedures

Health care workers who are certified, licensed, registered, or degreed in a health care area are eligible to be evaluated for entry into this major. Individual portfolios/credentials/transcripts will be evaluated by School of Health Sciences officials for transfer credit. Students interested in a health care training program at a non-traditional education site (e.g., hospital) can be considered for entry into this major as a "pre" or provisional acceptance student IF the institution/program has a formal articulation agreement with the School of Health Sciences. See the Special Admissions Requirements above for specific conditions and restrictions for entry under this option.

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• evaluate and utilize techniques and skills for problem solving and decision making
• value and formulate plans for continuing personal and professional growth and development.
• recognize and evaluate effective organizational, operational, and managementskills common in health care environments.
• evaluate the effectiveness of health care delivery in a varied and changing environment.
• evaluate and use professional literature and scientific studies.
• recognize and evaluate the roles of leadership in developing, organizing, and managing programs relevant to the needs of health care.
• identify and assume personal accountability for ethical, political, and legal concerns within the realm of health care practice.
• identify, integrate, and value the need for cultural sensitivity in health care practice.
• draft reports, case studies, grants, and/or proposals that include appropriate documentation and that demonstrate mastery of the full range of writing skills.
• integrate professional behaviors and communication into professional roles and serve as a role model for other health care professionals.
• understand and apply the fundamentals of funding sources and systems that affect health care.
• gain familiarity with the technologies available within the health care environments, recognizing uses and limitations, applications and sources.
• expand knowledge and skills in specific topics related to health care practice, as determined by the individual's professional growth needs.

Performance Standards

Students must have and sustain at all times during their fifth and sixth semesters in the Pennsylvania College of Technology Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Studies major an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Curriculum

Close work with program advisers is strongly encouraged due to the unique design and requirements of this major.