Bachelor of Science, Major in Integrated Studies: Bioethics and Policy in Healthcare Concentration

The BS in Integrated Studies: Bioethics and Policy in Healthcare Concentration combines Health Sciences, Philosophy, and Sociology minors to prepare students for ethical and socially aware careers in healthcare. It equips them to approach a career in healthcare challenges with a balance of ethical considerations and practical solutions. Graduates pursue careers in healthcare administration, public health policy, ethics consultation, patient advocacy, and health education. They manage healthcare operations, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, research and analyze policies, healthcare delivery, and health insurance.

Bachelor of Science, Major in Integrated Studies: Bioethics and Policy in Healthcare Concentration
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication) 16
Component Area II (Mathematics) 2, 33
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 23
Component Area V (Creative Arts) 23
Component Area VI (U.S. History) 26
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) 26
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 23
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 24
Degree Specific Requirements
CHSS Core (Select one course from the following:)3
Introduction to Technical Writing
Argument and Persuasion
History of Medicine
Topics in the History of Science and Medicine
Critical Thinking
Research and Writing in Political Science
Writing in Sociology
Select 15 advanced elective hours (3000-4000) from related subject areas 415
Major: Foundation
INTG 3301Critical Approaches to Integrated Studies3
INTG 4301Integrated Studies Capstone 53
Minor: Required
Minor Area I: Health Sciences 6
HLTH 1360The Fundamentals of Health Promotion and Health Careers3
HLTH 1366Lifestyle and Wellness3
HLTH 2391Human Diseases3
Select four courses from the following HLTH Electives:12
(Six credit hours must be at 3000-4000 level and taken at SHSU.)
Health & Medical Terminology
Multicultural Health Issues
Principles of Public Health
United States Health Care Systems
Health Planning & Evaluation
Drug Use and Abuse
Safety Education
Family Life & Sex Education
Health Communication and Literacy
Health Care Policy
Patient Navigation
Minor Area II: Philosophy
PHIL 2303Critical Thinking3
or PHIL 2352 Introduction to Contemporary Logic
Select three courses from the following PHIL Electives:9
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of Biology
Bioethics
Philosophy of Psychology and Mind
Ethical Theories
Death and Dying
Select two courses from the following PHIL Advanced Electives:6
Existentialism and Self-Awareness
Theories of Knowledge and Reality
Feminist Philosophies
Philosophy of Race
Minor Area III: Sociology
SOCI 1301Introduction to Sociology3
or SOCI 2319 Introduction To Ethnic Studies
SOCI 3370Research Methods in Sociology3
SOCI 4344Sociological Theory3
Select three courses from the following SOCI Electives9
Social Inequality
Gender And Inequality
Food and Society
Sociology of the Life Course
Sociology Of Health & Illness
Total Hours123
1

Taken first year.

2

Taken first or second year.

3

MATH 1332 is recommended.

4

These courses are in addition to major/minor requirements.

5

Students must have senior hours, be in good academic standing, and have completed the required CHSS Core course and INTG 3301 before registering for INTG 4301.

6

Some minors require more than 18 semester credit hours.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Core Component Areas II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX (including the one credit hour requirement) could double dip from the core and the minors.

Each minor must have 18 unique credits.  Students may have to take more than 18 credits to complete the minor.

Graduation requirements include completing all course requirements along with completing at least 120 hours, 42 advanced hours, 24 advanced in-residence hours, and INTG 4301.  Students may need to take general electives and/or advanced general electives outside of courses outlined on their degree plan to meet those requirements. 

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in INTG 3301 and INTG 4301.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area II13Component Area IV3
Component Area V3Component Area IX3
Component Area VIII3ENGL 130223
ENGL 130123HSTY 130233
HSTY 130133POLS 230543
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area III4
Component Area IX1INTG 33013
CHSS Core5, 63Minor Area I: Health Sciences76
Minor Area I: Health Sciences76Minor Area II: Philosophy3
POLS 230643 
 17 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Minor Area I: Health Sciences76DSR Advanced Electives83
Minor Area II: Philosophy6Minor Area II: Philosophy6
Minor Area III: Sociology3Minor Area III: Sociology6
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
DSR Advanced Electives86DSR Advanced Electives86
Minor Area I: Health Sciences73INTG 430193
Minor Area II: Philosophy3Minor Area III: Sociology6
Minor Area III: Sociology3 
 15 15
Total Hours: 123
1

MATH 1332 is recommended.

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

5

CHSS Core (Select one of the following courses): ENGL 3330, ENGL 3377, HSTY 3345 or HIST 3373PHIL 2303, POLS 3379, SOCI 2399.

6

The course chosen in this block may also satisfy a requirement for a minor.

7

Some minors require more than 18 semester credit hours.

8

Select 15 advanced elective hours (3000-4000) from related subject areas.

9

Students must have senior hours, be in good academic standing, and have completed the required CHSS Core course and INTG 3301 before registering for INTG 4301.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Core Component Areas II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX (including the one credit hour requirement) could double dip from the core and the minors.

Each minor must have 18 unique credits.  Students may have to take more than 18 credits to complete the minor.

Graduation requirements include completing all course requirements along with completing at least 120 hours, 42 advanced hours, 24 advanced in-residence hours, and INTG 4301.  Students may need to take general electives and/or advanced general electives outside of courses outlined on their degree plan to meet those requirements. 

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in INTG 3301 and INTG 4301.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Integrated Studies: Bioethics and Policy in Healthcare Concentration is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Integration of diverse fields and perspectives.
  • Innovative problem-solving abilities.
  • Flexibility and adaptability.
  • Ethical decision-making.
  • Health communications.
  • Sociocultural health analysis.