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Students interested in pursuing health science degrees in Illinois will find quite an assortment of both undergraduate-level and graduate-level programs to mull over. With the United States’ increasingly aging population spurring a mounting demand for health care, job growth across virtually every section of the health care sector is explosive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care jobs and industries will add more 15 million new jobs in the next decade, the most of any employment sector. To meet this projected need, colleges and universities in the Midwestern state of Illinois are working hard to prepare the next generation of health care professionals, administrators, managers and policy makers.
Chicago State University
College of Health Sciences
Chicago’s oldest public university, Chicago State University offers its students nearly 40 undergraduate degree programs, more than 20 master’s degree programs and two doctoral degree programs through its six colleges and one division. The university’s College of Health Science Sciences is committed to extending educational opportunities to segments of the population who tend to be underrepresented in the field of health care, offering them programs that create caring, competent and compassionate professionals who are ready to tackle the needs of today’s rapidly evolving health care environment. With departments dedicated to nursing, health studies, occupational therapy, and health information administration, the college provides degree programs in nursing, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, occupational therapy, public health, community health and health information administration.
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration
Chicago State University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration degree programs prepares students to securely manage health information using information management technology, design health information systems, and assist in determining equipment and staffing needs. The program’s curriculum contains classes in coursework covering medical science, management and technology. Technical skills are honed with lab work in a computer lab stocked with current general office and medical software. Two 160 hour professional practice experiences are also required. In order to earn their bachelor’s degrees, students must earn a total of 124 credits that includes both general education and core curriculum requirements. They must also successfully complete two comprehensive examinations. After earning their degrees, graduates will be qualified to pursue entry-level positions in the health information management field in a multitude of health care settings like hospitals, clinics, private practices and nursing homes.
Contact
9501 South King Drive
Chicago, IL 60628
Phone: 773-995-2552
csu-hia@csu.edu
Website
DePaul University
College of Science and Health
The country’s largest Catholic university, DePaul University is the only one of the United States’ ten largest private universities to place teaching as its faculty’s top priority. With five campuses in the Chicago area, the university offers almost 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its 10 schools and colleges. Founded in 2011 to meet the growing demands in health care and other science professions, the College of Science and Health provides degree programs that pair a sturdy liberal arts foundation with innovative, science-based coursework. Students can choose programs in areas that include health science, nursing, mathematics, psychology, environmental sciences, biology, physics and chemistry.
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
The cross-disciplinary Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree program at DePaul University encourages a deeper understanding of health care by bringing students working towards various health-related professions into ongoing contact. The highly customizable program instills a common foundational knowledge while fostering the interests and goals of individuals. The students who select the bioscience concentration can choose tracks in pre-nursing, medicine or laboratory investigations. Those who decide on the public health studies concentration have the option of selecting tracks in community health, health policy and administration, and health education. In order to complete their bachelor’s degrees, students must earn a total of 192 credits. This includes 72 liberal studies credits, 48 to 52 health science credits, 36 to 40 credits in their chosen concentration, and 24 to 32 elective credits. Graduates will be ready to seek entry-level positions in health care administration, health policy, hospital administration, and community health. They may also continue their education in schools for nursing, medicine, pharmacy or dental professionals.
Contact
1 East Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 312-362-8000
admission@depaul.edu
Website
Midwestern University
College of Health Sciences
Committed to meeting the educational requirements of the health care community by providing its students with an extensive experiential education opportunities, a solid foundation in the sciences, and a compassionate perspective, Midwestern University makes health care education its focus. With three campuses in Illinois and Arizona, the university presents degree programs through eight colleges that offer programs in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, health sciences, dental medicine and veterinary medicine. The university’s College of Health Sciences provides students with chances to study several areas in the health care field. These include physical therapy, physician assistant studies, biomedical studies, occupational therapy, podiatric medicine, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular studies and clinical psychology.
Doctor of Health Science
A joint effort of the Midwestern University’s Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Programs, the Doctor of Health Science degree program is a part-time program offered in various formats that is designed to ready licensed health professionals for specialized and advanced roles. Educational objectives are student-specific, and emphases are available in geriatrics, pediatrics and health education. To complete their doctoral degrees, students must earn a total of 72 credits. This is comprised of 32 credits of core curriculum coursework, 16 credits in their chosen emphasis, 16 credits in practical scholarship related to their chosen emphasis, and 8 credits in elective coursework. Graduates of the program will be ready to serve as advocates and leaders in their profession, to design and implement policy solutions, and to teach in both clinical and academic settings.
Contact
555 31st Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 630-969-4400
admissil@midwestern.edu
Website
North Illinois University
College of Health and Human Sciences
North Illinois University is committed to delving beyond book learning to generate a strong foundational education for its students. Offering nearly 60 undergraduate degree programs and 80 graduate degree programs, it has seven colleges devoted to health and human sciences, education, business, law, engineering and engineering technology, visual and performing arts, and liberal arts and science. Its College of Health and Human Sciences readies students for specialized professional careers in fields that include nursing, public health, health education, nutrition, textiles, early childhood studies, family and child studies, communicative disorders, clinical lab sciences, and health sciences.
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Intended to provide students with a strong foundation by merging general education and science-based coursework, North Illinois University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree program offers two different emphases. For students who plan to enter a health career that requires graduate-level study, the program offers a pre-physical therapy emphasis. To earn their bachelor’s degrees with this emphasis, students must complete a total of at least 83 credits, which includes 21 credits from the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders. Students interested in working with the disabled can choose the rehabilitation services emphasis. To receive their bachelor’s degrees with this emphasis, students must earn a total of at least 73 credits, which includes 31 credits from the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders. After receiving their degrees, graduates will be prepared for careers in allied health. They also have the option of continuing their studies at the graduate level.
Contact
1425 W. Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, IL 60115-2828
Phone: 815-753-1000
univinfo@niu.edu
Website
Southern Illinois University
College of Applied Sciences and Arts
Established in 1869 as the state’s second teacher’s college, Southern Illinois University now draws students from all 50 states and over 100 countries with comprehensive programs that are designed to assist students in realizing their maximum potential by fulfilling their educational, professional, vocational, social and personal needs. Committed to providing programs that give students who are seeking rapid entry into careers in specific technical areas the knowledge and skills necessary for success, its College of Applied Sciences and Arts offers degree programs in the areas of architecture, allied health, transportation, and information systems and applied technologies. The college currently offers two associates degree programs, 14 bachelor’s degree programs and three master’s degree programs.
Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management
With a customizable, multidisciplinary curriculum, the comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management degree program at Southern Illinois University integrates theoretical and technical facets of health care management with supporting coursework from other disciplines to prepare students for health management or health policy careers. Students are encouraged to round out the program with minors in business, finance or psychology. To earn their bachelor’s degrees, students must complete a total of 120 credits that includes an internship and coursework in the health care system, health policy, health services management, medical need and general education topics. After receiving their degrees, students are prepared to work in various management fields like marketing, finance, and human resources in a broad range of private health care settings like hospitals, private practices, and pharmaceutical companies. They can also seek opportunities in public health care agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
Contact
Mail Code 6615
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-7211
allied.health@siu.edu
Website
University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Applied Health Sciences
The state’s primary educator of health science professionals, the University of Illinois at Chicago is one of three campuses of the University of Illinois, the state’s largest educator. A comprehensive public university, it offers more than 80 bachelor’s degree programs, nearly 100 master’s degree’s programs and almost 70 doctoral degree programs in a broad range of disciplines. The university’s well-respected College of Applied Health Sciences strives to offer rigorous academic programs that reflect and respond to society’s changing needs. It provides several degree options in five areas: biomedical and health information sciences, disability and human development, kinesiology and nutrition, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Preparing students to serve as a vital connection between doctors, patients, administrators and insurance companies by securely and accurately managing confidential patient data, the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management degree program teaches students the proper use and management of health care information and information management systems, including their value in resource allocation, decision-making, and planning and provision. Available on campus and online, the program can be completed in two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study. In order to earn their bachelor’s degrees, student must complete 63 credits in a curriculum that covers medical science, record management, disease classification and coding, computer technology, health information systems and organizational management. Graduates of the program can seek employment in an assortment of health care settings. They may also choose to continue their education by pursuing a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Information Management, which would allow them to sit for the national exam for certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator.
Contact
1919 West Taylor Street
Room 560 AHSB, MC 528
Chicago, IL 60612-7249
Phone: 312-996-7000
ahsinfo@uic.edu
Website
Western Illinois University
College of Education and Human Services
Recognized as a “Best Midwestern College” by the Princeton Review and as a “Best Regional University” by U.S. News and World Report, Western Illinois University provides its students with a supportive yet challenging learning atmosphere that provides both the technological and humanistic understanding they need to succeed in a global community. The university’s four colleges offer 65 bachelor’s degree programs, 38 graduate-level degree programs and a variety of certificates and pre-professional programs. Its College of Education and Human Services fuses quality teaching, research, service programs and internships into programs that foster innovation, leadership and self-discipline. The college provides 11 undergraduate degrees, 15 graduate degrees and 13 certificate programs.
Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management
To better allow students to customize their degree program to best serve their individual career goals, Western Illinois University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management gives students a selection of three emphases. The long-term care emphasis is for students interested in careers in management and administration positions in chronic care settings. Students interesting in management and administration jobs in primary care settings should choose the private sector emphasis. The public health administration emphasis if aimed at students who prefer careers in public health at the local, state and federal levels. To complete their bachelor’s degrees, students must complete a minimum of 120 credits. This is comprised of 53 credits in core curriculum coursework, nine credits dedicated to their chosen emphasis, nine credits in directed electives, two credits in open electives, 43 credits in general education requirements and 24 credits in other required coursework. Graduates completing the program will be ready to pursue a variety of management and administrative positions in various health care settings.
Contact
Stipes Hall 402
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455 USA
Phone: 309-298-1076
healthsciences@wiu.edu
Website
Often thought of as a microcosm of the nation, Illinois is expecting to see a surge in demand for the services of its extensive health care system in the next few decades. With health care employment in the country projected to increase nearly 11 percent by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, universities and colleges are offering an impressive variety of high quality health science degree programs in Illinois.
For more information on earning your Health Science degree, please see Top 10 Best Online Health Science Degree Programs.
