Health Science Degrees in Kansas

Graduates with Health Science degrees in Kansas will find employment opportunities around the state to provide improvements in quality health care for its citizens. According to the Kansas Department of Health’s 2013 annual report, the health sector employs 12% of all jobs in the state and has a major impact on the state’s economy. Even so, there are 254 documented areas in Kansas which are understaffed with health care professionals. In addition, America’s Health Rankings notes that Kansans have a high prevalence for obesity and inactivity along with a significant smoking rate, all of which affect the health of its citizens.

Friends University

Division of Natural Science and Mathematics

Friends University began in the late 1800’s as a Quaker institution of higher learning. It has expanded since then to become an independent university with a current enrollment of approximately 2,800 students. Friends offers an undergraduate program in the health sciences field under its Natural Science and Mathematics division. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association.

Health Sciences, B.S.

Students earning a B.S. in health sciences will be prepared to work in entry level positions, especially in scientific research areas, or pursue further graduate studies. Coursework spans four years and focuses on foundational requirements necessary to work within diverse areas of the health profession. In addition to general education requirements, subject specific topics include those related to physiology, genetics, body systems, metabolic pathways, the scientific method, and how organisms adapt to changes.

Contacts
Friends University
2100 W. University Avenue
Wichita, Kansas 67213
(316) 295-5000 or (800) 794-6945 (Toll free)

Dr. Karyn Turla, Director of Health Sciences
William Penn Science Building and Sebits Science Hall, 135
316-295-5545
Toll Free: 1-800-794-6945, ext. 5545
turlak@friends.edu
Program Page
Division Page

Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley Campus

Health Services

Metropolitan Community College has five campuses in the Kansas City area serving about 18,000 students each academic year. The school offers a variety of associate degrees and certification programs in over 80 career choices. Upon graduation, students are eligible for entry level positions in diverse health care settings or to transfer to a four year institution and complete bachelor’s degree work. MCC is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as overseen by the Higher Learning Commission. In addition, MCC’s Health Information Technology programs are accredited by Technology the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Council on Accreditation of the American Health Information Management Association.

Health Information Management/Coding

This program is actually two separate offerings: the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)in Health Information Technology (HIT) and Coding Specialist Certification. Since coursework from the Coding Specialist Certification counts towards the A.A.S. degree, many students complete both programs within a two year period which requires up to 48.5 credit hours. Shared coursework includes basic physiology and anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, classification systems, computer applications and professional practices.

Additional coursework towards the A.A.S. degree requires some general education classes, a course in the legal aspects of health information, a clinical professional practicum, and advanced HIM competencies coursework. Graduates of the Coding Certificate Program may sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA)exams offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Graduates of the A.A.S. HIT degree may sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credentialing exam, also offered by AHIMA.

Contacts
Metropoitan Community College – Penn Valley Campus
Health Information Technology/ Coding Certificate Programs
Health Science Institute
3444 Broadway
Kansas City, Missouri 64111-2764
816 (604)-4108
healthcare@mcckc.edu

Patricia Elliot, Program Coordinator
Patricia.Elliott@mcckc.edu
(816) 604-4245
Program Page
A.A.S. in HIT
Coding Certification

The University of Kansas

School of Health Professions

The University of Kansas, which goes by KU, has been educating health care professionals since 1905. KU offers three Health Information Management degree programs, all presented jointly with lecture and hands-on instruction at the university’s Medical Center in the KU Health Information Management Program. KU is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.

Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

Students take the first two years of general education and core classes at KU’s Lawrence campus or another accredited bachelor’s degree program. The last two years are completed in classes and practicum experiences at the KU Medical Center. Graduates may sit for the American Health Information Management Association National Registry Examination which leads to being a Registered Health Information Administrator.

Bachelor of Science for Registered Health Information Technologists

For those who have completed an associate’s degree and are currently working as an RHIT, this degree option offers completion of bachelor’s degree requirements in HIM. Coursework is online with students usually needing to complete an additional 45 credits towards the 120 total hours required. Coursework is comparable to that taken in the traditional undergraduate program with the same timelines for completion. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national exam to obtain RHIA credentials.

Joint B.S. in HIM and Master of Health Services Administration

This program is designed for students who wish to go into management and executive positions after graduation. Coursework spans five years and graduates can also obtain RHIA credentials after taking the national exam.

Contacts

The University of Kansas
Health Information Management
KU Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Boulevard / MS2008
Kansas City, Kansas 66160
(913) 588-2423

Norbert Belz, MHSA, RHIA
Program Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
(913) 588-2434
NBELZ@kumc.edu
Program Page

Washburn University

School of Applied Studies – Allied Health Department

Washburn University is a well-regarded institution of higher learning offering over 200 programs of study to its more than 6,900 students. Since academics are a priority for Washburn, helping working professionals in the HIM field attain their bachelor’s degree is an important goal. Washburn holds accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (Health Information Technology).

Bachelor of Health Science (BHS)

The degree program for the BHS is offered in two major concentrations: Medical Health Administration and Medical Imaging. Both majors are intended for those holding associate’s degrees in the HIM field and who may be currently employed. Coursework is offered online for each program and covers the essential information necessary to find immediate employment or to go on for further graduate studies. The HSA major is for those students who wish to become healthcare management leaders and administrators. The MI major gives students more marketability in the competitive medical imaging field by allowing them to further branch out into one of four specialty MI areas.

Contacts

Washburn University
700 SW College Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66621
(785) 670-1010

Allied Health Department
(785) 670-2170
lisa.rieschick@washburn.edu
Program Page
BHS Requirements

Wichita State University

College of Health Professions, Department of Public Health Sciences

Since 1895, Wichita State University has grown into one of the leading and largest research universities in Kansas. Home to more than 14,000 students, WSU provides excellent learning opportunities for those interested in health science careers. It offers two programs preparing graduates for work within the health science field. WSU is accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges under the auspices of the Higher Learning Commission.

B.S. in Health Science

The B.S. in Health Science degree provides graduates with the necessary skills to work in various health care sectors as technicians, researchers or specialists. It also provides a solid foundation for those who wish to go further in the health care field by pursuing graduate studies leading to administrative or executive positions. Students take 42 hours of required general education and core classes and an additional 49 credits specializing in health science topics.

B.S. in Health Services Management and Community Development

This is a professional degree aimed at taking graduates into planning, assessment and management of health care services across medical platforms including acute care, institutional care, and long-term care in public settings. After completing the required 42 core and general studies classes, students focus an additional 48 hours of credit work emphasizing management, economics and evidence based practices in the workplace. This degree track is accredited by the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE) Higher Education Network.

Contacts

Wichita State University
Department of Public Health Sciences
1845 Fairmount, Box 43
Wichita, Kansas 67260-0043
(316) 978-3060
phs@wichita.edu
Program Page
B.S. in Health Science
B.S. in Health Services Management and Community Development

Given the risk factors facing the health of Kansans, the demand for improved health care awareness across all regions of the state has increased. Programs at Kansas’ colleges and universities have responded with degrees for all levels of health care workers. For those interested in working to improve the quality of people’s daily lives, professionals with accredited Health Science degrees in Kansas will enjoy a meaningful career with advancement opportunities.