Study
Health Sciences
at South College
in Knoxville

Are you looking to build a broad foundation of knowledge in health science? In South College’s Associate of Science in Health Science program, you’ll study anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, nutrition, pathophysiology, and physics—foundational topics for a wide range of healthcare fields. Upon completing this program, you will have worked to prepare to continue your education in a specific health professional area or pursue entry-level healthcare positions.

Pursue your future goals in nursing with South College’s Associate of Science in Health Science (Pre-Nursing) program. This program is designed to provide opportunity to establish the foundation needed to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. All of the required prerequisite courses to pursue admission to the South College BSN are included in this program. To get you ready to pursue your interest in nursing, you’ll study anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, nutrition, and more. You’ll also take courses that provide you with an overview of the nurse’s role in healthcare in order to prepare you to pursue your goals in the nursing program. Upon completing this program, you’ll be prepared to apply for admission to the BSN program or to pursue a variety of entry-level health profession positions.

South College’s Associate of Science in Health Science (Pre-Pharmacy) program includes all of the foundational courses needed for students who plan to apply to our Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. If you complete South College’s AS in Health Science (Pre-Pharmacy) program followed by our PharmD program, you can earn 3 degrees in as little as 5 years—an AS in Health Science (Pre-Pharmacy), a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science (Pre-Pharmacy), and a Doctor of Pharmacy.

The health sciences field encompasses many exciting and challenging opportunities. South College’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Science program is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in the pure and applied health sciences that can prepare you for pursuing admission to graduate program or a variety of professional roles. Whatever your goals, our BS in Health Science can be the first stepping stone to a rich and fulfilling future.

Are you interested in working in the physical therapy field and helping people regain their health and mobility? In South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Pre-Physical Therapy) program, you’ll focus on developing the foundational knowledge and complete the prerequisite courses to pursue admittance to our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. In addition to taking general education courses, you’ll study anatomy, physiology, biology, physics, and chemistry.

You’ll also focus on topics in healthcare administration, healthcare law and ethics, health science research, health economics, and health science leadership. If you choose not to pursue a DPT program, you may choose to pursue a variety of health profession opportunities.

Are you interested in becoming a physician assistant? These important healthcare providers practice medicine with physician supervision and improve access to medical care by expanding a physician’s practice base. South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Pre-Physician Assistant) program can help you start the journey of preparing to pursue admittance to a graduate physician assistant program.

In this program, you’ll work to develop the foundational knowledge and complete the prerequisite courses needed to apply to our Physician Assistant Studies master’s program. You’ll focus on building a strong base in general education courses and health science courses in anatomy, physiology, biology, physics, chemistry, and more. You’ll also focus on topics in healthcare administration, healthcare law and ethics, health science research, and leadership strategies. If you later choose not to pursue a PA program, you may choose to pursue a variety of health profession opportunities.

In South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Concentration in Computed Tomography, you’ll work to gain advanced skills, knowledge, and training for using CT and other imaging technology to provide physicians with quality images to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

This program is open to qualified individuals who have already graduated from a JRCERT or regionally accredited radiography, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine program and want to further their education with a bachelor’s degree. You’ll also be equipped to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and/or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) post-primary Computed Tomography (CT) certification examination.

In South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Concentration in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, you’ll work to gain advanced knowledge and training in such areas as digital imaging, advanced patient care, and special topics. The program offers tracks either in Abdomen-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Abdomen/OBGYN) or Adult Echocardiography.

As you grow your sonography and patient care skills, you’ll also focus on topics in healthcare administration, healthcare law and ethics, leadership strategies, and current trends and issues in the field. As a graduate, you’ll have worked to supplement your knowledge and skills in sonography to pursue advanced positions within a healthcare team, including management roles in imaging departments.

In South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Concentration in MRI, you’ll work to gain advanced knowledge and training for using MRI and other imaging technology to provide quality images for physicians as they diagnose, monitor, and treat a range of medical conditions. This program is designed for individuals who have graduated from a JRCERT-accredited or regionally accredited radiography program and want additional training in MRI. As a graduate, you’ll have worked to supplement your knowledge and skills in imaging to pursue advanced positions within a healthcare team, including management roles in imaging departments, and may choose to seek ARRT certification.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Concentration in Nuclear Medicine is designed to equip you with advanced knowledge and training in using nuclear medicine technology to create diagnostic images. The hybrid learning model combines the best aspects of online learning with in-person collaborative clinical education. As a student, you can gain hands-on experience in a variety of real clinical settings. In addition to clinical competency, courses cover areas that include healthcare administration, healthcare law and ethics, and leadership strategy.

As a graduate, you’ll have worked to prepare for pursuing advanced healthcare positions, including management roles in imaging departments. Graduates may sit for the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board examination to become a certified nuclear medicine technologist.

Non-RT Track: Students who have not completed a radiography program will follow the non-RT program track.

RT Track: The RT track is open to qualified individuals who have completed a radiography program. Eligible students may receive credit hours toward their bachelor’s degree by transferring courses from their radiography program.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science program with concentration options in Imaging Sciences is designed to prepare students to assume leadership roles in the field of Imaging Sciences. In this program, you’ll work to gain advanced knowledge and training in using radiographic equipment to provide quality images to physicians as they diagnose, monitor, and treat a range of medical conditions. Upon completion, you’ll also be eligible to apply to write the certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Post PTA) program is designed for students who have completed a physical therapy assistant (PTA) associate degree and want to apply their credits from that program toward a bachelor’s degree. By earning your bachelor’s degree, you may expand your opportunities for administrative and other roles as a PTA. It is also a key requirement if you wish to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Have you completed an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) associate degree and now want to apply those credits toward a bachelor’s degree? South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Post OTA) program is one of the few programs nation-wide to offer this option, which can save you a great deal of time and expense as you continue your education.

Have you completed a respiratory therapy (RT) associate degree and now want to apply those credits toward a bachelor’s degree? South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Post-RT) program is one of the few programs nation-wide to offer this option, which can save you a great deal of time and expense as you continue your education.

Balancing theoretical and practical coursework, the Post-RT bachelor’s degree program is designed to grow your knowledge in areas like biology, chemistry, healthcare administration and management, psychology, and more. By earning your bachelor’s degree, you may expand your administrative opportunities and other roles in today’s competitive and evolving healthcare and RT work environments. This program can also help equip you to pursue graduate studies.

If you have earned an associate degree in surgical technology (ST), earning a bachelor’s degree could make you more competitive for administrative roles in surgical technology or healthcare. Advancing your education could also help you qualify for teaching positions in allied health education programs or prepare you to pursue graduate studies.

South College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Post-ST) program is one of a limited number of programs nationwide to allow students to apply previously earned surgical technology course credits from an accredited institution toward a bachelor’s degree, potentially saving you time and expense on your education. The Health Science (Post-ST) bachelor’s degree program is designed to grow your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The core curriculum includes biology, chemistry, and the social sciences, while our major courses cover advanced surgical procedures along with numerous topics important in healthcare administration.