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Toledo Campus: Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences

Health Sciences

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Start your career and extend your career options with a degree in the allied health field

Mercy College of Ohio’s Associate of Science degree in Health Sciences provides an opportunity to explore health professions and allied health fields. It serves as a launchpad for students interested in either the clinical or administrative sides of healthcare. The program provides a solid foundation for students who may wish to take the time to explore the right career path.

Program Overview

Whether you're looking for a career in allied health or ready to build on existing knowledge and experience to progress in your career, earning an Associate of Science in Health Sciences degree will help you reach your educational and professional goals.

The fundamentals of this program equip you to explore a wide variety of health professions and continued education. The program provides an academic gateway to other Mercy College programs including the Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of Science of Nursing Pre-licensure, and Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration Completion.

Why pursue a health sciences degree?

  • 2-year program commitment
  • Starts your career right away
  • Transitions smoothly into bachelor's degree education
  • Helps you explore various health professions
  • Provides a solid background in healthcare

What health professions can you start with this degree?

Students who don't continue their education in another healthcare program typically explore careers like:

  • Medical record administration
  • Health informatics or health information technology
  • Medical laboratory technician
  • Health science writing
  • Medical assistant
  • Pharmacy technician

For those who wish to prepare for admission to a health-related program of study at Mercy College, the courses outlined in this program of study are equivalent to the freshman and sophomore years of a Bachelor of Science Degree Program. The natural sciences, mathematics and general education courses outlined in this degree provide the foundation for a bachelor’s degree in a health field.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Associate of Science in Health Sciences will be:

  1. committed to social engagement, demonstrating the knowledge and skills required to be an active participant in the betterment of society.
  2. committed to intellectual inquiry, able to identify, evaluate, and propose solutions to problems in creative ways.
  3. effective communicators, able to write, speak, and listen as a professional in the graduate’s chosen field.
  4. proficient with ethical reasoning, using the Mercy Values as part of graduate’s everyday decision-making process.
  5. professionally competent, displaying the capacity to successfully join the workforce in one’s desired field upon graduating.

Admission Requirements

General College Admission Requirements are located in the Enrollment Management section of the college catalog.

Requirements for Clinicals

Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.

To earn the Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences students must complete all college requirements for an Associate of Science Degree including the following:

General Education Requirements

Specific courses are required by the program.

Complete All of the Following Courses:

Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
ENG 102 English Composition II 3

Math, Statistics and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
MTH 130 College Algebra 4

Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
PSY 201 Lifespan Psychology 3

Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity (includes Religious Studies) (GAHR/GAHD) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
REL 290 Medical Ethics 3
SOC 211 Cultural Diversity 3

Natural Sciences, Technology and Innovation (GNST) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 220 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
BIO 221 Anatomy and Physiology II 4

Additional hours from one or more of the above categories - 9 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3
MTH 140 Introduction to Statistics 3

Required Health Sciences Program Course Requirements

Complete the Following Program Course:

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
HSC 100 Introduction to Health Careers 3

Health Sciences Program Elective Course Requirements

Complete 23 Credit Hours from the Following Courses:

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 210 Microbiology 4
CHM 210 General College Chemistry I 5
CHM 211 General College Chemistry II 5
COM 260 Public Speaking 3
HIT 105 Medical Terminology 3
HCA 105 Productivity Applications for Healthcare Professionals 3
Up to 10 Credit Hours of Program Approved Electives 10

Complete 3 Credit Hours of General Elective Courses

Printable Version

Semester I

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
HCA 105 Productivity Applications for Healthcare Professionals 3
HIT 105 Medical Terminology 3
HSC 100 Introduction to Health Careers 3
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
MTH 130 College Algebra 4

Semester II

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
ENG 102 English Composition II 3
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3
BIO 210 Microbiology 4
MTH 140 Introduction to Statistics 3

Semester III

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 220 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
CHM 210 General College Chemistry I 5
COM 260 Public Speaking 3
SOC 211 Cultural Diversity 3

Semester IV

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 221 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
CHM 211 General College Chemistry II 5
PSY 201 Lifespan Psychology 3
REL 290 Medical Ethics 3
General Elective 3

Sample program of study for Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences.

Graduates of the Associate of Science in Health Sciences will be:
  1. committed to social engagement, demonstrating the knowledge and skills required to be an active participant in the betterment of society.
  2. committed to intellectual inquiry, able to identify, evaluate, and propose solutions to problems in creative ways.
  3. effective communicators, able to write, speak, and listen as a professional in the graduate's chosen field.
  4. proficient with ethical reasoning, using the Mercy Values as part of graduate’s everyday decision-making process.
  5. professionally competent, displaying the capacity to successfully join the workforce in one’s desired field upon graduating.

Program Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Entrance into Mercy College of Ohio requires either an earned diploma from an accredited high school, a homeschooled program in a college preparatory course of study, or a general equivalency diploma (GED).

Following are the requirements for admission to Mercy College of Ohio:

  • Cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher or a general equivalence diploma (GED) recipient with a score of 500 (score of 53 prior to 2002).
  • ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) test scores