Get a feel for what it's like to complete your degree at SCPS
Curious about what your experience would be like as a BPHM student at SCPS? Explore information below from resources available to assist you to common academic schedules. If you have questions, reach out; we're here to help.
The curriculum of the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management (BPHM) includes general education, health science technical requirements and electives, major core requirements, and advanced (restricted) electives. A total of 120 credits are required to complete the BPHM degree: at least 60 credits are completed at UVA and are combined with transferable credits at admission from other regionally accredited institutions.
BPHM students must complete two humanities/fine arts courses (6 credits) and three social sciences/history courses (9 credits). At least 3 credits for the general educational requirements must deal substantially with a non-Western culture. Typically, the general education courses will be taken from B.I.S. Program online course offerings.
Students will complete 33 credits of Major Core Requirements courses at UVA. The core requirements focus on competencies required for success in health care: communication, relationship management, professionalism, knowledge of health care and business skills, and business principles and leadership. The following courses are considered Major Core Requirements:
| PSHM 3010 | Introduction to Health Care Management: Applying Concepts to Practice |
| PSHM 3080 | Legal & Ethical Decision-Making in Health Care |
| PSHM 3805 | Health Information Systems & Applications |
| PSHM 4020 | Management of Health Care Organizations |
| PSHM 4300 | Introduction to Population Health: Programs, Policy & Epidemiology |
| PSHM 4400 | Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences |
| PSHM 4600 | Service Excellence in Health Care: Quality Improvement & Customer Service |
| PSHM 4650 | American Health Care: Challenges & Opportunities |
| PSHM 4700 | Economics & Finance of Health Care |
| PSHM 4900 | Capstone Course I: Development of the Health Sciences Management Project |
| PSHM 4950 | Capstone Course II: Health Sciences Management Project: Implementation |
Students will also complete 12 credits from UVA in the Advanced Restricted Electives category.
| PSHM 3050 | Current Issues in Health Care (1 credit) - Recommended for first semester |
| PSHM 4050 | Understanding Diversity in Health Care |
| PSHM 4052 | Global Health Care |
| PSHM 4200 | Women’s Health Issues: Access, Treatment & Policy |
| PSHM 4750 | Organizational Behavior & Leadership in Health Care |
| PSHM 4800 | Health Sciences Management Internship I (2 credits) |
| PSHM 4801 | Health Sciences Management Internship II (1 credit) |
| ACCT 2010 | Introductory Accounting I |
| HR 4020 | Human Resources Management |
| HR 4030 | Organizational Change & Development |
| IT 3220 | Strategic Business Value of Information Technology |
Commerce Essentials
SCPS BPHM students are eligible to take UVA McIntire School’s Commerce Essentials micro-courses, which are half-credit courses offering bite-sized modern business content and skills to support you on your path to success. Created by some of UVA's and the McIntire School's most distinguished faculty and partners, Commerce Essentials are highly flexible and delivered on demand. Explore courses currently offered.
Students will take Commerce Essentials courses on a credit/no credit basis. Advisor approval is required for registration.
The BPHM degree is completed on average in 3-4 years by enrolling in 2 courses per term (assuming 60 transferable credits at admission). Since course loads are flexible, time to completion varies. The annual schedule, which includes Fall, Spring and Summer courses, is provided for general informational purposes and is subject to change. Please note that SCPS may cancel, modify, or make substitutions as deemed necessary in any given semester.
PSHM 3010 An Introduction to Healthcare Management: Applying Concepts to Practice (Required)
PSHM 3050 Current Issues in Healthcare (1-credit, Elective)
PSHM 4020 Management of Health Care Organizations (Required)
PSHM 4052 Global Health Care (2-credits, Elective)
PSHM 4650 American Healthcare: Challenges & Opportunities (Required)
PSHM 4750 Organizational Behavior & Leadership in Health Care (Elective)
PSHM 4800 Health Sciences Management Internship (1-2 credits, Required)
PSHM 4900 Capstone I: Development of Health Sciences Management Project (Required)
HR 4020 Human Resource Management (Elective)
PSHM 4050 Understanding Diversity in Health Care (2-credits, Elective)
PSHM 4300 Population Health: Programs, Policy & Epidemiology (Required)
PSHM 4400 Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences (Required)
PSHM 4600 Service Excellence in Health Care: Quality Improvement & Customer Service (Required)
PSHM 4700 Economics and Finance of Health Care (Required)
PSHM 4950 Capstone II: Implementation of Health Sciences Management Project (Required)
IT 3220 Introduction to Information Technology (Elective)
PSHM 3080: Legal & Ethical Decision-Making in Health Care (Requirement)
PSHM 3805 Health Information Systems & Applications (Requirement)
PSHM 4200 Women’s Health Issues: Access, Treatment & Policy (Elective)
PSHM 4800 Health Sciences Management Internship (2-3 credits, Required)
There's a reason the student graduation rate at SCPS is more than twice the national average: our staff and faculty understand the demands adult learners face. We want to see you succeed, and we are committed to providing a high level of support and individualized attention every step along the way.
Prior to the beginning of each term, orientation is held for new students. As adult learners juggling the commitments of work and family, many of you will encounter challenges on the way to your degrees. Orientation is just the first step in connecting with the team of people, including your fellow students, who will help you navigate as you embark on this exciting journey.
Academic advising is foundational to SCPS undergraduate degree programs and to the success of its students. SCPS staff assigns each new student an academic advisor who assists in course selection and planning during their time in the program. For information, please contact Julie May, Associate Professor and Academic Administrator, SCPS Degree Programs – jsm9z@virginia.edu.
SCPS offers resources to support students in their writing! Learn more through this video:
The SCPS Writing Center is an excellent resources for BIS and BPHM students to connect in a creative, safe space to work on their writing. During the week, the center offers multiple opportunities for drop-in support during which time you may receive one-on-one help and advice with your writing.
Whether you need help getting started on a writing project, need assistance with your grammar, or need help refining text, the writing center is here to help you gain confidence and be successful.
We know life can be complex, and we’re here to make sure learning online won’t be. If you have questions or need support, you’ll find the help you need 24/7. Learning is delivered seamlessly through Canvas, honed over years of use and continually updated to ensure your experience is easy and intuitive. You’ll have access to UVA’s complete Canvas support resources, and if you have questions, the Canvas support team is available around the clock, every day of the week.
Technology extends well beyond your learning platform, so whether you have issues with connections, passwords, or software, the UVA Information Technology Services team has you covered. You can chat, call or email for support and expect a quick response no matter the time of day or day of week.
The information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.