Bachelor of Science in Professional Health Sciences
The Department of Emergency Medical Services offers the Bachelor’s of Science degree
in Professional Health Sciences (PHS) for those students who want to have a well-rounded
background in health sciences, but do not wish to pursue a specific professional degree.
The PHS program also allows students in pre-professional programs that change their
major from specific professional degrees to apply most of their course credits towards
this degree. The program provides broad information in both health related disciplines
as well as health informatics and/or management. Graduates from this program should
be suited to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, health insurance companies,
and physicians’ offices; as well as becoming pharmaceutical reps, medical supply reps,
hospital managers’ assistants and more. They could also pursue an MPA and go into
hospital administration and many other fields.
The University of South Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Questions about the accreditation of the University of South Alabama may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.
Criteria for general admission of EMS students to the University are the same as those for all students. Please consult with the University's Admission's office for more information about admission policies and procedures.
All students are required to fulfill a 41 semester hour General Education Core and a 25 semester hour Pre-professional Core as outlined in the curriculum below. After successfully completing these courses, students may enroll in the Health Sciences component. Also, must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all pre-requisite courses and a minimum University GPA of 2.0.
The Healthcare Management Internship (PRH 475) is a structured, field-based experience that allows students to work in healthcare administration, management, or education settings. It offers the opportunity to observe leadership processes within a healthcare organization and apply leadership theories and techniques in a real-world environment. This course is only for Professional Health Science majors at this time and can replace a general elective in your degree plan. For the Spring and Fall semesters, we have a limited number of internship placements available. Please note, that this course is not offered during the Summer semester.
To fulfill the internship requirements, students must complete a minimum of 100 hours of on-site work with the hosting organization. If you are interested in applying, please contact Mrs. Amanda Clifford, the PHS Program Director, to request an application packet. Be sure to review the eligibility criteria and adhere to the application procedures detailed in the packet. Selected candidates will be notified before the start of the Spring and Fall semesters.
For further inquiries about the PHS internship program, please feel free to contact Mrs. Amanda Clifford at aclifford@southalabama.edu.
Graduates of the Professional Health Sciences (PHS) program at the University of South Alabama are well-prepared for advanced studies in healthcare-related fields. Two excellent graduate-level options include the Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a focus on health and emergency management and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Healthcare Leadership Concentration.
The MPA program is ideal for students interested in health policy, public sector leadership, nonprofit management, or emergency and disaster response. This path is especially suited for those wanting to work in government agencies, health departments, or community-based organizations where management intersects with public service.
Alternatively, the MBA in Healthcare Leadership is designed for those seeking roles in healthcare administration, operations, or executive-level leadership in hospital systems, private healthcare organizations, or health-focused startups. It provides strong business foundations with a focus on the unique challenges and strategies of the healthcare industry.
Both programs are excellent complements to the interdisciplinary background provided by the PHS degree. Students are encouraged to explore each program to determine which best fits their long-term professional goals—whether they are drawn more toward public service and policy (MPA) or business leadership and innovation (MBA).
Students are responsible for payment of all tuition and fees according to University policies and procedures. Tuition and fees are set by the University of South Alabama, upon approval of the Board of Trustees. For current information on tuition and fees, please refer to the University's Student Accounting Office.
Financial aid is available for eligible students. Interested applicants should contact the University’s Financial Aid Office.
Academic Advisor
Amber Hartman
University of South Alabama
Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions
Dean-Allied Health
5721 USA Drive North, Suite 3042
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
(251) 445-9250