Professional Health Sciences Career Map

Awareness

First Year

• Enroll in HSC 101 (Interprofessional Freshman Seminar) to understand the requirements and opportunities within the Health Sciences Division.
• Meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising and Transfer Services office (for students with less than 30 credit hours) to discuss the administrative focus of the major.
• Develop an awareness of the 41-semester hour General Education Core and the 25-semester hour Pre-professional Core required before entering the health sciences component.
• Review the PHS Advising Guide to understand the difference between clinical and administrative career tracks.

Middle Years

• Monitor academic progress to maintain the minimum 2.0 GPA required in all prerequisite courses and for the overall University GPA.
• Identify core administrative coursework such as PRH 310 (Introduction to Health Care Management), which is a prerequisite for upper-level opportunities.
• Awareness of the specialized tracks or electives like HSC 324 (Death and Dying) or HSC 400 (Promoting Health Equity) that align with professional interests.
• Consult with the College of Allied Health Professions Advising Office (for students with 30+ credit hours) located in the Health Sciences Building.

Last Year

• Review graduation requirements to ensure all degree plan components, including the required residency hours at USA, are met.
• Stay informed about the application deadlines for the Healthcare Management Internship (PRH 475)—typically December 1st for Spring and August 1st for Fall.
• Awareness of graduate-level opportunities, such as pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) at USA.
• Confirm all "W" (Writing) course requirements are fulfilled as outlined in the university bulletin.

Exploration

First Year

• Explore the Society of Healthcare Management Students Club (SHMS Club) to connect with peers interested in healthcare administration.
• Use Involve South to discover leadership opportunities and student organizations related to health and wellness.
• Shadow or observe professionals in various healthcare fields and maintain a log of these experiences to identify specific areas of interest.

Middle Years

• Join the Healthcare Leaders Association of Alabama (HLAAL) to begin networking with professionals in the health administration sector.
• Research specific concentrations such as health informatics or health management to see which aligns best with your career goals.
• Attend USA Career Fairs to explore the variety of employers that hire PHS graduates, including hospitals, insurance companies, and non-profits.

Last Year

• Apply for the PRH 475 Internship, which provides field-based experience in healthcare administration or management settings.
• Research local and regional employers such as USA Health, which offers administrative internships to support its multispecialty healthcare delivery system.
• Meet with a career consultant to discuss graduate school coaching if planning to apply for clinical professional programs or advanced administrative degrees.

Preparation

First Year

• Build a strong profile on Handshake (Accelerate South) and reach a profile strength of 75% or higher to attract potential employers.
• Focus on developing attention to detail, statistical skills, and computer proficiency necessary for health informatics.
• Start a professional resume that includes early volunteering and job shadowing experiences.

Middle Years

• Seek out volunteer or service-learning opportunities through South Serves to build a competitive resume for internships.
• Master the basics of healthcare leadership theories and techniques in preparation for real-world application in senior year.
• Use Big Interview or other USA resources to practice interview skills for part-time healthcare roles or internship placements

Last Year

• Compile a professional portfolio that includes your internship accomplishments, certifications, and relevant coursework.
• Apply for the Healthcare Management Internship (PRH 475); note that a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for selection into this 3-credit hour course.
• Utilize AI-enhanced resume builders available through USA Career Development to tailor your application for administrative roles.