WGU BS in Health Science

[Jonathan Whatley]

Did WGU read our thread from last week about how they're rapidly launching one BS after another with similar titles and content in Health and Human Services, Psychology, and prospectively soon Public Health… and decide that they weren't launching enough such degrees, so they should launch another almost instantly?

Because they just now launched a BS in Health Science.

Picturing a bot at WGU headquarters continously generating related degree titles they can fill with mostly the same courses. BS in Mental Health. BS in Human Studies…

(I kid with respect.)

[sanantone]

This program looks like a combination of the Health and Human Services program and Psychology program.

[bjcheung77]

Cool, interesting to know, I guess some of the WGU staff actually are doing some work to improve their offerings, at least some team or another is looking into the 'inter-web or webber-net' to see if there are complaints, recommendations, etc...

[Courcelles]

91 CUs only? Is this their shortest bachelors ever?

[Blkqueen8]

91 CUs only?  Is this their shortest bachelors ever?

Yes, this is their shortest bachelor's degree. I'm pre-enrolled right now with only twelve classes to go. I was told all classes besides the capstone will be open June 1st. The capstone will open in September. I'm set for a September start. Per my transcripts evaluation I have twelve classes to go. But I've completed one on Sophia and am starting one more tomorrow.

[bjcheung77]

Interesting indeed, what's the max transfer into the degree? This is an awesome option for those entering or wanting to get into the health fields... I'd recommend checking out their partners.wgu.edu and see what classes can and can't be transferred into the degree, create a spreadsheet and complete the max before you begin. Hopefully they can transfer all but 10 classes like UMPI and other CBE options.

[Blkqueen8]

The maximum you can transfer in is 62 credits, or 68% of the coursework, which would leave 9 courses.

Currently, I have 51 credits that have been approved. I took Anatomy and Physiology II along with the lab from Sophia last week, and I'm taking Intro to Stats next, which combined will give me 59 credits in all. The only remaining course I could transfer in is Intro to Epidemiology, but I do not see that listed with any of the competency-based partners.

[sarahmac]

I wouldn't be surprised if this, at least in part, isn't for their massive volume of military students. The degree title and CIP code determine which AFSC/MOS an officer can hold. Pysch, Public Health, and Health Sciences degrees generate a very different range of AFSC's using the USAF as an example (e.g. Public Affairs, Force Support, Intel vs. Public Health Officer vs. ). See here: https://www.recruiting.af.mil/Portals/78...WPvA%3D%3D

Even if WGU is reusing content and the programs are similar on paper, the only thing the DOD cares about is the CIP and degree title. So limited effort on WGU in exchange for attracting a different "set" of students.

[bjcheung77]

That's interesting, maybe they're just starting to 'merge' programs and in the future will look into expanding this to include proper CIP coding, target specific students, etc, they're a huge online institution, just like SNHU, both are trying to scale their LMS properly. Accreditation is most important, but having secondary issues such as the CIP mentioned is a good thing to work on...

[Blkqueen8]

I believe the main purpose of this degree is to give those in the medical field a quick bachelor's. There are plenty of therapist (respiratory, for example) and technicians that may not have their degree. Secondly, it targets people seeking a master's in the medical and/or science field a bachelor's so that they can continue on with their studies.

Most of my credits are from science courses and my associates degree is in Science and Math. This degree aligns more with my future goals then their Health and Human services degree.