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The innovative healthcare leadership specialization is an option for students who major in health studies. The courses for the specialization can be completed entirely online, however, the Bachelor of Science in Health Studies program may have face to face requirements.

This plan of study is for students in the 2025-26 and after catalog requirements. The academic advising guide sheet promotes student success by guiding all students to timely completion their degree.

System General Education Requirements

• SGR 1: Written Communication (six credits required)
• SGR 2: Oral Communication (three credits required)
• SGR 3: Social Sciences (six credits required)
  • Required course: PSYC 101 General Psychology (three credits)
• SGR 4: Arts and Humanities (six credits required)
  • Required course: MCOM 151 Introduction to Mass Communication (three credits)
• SGR 5: Mathematics (three credits)
• SGR 6: Natural (six credits)
  • Required course: CHEM 106 General Chemistry I (three credits) and CHEM 106L Chemistry Survey Lab (one credit) or CHEM 112 General Chemistry I (three credits) and CHEM 112L General Chemistry Lab (one credit)

*SGR denotes System General Education Requirement. These requirements are common across the entire South Dakota regental system. There are six System General Education Goals for which general education has been designed for meeting student outcomes.

Major Requirements

• BIOL 221 Human Anatomy (three credits)
• BIOL 221L Human Anatomy Lab (one credit)
• BIOL 325 Physiology (three credits)
• BIOL 325L Physiology Lab (one credit)
• CHRD 353 Ethics and the Helping Professions (three credits)
• HIM 150 Introduction to Digital Health Informatics and Information Management (three credits through Dakota State University)
• HLTH 220 Social Determinants of Health (three credits)
• HLTH/BLAW 451 Public Health Law (three credits)
• HSC 301 Theory of Innovative Healthcare Leadership (three credits)
• HSC 401 Application of Innovative Healthcare Leadership (two credits)
• HSC 401L Application of Innovative Healthcare Leadership Practicum (one credit)
• HSC 451 Innovative Healthcare Leadership Capstone (one credit)
• HSC 451L Innovative Healthcare Leadership Capstone Practicum (two credits)
• HSC 452 Interprofessional Issues in Health Care (three credits)
• HSC 480 Telehealth for the Interprofessional Team (three credits)
• LDR 210 Foundations of Leadership (three credits) or LDR 310 Leadership in Context (three credits)
• LDR 435 Organizational Leadership and Team Development (three credits)
• NURS 119 First Year Seminar (two credits)
• NURS 201 Medical Terminology (one credit) or HIM 130 Basic Medical Terminology (three credits through Dakota State University)

Focus Area

Students will select at least one focus area for a total of 12-17 credits.

Focus Area No. 1: Health Science Minor

• HDFS 210 Lifespan Development (three credits; credits count toward SGR 3 requirement)
• HSC 212 Contemporary Health Problems (two credits)
• HSC 443 Public Health Science (three credits)
• HSC 445 Epidemiology (three credits)
• NURS 201 Medical Terminology (one credit; major requirement)
• Select 6 credits from the  electives list (six credits)

Focus Area No. 2: Health Communication Minor

• CMST 201 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits; credits count toward SGR 3 requirement)
• CMST 440 Health Communication (three credits)
• CMST 441 Current Issues in Health Communication (three credits)
• HLTH 220 Social Determinants of Health (three credits; major requirement)
• Select six credits from the following:
  • HDFS 210 Lifespan Development (three credits)
  • HSC 212 Contemporary Health Problems (two credits)
  • HSC/ WMST 260 Women’s Health Issues (three credits)
  • HSC 402 Rural Healthcare Matters (three credits)
  • NUTR 221 Survey of Nutrition (three credits)
  • or NUTR 315 Human Nutrition (three credits)
  • SPAN 308 Spanish for the Health Professions (three credits)

Focus Area No. 3: Health Informatics and Information Management Minor (through Dakota State University)

• HIM 130 Basic Medical Terminology (three credits through Dakota State University; major requirement)
• HIM 150 Introduction to Digital Health Informatics and Information Management (three credits through Dakota State University; major requirement)
• HIM 225 Digital Health Information Systems Credits (three credits through Dakota State University)
• HIM 444 Digital Health Technology Credits (three credits through Dakota State University)
• Select two courses for six credits from the following:
  • HIM 265 Health Data Quality and Outcomes (three credits through Dakota State University)
  • HIM 364 Healthcare Standards and Interoperability (three credits through Dakota State University)
  • HIM 380 Digital Health Data Analytics (three credits through Dakota State University)
  • HIM 440 Healthcare Information Governance (three credits through Dakota State University)
  • HIM 450 Digital Health Informatics and Information Management Research (three credits through Dakota State University)

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Upon completion of the Health Studies (B.S.) – Innovative Healthcare Leadership Specialization, students will: 

1. Demonstrate the ability to lead healthcare teams and organizations by implementing innovative practices that improve care delivery, patient outcomes and organizational efficiency.
2. Apply critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making to address challenges in healthcare, developing effective solutions that align with ethical standards and legal requirements.
3. Exhibit strong communication and interpersonal skills necessary for leading diverse teams, engaging stakeholders and advocating for positive change in healthcare settings.
4. Demonstrate knowledge related to healthcare policy and financial management, equipped to make informed decisions that contribute to the sustainability and innovation of healthcare organizations.