Health Sciences

Health science is the application of science to health, including the study of medicine, nutrition, and other health-related topics and how they affect humans.

An aging workforce, new technologies, and growing demand for experienced healthcare professionals make now the perfect time to enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences submajor degree completion program from the UW-Milwaukee College of Health Sciences.

Now available in the self-paced, competency-based UW Flexible Option format, this degree completion program offers students the opportunity to build on an associate level education and develop or strengthen skills in critical thinking, problem solving, information literacy, informatics, management, and education in the health professions. Graduates will be prepared to assume a wide range of roles within both clinical and non-clinical settings such as hospitals and other patient care facilities, government organizations, or insurance companies. This program may also provide the foundation required for entry into advanced degree programs such as physical or occupational therapy, physician’s assistance, and more.

This program is designed for returning adult learners with previous healthcare experience and an associate degree in a related healthcare field. There is no time like the present to expand your career opportunities by earning your Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences submajor. Stay competitive in today’s job market and improve your opportunity for career advancement or career change. Best of all, your health related associate’s degree and active credentials have already earned you 50% of the required bachelor’s degree credits.

Career Outlook

Healthcare is one of the most diverse employment fields today, and healthcare professionals are in increasingly high demand. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare field is expected to produce 2.3 million new jobs between now and 2024. Positions in this field range from clinical work, with frequent patient contact, to office work at private corporations. Because healthcare is such a diverse field, there is great opportunity for professionals to move both laterally and upward as career interests and goals change.  

Who Should Apply

The UW Flexible Option is especially designed for self-motivated, adult students who want to leverage their previous schooling, work skills, and knowledge to advance toward a degree. Students have control over their learning schedule, allowing them to balance their unique work and family responsibilities with their educational goals. The online format of UW Flexible Option coupled with the elimination of set class schedules, gives students the freedom to learn when and where they choose.

This self-paced program is ideal for:

• Professionals holding an associate degree in a healthcare-related field and an active certification or license in a health related profession. Associate degree holders will be awarded 60 credits toward the 120-credit degree completion minimum.
• Motivated, disciplined self-starters who can work independently.
• Those who recognize the value of a University of Wisconsin degree.

About UW-Milwaukee College of Health Sciences

The UW-Milwaukee College of Health Sciences is widely recognized by employers for offering the largest number of health-related degree programs in Wisconsin, supplying quality graduates for high-demand positions. The research conducted by  the UWM College of Health Sciences faculty and staff encompasses groundbreaking urban and population studies, biomedical research, advances in movement science, rehabilitation research and development, applied clinical technologies, and disease-prevention approaches. These activities are supported by the resources of four academic centers and 13 state-of-the-art laboratories within the college, and millions of dollars in funds from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Education.

Accreditation

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools. 

MEET OUR FACULTY

This degree completion program requires a minimum of 120 credits for completion. Upon admission to UW-Milwaukee and confirmation of your health-care related associate degree, you will be awarded 60 credits toward completion of your degree. The remaining 60 credits include General Education Requirements necessary for a UWM bachelor’s degree, any elective requirements, and the unique competency sets that define this program:

Lower Division Competency Sets

Upper Division Competency Sets

Check out the complete list of competency sets offered through UW Flexible Option.

The UW Flexible Option offers working adults a more affordable way to earn a UW degree or certificate. Instead of paying by course or by credit, you pay a flat rate for a three-month subscription period. You won’t spend valuable time or money sitting through courses you don’t need. If you already know the material, you may be able to pass assessments more quickly and potentially accelerate your time to graduation.

During your subscription period, you are able to access learning materials, complete assessments, and receive academic support. Subscription periods begin on the second day of every month. You can choose from two subscription options, each with a different tuition, depending on the number of competency sets you wish to attempt during the subscription period. Not sure what a competency set is? Check out our sample competency set to see one for yourself.

• All-You-Can-Learn Option: Choosing this option allows you to enroll in two or more competency sets. You may enroll in as many competency sets as you can successfully master within a three-month period for a flat tuition rate of $2,250. This option is ideal for motivated learners who would like to earn their degrees or certificates more quickly.
• Single Competency Set Option: If you would like to study at a slower pace during a three-month subscription period, you may enroll in a single competency set. As with the All-You-Can-Learn Option, you must successfully demonstrate mastery of each competency in the set through a series of assessments. The tuition for this “one set per subscription period” model is $900. Note: After the tenth day of the subscription period, students who are enrolled in the Single Competency Set level are not eligible to add additional competency sets during their subscription period. Such students must wait until a subsequent subscription period to add additional competency sets.

Additional Fees: Tuition covers assessments and mentoring, but excludes the cost of books and other special materials that may be required for your program.

Ready to take control of your future and fulfill your goals and dreams? You’ve come to the right place!

If you haven’t already read our Frequently Asked Questions, please do so now to gain a better understanding of the UW Flexible Option before you apply for admission.  You may apply for a start date five months in advance, but no later than one month in advance. All of your application materials must be received by us a full month in advance of your desired start date.

Guidelines and Applying for Admission

Our admission review process considers many factors when assessing your application for admission to a UW Flexible Option program. Your high school records, strength of prior college coursework, rigor of curriculum and academic readiness, test scores, grade point average, academic goals, relevant work experience, and your potential for success will all be considered. If you have not connected with one of our helpful UW Flexible Option Enrollment Advisers yet, please contact us at 1-877-895-3276 or via email at flex@uwex.edu to discuss your readiness for this program.

Some academic programs also require specific preparation before you will be considered for admission. The UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences degree completion has the following requirement: To be considered for admission, you must have completed an associate degree in a healthcare related field. An electronic copy of your active registry card or certification will be required.

International students are not accepted into UW Flexible Option programs at this time.

Students New to UW Flexible Option

Once you have spoken with a UW Flexible Option Enrollment Adviser (1-877-895-3276) to determine whether this innovative education option is right for you, your next step is to formally apply. Keep in mind that when you apply to a UW Flexible Option program, you are applying to the institution granting the degree or certificate. The requirements for admission and graduation are the same as if you were applying to a traditional on-campus or online program.

To apply for admission to a UW Flexible Option program:

1. Complete the online University of Wisconsin System Application for Undergraduate Admission, found at apply.wisconsin.edu.
2. Submit the application processing fee. A $50 nonrefundable fee is required for students applying as degree-seeking candidates to a UW System campus. The fee is not required if any of the following is true:
   >Your last campus at which you were pursuing a degree was one of the 2-year UW Colleges or UW Colleges online, or
   >You previously were pursuing a degree at the campus to which you are now applying, or
   >You are pursuing a non-degree certificate program at UW-Milwaukee or UW-Parkside
3. Send transcripts. We require official transcripts, sent directly from your high school of graduation (beginning with grade 9) and all post-secondary institutions you have attended. If you did not graduate from high school, completion of a GED and an official copy of your scores are required.  Please have your official transcripts sent either electronically via a secure credentialing service such as Parchment or Credentials or have your official transcripts mailed to:
   UW Flexible Option Enrollment Team
   UW-Extension – Continuing Education, Outreach & E-Learning
   5602 Research Park Blvd., Suite 303
   Madison, WI 53719
4. Complete the Holistic Student Profile. Each student enrolling in UW Flexible Option is provided with academic guidance and coaching that is tailored to meet individual needs. To assist our team in preparing the best path for you, you are asked to complete our Holistic Student Profile.  A link to this brief online survey will be provided when we receive your application.
5. Complete Orientation, Part 1. After you have submitted your application, you will be sent a link to Orientation, Part 1. This required online orientation session will explain the key features of competency-based education, UW Flexible Option, what makes us different from other programs, tuition and financial aid opportunities, and next steps in the admission process.
6. Be sure to review important dates to remember

Students Returning to the UW Flexible Option 

If you were previously enrolled in the UW Flexible Option and now wish to return after a period of time away, discover your next steps.

Residency Requirement

Most University of Wisconsin System campuses require students to complete a specific number of credits “in residence” to earn a degree. (“Resident credits” are credits earned at the campus granting the degree.) Transfer students are responsible for fulfilling these residency requirements.

UW-Milwaukee’s resident credit policy

Transfer students must complete at least 30 credits with UWM, even if this brings the total number of earned credits beyond the total number of credits required for the degree. For example, if you enter a UW Flexible Option program with 100 transferable credits, you must complete 30 credits with UWM to receive the bachelor’s degree (even though normally the degree requires 120 credits).

Placement Tests

Placement tests are designed to measure prerequisite skills that help us place you into the correct college-level English and math competency sets.

You will be asked to take a placement test if:

• You are a new freshman student who has not previously attended college
• You are a transfer student who has not completed any college-level English and/or math courses

If you fit one of these categories but previously took placement tests for another UW campus within the last 2 years, you will not be asked to take the tests again.

During the application process for UW Flexible Option, you will be notified if a placement test is required. If you are required to take a test, an Admissions Specialist will explain the process and provide you with instructions to make arrangements. A variety of testing options are available to meet your needs.

It is important that you complete your placement tests in a timely manner—preferably as soon as possible after you learn they are required. Test results must be received by no later than the first day of the month prior to your subscription period start date. This allows your Academic Success Coach time to talk with you about the appropriate English or math level at which you should begin your studies, and ensures that you have enough time to enroll in your required competency set(s).

Still have questions about the admission process?  Check out our Admission FAQ page.