Daemen College : Academics & Research : Division of Health & Human Services : Health Care Studies

Health Care Studies

Goal of the B.S. in Health Care Studies Degree: 

The goal of the B.S. in Health Care Studies degree program is to ensure that graduates have a life-long commitment to maximizing health and wellness through the integration of traditional and complementary therapies in a holistic approach to health care, injury and disease prevention, and health and wellness promotion.

Department Mission Statement:

To prepare students to become knowledgeable, adaptable, reflective and service-oriented professionals by providing a combination of studies in health-related, behavioral, social, business and natural science course work directed toward development of a graduate committed to a holistic approach to health care, prevention and wellness, and health management.

Overview of the Health Care Studies Program:

• Offers a strong background in the physiological, psychological, sociological, behavioral and business aspects of health care delivery.
• Provides students with practical skills necessary for careers in a variety of health care practices.
• Incorporates service learning opportunities and a professional internship within their field of interest.
• Prepares graduates for admission to graduate or other degree programs in many professional disciplines such as those in allied health (physical therapy, physician assistant, athletic training and occupational therapy), education, public health and business administration.

Program Objectives :

• To provide students exposure to the fields of education, business, liberal arts, social sciences and natural sciences and to intergrate how the diciplines specifically relate to the practice of health care, disease prevention, and health management.
• To foster an understanding of the principles of and interrelationships between physical, mental and spiritual aspects of health and to stress the importance of a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to the promotion of health and the provision of health care services.
• To teach students how to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non-verbal) with professional colleagues, payers, policy makers, and the general public and to provide a variety of experiences to demonstrate skills.
• To critically analyze a broad spectrum of cultural, economic, ethical, moral, physiological, and social factors to be able to make sound, independent decisions regarding disease prevention and health care practice and management.
• To understand basic educational and business principles used in the design and administration of health care services and health promotion and wellness educational programming.
• To encourage and provide students with opportunities for continued personal and professional growth through internship opportunities, service learning, study abroad programs, and career opportunities and to promote lifelong learning through participation in graduate studies and or certification programs.

More About the HCS Program Concentrations:

• Community Health - prepares students to pursue careers in staff and administration positions within health care systems, insurance agencies, government and not-for-profit community health agencies; in counseling programs; as a community health educator (individualized plans of study can lead to preparation for certification such as a Certified Health Education Specialist) and for graduate programs in Public Health, Epidemiology, Community Health, Health Care Administration, Business Administration, Health Education and Social Science diciplines.
• Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practices- provides preparation for careers in consultation, and program development and service delivery in a variety of areas related to complementary health care practices. Students completing the requirements for this concentration may design individual plans of study preparing them for certifications as practitioners in select practice areas such as massage, and/or in the domains of mind-body interventions, energy therapies, biological-based therapies, and/or manipulative and body-based therapies.
• Health and Fitness Training - prepares graduates for careers in fitness and wellness consultation and in development, implementation and management of programs for performance enhancement, and injury and disease prevention. Individualized plans of study may lead to preparation for certifications such as Health and Fitness Instructor and/or Strength and Conditioning Specialist. 

Majors & Programs