Two students talking to each other while sitting outside.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Sciences

A Degree Designed to Support Your Academic Well-Being

The bachelor of science (B.S.) in applied health sciences allows undergraduate students to customize their academic pathway towards applying to an accredited undergraduate/graduate healthcare program and entry-level healthcare and wellness careers.

Our program is also uniquely designed to provide an academic home to support every student.

Your academic well-being is our first priority so that you can focus on learning and reaching that most important goal – to graduate and move to the next step of your life with the confidence of a UNLV Rebel.

We are here for you.

Program Outcomes

  1. Microcredentials in holistic patient communication, research methods and bioethics in healthcare, and workforce development in health sciences
  2. Hands on experience organizing and promoting community service projects
  3. Healthcare career information
  4. Exposure to professional healthcare providers, students, and interns
  5. Experience using artificial intelligence like ChatGPT
  6. Practices to mitigate healthcare worker burnout

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020), the employment outlook for all healthcare-related professions is expected to increase by approximately 14% by 2028. Students who graduate with a bachelor’s of science in applied health sciences can help alleviate the critical need for professionals in various health-related fields in Nevada and beyond.

Program Structure

Two unique features of our program include our focus areas and our focus tracks.

three people examining a person lying down

Focus Areas

Focus areas are based on the healthcare industry you wish to pursue after the completion of your bachelor’s degree. The focus track you choose will shape your coursework to help achieve your targeted professional goals. You can select one of the following:

  • Applied Health Sciences
  • Comprehensive Medical Imaging
  • Dentistry
  • Health Physics
  • Medicine
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Physical Therapy
students wearing red scrubs

Partner Programs

Applied Health Sciences supports students registering for the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Science of Health Physics
    • Health Physics Track
    • Pre-Professional Track
  • Bachelor of Science of Comprehensive Medical Imaging
    • CT/MRI Track
    • Radiography Track
    • Sonography Track

Our Program’s Mission and Values

Our mission is to meet you where you are today, so together, we can carve the path toward your success tomorrow. Our purpose is to support you - because your life matters. In all we do, we are driven by the following core values:

  • Compassion: We embrace and teach the science of compassion because in healthcare and life, compassion heals.
  • Equity: Ensuring an equitable pathway is literally our mission. In the words of Caroline Belden, we strongly believe that “equality is leaving the door open for anyone who has the means to approach it; equity is ensuring there is a pathway to that door for those who need it.”
  • Honesty: We respect you and we respect your time. Therefore, we will hear your voice, answer your questions, help you find resources, and create a sensible timeline. Honestly.
  • Purpose: Our purpose is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to become a socially aware healthcare and wellness professional.
Headshot of Sharon Jalene
“Every person on our team faced challenges while completing their goals in higher education. These experiences forged the design of the B.S. of applied health sciences. We are uniquely committed to ensuring you have the support you need to succeed in health and wellness care fields. You belong here.”
Sharon Jalene, Ph.D., Founding Director

Your Applied Health Sciences Partners

The applied health sciences team will work alongside you, providing support services aimed at supporting your academic well-being, college experience, and professional success. Partners include:

  • Faculty Mentor: A faculty mentor is an experienced professor who guides and supports undergraduate students during their college journey. Faculty mentors will play an important role in students' success with this unique opportunity for individual support and feedback. Additionally, this faculty mentor will have weekly availability for hands-on support and communication.
  • Peer Mentor: Peer mentoring programs pair students with a more experienced peer to help them navigate the transition to UNLV. Peer mentors are role models who provide emotional support and validation, assist their mentees in navigating campus resources, and help mentees with goal development and achievement by providing guidance, support, and accountability.
  • Academic Advisor: Students will have the ability to have hands-on and individual academic advising to assist with navigation throughout their academic journeys. Academic advisors will provide students with specific and individualized communication pertaining to degree progress and course credits earned. The academic advisor serves to ensure that all students are presented with the ability to succeed within this program.
  • Student Leadership Advisory Board: The student leadership advisory board serves as a voice for undergraduate students within the applied health sciences program. The advisory board will oversee registered, student-led, on-campus organizations (RSO) and will take primary responsibility in collaboration with the rest of the board.
  • Tutors: UNLV and applied health sciences tutors offer support to students with the goal of fostering independence in learning, encouraging persistence through college, and assisting you to reach your goals.
  • YOU @ UNLV: YOU @ UNLV brings all of UNLV's resources into one platform, making it easier for students to find the tools they need to maintain their mental and physical wellness.

The Applied Health Sciences Team

Sharon Jalene, Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs / Assistant Professor-in-Residence
Headshot of Sharon Jalene
Mail Code: 3034
Phone: 702-895-3946

Imani Brown, M.S.

Administrative Program Coordinator for Applied Health Sciences
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Phone: 702-895-2746

Jaime Carbajal, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor-in-Residence
Jaime's Headshot
Mail Code: 1099
Phone: 702-895-3946

Christian Ison, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor-in-Residence
Portrait of Christian Ison

Chrissie Choa, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(ARRT)

Visiting Lecturer
Photo of Chrissie Choa
Phone: 702-895-3296

Jeremy Meronuck, D.M.A.

Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Retention, Progression, and Completion (RPC)
Portrait of Jeremy Meronuck
Mail Code: 3065
Phone: 702-895-4988

Contact

If you have any questions or inquiries about the applied health sciences program at UNLV, please email ahs.support@unlv.edu.