(Media release from Georgia Highlands College):
The website Intelligent.com recently ranked Georgia Highlands College (GHC) as having one of the most affordable online Bachelor of Science in Health Science programs in the country – and the degree is growing in demand across the region.
The program, established in 2020, provides graduates with access to numerous careers in the field of healthcare in Northwest Georgia, as well as an access point to medical school.
“Northwest Georgia and Metro Atlanta have numerous healthcare systems that are all growing,” Luke Mashburn, Division Chair for the Atrium Health Floyd School of Health Sciences, said. “We have recently introduced concentrations that focus on some of the most exciting areas of health science, including public health, exercise science and social and behavioral health.”
And with the college’s robust pre-preprofessional, or pre-medical program option, Mashburn says students will have the opportunity to pursue almost any role in health science, from community health specialists to medical doctors.
“Our new concentrations really let students drill deeper into the area they want their career to focus on,” Mashburn said. “This allows our students to choose the right track for them and allows the students to take the courses that graduate schools, including med school, physical therapy school or occupational therapy school and pharmacy school, require for admission.”
To further prepare students for a career upon graduation, the Atrium Health Floyd School of Health Sciences offers internship opportunities and the ability to earn certifications as a student. Classes are taught by instructors with industry experience, including members of senior leadership at Atrium Health Floyd.
In addition, the college has articulation agreements and partnerships with multiple institutions, including the Trinity School of Medicine, which provides prioritized admission for qualified GHC graduates. Other colleges include the University of West Georgia and Moorehouse College.
“Our pre-professional track is not just a pre-med program – it’s really a ‘pre-anything’ program,” Mashburn said. “The key aspect of that track is the flexibility of the guided electives. Students can work with their advisor to make sure they’re taking the courses required by the medical schools they want to apply to.”
The Intelligent.com ranking assessed 64 universities and colleges in its rankings and compared 107 education programs.
