Health Science is not a profession in itself; rather it's a body of knowledge and set of skills that enable the student to develop expertise in health-related areas. Armstrong Atlantic State University's health science program allows students to focus in one of the following emphasis areas: public health promotion and education, health services administration, health & fitness management, and allied health. Students wishing to design, implement, teach and manage health delivery systems will learn the fundamentals of program planning, implementation and evaluation, and the intricacies of the skills necessary to assist those who strive to maintain their health and the health of others. The Health Services Administration track includes the administration and management of health care programs in a variety of settings, including hospitals, group practices, the private sector, the health and fitness industry, sales, gerontology, and public health. The Public Health track covers the improvement of the quality of life and overall well being by assisting individuals, communities, and societies to adopt healthy behaviors, policies, and environments. Employment settings may include public health programs, private sector programs, corporate wellness programs, gerontology, and the health and fitness industry. In the Health and Fitness Management track students are responsible for optimizing the health and performance of those involved in sporting activity at all levels. Employment settings may include hospital-based wellness centers, corporate wellness programs, nonprofit wellness programs, and health and fitness centers. The Allied Health track is a bridge program for those who already possess an associate's degree and wish to pursue the bachelor's degree. Applicants must be regularly admitted students to Armstrong Atlantic State University, and in good standing with the university to be admitted to the program. Contact the department for specific information on how to complete the application process. A separate application is required.

There is a need for health science professionals in health service settings for two reasons. First, the economics of our health care delivery system demands that Americans significantly reduce health care costs and provide more efficient health services. Second, the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in this country are largely preventable and are related to a person's life-styles and health choices. With these reasons in the forefront, a paradigm shift is now underway in the health sciences, which will place further emphasis upon the skills of qualified health promotion and education, health administration and fitness professionals. Armstrong's health science program has been designed with these present and future needs in mind. A health science graduate will find employment opportunities in a variety of health promotion, enhancement, rehabilitation, management and education areas. Educational and administrative opportunities in programs exist in the following areas: : : life-style risks nutrition : : fitness : : acute care and chronic disease management : : weight reduction : : substance abuse and rehabilitation : : epidemiology : : practice management : : growth and development The health science graduate will find these opportunities in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, public and nonprofit health organizations, wellness centers, fitness centers and spas, and industry. Our health science graduates work in the southeast in many of these settings; however, many of our students choose to defer employment so that they may pursue a master's degree.