Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Health Management, Policy and Information

College: Medicine
Degree: B.S.
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) Bachelor of Science degree program is designed to provide a broad background to develop the scientific and psychosocial knowledge, and an understanding of the healthcare team and the healthcare system. So that students may pursue their specialized and professional interests, three (3) interdisciplinary majors in Clinical Professions; Community Patient Care; and Health Management, Policy and Information are offered. The IMS Degree Program’s rigorous science core curriculum, individualized advising, experiential service learning, and developmental seminar and capstone course sequence enables its majors to reach their potential academically and personally, to determine a career path best suited for them, and to develop the skills, attitudes, and acumen to attain their career goals.

The program includes three to four 1-credit hour experiential seminar courses that engage students with the challenges of healthcare in community, clinical, political, and research venues. The medical sciences seminar sequence leads to a senior Capstone Course which requires the submission of a scholarly report, an analytical essay on a healthcare issue, and a poster and oral presentation at a graduation colloquia. The Capstone course meets the Scholarship in Practice and Upper Division Writing liberal studies requirements.

Resources are available to help students locate opportunities in clinics, community service organizations, hospitals, pharmacies, and physician's offices for students to engage in the various ways healthcare is accessed. Students are required to obtain a minimum of 64 hours of experiential learning hours each academic year for a total of 256 experiential learning hours before graduation. These hours must be approved by the Community Coordinator in advance.

Although housed in the College of Medicine, the curriculum is delivered by seven (7) colleges at FSU. In addition to the College of Medicine, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Human Sciences, the College of Communication and Information, the College of Nursing, the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, and the College of Social Work are IMS degree program partners.

Description of Major

The Health Management, Policy, and Information major prepares students for research or work in government, public health, hospital and clinic administration and management. Students have two (2) areas on which they can concentrate their studies; Health Information Technology or Public Health Administration and Policy. A certificate program is available for the Health Information Technology option. Students do not receive a certificate for completing the courses required for the Health Management, Policy and Information major. In order to participate and earn the certificate, students must consult with the home College offering the certificate. Certificate programs have specific requirements beyond the requirements for the Health Management Policy and Information major.

Honors in the Major
Because healthcare is a broad field of study and practice and the IMS degree spans seven colleges and numerous departments, an Honors in the Major thesis can be completed in a variety of disciplines. The Honors in the Major topics must be health related and approved by the IMS Honors Director for the College of Medicine.

The Thesis Director for Honors in the Major must be full-time tenured or tenure-track FSU faculty member appointed in one of the FSU colleges approved for the IMS majors and meet the Thesis Director requirements of the University Honors Program.

Honors in the Major requires junior standing, a 3.20 GPA on at least 15 semester hours at FSU and all transfer work, and completion and defense of an honors thesis for 6 hours credit under the direction of a faculty committee. To graduate with honors is a worthwhile distinction. For more information, contact the IMS Honors Director, Dr. Elizabeth Foster or the Honors Program office at (850) 644 -1841.

Prerequisite Coursework
The following are the state-wide common prerequisites. Those in BOLD are the required prerequisites that students must complete for admission into this major at FSU in preparation for the upper division major. Those in ITALIC are strongly encouraged to be taken. Students are encouraged to complete these in the freshman and sophomore years.”

1. BSC X010, X010L Biological Science I and Lab
2. MACX114 Trigonometry
3. CHM X045, X045L General Chemistry I and Lab
4. CHM X046, X046L General Chemistry II and Lab
5. PSY X012 General Psychology
6. MACX105 College Algebra*
7. MACX140 Pre-Calculus
8. BSC X011, X011L Biological Science II and Lab

*MACX105 College Algebra is a required prerequisite to each of the following courses: MACX114, MACX140 and CHMX1045.

The common degree pre-requisites for other similar majors in the State University System list the BSC X010, X010L or PSY X012, as pre-requisites but do not include CHM X045, X045L and MAC X140. BSC X085 and X086 are not required as pre-requisites for entry into the IMS degree program, but will be accepted as fulfilling major elective requirements.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semesters to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors.

Remarks
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, at least 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. At least half of the major course semester hours (30 hours) must be completed in residence at this University. After enrolling at this University, all remaining major course requirements must be completed at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.

Employment Information
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Hospital administration, Health Care Management, IT/Informatics, Medical Interpreter, Health Services Administration, Human Services Administration, Human Resources Management, Medical Secretary, Risk Manager, Health Information Tech, Lawyer, Insurance Policy Clerk, Lobbyist, Medical Billing, State and Federal Programs, Insurance Adjuster, Health Research Assistant, Health Care Administrator, Health Unit Coordinator, Medical Records Administrator, Medical Informatics Coordinator, Health Science Writer and Practitioner.

Representative Employers: Hospitals, Clinics, Assisted Living and Extended Living Facilities, Lobbyists, Public Health Offices, Healthcare Organizations, Federal, State, and Non-profit Organizations.