Baptist Health Sciences University Programs: Educating Future Healthcare Professionals

Baptist Health Sciences University, situated in Memphis, Tennessee, stands as a private institution dedicated to educating the region's future healthcare providers. Formerly known as Baptist College of Health Sciences, the university operates under the umbrella of Baptist Memorial Health Care. Its origins trace back to the expansion of the School of Nursing (established in 1912) and the School of Radiologic Technology.

University Structure: A Tripartite Approach

Baptist University is structured into three distinct divisions, each playing a vital role in shaping well-rounded healthcare professionals:

General Education and Health Studies: This division lays the groundwork for students entering the healthcare field. Many general education courses incorporate a healthcare focus, providing students with early exposure to relevant knowledge. These courses, typically taken during the first two years, establish a strong foundation in subjects like mathematics and science, crucial for success in professional degree programs.
Allied Health: The Allied Health division offers a diverse range of programs, awarding 2 Associate of Science degrees and 8 Bachelor of Health Sciences degrees. These programs equip graduates with the academic and experiential foundations necessary for challenging careers as clinical practitioners and leaders in healthcare.
Nursing: Recognizing nursing as a calling, the university's Nursing division offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for aspiring nurses, a degree completion program for diploma or associate degree nurses, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree for nurses seeking advanced practice roles.

Allied Health Programs: A Spectrum of Specializations

The Allied Health division at Baptist University offers a comprehensive suite of programs designed to prepare students for various specialized roles within the healthcare sector. All of these programs prepare graduates to earn credentials in their field of study and some offer multi-credentials, often referred to as 'stackable credentials.' With majors there are often multiple admission pathways to enter each area. These programs include:

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound)

Diagnostic medical sonography, also referred to as ultrasound, is a dynamic field in the area of Allied Health. This program trains students in the use of ultrasound technology to create images of the body's internal structures, aiding in diagnosis and treatment.

Medical Laboratory Science

Medical laboratory science professionals, often called medical laboratorians, are vital health care detectives, uncovering and providing information from laboratory analyses that assist physicians in patient diagnosis and treatment, as well as in disease monitoring or prevention.

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Medical Imaging Science

This program focuses on the broader aspects of medical imaging, encompassing various techniques used to visualize the human body for diagnostic purposes.

Medical Radiography

The medical radiographer, also referred to as a radiographic technologist, is a highly specialized health care professional who works closely with radiologists. They work in healthcare facilities including hospitals, outpatient clinics, surgical centers, and mobile radiographic units. Experienced radiographic technologists may advance to management positions within the diagnostic imaging department or hospital.

Neurodiagnostic Technology

As part of the health care team, neurodiagnostic technologists record electrical activity arising from the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves using a variety of techniques and instruments.

Nuclear Medicine Technology

The nuclear medicine technologist is a highly specialized health care professional who works closely with nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, oncologists, and cardiologists. Technologists administer the radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients and use specialized equipment to obtain images of the distribution of the radioactive pharmaceutical in the body.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapists treat tumors with high-energy radiation beams. They require not only great technical and scientific expertise, but also the ability to treat cancer patients with great compassion and empathy. All of these skills are addressed in Baptist University’s well-rounded Radiation Therapy program. The Radiation Therapy program prepares you for a challenging career at the forefront of cancer treatment. You’ll develop the scientific knowledge, habits, demeanor, and commitment that distinguish standout radiation therapists. Build the foundation for a long-term radiation therapy career.

Respiratory Care

This program trains students to assess, treat, and manage patients with breathing disorders and other cardiopulmonary conditions.

Surgical Technology

A Surgical Technologist is an integral member of the health care team who specializes in optimal patient care in a variety of settings. The Surgical Technologist is a skilled allied health professional specifically trained to work under direction of the surgeon to promote an adequate and safe operating room and/or environment for the surgical patient. This individual also participates in the appropriate aseptic technique, proper sterility, accurate function of equipment/instrumentation and the application of policies/procedures to care for the overall well-being of the patient.

Completion Programs and Transfer Pathways

Baptist University recognizes the needs of working professionals and offers completion programs for certified medical laboratory technicians, credentialed neurodiagnostic technologists, registered respiratory therapists, credentialed nuclear medicine technologists, and credentialed medical radiographers. These programs allow individuals with diplomas or associate degrees to earn advanced degrees specific to their professional practice and advance their careers.

Additionally, transfer pathways from community colleges and four-year colleges/universities into Allied Health bachelor degree programs are available for those with associate degrees in Imaging Sciences, Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Radiography, and Neurodiagnositc Technology, along with advanced progression (transfer) and accelerated progression (first-time freshmen) pathways for qualified students in Respiratory Care.

Nursing Programs: Fulfilling a Calling

Baptist University views nursing as a calling and provides comprehensive programs to support aspiring and practicing nurses.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Students successfully completing all degree requirements in the pre-licensure program will receive the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Upon graduation or successful completion of degree requirements (eligibility for graduation), graduates can make application to become candidates for licensure by exam as a registered nurse (RN) as awarded by the State Boards of Nursing.

BSN-DNP Program

Students successfully completing all degree requirements for the BSN-DNP program will receive the Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Upon graduation or successful completion of degree requirements (eligibility for graduation), graduates can make application to become candidates for certification in their advanced practice area of specialty. Once certified, they are then eligible to apply for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) as awarded by the State Boards of Nursing.

Clinical Experiences and Faculty

Students in Allied Health programs are instructed by nationally recognized and highly qualified educators and have clinical practice experiences in diverse healthcare settings throughout the Baptist Memorial Health Care system and other Mid-South hospitals and healthcare facilities. The education, training, and support Allied Health faculty provide prepares students to attain the professional credentials to succeed as clinical practitioners. Nursing students benefit from rich clinical experiences through a variety of settings within the Baptist Memorial Health Care system, spanning Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.

Online Learning and Financial Aid

Baptist University offers many unique programs of study with the flexibility to attend class online or on nights and weekends, with the opportunity to learn in a hospital setting. The university also provides resources to help students assess their readiness for online learning.

Recognizing the financial commitment of higher education, Baptist University offers a variety of financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants, and a tuition deferral program. In fact, 97% of our students receive some sort of financial aid. Baptist University is more affordable than many comparable universities.

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