New B.S. in Health Sciences to address growing need for healthcare managers

The College of Health Professions at Texas State receives far more qualified applications annually than its professional degree programs can currently accommodate.

The Texas State University System Board of Regents has authorized Texas State University to offer a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Health Sciences, which will help address the state's growing demand for health managers.

The board approved the new degree during its quarterly meeting February 7 in Austin. The program will begin enrolling students in the fall of 2019, pending final approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The Health Sciences degree is part of Texas State's ongoing commitment to address the workforce needs of Texas. Health managers are key to the delivery of healthcare services, as they run the day-to-day operations in the healthcare facilities to support clinicians in caring for patients.

Program graduates would fill administrative positions in physician group practices, physical therapy providers, dental clinic administration and long-term care facilities. Careers in public health and health policy, as well as some hospital opportunities would also be available. Those graduates wanting a wider array of career options could choose to pursue a master's degree in healthcare.

Health managers are key to the delivery of healthcare services, as they run the day-to-day operations in the healthcare facilities to support clinicians in caring for patients.

"The state is experiencing dramatic population growth, dramatic growth in academic health centers, particularly along the I-35 corridor, and the demand for qualified health managers to improve the delivery of care is only going to increase," said Dr. Jaime R. Garza, Texas State University System Regent and Chair of the Academic and Health Affairs Committee. "This new Health Sciences degree gives students a direct path to enter the profession and to play an important role to ensure Texans' future healthcare needs are met."

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 72,000 new managerial openings in the healthcare field from 2016-2026—a 20 percent growth rate. The Texas Workforce Commissions projects an even stronger demand in-state, with a growth rate of nearly 30 percent predicted over that same time period.

That demand is also two-sided. The College of Health Professions at Texas State receives far more qualified applications annually than its professional degree programs can currently accommodate. The B.S. in Health Sciences will allow those students to complete their degree in a healthcare-related field, which enables them to enter the health services management field.