This is an Associate of Applied Science degree program in Health Sciences that will provide a pathway for students who are currently enrolled in or have completed a Certificate level program in an Allied Health Sciences discipline from any TBR institution, or are currently credentialed as allied health/nursing practitioners who wish to continue their formal education and earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. Allied Health Sciences discipline-specific core credits may be earned by current enrollment in appropriate allied health sciences courses, transferring credits earned at a Tennessee Technology Center or an allied health sciences certificate program from a community college, or portfolio assessment of college-level learning gained through employment related to an allied health discipline. In addition to the 15/16 credit hours of General Education core courses currently required for an A.A.S. degree, students will complete a 3 credit hour course in Health Science Supervisor Management (HSCI 2000), two additional Allied Health courses (Healthcare Contemporary Issues-HSCI 2010, and Special Topics in Health Science-HSCI 2800-2899) and 9 credit hours of guided electives.  The number of elective hours depends on the number of credit hours earned from a health sciences certificate program or experiential portfolio evaluation.

The purpose of this degree is to provide a degree program that is specific to students who are enrolled in or have completed a Certificate level Allied Health Sciences or vocational nursing program at a community college or a Tennessee Technology Center. To provide a flexible opportunity for licensed allied health practitioners without discipline-specific postsecondary education to earn college credit for work experiences that can be applied toward a relevant associate degree and provide a relevant degree program for allied healthcare practitioners that include college-level coursework in management and leadership applicable to a healthcare setting.

Summary of Required Hours