In May 2020, NCHSE finalized work on the development of a four-course health science curriculum framework to demonstrate how to efficiently and effectively deliver a health science program in its entirety while also providing a clear path enabling students flexibility in choosing a health science program of two versus four semesters. The framework is based on the National Health Science Standards (NHSS – May 2019).
The first two courses, Foundations of Healthcare Professions and Essential Healthcare Practices are introductory health science courses with service-learning projects consisting of basic skills conducting vision screenings, vital signs and blood pressures in various facilities such as schools and nursing homes. Courses Human Structure, Function, and Disease (A) and Human Structure, Function, and Disease (B) dive in depth into anatomy and physiology while applying coursework into real world work-based opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeships in health clinics, hospitals. nursing homes, and more.
During these courses, health science programs can focus on a specific healthcare pathway(s) such as nurse and medical assisting, mental health worker, sports medicine, pharmacy technician, etc. This four-course curriculum framework serves as an example of various possibilities for secondary health science programs to help facilitate development of high quality programs. These courses may be delivered in order, in a different order or independently.
The Foundations of Healthcare Professions (Course 1) [PDF]
The Foundations of Healthcare Professions (Course 1) [Word Document]
Essential Healthcare Practices (Course 2) [PDF]
Essential Healthcare Practices (Course 2) [Word Document]
Human Structure Function, and Disease (A) (Course 3) [PDF]
Human Structure Function, and Disease (A) (Course 3) [Word Document]
Human Structure, Function, and Disease (B) (Course 4) [PDF]
Human Structure, Function, and Disease (B) (Course 4) [Word Document]