Bachelor’s Degrees in Healthcare
Create Positive Change in Healthcare With a Healthcare Bachelor’s Degree
Pursue a career in a healthcare field with a bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions. With an enduring tradition of preparing students to fill evolving roles in the healthcare industry, GCU offers a variety of undergraduate healthcare degree programs to help you find your purpose, for example:
- If you are interested in pursuing a career on the administration side of the healthcare field, we offer a healthcare administration degree.
- If your calling is a career providing direct patient care at the bedside, consider our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, offered on our main campus in Phoenix.
- Those with a non-nursing background who are interested in changing careers are welcome to apply to our accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, available in various locations.
- If you’re already an RN with an associate degree, learn more about our RN to BSN degree program.
Students who transfer in the maximum of 90 credits, including six upper division, may be able to complete the core courses in as little as 12 months.1
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GCU’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions strives to develop healthcare professionals who have a focus on promoting health, wellness, safety and quality care. Our healthcare programs embrace an evidence-based curriculum designed to inspire critical thinking and analytical reasoning among our students, not only to prepare them to sit for the licensure exam with confidence but also to empower them to prioritize the best interests of their patients at all times.
GCU aims to graduate healthcare professionals who serve their patients, organizations and communities with integrity and a servant leadership mindset. Our commitment to the Christian perspective is reflected throughout each healthcare bachelor’s degree program.
Healthcare Bachelor Degrees FAQs
GCU has compiled the following frequently asked questions and answers about healthcare professions and our degree programs. You can use the following information as a starting point for further research into your academic and career options.
There are various types of undergraduate healthcare degrees for you to choose from when preparing to enter the healthcare field. You can choose a degree that best complements your desired focus area, such as a degree in nursing, health sciences, public health, healthcare administration or nutrition and dietetics.
A bachelor’s degree in an area such as nursing or health sciences can be a gateway to jobs in the healthcare field. For example, a BSN degree can allow you to work as a registered nurse, while those with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences may be prepared with knowledge that is applicable to a number of different roles in the healthcare industry.
A Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration degree may be a great option for those looking to pursue healthcare administration careers. An undergraduate healthcare administration degree aims to provide you with concepts and skills to work strategically within healthcare organizations.
The healthcare field not only offers a variety of different career paths but also promising job growth and opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for healthcare occupations to be much faster than average from 2022 to 2023, accounting for an estimated increase of 1.8 million job openings in the field per year.3 In addition, you may find a healthcare career to be a meaningful choice, as it can allow you to serve others in need within your community.
Undergraduate Healthcare Degrees and Pathways
Explore our various degree and bridge pathway options below to find the one that best suits your career goals, passions and lifestyle.
Prepare to tackle modern healthcare challenges and position yourself for various entry-level roles with a Bachelor of Science from GCU. Our BS degrees embrace an evidence-based curriculum yet are rooted in faith, with the aim of graduating competent, ethical healthcare professionals.
Further your career in clinical disciplines with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. As a health sciences student, you will examine patient care, risk management, professional ethics, organizational leadership and more.
Prepare to work strategically within healthcare organizations of all sorts, managing daily operations and leading with vision and purpose. The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration explores healthcare business competencies, financial management, organizational dynamics, leadership, professionalism and other core concepts in healthcare management and administration.
With a BSN, you'll have the opportunity to learn how to become a confident, practice-ready nurse. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can provide you with an opportunity to develop strong clinical skills in experiential learning environments, as well as competencies in evidence-based nursing theory. Prepare to sit for the NCLEX-RN® and care for patients at the bedside or in a variety of work settings.
Examine best practices in caring for the health of others on a community-wide or regional basis. The Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree examines the role of community health professionals in data collection and analysis, program planning and implementation, community outreach and professional communications.
Health information accuracy and confidentiality are important aspects of modern healthcare organizations. Explore foundational competencies in digital records technologies, best practices and regulatory compliance — all designed to enhance patient care and safety — with the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management degree.
In addition to GCU’s healthcare bachelor’s degree programs, the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers numerous bridge pathways designed for individuals with an academic background in a field other than healthcare or nursing.
Examine how technology and healthcare can intersect and support healthcare data collection, management and security with the Bridge (Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Health Informatics) program. Prepare to work at the forefront of technological innovation in healthcare settings.
Prepare to tackle public health nursing coursework at the graduate level with the Bridge (Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Public Health Nursing) program. Work through a curriculum that examines preventive, therapeutic and intervention methods applicable to diverse populations.
The Bridge (Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner) is well-suited to licensed registered nurses, including those with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) who would like to pursue graduate education and board certification in family nursing. Examine advanced topics in assessments, diagnostics and treatments through the lens of culturally competent care.
Focus on both business competencies and healthcare excellence with the Bridge (MBA and MSN with an Emphasis in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems) dual bridge program. This program is designed for licensed nurses with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree who wish to pursue graduate-level education using a foundation of advanced nursing practice and leadership competencies.
The Purpose of GCU's Nursing Bridge Pathways
A bridge pathway can help you transition into an advanced nursing degree if you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. At GCU, we offer a bridge to MSN pathway that consists of seven courses, designed to prepare you to enter the MSN programs. The length of time it takes to complete different bridge pathways varies. Fill out the form on this page and a university counselor will reach out to answer questions and help you understand your path to earn your MSN.
GCU designs its educational programs with the needs of modern students in mind. Many of our degree programs enroll online students. Alternatively, you may choose to take courses on campus as a member of an evening class cohort, or you may choose a hybrid learning approach. All learning modalities offer opportunities to be taught by accessible faculty who are experienced in their fields.
1 The entire program requires 120 credits.
2 Military One Source. (2023, July 28). How to use the military tuition assistance program. U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved Feb. 21, 2024.
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Healthcare Occupations, retrieved Feb. 21, 2024.
4 Niche. (n.d.). 2024 best colleges for nursing in Arizona. Retrieved Feb. 21, 2024.
5 Secondary Applicants must transfer a minimum of 60 of the required 123 credits or have completed a baccalaureate degree which includes nine prerequisite courses/labs and 10 general education courses prior to starting the core nursing courses, which can be completed in as few as 16 months. Direct Entry Applicants that do not transfer 60 credits but meet the minimum requirements can complete these credits through GCU prior to starting the core nursing courses. Depending on the state where student has enrolled or intends to complete the program, student may require additional courses. This may include, but is not limited to, additional general education courses, courses in the major, clinical courses, or a different course sequence. See University Policy Handbook.
If you are ready to apply for a healthcare undergraduate degree or bridge program at GCU, or have additional questions, we're here to help!