Health and nursing

In this program, you'll gain expertise in conducting scientific research and applying biomedical concepts in clinical, academic and industrial settings. You’ll explore fundamental concepts in biological sciences, chemistry, physics and statistics and the ability to understand and apply core biomedical concepts. Additionally, you’ll examine the role of medicine in society and can take courses related to cancer, neurobiology, medical anthropology and more.

This bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field.

Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Science in biology
• Master of Science in computational life sciences

The difference between biological science and biomedical science

Biomedical science is focused on human health, disease and medical applications. Majoring in this discipline prepares you for careers where you’ll apply scientific knowledge to improve human health; whether in research, diagnostics or healthcare settings. It’s a versatile field with opportunities in academia, industry and healthcare systems.

Biological sciences is broader, covering all life forms and their interactions. If a more expansive biology curriculum better aligns with your career and postgraduate goals, consider our main biological sciences bachelor’s degree.

Learn biology like you never thought possible

This program’s innovative courses enable new ways of learning and applying skills. Narrative storytelling tools such as Dreamscape Learn allow you to explore virtual worlds as a scientific investigator. In this interactive 2D environment, you’ll gather and analyze data to solve realistic problems in biology. Actively participating in the story will deepen your understanding and strengthen your problem-solving skills. Additional practical learning opportunities may include at-home lab kits, internships and research.

Additionally, you’ll gain hands-on learning by completing labs in person for certain chemistry and biochemistry courses on ASU’s Tempe campus.

Learn more about in-person lab sessions and how to prepare.

This time-efficient and cost-effective pathway enables you to earn an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in nursing simultaneously. You’ll take the required coursework to become a registered nurse (RN) in person at your community college. At the same time, you’ll complete coursework 100% online to earn a BSN at Arizona State University.

Coursework in this program builds on the knowledge you acquire in your ADN program. You’ll learn about nursing theory, research, public and global health, management and more. The curriculum includes a variety of assignments and clinical practice experiences that’ll strengthen your communication, clinical reasoning, problem-solving and interprofessional skills. As an RN to BSN graduate, you’ll gain the skills needed to excel in the face of health care reforms, advances in technology and ongoing discoveries in evidence-based practice, such as:

• Client advocacy to facilitate positive change.
• Clinical knowledge and skills for state certification.
• Critical thinking, clinical reasoning and problem solving.
• Nursing management and leadership skills.
• Professional communication (oral and written).
• Research in evidence-based practice.

The benefits of earning a BSN

As health care evolves, the field of nursing demands skilled practitioners who can improve patient outcomes. Today's nurses go beyond providing bedside care. They become respected researchers and leaders in the development of evidence-based practices to advance nursing.

The National Academy of Medicine recommends that 80% of all nurses have a BSN by 2030. Further, early-career registered nurses should possess a four-year BSN degree at a minimum, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

As a BSN graduate, you may have more job opportunities, improved job security and be considered for more competitive roles than nurses who don’t have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Additional benefits to earning a BSN include:

• Career advancement opportunities.
• Higher salary.
• Improved patient outcomes, including lower mortality rates and lower failure to rescue rates.

How does a concurrent enrollment program work?

If you’re a current associate degree in nursing student who wants a higher level of knowledge in nursing, this program may be right for you.

This innovative concurrent enrollment program is designed to accelerate your pathway to a nursing career while minimizing your costs. A pathway for academic progression, this program allows for continuous, dual enrollment in both an associate degree in nursing through a regionally accredited community college and a bachelor’s degree in nursing through ASU Online. Ultimately, you can graduate at the same time with both degrees.

This program is for those actively admitted or enrolled in a regionally accredited clinical nursing program at a community college. If you already have your ADN, check out the traditional online RN to BSN program.

You can also register for an upcoming live, virtual information session to learn more about this program and other undergraduate programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

Disclaimer: Students must be admitted to an associate degree nursing program at a regionally accredited college. Additionally, due to legislative regulations, applications aren’t accepted from those living in certain states. We strongly recommend you visit our state authorization page to learn how ASU is authorized to operate in your state, policies for out-of-state students and program exceptions.

Health care compliance ensures that health care providers and related businesses, such as insurance companies, follow necessary regulations to reduce risks like fraud and abuse. Compliance professionals play a key role in developing and maintaining plans that meet standards and overseeing adherence to these rules. By doing so, they help create a safe and effective environment for both patients and employees.

This was the first bachelor’s program in the nation to earn accreditation from the Compliance Certification Board. Upon successfully completing this health care compliance degree, you’ll have the opportunity to sit for CCB certification exams.

The skills you’ll develop in this program

This program blends business, engineering and compliance best practices with a focus on health care and related fields. You’ll develop skills in:

• Accreditation standards and auditing.
• Auditing and risk assessment.
• Billing and coding compliance.
• Health care system regulation and participation rules.
• Root-cause analysis.
• Security and privacy compliance oversight.

You'll also strengthen your critical thinking, problem-solving and ethical decision-making skills, all essential in the highly regulated health care industry. Effective compliance management requires a deep understanding of complex regulations and the ability to make informed, ethical decisions. The program emphasizes the ever-changing nature of laws and policies, preparing you to monitor new developments and adapt.