Augusta University offers a comprehensive suite of undergraduate health professions and nursing programs designed to prepare students for competitive, high-demand careers in healthcare.
These specialized offerings include Clinical Laboratory Science, Dental Hygiene, Health Information Administration, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, and Nursing. Most of these paths utilize a convenient "2+2" curriculum structure, allowing students to complete their initial two years of general core prerequisites at any accredited college before transitioning into intensive, hands-on professional and clinical training on campus or through flexible distance-learning options. Backed by impressive national board pass rates, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and dedicated faculty, these programs equip graduates with the vital clinical reasoning, technical skills, and professional credentials necessary to excel as leaders in the modern medical workforce.
Clinical laboratory scientists perform laboratory tests to diagnose and treat disease and maintain health. In hospital settings, they analyze blood, tissues, and body fluids to detect disease. They work with sophisticated computerized equipment such as automated chemistry and hematology analyzers, GLC-Mass spectrophotometers, and thermal cyclers for molecular testing. Clinical laboratory scientists develop and evaluate new procedures, maintain quality assurance, educate health care professionals, and manage the laboratory.
Admissions Requirements | Prerequisites | Program Details
The Master of Health Science in Clinical Laboratory Science is a program for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or related science field. Upon completion of the degree the student will be eligible to sit for certification as a clinical laboratory scientist and/or a medical technologist. Admission is based on undergraduate college coursework including the overall, and math/science grade point averages (GPA). Other criteria include personal interviews and assessment of motivation and personal qualities needed to successfully complete the program. Please review the specific prerequisites and admission criteria.
Registered Dental Hygienists are credentialed and licensed health professionals who serve integral roles in the delivery of oral health care. Georgia Workforce ranked dental hygiene a field that is "fast growing, high-paying, and expected to offer plentiful job openings over the projected period."
The Augusta University Dental Hygiene program enrolled its first class in 1967, and has since maintained its accreditation status by upholding the rigorous educational standards of the profession, including the many technical standards required for success. Pass rates on national written and clinical board examinations continue to be outstanding as the program graduates professionals well-prepared for their role as dental hygienists.
Graduates of our bachelor's degree program serve the private sector and community through employment in general and specialized dental practices, government clinics, and public health agencies. Job availability is greater in rural areas and in areas not adjacent to academic dental hygiene programs. Salaries vary depending on the practice setting.
Admissions Requirements | Prerequisites | Program Details
Health Informatics encompasses understanding technology’s impact on people, developing new uses for technology and applying information technology in the context of another field. Augusta University offers an applied informatics bachelor’s degree in health information administration.
This degree prepares graduates for informatics-related roles in health care. Graduates may take a national credentialing exam to become a Registered Health Information Administrator. Augusta University grants a Bachelor of Science degree in health information administration. The program is a "2+2," meaning the student completes the first two years of the core curriculum at any accredited college of choice, and the last two years as a Augusta University student. Students begin the Augusta University program fall semester of their junior year. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the national registration exam to become a Registered Health Information Administrator. The program is offered on the main campus in Augusta and online.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists work closely with the imaging physician to diagnose and treat disease. Nuclear medicine technology combines chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and medicine in diagnostic imaging using small amounts of radioactivity.
Though there are many diagnostic techniques currently available, nuclear medicine uniquely provides information about both the structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body. It is this ability to characterize which separates nuclear medicine from other imaging modalities, such as x-ray. Nuclear Medicine procedures are safe; they involve little or no patient discomfort and do not require the use of anesthesia.
Admissions Requirements | Prerequisites | Program Details
Radiation Therapists use high energy ionizing radiation to deliver a prescribed course of radiation to treat disease. The Radiation Therapist monitors the patient during treatment and provides emotional support. The Radiation Therapist's responsibilities include accurately interpreting, verifying, administering and recording the treatment prescribed by a Radiation Oncologist. The Department of Undergraduate Health Professions offers a bachelor of science in Radiologic Sciences with a major in Radiation Therapy. Applicants must transfer sixty (60) semester hours of liberal arts courses (junior transfer). Program graduates may be eligible for the national certification exam in Radiation Therapy administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. (www.arrt.org).
The Bachelor of Science Program in Respiratory Therapy is a 2+2 program, meaning the student completes the first two years at any accredited college or university of choice, and the last two years on Augusta University’s campus. All 2+2 students begin the program fall semester after completing a core curriculum. Augusta University’s program consists of five semesters and includes classroom and clinical education. The percentage of respiratory therapists with higher degrees has increased considerably since 1992. In 2005, nearly one-third of all respiratory therapists had a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree are highly marketable for lucrative positions. Augusta University graduates are eligible to take national credentialing exams from the National Board for Respiratory Care, leading to designations of certified and registered respiratory therapist, certified and registered pulmonary function technologist and competency recognition as a perinatal/pediatric respiratory care specialist and certified asthma educator. These credentials are recognized nationally and internationally. First-time pass rates for Augusta University graduates are well above the national average.
Admissions Requirements | Prerequisites | Program Details
Augusta University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program provides students the opportunity to apply didactic knowledge in a variety of hands-on and simulated clinical settings, and lays the groundwork for continuing one’s professional education at the graduate level. The BSN graduate will be prepared to provide safe, effective care to individuals across the lifespan at various stages of wellness and illness. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.