Program Details
Associate of Science in Health Sciences
Associate of Science Virginia Peninsula Community College
The purpose of the Associate of Science (AS) in Health Science program is to provide a community college career pathway for students seeking health careers requiring a baccalaureate or higher-level degree. The program and its course of study is intended to provide students with a general course of study that parallels the freshman and sophomore years of Bachelor of Health Science programs at most colleges and universities. Students will be able to take this relevant transfer coursework at the more affordable community college price. The program will provide students an opportunity to complete a program that will articulate with baccalaureate degree programs in the high demand health science and health-related fields. The highlights of the curriculum include a core of courses emphasizing wellness and scientific inquiry, with a focus on three distinct tracks for students interested in the health science field: public health, exercise science, and/or pre-professional tracks in Health Professions. The program also contains the general education courses needed for transfer into a baccalaureate program. Students who are interested in transferring should meet with Academic Advising early to determine and discuss the requirements of their intended four-year institution.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | The highlights of the curriculum include a core of courses emphasizing wellness and scientific inquiry, with a focus on three distinct tracks for students interested in the health science field: public health, exercise science, and/or pre-professional tracks in Health Professions. The program also contains the general education courses needed for transfer into a baccalaureate program. |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Individuals who have already completed an associates degree should submit their transcripts for evaluation and transfer credit determination. The student development course requirement (SDV 100) is waived for those individuals. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Individuals who have already completed an associates degree should submit their transcripts for evaluation and transfer credit determination. The student development course requirement (SDV 100) is waived for those individuals. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://catalog.vpcc.edu/content.php?catoid=13&navoid=2654 |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) offers accessible education and workforce training to Virginia Peninsula residents. VPCC offers excellent educational programs developed in collaboration with other educational and industry partners, offered at affordable tuition, convenient locations, and flexible schedules. VPCC faculty deliver high-quality instruction and the small class sizes allow for more personalized attention for students. VPCC prepares students to transfer to four-year institutions or to gain employment in in-demand careers. VPCC offers scholarships, internships, and is nationally recognized for serving military members and their families. For additional information check out https://www.vpcc.edu/admissions/why.html |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | The student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance and program placement. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance and program placement |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Virginia's community colleges offer students more than the opportunity to earn a degree or certificate; they provide a gateway to the Commonwealth's four-year colleges. Through system-wide negotiated agreements, students who graduate from a Virginia community college with an associate degree and the minimum grade point average required by the four-year college are guaranteed admission to many of the Commonwealth's colleges and universities. Students should review the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for the four-year institution they wish to attend to learn more about the process: https://www.vpcc.edu/services/advising/transfer.html |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Health Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Health Science | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Marymount University | Health Sciences (BS) - Exercise Science/Strength Conditioning Specialization | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Marymount University | Health Sciences (BS) - Public Health Specialization | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Marymount University | Health Sciences (BS) - Pre-Professional Specialization | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Marymount University | Health Sciences (BS) - Physical Therapy Specialization | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Exercise Science Clinical Health (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Health Sciences (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Health-STEM Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science Specialization in Computer Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Bridgewater College | Chemistry Major - BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Biology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - General (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - Biochemistry (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - Education (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - Forensic Science (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - Research (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Coaching | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Science in Coaching | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies - Specialization in Health & PE | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Kinesiology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Life Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Sports Management | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Exercise Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Health and Wellness | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Physcial Education Teacher Licensure | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | Kinesiology & Health Sciences - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | Kinesiology & Health Sciences - Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Health and Exercise Science Major - BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Health and Physical Education Major - BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Exercise Studies: Coaching and Sport Performance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Exercise Studies: Health and Fitness | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Human Performance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Human Performance: Sports Management (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Health and Physical Education Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Lynchburg | BS in Health and Physical Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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27-2021.00 | Athletes and Sports Competitors | Compete in athletic events. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-2022.00 | Coaches and Scouts | Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
39-9031.00 | Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise. | Personal Care and Service Occupations |
25-1193.00 | Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete
