QUANTICO, Va. — The U.S. Naval Community College officially began accepting applications for its Associate of Science in Health Science program on Monday, Apr. 1.

USNCC worked with Western Governors University to provide this naval-relevant degree program focused on health and medical capabilities. The new degree offers foundational and experiential knowledge in health science management, planning, coordination, processes, and protocols.

“Medical roles are the backbone of the fleet, from those serving stateside at hospitals to those abroad on warships and other sea vehicles,” said USNCC’s President Randi R. Cosentino, Ed.D. “This key expertise covers a wide span of military specialties and needs from emergency operations to medical science and investigation as well as the most important humanitarian missions in the world. The USNCC is so excited to help strengthen the intellect and competencies of our service members so that they can better serve those in need and enhance the naval operations that keep our seas safe.”

The associate degree includes the Naval Studies Certificate, a five-course, fifteen-credit program based on naval sciences courses taught in the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval ROTC programs. The courses are Naval Ethics and Leadership; Modern Naval History; Naval Force Design and Concepts; Civilian and Military Relations, Organization, and American Government; and the capstone course Introduction to the Geopolitical Environment.

“Our institution is committed to elevating the careers and contributions of our enlisted forces, and this effort provides an opportunity to shape the future of naval medicine. Education has proven to be crucial to mission success as a warfighter enabler, and programs like this can help commands strengthen our teams and sustain the operations of the most powerful naval services in the world,” remarked Command Master Chief Jordan Rosado, USNCC’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader.

The Health Science degree is fully completed online through a CBE (Competency-Based Education) model and delivers an established pathway to a four-year degree in health science at WGU with little to no loss of credit. Included in the degree is the Health Science Certificate. The degree helps learners understand and apply communications, critical thinking, scientific principles, and problem solving to healthcare and health services support.

“WGU is delighted to be the largest partner of the United States Naval Community College and to serve our nation’s maritime services. This new accredited Associate of Science in Health Science degree is innovative and offers a unique pathway to our Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree or even to a nursing degree. It will be of great value to those pursuing healthcare careers such as Hospital Corpsmen or Health Services Technicians. WGU offers the most flexible means of attaining a degree, and students progress as fast as they are able,” said WGU’s Director of Military Engagement Julia Gage.

Active duty enlisted Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen and Coast Guard Reservists can fill out an application on the USNCC website, www.usncc.edu.

Story originally posted on DVIDS: US Naval Community College Begins Accepting Applications for Health Science