General Education Courses

As a college exclusively dedicated to preparing healthcare professionals, Bellin College offers general education courses that are catered to students with an interest in healthcare. The General Education program espouses the following goals:

  • To provide students with broad knowledge and intellectual concepts to complement their healthcare specialization.
  • To provide students with intellectual stimulation that encourages lifelong learning.

Along with these goals, the General Education program supports the following program outcomes:

  • Students will communicate effectively through writing and speaking.
  • Students will identify and apply mathematical and scientific reasoning skills in problem-solving.
  • Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills.
  • Students will exhibit an understanding of the processes of the natural world and human interaction with it.
  • Students will display an understanding of honest and ethical behavior and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.

All currently enrolled Bellin College undergraduate students take the General Education Core Classes, which consist of the following*:

BI 156: Anatomy & Physiology I
BI 256: Anatomy & Physiology II
CH 122: General Chemistry
CM 100: Health Communication
DI 202: Diversity Issues in Healthcare
EN 115: Composition and Professional Writing
MA 101: College Algebra
PH 202: Introduction to Medical Ethics
PS 105: Introduction to Psychology

*Suitable upper-level substitutions exist for some classes; Bellin College does accept substitutions from transfer institutions.

The broad knowledge students gain from the General Education program provides a foundation for students to succeed in their majors and ultimately in their professions. Critical thinking, communication, scientific and mathematical literacy, ethical decision-making, and an appreciation for diversity are among the highlighted aspects of the program.


View the General Education Discipline Reference List

Non-Degree Seeking Application

Spring 2024 Course Offerings 

BI 256: Anatomy & Physiology: 4 credits (3 credits, theory; 1 credit, lab)

Spring semester: Face-to-face

The second of a two-course sequence, this course provides a lecture and laboratory study of the structure and function of human cells, tissues, organs, and body systems as they relate to human health and biology. The course stresses homeostatic control systems and coordinated body functions with an emphasis on the cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive system. Prerequisite(s): BI 156 Anatomy & Physiology l or transfer equivalent.

BU 221: Healthcare Economics: 3 credits

Spring semester: Online

Healthcare spending has been rising immensely for decades, now accounting for a significant portion of the US economy and federal budget. Health economics is an increasing field and is a significant part of public policy in all countries throughout the world. The choice on how to pay and provide healthcare has direct effects on the wellbeing of consumers and producers of healthcare nationwide, while also playing a key role in national economic performance. In this course the students will cover a number of topics including basic economic concepts essential to healthcare, aspects of healthcare in the US, as well as healthcare reform. The students will apply economic principles to a range of important healthcare policy questions.

CH 122: General Chemistry: 4 credits (3 credits, theory; 1 credit, lab)

Spring semester: Face-to-face

This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and the skills process in the understanding of general chemistry. Topics covered are: metric system, problem-solving, periodic relationships, chemical reactions, equilibrium, properties of water, acids, bases, salts and gas laws as well as an introduction to organic chemistry. Students focus on skill development, communication and problem-solving. Critical thinking skills are developed as students learn to collect and analyze data and work out the correct solutions.

CM 100: Health Communication, 3 credits

Spring semester: Hybrid

This course is an introduction to one of the fastest growing areas of the communication discipline: health communication. The course surveys current issues, theory, and research surrounding health communication, and focuses on a variety of issues, such as perceptions of health, provider–patient relationships, health organizations, health campaigns, intercultural issues, and the use of new communication technologies in healthcare. Students gain practical experience with communication in healthcare in a variety of simulated contexts.

DI 202: Diversity Issues in Health Care: 3 credits

Spring semester: Face-to-face

This course uses a multidisciplinary approach to introduce the student to the historical, sociological, anthropological, and cultural resources for understanding the issues of diversity in health care in the America experience. It introduces the student to the ongoing issues of diversity which continue to be part of the practice of health care today. (Human Diversity elective)

DI 212: World Religions: 3 credits

Spring semester: Online

World Religions provides a survey of the major religions of the world. Students gain an introduction to the history, beliefs, practices, and sacred texts of primal religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, and others. Key historical and contemporary religious leaders are discussed in detail. Prerequisites: None

HD 300: Adulthood and Aging: 3 credits

Spring semester: Online

This course is designed to give students an accurate understanding of the psychological changes that individual’s experience as they grow across the adult life span: young adult, middle adulthood and older adults. Students will examine the life span from an inter-professional perspective, stressing the interaction of physiological, psychological, cultural, and social aspects of human development while examining the dynamic forces that underlie and produce changes. The course will emphasize the need for identifying the ever-changing relationships between the individual and society that help to shape the experience of aging and emphasizing the topical areas in which psychological change occurs.

HS 308: Nemesis: Disease and the Battle to Defeat It: 3 credits

Spring semester: Online

This course focuses on several diseases that have been the scourge of mankind throughout history. It will examine the details of major diseases from the Black Death to Ebola. Students will look at the major characteristics of specific diseases and the social, political and economic impact on human populations in the United States and throughout the world. Students will also study the battle to prevent, conquer, or cure these diseases, and identify the primary personalities who fought these battles. (General elective or Humanities elective)

MA 230: Statistics: 3 credits

Spring semester: Online

This course introduces students to descriptive statistics, both graphical and numerical, elementary probability, general and sampling distributions, and the fundamentals of statistical inference, including hypothesis testing, correlation, and T-testing. Statistical concept in healthcare highlighted included the
difference between correlation and causation, mortality and morbidity, and efficacy and effectiveness.

PH 202: Introduction to Medical Ethics - 3 credits

Spring semester: Online

The medical field is comprised of an almost inexhaustible array of ethical issues. In this class, we will lay the groundwork of ethical theory and then quickly analyze ethical issues in clinical practice and social justice issues in the medical field. We will then turn to particular ethical issues, such as organ transplantation, stem cell research, euthanasia, abortion, and genetic enhancement.

PH 360: Contemporary Issues in Healthcare: 3 credits

Spring semester: Online 

This course focuses on important issues currently facing the medical community and society at large. Topics may include cultural approaches to healthcare, disability and aging, the history of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, end of life decisions, the use of technology and electronic health records, social and political approaches to healthcare and the cost of healthcare, ethics surrounding pregnancy, vaccine ethics, medical errors, and overtreatment, among others.

PH 370: Environmental Philosophy - 3 credits

Spring semester: Online

With the onset of climate change and issues of resource depletion, experts have warned that we are in the midst of an environmental crisis. This course will analyze the environmental crisis from both a conceptual and an ethical point of view. The students will look at the empirical elements of the current crisis, the conceptual roots of the crisis and the ways to change our understanding of the human relation to the environment by examining different ways in which to expand the realm of moral consideration to include animals, plantstand even the land as such. The students will then look at particular ethical issues that are related to the environment, which may include population and consumption, anthropogenic climate change, environmental justice and issues related to environmental health ethics, including food ethics, pollution and wasteland health effects related to climate change.

PS 110: Developmental Psychology: 3 credits

Spring semester: Face-to-face

Developmental Psychology studies human growth and development across the entire lifespan. Students learn the characteristics of development from conception to death and the various influences on the development of human beings. Topics include the biological, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional aspects of human development.

WL 101: Yoga: 1 credit

Spring semester: Face-to-face

In this course, students practice foundational yoga poses to improve strength, flexibility, and balance in the body. Emphasis is placed on bringing awareness and mindfulness to the body through practicing a series of poses and breathing techniques to promote a mind body connection.

WL 103: Fitness and Nutrition for You: 1 credit

Spring semester: Face-to-face

Fitness and Nutrition for You will explore both emerging and established topics pertaining to fitness and nutrition.  This course covers fitness and nutrition principles as applied to one’s own food and exercise choices to build a foundation of health for one’s future.


Summer 2024 Course Offerings 

BU 320 Foundations of Healthcare Management – 3 credits

Summer: Online

This course expands the student’s knowledge of the organization and function of health care systems and their interrelationships. Concepts of planning, organizing, team building, staffing, and controlling will be discussed as they relate to the mission, values, and strategic initiatives of the system/organization. Quality improvement and the utilization of resources to deliver optimum health care at a reasonable cost will be addressed. (Business elective)

CM 100 Health Communication – 3 credits

Summer: Online

This course is an introduction to one of the fastest growing areas of the communication discipline: health communication. The course surveys current issues, theory, and research surrounding health communication, and focuses on a variety of issues, such as perceptions of health, provider–patient relationships, health organizations, health campaigns, intercultural issues, and the use of new communication technologies in healthcare. Students gain practical experience with communication in healthcare in a variety of simulated contexts.

DI 326: The Immigrant Experience in Modern American and Its Implications for Healthcare – 3 credits

Summer: Online

This course brings to light the often-untold stories of refugees and immigrants seeking to make a home in America by focusing on the modern immigrant and refugee experience of various different groups, all relevant to either or both Northeast Wisconsin and America in general. Students explore how and why these populations of immigrants and refugees come to America and the immense challenges they face in a new country with a special eye towards implications in the context of healthcare.

EN 204: Gender, Equity and Health - 3 credits

Summer: Online

This course explores the impact of intersectionality and gender in the healthcare experiences of both caregiver and patient, specifically focusing on issues of gender, gender identity, race, and socio-economic status. By bringing together personal accounts of caregivers and patients (in memoirs, books, and film) with scientific research and institutional norms, this course helps students more fully understand how different people experience and navigate the healthcare system.

HS 210 20th Century American History and its Impact on Health – 3 credits

Summer: online

Examining the Progressive Era through the Cold War, this course considers the circumstances around some of the major public health and healthcare events of the 20th century in the United States by framing them through the history that made them possible. Particularly, the course examines how the social history of 20th Century America was often tied to the health of the nation’s citizens through public health initiatives, personal choices, and government responses. Covered healthcare topics include, but are not limited to, vaccinations, food and drug reform, healthcare access, and women’s health.

MA 230 Statistics – 3 credits

Summer: Online

This course introduces students to the basic statistical skills used in evidence-based health care research. Students will acquire the skills to analyze data using commonly employed computer packages to generate descriptive and inferential studies. Statistical techniques will include descriptive measures of central tendency, variation, and correlation and inferential tests including T-Testing and General Linear Models. (Statistics elective)

PH 202 Introduction to Medical Ethics – 3 credits

Summer: Online

The medical field is comprised of an almost inexhaustible array of ethical issues. In this class, we will lay the groundwork of ethical theory and then quickly analyze ethical issues in clinical practice and social justice issues in the medical field. We will then turn to particular ethical issues, such as organ transplantation, stem cell research, euthanasia, abortion, and genetic enhancement.

PS 110: Developmental Psychology - 3 credits

Summer: Online

Developmental Psychology studies human growth and development across the entire lifespan. Students learn the characteristics of development from conception to death and the various influences on the development of human beings. Topics include the biological, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional aspects of human development.


Bellin College also accepts general education credits from accredited two and four-year institutions; as well as offers specific transfer agreements with certain colleges.

View Transfer Agreements

General Education classes at Bellin College are transferable to most colleges and universities. Students interested in taking classes as a non-degree seeking student can apply below:

Non-Degree Seeking Application


Early College Credit Program (ECCP)

Select general education courses are eligible for the state-legislated program, Early College Credit Program (ECCP), which allows high school students to take college classes if approved by the high school and if the student has met all state-specified requirements. Most Bellin College general education courses are eligible (notable exceptions include the sciences and NA 100).

High school students interested in taking Bellin College general education credits via ECCP should contact their high school counselor for more information.

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