Jefferson College of Health Sciences is a professional health sciences college, offering the Master of Science in Nursing, Physician Assistant and Occupational Therapy and 10 baccalaureate and associate healthcare programs.

With excellent licensure pass rates in our professional programs and high student satisfaction ratings, we are proud to be one of the few private healthcare colleges in the Southern region.

We enroll approximately 1,000 undergraduate students and 80 graduate students annually, and employ approximately 70 full-time faculty. The overall student-tofaculty ratio is 15:1, but this varies by program and by classroom/clinical setting.

We offer excellent clinical opportunities, extensive distance learning offerings, and continuing education and volunteer opportunities near campus and abroad.

Approximately 87 percent of our students receive some sort of financial aid. Academic merit scholarships and grants are also available from $1,000 to fulltuition awards ranging from first year only to renewable for four years. Scholarships, loans, grants and Federal work study can be applied for through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We participate in the Carilion Clinic Tuition Advancement Program for our undergraduate and graduate critical need programs, as designated by Carilion Clinic. Students must be an employee of Carilion Clinic to apply for this benefit.

The mission and vision of Jefferson College of Health Sciences provide the foundation for the academic endeavors of the institution. These statements reflect the College's commitment to the learning process and the expanding global climate of healthcare and education.

• Broad-based interdisciplinary learning;
• Diversity of person and thought;
• Personal and professional integrity;
• Commitment to life-long learning;
• Advancement of knowledge through scholarship;
• Holistic development of the individual;
• Participation in the local and global community.

Jefferson College of Health Sciences has established the following General Education Competencies:

JCHS graduates will:

• Demonstrate proficiency in the application of mathematical reasoning for problem solving.
• Use analytical reasoning that reflects appropriate evidence, ideas and models for use in decision making.
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking and through use of appropriate technology.

Core Curriculum
The Jefferson College of Health Sciences Core Curriculum is designed to help ensure that the curriculum for each degree offered by the College leads to student achievement of the educational outcomes.

Core Curriculum for Associate Degree Programs (17 credits)
Preparation for College (1 credit)
• GEN 100 Academic Semniar (1 credit)

English (3 credits)
• ENG 111 Academic Semniar (1 credit)

Natural Sciences and Mathematics (6 credits)
• A minimum of six (6) credits in natural sciences or math

Computers (1 credit)
• BUS 111: Intro to Computers (1 credit)

Ethics (3 credits)
• PHL 215: Bioethics (3 credits)

Social Sciences (3 credits)
• SOC 213: Social Issues in Healthcare (3 credits)

Core Curriculum for Baccalaureate Degree Programs (31 credits)
Preparation for College (1 credit)
• GEN 100 Academic Semniar (1 credit) OR
• IDS 255: Introduction to Library Research (1 credit)

English (9 credits)
• Includes Grammar and Composition I and II
ENG 100 does not meet minimum requirement

Natural Sciences and Mathematics (9 credits)
• A minimum of three (3) credits in natural science
• A minimum of three (3) credits in math or statistics
CHM 100 and MTH 100 do not meet minimum requirement

Computers (3 credits)
• A minimum of three (3) credits in computer or computer applications
• May be discipline specific computer/computer applications course(s)

Ethics (3 credits)
• PHL 215: Bioethics OR
• Ethics course specific to major

Social Sciences (3 credits)
• PSY 201: General Psychology OR
• PSY 238: Developmental Psychology OR
• A three (3) credit Introduction to Sociology course

Interdisciplinary Collaboration (3 credits)
• IDS 307: Topics in Interdisciplinary Healthcare (3 credits) OR
• IDS 304/HCM 301: Introduction to U.S. Healthcare System

Jefferson College of Health Sciences offers the following degree programs:

Master of Science Degrees (M.S.)
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Physician Assistant

Bachelor of Science Degrees (B.S.)
Biomedical Sciences
Emergency Services
Health and Exercise Science
Healthcare Management
Health Psychology
Nursing
Respiratory Therapy

Jefferson College of Health Sciences' Professional and Continuing Education provides non-college credit bearing courses and seminars that support the mission of the College. The courses and seminars are designed to provide life long learning opportunities for healthcare professionals or provide entry level prefessional knowledge and skills necessary for individuals desiring to enter the healthcare workforce.

The College offers a variety of professional and personal development programs. More information about these programs is available on this website. 

The College is approved to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for courses that meet the required criteria. Additionally, the programmatic recognition and/or accreditation is maintained for all courses that require either approval or accreditation status.  

Jefferson College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate and masters degrees.  Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Jefferson College of Health Sciences.

Jefferson College of Health Sciences is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to operate campuses in Virginia.

In addition to institutional accreditation, the following programs maintain professional accreditation and/or approval:

• The Emergency Health Sciences-Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (1361 Park Street Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone: 727-210-2350), in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) (4101 W. Green Oaks Blvd. Suite 305-599 Arlington, TX 76016, phone 817-330-0080).  
  
  


• The Emergency Services program is also accredited by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (VAOEMS) (109 Governor Street, Suite UB-55 Richmond, VA 23219, phone 1-800-523-6019).
  
  


• The Baccalaureate and Masters Degree Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, Phone: 202-887-6791.
  
  


• The Pre-licensure Baccalaureate Nursing program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and the pre-licensure Accelerated Baccalaureate Nursing program has received preliminary approval from this body. Virginia Board of Nursing, Perimeter Center, 9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond Virginia 23233-1463, Phone: 804- 367-4515, Fax: (804) 527-4455, Complaints: (800) 533-1560, E-mail: nursebd@dhp.virginia.gov, Web site: http://www.dhp.state.va.us/nursing. 
  
  


• The Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, Maryland, 20824-1220. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-2682. Upon graduation from this program graduates must sit for a national registry exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Their offices are located at 12 S. Summit Avenue, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877-4150. NBCOT’s phone number is (301) 990-7979.
  
  


• The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, Phone 703/684-3245, e-mail, accreditation@apta.org, website: http://www.capteonline.org.
  
  


• The Physician Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARCPA), 12000 Findley Rd. Suite 240 Duluth, GA 30097, Phone 770-476-1224.
  
  


• The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021-4244, Phone 817-283-2835.
  
  


• The Medical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119. Website: www.naacls.org.

We are located in historic and beautiful downtown Roanoke within walking distance of numerous restaurants and one of the oldest outdoor markets in Virginia. The College is less than a mile from Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and numerous other outstanding clinical sites.

The main College campus is located at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital (CRCH) (For more maps and directions, click here.) In addition, there are parking garages and additional parking lots available in several adjacent areas.

Classrooms, located throughout the campus, are wired for Internet access. And electronic classroom, skills laboratories and science laboratories for chemistry, microbiology, physics and anatomy and physiology are found at CRCH. Clinical laboratories are housed at CRCH for Respiratory Therapy, Health & Exercise Science and more. The College's well-equipped laboratories are designed to prepare students to work in today's healthcare environment.

The Educational Technology Center (ETC), a computer and testing lab for students use, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with assistance available during specific hours throughout each semester. This lab provides a variety of software resources to students, including Internet access and course-specific resources. There is also a computer lab adjacent to the JCHS Library, open during Library hours.

All administrative and offices are located at CRCH. 

Student Affairs supports students academically, mentally and socially through tutoring, counseling, study skills development, student activities and residence life. Students can make an appointment for any of these services by calling (540) 985-8395.

The Student Affairs Office hosts several social events each semester.

The Downtown Sports Club and ZOOM fitness center are within walking distance, and the Roanoke Athletic Club (RAC) is located about 5 miles from campus. The Downtown Sports Club and RAC have typical private club membership fees.

We have several intramural clubs, including volleyball, tennis, softball, and basketball. We participate in the Roanoke Parks and Recreation events each year.

The College complies with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) as amended, as it relates to student rights, records, release of information and financial aid. Only persons who have a legal right in accordance with the law to access this information will be allowed to review such records. Such records are accessible to authorized College and administrative personnel who may require review and utilization of such records for educational purposes. The student may request, in writing, the opportunity to review the material or to have transcripts sent to other educational institutions in accordance with regulations governing students' records. The College reserves the right to impose reasonable charges for copies should they be requested. Anyone having questions concerning FERPA should contact the Registrar at (540) 985-8481.

Jefferson College of Health Sciences does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, political affiliation or sexual orientation. The College is subject to Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and all other rules and regulations that are applicable. Anyone having questions concerning any of those regulations should contact the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer at (540) 985-8206, 101 Elm Ave., SE, P.O. Box 13186: Roanoke, VA 24031-3186. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should contact the Counseling Department at (540) 985-8449 or the Director of Student Services at (540) 985-8501.