College of Health and Behavioral Studies

Dr. Sharon E. Lovell, Dean
Dr. Özlem Ersin, Associate Dean
Dr. Paula J. Maxwell, Associate Dean
Dr. Rhonda M. Zingraff, Associate Dean

Phone: (540) 568-2705
MSC: 4101
Location: Health and Behavioral Studies Building, Room 5051
Website: http://chbs.jmu.edu

Academic Units

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Dr. Cynthia O’Donoghue, Head

Department of Health Professions
Dr. Özlem Ersin, Interim Head

Department of Health Sciences
Dr. Andy Peachey, Acting Head

Department of Kinesiology
Dr. Janet Wigglesworth, Head

School of Nursing
Dr. Julie Sanford, Director

Department of Psychology
Dr. Kevin J. Apple, Head

Department of Social Work
Dr. Lisa E. McGuire, Head

Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

We engage students, faculty and communities in learning, scholarship and service in health and behavioral studies to inspire responsible contributions to our world.

Vision

CHBS aspires to excellence in discovery and real-world impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities that we serve.

Values

We promote and support departments, programs and initiatives that advance a culture of excellence and uphold the following values:

Scholarship & Professional Development

We participate actively in research and continual professional development.

Research refers to systematic examination of phenomena using scientific methods and includes the Scholarship of Teaching and the Scholarship of Learning as well as:

Basic Research–leads to understanding of fundamental questions.
Applied Research–relates basic research to find solutions to everyday problems.
Translational Research–relates basic research to professional applications that enhance human health and well-being in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Professional Development–includes activities designed to enhance professional knowledge and skills.

Innovation

We pursue creative approaches/trends that strive toward new and effective solutions, while respecting successful traditions and established best practices.

Diversity

We appreciate that salient differences exist among and between peoples, programs, disciplines and professions and that such differences include–and influence–values, beliefs, interests and worldviews.

Engaged Learning

We raise and respond to questions with a spirit of active inquiry and discovery, both individually and collectively; engage in reflective-active approaches to new information for problem-solving; develop lifelong learning skills.

Integrity

We act in a manner consistent with stated personal, professional and college values.

Service

We contribute expertise and energy to the needs of various constituencies (university, professional and extra-university).

Collaboration

We recognize commonalities, respect differences and search cooperatively for possibilities to engage in interprofessional and interdisciplinary work.

Majors and Minors

Students may select from a variety of majors, minors, programs and concentrations that are available through the departments in the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. Programs offered include the following:

Majors

Athletic Training
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Dietetics
Health Sciences
- Health Assessment and Promotion
- Health Studies
- Public Health Education
Health Services Administration
Kinesiology
- Exercise Science
- Physical and Health Education Teacher Education
Nursing
Psychology
Social Work

Minors

Chronic Illness
Coaching Education
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Family Studies
Gerontology
Nonprofit Studies
Sport Communication
Substance Abuse Education

Cross Disciplinary Programs, Outreach Programs, Partnerships, Academic Centers and Institutes

The College of Health and Behavioral Studies places a high value on partnerships with the community. These partnerships and our outreach programs are integral to our academic programs and assist us in meeting our responsibility to participate in efforts to enhance the well-being of our community. We value the impact of experiential activities on the enrichment of student learning. Many of the programs within the college are cross disciplinary in nature, reflecting our commitment and supporting the mission of the college. Further details about these cross disciplinary programs are provided in the minors and Academic Institutes and Centers sections of the catalog and on the CHBS website.