Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Sciences, Health Studies Concentration, B.S.


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Dr. Andrew A. Peachey, Acting Head
Phone:
(540) 568-5053
Email: peacheaa@jmu.edu
Location: Health and Behavioral Studies, Room 3091
Website: http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu

Professors
R. Koslow, K. Lewis, M. Warner, M. Wessel

Associate Professors
S. Baller, A. Burnett, T. Enyeart Smith, K. Ott Walter, D. Sutton

Assistant Professors
S. Blackstone, E. Collazo-Vargas, D. Henry, L. Merrell

Instructor
L. Blosser

Lecturers
L. Eicher, T. Howley, R. Prodoehl, M. Stickney

Mission

The purpose of the Department of Health Sciences is to contribute to the liberal arts education of all students and prepare students for professional careers in the health sciences and/or for entry into professional programs.

Goals

  • The goals of the Department of Health Sciences are to:
  • Promote the health and well-being of the JMU community.
  • Support the General Education program.
  • Educate health professionals.
  • Provide service to the community, the state, the region and the nation.
  • Conduct, disseminate and publish research/scholarship in health sciences.

Career Opportunities

  • Athletic Trainer
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Health Administrator
  • Health Assessment and Promotion Specialist
  • Health Fitness Specialist
  • Occupational Therapist (Graduate Program)
  • Physician Assistant (Graduate Program)
  • Public Health Educator
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Professional

Co-curricular Organizations

  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • Madison Athletic Training Student Association
  • Eta Sigma Gamma (Health Sciences Honor Society)
  • Health Administration Student Association
  • JMU Dietetic Association
  • JMU Physician Assistant Student Society
  • JMU Student Occupational Therapy Association
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy Association
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Society

Special Admission Requirements

Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to all academic majors and minors.

Deadline for Change or Declaration of Majors Deadlines for change or declaration of major forms are:

Semester                           Deadline

Summer                             February 15

Fall                                     February 15

Spring                               September 15 of the previous year

Forms received in the health sciences office after the deadline will be processed the following semester. Students changing their major to health sciences after February 15 of the sophomore year should expect an additional semester(s) to complete the program. The number of additional semesters required to complete the program will depend on the timing of the change to health sciences and the number of summer courses completed.

Degree and Major Requirements

The Department of Health Sciences offers the following degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with concentrations in:
    • Health Assessment and Promotion
    •  Health Studies
    •  Public Health Education

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

The B.S. degree with a major in health sciences consists of health science course requirements in addition to General Education requirements and B.S. requirements. For specialization in a professional area, concentrations are available in health assessment and promotion, health studies, and public health education.This concentration prepares students for positions in wellness, hospital, and corporate-based health promotion and assessment programs. Students are trained to develop and implement comprehensive health promotion activities by combining health education, assessment techniques and physical activity concepts. Health assessment and promotion students master a variety of clinical assessments and can begin to develop health communication skills prior to graduation.

Health Studies Concentration

The health studies concentration is designed for students interested in understanding the causes of disease, strategies for promoting wellness, and the scientific basis and methodologies for analysis of health concerns. The health studies concentration combines a broad foundation of health-related course work with a choice of preparatory courses suitable for entry into graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, optometry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, physician assistant and veterinary medicine.

Students must complete the core course requirements for a major in health sciences and the requirements for the concentration in health studies. Students are encouraged to identify individual professional program requirements to select courses within the concentration requirements that will be most suitable for the graduate program of their choice.

Health Science Core


The B.S. degree with a major in health sciences consists of health science course requirements in addition to General Education  requirements and B.S. requirements. For specialization in a professional area, concentrations are available in health assessment and promotion, health studies, and public health education.

All students pursing the B.S. in Health Science must complete the following core courses:

Health Studies Concentration


  • Health Sciences Core (see previous core requirements) 32-37 Credit Hours

Recommended Schedule for Health Studies Concentration


First Year


Total: 30-33 Credit Hours


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Total: 27 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


Total: 30 Credit Hours


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