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.
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