Department of Health Science

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Department of Health Science

23 Hartwell Hall
(585) 395-2643

Chairperson and Associate Professor: Douglas Scheidt; Professors: Eileen Daniel, Thomas Golaszewski; Associate Professors: Linda F. Balog, Joseph E. Balog, Priya Banerjee, Catherine Cardina, Gary J. Metz, Celia A. Watt; Assistant Professors: Jennifer R. Boyle, Patti A. Follansbee, Justin Laird.

• Professional Program: Major for Health Educators
• Liberal Arts Major in Health Science
• Alcohol/Substance Abuse Studies
• Health Care Administration
• Courses

The Department of Health Science offers four academic tracks leading to the Bachelor of Science:

1. the professional program in health education,
2. the liberal arts program in health science*,
3. the alcohol and substance abuse studies program, and
4. health care administration.

The professional program in health education provides students with competencies for entry- level positions as health teachers in elementary and secondary schools and as health educators in various community agencies, work sites, and patient education settings. A specific set of prerequisite courses in biology, education, and psychology is required of students pursuing the professional program in health education. These courses are specified below under “Required Courses in Other Disciplines.”

The liberal arts program in health science provides students with an extensive understanding of the knowledge, values, problems, and issues related to health and wellness, disease, disability, and premature death in human populations. The liberal arts program does not require a specific set of prerequisite courses. However, students pursuing this program are encouraged to develop a basic knowledge in several of the many disciplines focusing on the human condition.

The alcohol/substance abuse studies program is designed to assist students in meeting the education and training requirements for the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) issued by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

For those students interested in careers in health care administration, this program provides generic training (not targeted for any single position or institution) leading to any number of management-related positions in the health care field, including hospitals, nursing homes, public health institutions, insurance companies, and consulting firms. Students pursue study in a broad range of subjects emphasizing both business and health systems-related topics.

All students considering a Department of Health Science program or concentration are invited to contact the department’s undergraduate coordinator, chair or any member of the department faculty for further information and guidance. Each of the programmatic options offered by the department is presented in greater detail below.

The health science faculty has a professional responsibility to deny admission or continuation in any of its undergraduate or graduate programs to any student whose level of performance and/or personal characteristics do not adequately meet academic, professional, or ethical standards.

*The liberal arts health science track may be pursued by students seeking certification as an elementary teacher. Early Childhood or Childhood Education Certification requires an appropriate major in an academic area, which includes health science. Elementary education students should contact both their health science advisor and the Department of Education and Human Development as early as possible when planning their program.

Professional Program: Major for Health Educators

This program is for students who wish to enter a professional program for health educators in the Department of Health Science. Initial certification as a health teacher in grades K–12 in New York state is granted after completion of this program and of HLP 495 Practicum in School Health Education. Students enrolled in the professional program must achieve a grade of “C” or better (a grade of “C–” does not meet this requirement) in each required health science course (HLS and HLP) and each required course taken outside of the Department of Health Science for completion of this program. In addition, students must achieve a minimum 2.5 grade point average for all course work completed at SUNY Brockport as a prerequisite to enrollment in any 400-level professional course (HLP).

(Note: HLP 495 and 496 are taken only after the successful completion of all General Education and professional program requirements. A request for a variance from this policy must be approved by the Professional Education Program Committee and the department chairperson. Students in the professional program must complete one, but may choose to complete both of these practica.)

Liberal Arts Major in Health Science*

The following curriculum is for liberal arts health science majors* and students who intend to enroll in the Department of Education and Human Development’s Early Childhood or Childhood Teacher Certification programs who want to major in health science. The course of study consists of three parts: a required core, one course from each of the five content areas, and two electives to be selected with advisement. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in each health science course. (A grade of “C–” does not meet this requirement).

Part 1.
To ensure a common foundation, all majors must take the following three core courses:

Part 2.
To be certain that each student covers the breadth of health science, liberal arts majors* are required to take at least one course in each of the five content areas specified below. Only those courses listed below can be used to meet this 15-credit breadth requirement.

Part 3.

Each student selects at least two additional health science courses with the approval of a faculty advisor.

Total
30

*For those not pursuing a professional program in health education, health administration or the alcohol and substance abuse studies tracks. Students pursuing health administration or the alcohol and substance abuse studies tracks should refer to the following sections specific to these areas:

Alcohol/Substance Abuse Studies

The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies Program (ASAP) may be pursued as a track in health science, as a complete set of electives to complement another major, as a complete set of courses for a non-matriculated student, or selectively as independent electives. The ASAP courses partially fulfill requirements for the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor examination. Current CASAC holders may elect to take some or all of these courses to fulfill the continuing education requirements of the credential. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in each health science course. (A grade of “C–” does not meet this requirement).

Students majoring in this program are required to complete the following core courses:

Health Care Administration

In keeping with the needs of the expected job positions, education is geared to both business and health science-related skills. All courses in this 30-credit program are three credits and most are offered at SUNY Brockport MetroCenter in downtown Rochester, either Saturdays or evenings. (Courses marked with an asterisk below are only offered at the MetroCenter.) Courses designated with “F” or “S” are fall or spring only. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in each health science and required business and accounting course. (A grade of “C–” does not meet this requirement).

Please note: HLS 301 and 306 are not required for this program as they are for other programs in health science in order for students to focus more attention on administrative issues and keep within the 30-credit framework. Students are reminded that they need to complete a contemporary issues course as part of the College General Education requirements and HLS 306 is recommended for this purpose.

Health Science Courses

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