Program gives health students new opportunity
Billy Mitchell: Muleskinner
Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: News
The University has announced the formation of a new bachelor's degree in health studies this coming fall. This new 120-hour degree will be for students interested in pursuing health care careers outside traditional nursing options.
Students interested in the new degree will select from one of three degree paths: Social science, pre-physical and pre-occupational therapy and community health. Each of these paths will focus on a different area of health studies.
"It's a wonderful way for students to get in touch with a future in a health-related career," said Marilyn Grechus, program director of Health Education and Health Studies. "With three optional fields of study, it gives every student a chance to focus on the area that will best enhance their future career goals."
The program is offered through the Department of Nutrition and uses existing classes and faculty which will save the University money, said Dirk Nelson, chair of the Department of Nutrition.
The health studies degree is a blend of existing classes, and "has its own feel to it," Nelson said.
The programs that most similar to the new degree were the athletic training and exercise science programs. It is made up of classes from several departments.
Some expect the new degree to appeal to a wide range of students.
"These careers are in demand now," said Lance Ratcliff, assistant professor of dietetics and nutrition and department coordinator.
Ratcliff expects 30 to 50 students to pursue the degree this fall. Expectations are for the number of students pursuing the degree to double or triple over the next three to four years. The degree is "flexible for students, with the three-trait design" Ratcliff said.
Many of the courses required for the new degree will be in the renovated Morrow-Garrison complex, which is scheduled to be complete during the 2010-2011 academic year.
"This will be helpful in attracting new students to the program," Ratcliff said. Though the completion of Morrow-Garrison coincides with the start of this new degree, it was not part of the original program design, Ratcliff said.
Students interested in the new degree will select from one of three degree paths: Social science, pre-physical and pre-occupational therapy and community health. Each of these paths will focus on a different area of health studies.
"It's a wonderful way for students to get in touch with a future in a health-related career," said Marilyn Grechus, program director of Health Education and Health Studies. "With three optional fields of study, it gives every student a chance to focus on the area that will best enhance their future career goals."
The program is offered through the Department of Nutrition and uses existing classes and faculty which will save the University money, said Dirk Nelson, chair of the Department of Nutrition.
The health studies degree is a blend of existing classes, and "has its own feel to it," Nelson said.
The programs that most similar to the new degree were the athletic training and exercise science programs. It is made up of classes from several departments.
Some expect the new degree to appeal to a wide range of students.
"These careers are in demand now," said Lance Ratcliff, assistant professor of dietetics and nutrition and department coordinator.
Ratcliff expects 30 to 50 students to pursue the degree this fall. Expectations are for the number of students pursuing the degree to double or triple over the next three to four years. The degree is "flexible for students, with the three-trait design" Ratcliff said.
Many of the courses required for the new degree will be in the renovated Morrow-Garrison complex, which is scheduled to be complete during the 2010-2011 academic year.
"This will be helpful in attracting new students to the program," Ratcliff said. Though the completion of Morrow-Garrison coincides with the start of this new degree, it was not part of the original program design, Ratcliff said.
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