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THE MAJOR
The Health Sciences
major is located in the Department of Health Sciences within the
College of Health and Behavioral Studies.
JMU
Concentrations:
Health Assessment and Promotion
Health Studies
Public Health Education
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSHTH.shtml
Description
of Major:
The purpose of the Health Sciences Department is to contribute to the liberal education of all students and to prepare students for professional careers in health sciences. The Health Assessment and Promotion concentration prepares students for entry-level positions in wellness facilities, hospitals and corporate-based health promotion programs. Students are trained to develop and implement comprehensive health promotion activities using health education, assessment techniques and fitness concepts. This concentration prepares students to enroll in the health/fitness instructor certification program sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine. A concentration in Health Studies emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of health. This concentration is designed for students interested in continuing their education in graduate and/or professional programs within health-related fields. This concentration can be used as a foundation for graduate school. Students are encouraged to research future school choices and take needed pre-requisite classes. Students can also select a pre-professional package to guide their class choice selection from one of the following: pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-optometry, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, pre-pharmacy, pre-physician assistant and pre-veterinary. This concentration can also be used as a foundation for graduate school study. Public Health Education prepares the student for entry‑level health education positions or health‑related positions in city, state, regional, national, and international health agencies.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
Health Sciences is an applied discipline that deals with the study of health in the broadest sense. Building on a foundation of biological, mathematical and social sciences, the health sciences student explores the health issues associated with personal wellness, health promotion, nutrition, disease, the environment, and the community. Students often pursue education in dietetics, health services administration, wellness assessment and promotion, or in one of the many clinical fields of study such as athletic training, physician assistant, occupational therapy or physical therapy. Those in this profession are drawn by the desire to make a difference for society. The goal of the Health Sciences Department is to maximize the potential of the individual and society through the enhancement of health and wellness.
Tell me more about specializations in this major.
There are three concentrations within the Health Sciences major: Health Assessment and Promotion, Public Health Education, and Health Studies. Each concentration prepares students to enter careers that allow them to work at a number of levels from face to face contact with individuals, groups and communities to more strategic work such as policy development. Health Promotion is a term that has been applied to a wide range of approaches to improving health of people, communities and target populations. Promoting healthy practices could occur in organizations such as schools, corporations, hospitals, or in broader settings such as advocating for effective public health policies at all government levels, or impacting the wellness and healthy lifestyles of individuals. Health Educators are an integral part of community health education programs. Health educators often work with agencies and programs dealing with substance abuse, HIV/STDs, nutrition, smoking, pregnancy, safety, and diabetes. Health educators develop educational materials, public information reports, grant proposals as well as collect and analyze data for the purposes of designing preventative health care programs. Students in the Health Studies concentration gain a strong foundation of health science and it s principles in preparation for professional programs.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
Health sciences students often minor in Biology, Health Communication, Medical Spanish, Substance Abuse Intervention, or complete a pre-professional track relating to one or more professional programs.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Successful students have a keen interest in the fields of health, research techniques and the human sciences.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated careers that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some fields will require graduate study or further training. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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