Academic Programs
Department of Health Sciences
Dr. Robert Koslow, Head
Location: Health and Human Services Building, Room 3126
Phone: (540) 568-6510
E-mail: koslowre@jmu.edu
Web site: http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu/
Professors
H. Amato, A. Bopp, P. Brevard, J. Hammond, R. Koslow, J. Martino-McAllister,
J. Thompson, M. Warner, D. Wenos, M. Wessel
Associate Professors
P. Bailey, D. Cockley, B. Diduch, J. Gloeckner, K. Lewis, J. Loveland, P. Maxwell, G. Polacek, D. Sutton, D. Torisky, T. Wagner
Assistant Professors
J. Akers, A. Burnett, T. Enyeart Smith, J. Frye, A. Kent, S. Maiewski, K. Peabody,
C. Peterson, R. Prodoehl, M. Rittenhouse, T. Sabato, A. Temple, K. Walter,
J. Wenos, A. Russell Yun
Instructors
S. Hudy, E. Richardson
Lecturer
C. Rohrbaugh, L. Wilson
Affiliate Instructor
C. Nye
Mission Statement
Career Opportunities
Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
Special Admission Requirements
Deadline Notice for Change or Declaration of Majors
Degree and Major Requirements
Master Level Degrees
Credit by Examination
Mission Statement
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.
- Athletic Trainer
- Registered Dietitian
- Health Administrator
- Health Assessment and Promotion Specialist
- Occupational Therapist (Graduate Program)
- Physician Assistant (Graduate Program)
- Public Health Educator
- Substance Abuse Prevention Professional
Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
- American College of Sports Medicine
- Student Athletic Trainers 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-OT Society
- Pre-PT Society
Special Admission Requirements
Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to all academic majors and minors. Special applications are required for admission to the clinical portions of the athletic training program, dietetics program, the health services administration program and the occupational studies program.
Deadline Notice for Change or Declaration of Majors
Deadlines for change or declaration of major forms are will be as follows:
Summer semester........... February 15
Fall semester................... February 15
Spring semester.............. September 15 of the previous year
Forms submitted after the deadline will apply to the following semester.
Degree and Major Requirements
The Department of Health Sciences offers the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
- Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
- Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in:
- Health Assessment and Promotion
- Health Studies
- Occupational Studies
- Public Health Education
The Physician Assistant program and the Occupational Therapy program are available at the master's degree level.
Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
This major prepares students to become Certified Athletic Trainers through the Board of Certification. Areas of study include injury prevention, emergency care, injury evaluation and rehabilitation of the physically active. The Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). This program is comprised of both academic and clinical requirements.
Athletic training is not an open major; students are selected through a competitive admission process. Specific program requirements, including academic, clinical and technical standards, may be found on the Athletic Training Curriculum Web site or in the Athletic Training Curriculum Handbook, which can also be found on the ATEP Web site.
| Degree Requirements | Credit Hours |
| General Education1 | 41 |
| Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) | 3 |
| Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education) | 4 |
| Major and elective requirements (listed below) | 72 |
120 |
|
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
Required Courses/ Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | Credit Hours |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics1 | 3 |
| ATEP 205. Introduction to Athletic Training2 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| General Education courses (CHEM 120 or CHEM 131 suggested) | 18 |
30 |
|
| Second Year | Credit Hours |
| BIO 270. Human Physiology1 | 4 |
| BIO 290. Human Anatomy2 | 4 |
| ATEP 206. Recognition and Management of Athletic Injuries2,3 | 3 |
| ATEP 291. Pre-Professional Practicum in Athletic Training2,3 | 2 |
| Electives | 0-1 |
| General Education courses | 15 |
29-30 |
|
| Third Year | Credit Hours |
| ATEP 304A. Lower Quarter Evaluation2,4 | 3 |
| ATEP 304B. Upper Quarter Evaluation2,3 | 3 |
| ATEP 305. Rehabilitation in Athletic Training (Lower)2,3 | 3 |
| ATEP 306. Therapeutic Modalities2,4 | 4 |
| ATEP 307. Field Application in Athletic Training2,4 | 2 |
| ATEP 350. Measurement Techniques in Athletic Training2,4 | 2 |
| ATEP 355. Infectious Disease Control2,3 | 1 |
| ATEP 377. General Medicine in Athletic Training2,3 | 2 |
| ATEP 392. Level II Practicum in Athletic Training2,4 | 3 |
| ATEP 393. Level III Practicum in Athletic Training2,3 | 2 |
| HTH 354. U.S. Health Care Systems2 | 3 |
| HTH 441. Rehabilitative Biomechanics2 | 3 |
| NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness2 | 3 |
34 |
|
| Fourth Year | Credit Hours |
| ATEP 376. Pharmacology for Athletic Trainers2,4 | 2 |
| ATEP 405. Rehabilitation in Athletic Training (Upper)2,4 | 3 |
| ATEP 406. Organization and Administration of Athletic Training2,3 | 3 |
| ATEP 494. Level IV Practicum in Athletic Training2,4 | 2-3 |
| ATEP 495. Level V Practicum in Athletic Training2,3 | 2 |
| KIN 302. Physiology of Muscular Activity2 | 3 |
| KIN 302L. Physiology of Muscular Activity/Lab2 | 1 |
| NUTR 382. Sports Nutrition2,4 | 3 |
| Elective | 0-2 |
| General Education courses | 7 |
26-29 |
|
1 BIO 270 & MATH 220 may be met by choosing the correct course in General Education and be counted for both general education and the major.
2 Grade of "C" or better required.
3 Offered only in spring semester.
4 Offered only in fall semester.
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
The Bachelor of Science in dietetics is the first step toward registration as a dietitian. The Registered Dietitian (RD) credential is a national credential that requires completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), a Dietetic Internship (DI), and successful completion of the national registration examination. The DPD at James Madison University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-4876. The program in dietetics gives the student a wide view of dietetics careers including clinical dietetics, administrative dietetics, community dietetics, food service, education and research.
This is not an open major. Students are selected through a competitive application process. Following completion of the DPD, students should plan to meet the experience requirement for Registered Dietitian status by competing a dietetic internship.
Didactic Program in Dietetics
Students wishing to complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at JMU must apply to the professional component of the DPD in the spring semester during which requirements will be met, usually in the sophomore year. Prerequisite requirements to apply for the DPD include: completion of all prerequisite courses with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or above and completion of most of the JMU General Education requirements. Prerequisite courses that must be completed with a grade no lower than a "C" (2.0) prior to applying to the DPD include: CHEM 131, CHEM 131L, CHEM 132, CHEM 132L, BIO 270, GenEd Cluster 1, GPOSC 225, GPSYC 101 or GPSYC 160, MATH 220, NUTR 280, and NUTR 295. Students accepted to the professional component of the DPD can expect four semesters of full time classes and at least one summer class. The application deadline is February 15th. Applications are available at http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu/ or may be obtained from the Department of Health Sciences, Health and Human Services Building (HHS) Room 3129.
Application packets must include the following:
- A completed DPD application form.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities other than James Madison University.
- Unofficial JMU transcript.
- A typed letter of application stating professional goals and reasons for selecting dietetics as a career.
All materials must be together in one envelope and submitted to the address below.
Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics
Department of Health Sciences, MSC 4301
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Receiving Didactic Program Verification
To remain in the professional component of the DPD, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and earn grades of "C" (2.0) or higher in all DPD classes. Transfer credit will not be accepted for the following courses: NUTR 363, Quantity Food Production; NUTR 446, Experimental Foods; NUTR 482, Nutrition and Metabolism; NUTR 484, Clinical Nutrition II; and NUTR 490, Field Experience in Dietetics. All successful graduates will receive four copies of a signed Verification Statement from the James Madison University DPD as soon as a final transcript verifying all grades and degree confirmation is available.
Required Courses/Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 131-131L. General Chemistry I with laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 132-132L. General Chemistry II with laboratory | 4 |
| NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness | 3 |
| NUTR 295. Foundations of Nutrition Practice1 | 2 |
| Quantitative requirement (B.S. degree requirement) | 3 |
| General Education courses | 15 |
31 |
|
| Second Year | Credit Hours |
| BIO 270. Human Physiology | 4 |
| GPSYC 101. General Psychology3 | 3 |
| OR GPSYC 160. Life Span Human Development3 | |
| GPOSC 225. U.S. Government3 | 4 |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics3 | 3 |
| General Education courses | 12 |
| Elective | 3 |
29 |
|
| Third Year | Credit Hours |
| BIO 290. Human Anatomy | 4 |
| CHEM 221-221L. Concepts of Organic Chemistry with laboratory2 | 4 |
| CHEM 222-222L. Concepts of Biochemistry with laboratory1 | 4 |
| NUTR 340. Science of Food Preparation | 3 |
| NUTR 362. Food Service Systems1 | 3 |
| NUTR 380. Global Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 385. Nutrition throughout the Life Cycle2 | 3 |
| NUTR 386. Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 395. Introduction to Patient Care in Dietetics2 | 2 |
29 |
|
| Fourth Year | Credit Hours |
| BIO 280. Allied Health Microbiology | 4 |
| NUTR 360. Management in Dietetics2 | 3 |
| NUTR 363. Quantity Food Production | 3 |
| NUTR 384. Clinical Nutrition I1 | 3 |
| NUTR 446. Experimental Foods2 | 3 |
| NUTR 482. Nutrition and Metabolism2 | 3 |
| NUTR 484. Clinical Nutrition II1 | 3 |
| NUTR 490. Field Experience Practicum4 | 3 |
| NUTR 495. Senior Seminar in Dietetics2 | 2 |
| Electives | 4 |
31 |
|
1 Offered only in spring semester.
2 Offered only in fall semester.
3 These courses may count for both General Education and the major depending on General Education course choice.
4 Field Experience Practicum should be completed during summer between junior and senior years.
Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration
The program in Health Services Administration prepares the student for entry-level administrative positions, and staff positions requiring administrative skills, in various health services organizations including hospitals, hospital systems, managed care organizations, retirement and long term care facilities, ambulatory care organizations, and public health organizations. The student is prepared to plan, organize, direct and control health programs and/or facilities. In addition, the program provides the foundation for graduate study in health services administration and related fields.
The health services administration program is not an open program; students must meet specific criteria for admission to the program. The criteria are available from the program director and are available on the program's Web site at http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu/hsa/pages. The health services administration program is approved as a Full Certified undergraduate program by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). Upon completion of all JMU and program requirements, the student is awarded the B.S. in Health Services Administration.
No more than 30 hours may be taken in the College of Business.
Degree Requirements
Credit Hours |
|
| General Education1 | 40 |
| Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) | 3 |
| Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education) | 3 |
| Major requirements (listed after schedule) | 74 |
120 |
|
Required Courses/Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | Credit Hours |
| General Education courses | 31 |
| Second Year | Credit Hours |
| GERN 280. Social Gerontology | 3 |
| ACTG 244. Accounting for non-Business Majors | 3 |
| COB 204. Computer Information Systems | 3 |
| ECON 201. Principles of Economics (Micro) | 3 |
| HTH 354. U.S. Health Care System5 | 3 |
| HSA 385. Seminar in Health Services Administration2 | 1 |
| General Education courses | 12 |
28 |
|
| Third Year | Credit Hours |
| FIN 345. Managerial Finance | 3 |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics1 | 3 |
| HTH 320. Statistical Methods for Health Science Research2 | 3 |
| (B.S. degree requirement) | |
| HSA 366. Health Politics and Policy2,4 (B.S. degree requirement) | 3 |
| HSA 358. Health Administration2,4 | 3 |
| HSA 363. Health Economics2,4 | 3 |
| HSA 365. Values in Health Care2 | 3 |
| MGT 305. Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MKTG 380. Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| HSA 463. Quality Management in Health Care2 | 3 |
30 |
|
| Fourth Year | Credit Hours |
| HTH 450. Epidemiology2 | 3 |
| HSA 454. Internship in Health Organizations6 | 3 |
| HTH 458. Health Program Planning and Evaluation2 | 3 |
| HSA 462. Managed Care2,3 | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 |
| HSA 452. Hospital Organization and Administration2,3 | |
| HSA 455. Long Term Care Organization and Administration2,3 | |
| HSA 456. Ambulatory Care Services: Organization and | |
| Administration2,4 | |
| HSA 464. Funding in Health Care2,3 | 3 |
| Program electives (selected from list of approved courses) | 6 |
| Electives | 7 |
31 |
|
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 Grade of "C" or better required.
3 Offered only in spring semester.
4 Offered only in fall semester.
5 Grade of "B" or better required.
6 Grade of "C" or better required in all HSA courses.
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, occupational studies, and public health education.
Health Science Core
All students pursing the B.S. in Health Science must complete the following core courses:
| Health Sciences Core (35-40 hours) | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 120 Concepts of Chemistry | 3-8 |
| OR CHEM 131/ 132 + Ls General Chemistry | |
| MATH 220 Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| GHTH 100 Personal Wellness | 3 |
| HTH 230 Community Health | 3 |
| Quantitative requirement for B.S. degree | 3 |
| (HTH 320 Statistical Methods will count) | |
| HTH 330 Introduction to Human Disease | 3 |
| HTH 408 Health Research Methods | 3 |
| HTH 450 Epidemiology | 3 |
| HTH 451 Health Behavior Change | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 |
| BIO 270 Human Physiology | |
| BIO 280 Allied Health Microbiology | |
| BIO 290 Human Anatomy | |
35-40 |
|
Health Assessment and Promotion Concentration
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 fitness concepts. HAP students master a variety of clinical assessments and can begin to develop health communication skills prior to graduation. The concentration includes 12-18 hours of electives which can be used to complete any minor requirements or which pre-professional students can use to finish prerequisites for their selected professional program. Additionally, this broad-based program provides a strong foundation for related graduate studies. Upon completion, students are prepared to enroll in the Health/Fitness Instructor certification program sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Concentration Requirements
Students must complete the General Education requirements, the B.S. degree requirements, the health sciences core and the health assessment and promotion core requirements.
| Course Requirements | Credit Hours |
| Health Sciences Core | 35-40 |
| (See Health Sciences Core in previous section) | |
| ATEP 205. Introduction to Athletic Training | 3 |
| BIO 290. Human Anatomy | 4 |
| CHEM 120 + 120L. Concepts of Chemistry with Laboratory | 4 |
| NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness | 3 |
| NUTR 382. Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| HTH 308. Therapeutic Assessment | 3 |
| HTH 389. Practicum in Health Education | 3 |
| HTH 441. Rehabilitative Biomechanics | 3 |
| HTH 442. Chronic Disease | 3 |
| HTH 454. Internship in Health Organizations | 3 |
| HTH 458. Health Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| HTH 471. Health Aspects of Gerontology | 3 |
| HTH 480. Health Assessment Techniques | 3 |
| HTH 482. Advanced Health Assessment Techniques | 3 |
Required Courses/Recommended Schedule for Health Assessment and Promotion Concentration
Evidence of CPR/First-Aid certification must be presented for graduation.
| First Year | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 120. Concepts of Chemistry1 + CHEM 120L | 4 |
| GHTH 100. Personal Wellness | 3 |
| HTH 230. Community Health | 3 |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics1 | 3 |
| General Education courses | 15 |
31 |
|
| Second Year | Credit Hours |
| BIO 270. Human Physiology1 | 4 |
| BIO 290. Human Anatomy | 4 |
| ATEP 205. Introduction to Athletic Training | 3 |
| NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness | 3 |
| General Education courses | 15 |
29 |
|
| Third Year | Credit Hours |
| HTH 308. Therapeutic Assessment2 | 3 |
| HTH 330. Introduction to Human Disease | 3 |
| HTH 389. Practicum in Health Education | 3 |
| HTH 451. Health Behavior Change | 3 |
| HTH 471. Health Aspects of Gerontology | 3 |
| NUTR 382. Sports Nutrition3 | 3 |
| Quantitative requirement for B.S. degree | 3 |
| (HTH 320 will count) | |
| General Education courses | 4 |
| Core and elective courses | 5 |
31 |
|
| Fourth Year | Credit Hours |
| HTH 408. Health Research Methods | 3 |
| HTH 441. Rehabilitative Biomechanics | 3 |
| HTH 442. Chronic Diseases3 | 3 |
| HTH 450. Epidemiology | 3 |
| HTH 454. Internship in Health Organizations | 3 |
| HTH 458. Health Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| HTH 480. Health Assessment Techniques3 | 3 |
| HTH 482. Advanced Health Assessment Techniques2 | 3 |
| Core and elective courses | 6 |
30 |
|
1 BIO 270, CHEM 120 and MATH 220 may be counted for both general education and the major.
2 Offered only in spring semester.
3 Offered only in fall semester.
Health Studies Concentration
The health studies concentration is designed for students interested in applying to a professional program. 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 Studies Concentration | Credit Hours |
| Health Sciences Core | 35-40 |
| (See Health Sciences Core in previous section) | |
| Required Courses | 6 |
| HTH 354. U. S. Health Care System | |
| HTH 300. Medical Terminology | |
| Select 16 credits from these pre-professional courses | 16 |
| (Check with pre-professional adviser prior to course selection) | |
| BIO 114. Organisms | |
| BIO 214. Cell and Molecular Biology | |
| BIO 224. Genetics and Development | |
| BIO 280. Allied Health Microbiology1 | |
| BIO 370. Animal Physiology | |
| BIO 430. Human Genetics | |
| CHEM 221 + 221L. Concepts of Organic Chemistry | |
| CHEM 222. Concepts of Biochemistry | |
| CHEM 341/342/346 Organic Chemistry | |
| HTH 441. Rehabilitative Biomechanics | |
| PHYS 140 + 140L Physics | |
| PHYS 150 + 150L Physics | |
| GPSYC 101. General Psychology | |
| GPSYC 160. Life Span Human Development | |
| PSYC 250. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | |
| 1 Will not count for the 16 credits in this category unless also take | |
| BIO 270 and BIO 290 | |
| Select five courses from the following: | 15 |
| HTH 352. Environmental Health | |
| HTH 360. Contemporary Health Issues | |
| HTH 370. Child and Adolescent Health | |
| HTH 372. Human Sexuality | |
| HTH 378. Use and Effects of Drugs | |
| HTH 441. Rehabilitative Biomechanics | |
| HTH 471. Health Aspects of Gerontology | |
| NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness |
Recommended Schedule for Health Studies Concentration
| First Year | Credit Hours |
| GHTH 100. Personal Wellness | 3 |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Other quantitative course for B.S. degree requirement | |
| OR HTH 320. taken later | |
| Pre-professional courses | 4-8 |
| General Education courses | 13-17 |
30 |
|
| Second Year | Credit Hours |
| HTH 230. Community Health | 3 |
| CHEM 120 + L | 3-8 |
| OR CHEM 131 + L and CHEM 132 + L | |
| BIO 270 OR BIO 280 OR BIO 290 | 4 |
| Health studies electives/pre-professional courses | 3-6 |
| General Education courses | 12-17 |
30 |
|
| Third Year | Credit Hours |
| HTH 300. Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BIO 270 OR BIO 280 OR BIO 290 | 4 |
| HTH 330. Introduction to Human Disease | 3 |
| HTH 354. U.S. Health Care System | 3 |
| Health studies electives/pre-professional courses | 3-6 |
| General Education electives | 6-9 |
| Electives | 0-5 |
30 |
|
| Fourth Year | Credit Hours |
| HTH 408. Managing and Interpreting HS Research Information | 3 |
| HTH 450. Epidemiology | 3 |
| HTH 451. Health Behavior Change | 3 |
| Health Studies electives/pre-professional courses | 11-16 |
| General Education courses | 3-8 |
| Electives | 0-7 |
30 |
|
Occupational Studies Concentration
This concentration is an early-entry program that can lead toward the Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) program. Through this concentration qualified and selected JMU undergraduate students prepare for admission to the MOT program during their senior year. The health sciences major core is combined with prerequisite courses and first year requisite courses that can lead to the MOT degree. This concentration allows the occupational studies student the opportunity to earn a B.S. degree prior to applying to, and gaining admission to, the MOT program. Entry into this concentration requires a supplemental admission process.
Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the occupational studies concentration or to the MOT program; likewise, admission into the occupational studies program as a senior does not ensure direct admission in the JMU Graduate School or the MOT program. Application to the MOT program will occur during the student's senior year with admission based on academic performance and other factors. Students must complete the General Education requirements, the health sciences major core requirements and the occupational studies core requirements prior to admission.
Students who successfully complete the required 85 undergraduate credits and meet all criteria listed for the supplemental application process, and are selected by the OT program admission committee, will be admitted to the occupational studies concentration prior to the start of their senior year. These students will then complete the remaining prescribed 35 undergraduate credits and will earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with an occupational studies concentration.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the occupational studies concentration must initially be accepted to JMU and can apply once all requirements for admission are completed. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 and earn a "C" (2.0) grade or better in all prerequisite course work. Applicants must submit evidence of:
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 (3.0 recommended) and must earn a "C" (2.0) grade or better in all prerequisite course work.
- Graduate Record Examination (http://www.gre.org) scores in Verbal, Quantitative and Writing. The GRE should be taken the student's junior year (fall term before Nov. 15) prior to applying to the occupational studies concentration. Contact the JMU Graduate School for more information.
- Documentation verifying a minimum of 40 hours of observation of occupational therapy services.
- Three reference forms: one from an instructor, one from an employer/volunteer supervisor and one from another non-related individual.
- Autobiography (1500 words or less).
- Evidence of at least one instructional experience reflecting skill attainment in the arts or media (from high school, community college or college course, private instruction, or community arts certificate).
- Meet all General Education requirements including the Information Seeking Skills Test (ISST) and computer competency requirements as required by the university.
- All prerequisites and requirements must be complete by the stated deadlines. Incomplete application packages will not be considered for admission.
Applicants who already have an earned baccalaureate degree should visit the Occupational Therapy Program Web site for prerequisite and admission requirements or call (540) 568-2399.
Occupational Studies Core Required Courses/Recommended Schedule
| First Year | Credit Hours |
| Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Human Communication | 3 |
| Writing | 3 |
| Historical, Cultural, Philosophical Perspectives | 3 |
| Fine Arts | 3 |
| Literature | 3 |
| American Experience | 4 |
| Global Experience (GANTH 195) | 3 |
| GHTH 100. Personal Wellness | 3 |
| GSOCI 240. Individual in Society | 3 |
| OR GSOCI 210. Social Issues in a Global Context | |
31 |
|
| Second Year | Credit Hours |
| GPSYC 160. Life Span Human Development | 3 |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| CHEM 120. Concepts of Chemistry | 3 |
| HTH 230. Community Health | 3 |
| NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness | 3 |
| BIO 290. Human Anatomy | 4 |
| PSYC 250. Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| HTH 354. U.S. HealthCare Systems | 3 |
| HTH 300. Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HTH 408. Health Research Methods | 3 |
31 |
|
| Third Year | Credit Hours |
| BIO 270. Human Physiology | 4 |
| HTH 330. Intro to Human Disease | 3 |
| HTH 451. Health Behavior Change | 3 |
| Elective | 6 |
| HTH 450. Epidemiology | 3 |
| HTH 320 OR MATH Elective | 3 |
| HTH 441. Rehab Biomechanics | 3 |
25 |
|
| Fourth Year | Credit Hours |
| (Admission to the occupational studies concentration required) | |
| HTH 409. Therapeutic Interaction | 3 |
| HTH 431. Human Occupation and Foundations of the Profession | 3 |
| BIO 414. Functional Anatomy for OTs | 4 |
| BIO 440. Functional Neuroscience | 3 |
| HTH 424. Occupational Development Through the Life Span | 3 |
| HTH 445. The Occupational Therapy Process | 3 |
| HTH 460. Sensorimotor Foundations of Occupation | 3 |
| HTH 461. Therapeutic Media in Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| HTH 478. Occupational Dysfunction - Cause & Impact | 3 |
| HTH 479. Foundations of Research in OT | 3 |
| HTH 435. Level One Fieldwork One | 1 |
| HTH 485. Psychosocial Perspectives in OT Practice | 3 |
| HTH 491. Occupational Therapy Tutorial I | 1 |
35 |
|
The Occupational Therapy Program has achieved full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (http://www.aota.org), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220; (301) 652-AOTA. All entry-level occupational therapy programs are now accredited at the post-baccalaureate level.
With full accreditation, program graduates are able to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), 12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150; (301) 990-7979; http://www.nbcot.org. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice. State licenses are usually based in part on the results of the NBCOT Certification exam. A prior felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Public Health Education Concentration
This concentration prepares the student for entry-level public health education positions or health-related positions in a wide variety of government, community, and voluntary health agencies, such as health departments and community-based health programs. This concentration also provides a strong foundation for students to pursue a Master of Public Health degree. Students completing this concentration are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. The program has been approved by the Society for Public Health Education and the American Association for Health Education.
Concentration Requirements
Students must complete the General Education requirements, the B.S. degree requirements, health sciences core and the public health education requirements.
| Required Courses | Credit Hours |
| Health Sciences Core | 35-40 |
| (See Health Sciences Core in previous section) | |
| HTH 352. Environmental Health | 3 |
| HTH 360. Contemporary Health Issues | 3 |
| HTH 370. Child and Adolescent Health | 3 |
| HTH 372. Human Sexuality | 3 |
| HTH 378. Use and Effects of Drugs | 3 |
| HTH 453. Public Health Education ethods | 3 |
| HTH 458. Health Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| HTH 471. Health Aspects of Gerontology | 3 |
| HTH 454. Internship in Health Organizations | 3 |
| Select 6 credits from the following designated electives | 6 |
| HTH 300. Medical Terminology | |
| HTH 354. U.S. Health Care System | |
| HTH 407. Health Education Facilitation/Synthesis | |
| NUTR 280. Nutrition for Wellness |
Public Health Education students are encouraged to have foreign language skills, particularly Spanish. Elective credits may be used for this purpose.
Recommended Schedule for Public Health Education Concentration
| First Year | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 120. Concepts of Chemistry1 | 3 |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics1 | 3 |
| General Education courses and electives | 24 |
30 |
|
| Second Year | Credit Hours |
| BIO 270. Human Physiology1 and/or | 7-8 |
| BIO 280. Allied Health Microbiology and/or | |
| BIO 290. Human Anatomy | |
| HTH 230. Community Health | 3 |
| Public health designated electives | 6 |
| General Education courses and electives | 14 |
30 |
|
| Third Year | Credit Hours |
| HTH 330. Introduction to Human Disease | 3 |
| HTH 352. Environmental Health | 3 |
| HTH 360. Contemporary Health Issues | 3 |
| HTH 370. Child and Adolescent Health | 3 |
| HTH 372. Human Sexuality | 3 |
| HTH 378. The Use and Effects of Drugs | 3 |
| HTH 451. Health Behavior Change | 3 |
| Quantitative requirement for B.S. degree. | 3 |
| (HTH 320 will count) | |
| General Education courses | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
30 |
|
In order to graduate in May of the senior year, a student must save HTH 450, HTH 453 and HTH 471 to be completed the third block of the senior year. The internship, HTH 454, is completed the fourth block. The internship is full-time supervised work at a professional site for eight weeks; thus, semester long courses cannot be taken the spring semester of the senior year.
Students who need additional courses must complete their internship during the summer after their senior year.
Fourth Year
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours |
| HTH 408. Health Research Methods | 3 |
| HTH 458. Health Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| Electives | 12 |
18 |
|
| Spring Semester | Credit Hours |
| Third Block | |
| HTH 450. Epidemiology2 | 3 |
| HTH 453. Public Health Education Methods2 | 3 |
| HTH 471. Health Aspects of Gerontology2 | 3 |
| Fourth Block | |
| HTH 454. Internship in Health Organizations3 | |
12 |
|
1 BIO 270, CHEM 120 and MATH 220 may be counted for both general education and the major.
2 Offered first eight weeks of spring semester.
3 Offered only in spring or summer.
Master Level Degrees
In addition to undergraduate programs, the Department of Health Sciences offers several advanced degrees. For more information about any of the programs listed, refer to the Graduate Catalog, College of Graduate and Outreach Programs Web site at http://www.jmu.edu/grad or gain access through the Health Sciences Web site at http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu.
- Master of Occupational Therapy
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Master of Science in Health Sciences: Dietetics Concentration
- Master of Science in Health Sciences: Nutrition and Physical Activity Concentration
- Physical and Health Education Teacher Education Certification
This program is housed in the Department of Kinesiology and culminates in a Master of Arts in Teaching degree.
Credit by Examination
The Department of Health Sciences offers credit by examination for a limited numberof the courses taught in the department. Students who want permission to take an examination must apply to the department head during the regular registration period. Students will receive details regarding approval and examination dates after they apply. Examinations will be given only in courses offered during the semester.
