Public Health and Health Sciences Department

Amy Nelson, Program Director-Public Health B.S. and Health Sciences B.S.
Center for Health Education, 224
Phone: (605) 658-6362
Email: healthsciencesmajor@usd.edu
http://link.usd.edu/PublicHealthandHealthSciences

FACULTY

Associate Professor:

Musheera AnisAbdellatif, PhD

Senior Lecturer:

Amy Nelson, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, MT(ASCP)

Senior Lecturer:

Ange Johson, EdD, MHA, LNHA

Lecturer:

Wynette Mockler, DNP, MPH, MSN/Ed, RN
Minga Vargas, MPH

Instructors:

Jonelle Hook, MA
Kerri Muehler, MS, OTR/L

Adjunct Instructors:

Michelle Chaussee, MPAS, PA-C
Kira Clark, PhD, MPH, CHES
Corryn Gabbert, MPH
Ally Gross, MPH
Morgan Hughes, MPH
Curstie Konold, MPH
Nicole Koskovich, DPT
Madie Palecek, MPH
Rexann Smith, RN, MSN
Anna Stach, MS, OTR/L
Margaret Walker, EdD, MSN, RN, MBA

Clinical Instructors

Lora Black, RN, MPH, OCN, CCRP
Ellie Gibbons, BS

Academic Advisors:

Brittany Schultz, MS

MAJORS:

Health Sciences, B.S.

OPTIONAL SPECIALIZATIONS:

Clinical Studies Specialization
Radiologic Technology Specialization

ACCELERATED PATHWAYS:

Fast Track BS in Health Sciences, Clinical Studies Specialization 3+3 Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)
Fast Track BS in Health Sciences to MS in Health Sciences with Applied Behavioral Analysis Specialization

Public Health, B.S.

OPTIONAL SPECIALIZATION: 

Health Education Specialization

ACCELERATED PATHWAY:

Fast Track BS in Public Health to Master of Public Health (MPH) Accelerated Program

MINORS:

Health Sciences
Public Health

CERTIFICATES:

Healthcare Analytics
Healthcare Leadership
Clinical Research Coordinator
Disability Services

ASSOCIATE DEGREE:

Applied Health Sciences, A.S.

Program Overviews:

Applied Health Sciences, A.S. The Associates of Applied Health Sciences is a stackable degree with a curriculum grounded in foundational science and health courses. The Associates of Applied Health Sciences is offered through the University of South Dakota at the Sioux Falls campus and online. Students who complete the Associates of Applied Health Sciences may be interested in continuing their education to achieve the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences.

Health Sciences, B.S.  The University of South Dakota is the only university in the Regental system to offer a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. This dynamic degree provides flexible options that allow students to prepare for many health careers.The curriculum is centered on healthcare-focused coursework, giving students a strong foundation in the systems, practices, and professional expectations that define today’s healthcare environment. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences will prepare students for:

Entry into graduate programs in a specific health profession.
Pathways into clinical research and radiologic technology careers
Opportunities to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in combination with a technical degree in health care.
Entry-level employment in healthcare or healthcare-related positions.
Career mobility and advancement for individuals with a healthcare background.

Public Health, B.S. The BS in Public Health provides students with the knowledge and practical skills required of a public health generalist. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in human health and disease, addressing health communication, health disparities, legal and ethical issues, management of public health systems, and policy and research. Students learn to assess population health needs and to plan, evaluate, and advocate for effective health promotion. Graduates are equipped to enhance public health services and advance the health and well‑being of communities at every level.

Heath Sciences, B.S. with Radiologic Technology Specialization Admission Requirements:

Students are admitted to the Radiologic Technology Specialization following acceptance into a partnering hospital‑based radiologic technology program and completion of USD background checks, Health Affairs immunizations, health insurance, and CPR requirements.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. See School of Health Sciences for school-level scholarships.

Student Learning Outcomes for Applied Health Sciences (A.S.)

Students will be able to apply scientific critical thinking to analyzing healthcare situations.
Students will apply biological and chemical concepts to advanced coursework in health care and clinical practice.
Students will be able to understand, interpret and converse in scientific and healthcare language.

Student Learning Outcomes for Health Sciences (B.S.)

Students will be able to demonstrate the cultivation of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation that will enable them to make a difference in the civic life of communities and promote the quality of life in a community and engage in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community.
Students will interact with other students and evaluate the effort put into team tasks, interactions with others, and the quantity and quality of team discussions.
Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
Students will be able to assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.
Students will intentionally engage in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to participation in educational and community programs for all members of society.
Students will connect ideas and experiences in order to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus. 
Students will be able to communicate meaningfully with members of the healthcare community using appropriate oral, written, and non-verbal skills.  
Students will be able to demonstrate professional behaviors when interacting with members of the healthcare community to serve others appropriately and enhance patient care/services and/or organizational management. 
Students will be able to complete self-assessments, outline the process for developing a vision, and develop a plan to influence change in health care.

Student Learning Outcomes for Public Health (B.S.)

Students will utilize the basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology.
Students will compare the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the US health systems as well as the differences in systems in other countries.
Students will evaluate the socioeconomic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities.
Students will identify the underlying science of human health and disease, including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course.
Students will apply the concepts of population health and the basic processes, approaches, and interventions that identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations.
Students will describe the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts and functions across the globe and in society.