Kent State University Catalog 2010 - 2011

Integrated Health Studies

COLLEGE:	College of Education, Health and Human Services
DEPARTMENT:	School of Health Sciences 100 Nixson Hall PH: 330-672-2197 \| Fax: 330-672-2194 Web: http://www.ehhs.kent.edu/hs/

Resources:

DESCRIPTION:	The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Health Studies is designed for students interested in pursuing studies related to the health professions. The primary mission of the Integrated Health Studies program is to educate individuals to serve present and future needs of an increasingly diverse society in the professional fields associated with health and/or medical services. Fundamental to its mission is the education of students to excel as practitioners and provide leadership to their respective disciplines. All students complete the university’s Kent Core (Kent Core). Integrated Health Studies (IHS) students also take a core of courses that relate to health studies. The core consists of coursework related to medical terminology, health care ethics, health care policy and delivery systems, research design and statistical analysis, quantitative statistics, a writing intensive class and a professional seminar class at the end of the program. The program may culminate in a practicum experience consistent with the student’s career goals. The knowledge and understanding gained from the core coursework then are applied within the context of a specific concentration selected by the student based upon the student’s interests. Each of the three concentrations, health sciences, health services, health care administration and services, prepares the student for specific occupational opportunities and/or advanced study in the health and human services fields. The health sciences concentration includes a strong basic science core (biology, chemistry, physics) as well as an applied science core (physiology of exercise, nutrition). Integrated Health Studies majors in the health sciences concentration will be prepared for science-based graduate programs, especially physical or occupational therapy, and other advanced study options. The health services concentration provides comprehensive study of health professions, human development, and human services. The students completing this program find careers in the service delivery sector of the health care industry such as non-profit and/or government agencies (e.g., health departments, national/state/local health organizations). This health services program also is designed to provide students in associate degree programs in the allied health areas, such as physical or occupational therapy assisting technology, with the opportunity to obtain a highly relevant bachelor’s degree. The health care administration and services concentration is designed to prepare students for administrative positions in the health care industry. This concentration includes a business minor and includes courses consisting of marketing, management, finance, economics, and computer applications, as well as specialized courses related to long term care administration and social welfare polity. The students completing this concentration assume positions in the business sector of a health related industry. Other students may wish to pursue graduate study in such fields as business administration, health administration, exercise/leisure/sports administration, and public health.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:	According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health and human services areas will grow faster than average through 2012. Students completing the IHS health services concentration are prepared to assume a role in the service delivery sector of the health care industry. Others may wish to pursue graduate study leading to advanced professional credentials. Students completing the IHS health care administration and systems concentration are prepared for careers in the business sector of the health care industry though others may wish to purse graduate study to obtain mid-management administrative credentials. Students completing the IHS health sciences concentration are prepared to purse graduate study in health-medical fields. Possible graduate programs may include: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, Sports Medicine, Physician Assistant, Gerontology, Business Administration, Health Administration, Public Health, Health Education, Clinical Psychology, Nutrition, and Exercise/Leisure/Sport Administration. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:	Students admitted to the College of Education, Health, and Human Services as freshmen must have been fully admitted to the university. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program and Community Health, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.75 high school GPA and 16 units of college preparatory curriculum or a 21 ACT or 980 SAT score. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements of their intended major may enroll as pre-majors for selected programs or EHHS General until which time they have the required 2.75 GPA. Students are admitted to health and human services programs and educational studies using the university admission criteria (see the Entering the University section of this Catalog), with the exception of the sport administration program, which requires a 2.75 high school GPA for entering freshmen and a 21 ACT or 980 SAT score. Selective admission criteria are used in some programs in the college. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements of their intended major may enroll as pre-majors for selected programs or EHHS General until which time they have the required GPA. Students desiring to major in human development and family studies or speech pathology and audiology are admitted as pre-majors and later are accepted into the appropriate program only after specific requirements have been met. It is imperative that the student contact the individual school for detailed information.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:	Minimum 121 credit hours. Minimum 2.25 major and 2.0 cumulative GPA. Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA to declare and graduate with a Business minor
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:	None
STUDY ABROAD/AWAY OPPORTUNITIES:	There are many study abroad/away opportunities, for more information contact the Office of International Affairs.
PROGRAM FEE:	$35/semester