Health Sciences (B.S.)
Indiana State University
Description:
The University offers a bachelor of science (B.S.) in health sciences with concentrations in environmental health, health administration, public health, and school health education.
The objectives of the Health Sciences Program are to prepare health educators who help maintain and improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of people; to prepare students to become health teachers; and to prepare students to pursue graduate education in a variety of related fields.
Course work includes a required core of health sciences courses—plus one of the following concentrations:
- Environmental Health Concentration: This option is for students who wish to
become environmental health specialists. Course work includes study in epidemiology; pollution
prevention and control; water, air, soil, and food protection; industrial health and safety;
toxicology; environmental field sampling and analysis; environmental law; hazardous substances
and waste material; health promotion planning and evaluation; research; and statistics—plus an
internship in environmental health. Graduates are eligible to take the state examination to become a
registered environmental health specialist.
- Health Administration Concentration: This option is for students who wish to become
administrators in health agencies. Course work includes study in epidemiology, environmental health,
safety, health promotion planning and evaluation, research, statistics—plus an internship in a
health agency. In addition, the program includes courses in business administration and human
resource development. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES)
Examination, the national credential for health education.
- Public Health Concentration: This option is for students who wish to become
community health specialists. Course work includes study in epidemiology, environmental health,
industrial health and safety, health promotion planning and evaluation, research, statistics—plus
an internship in community health. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education
Specialists (CHES) Examination, the national credential for health education.
- School Health Education Concentration: This option is for students who wish to obtain licensure to teach in middle school, junior high, and high school. Course work includes study in school health education, psychology of childhood and adolescence, education in a multicultural society, and emergency health care. In addition, students complete a sequence of professional courses offered in conjunction with the College of Education. Students gain teaching skills through classroom and field experiences—and through their required student teaching experience.
In addition, all students complete the University's General Education Program, which provides the knowledge needed in computers, critical thinking, leadership, and interpersonal and communication skills.
The faculty are dedicated to providing quality learning opportunities through course design, internships, student teaching experiences, and service learning projects. Courses are centered in the 230,000-square-foot College of Health and Human Performance Building. Relatively small class sizes make it possible for students to receive individualized attention.
Eta Sigma Gamma, a national honorary organization for students in the health sciences, has a chapter at Indiana State. In addition, all programs in the department sponsor active student groups that have close ties to professional organizations in the field.
Required Courses:
Careers:
Graduates specializing in each of the major's four concentrations are well prepared for careers in their chosen area study.
- Graduates who select the environmental health concentration are prepared to work on an array of
issues related to human health and environment. They work at a variety of local, state, and federal
environmental and public health agencies, and with private industry, consulting firms, and nonprofit
organizations.
- Graduates who select the health administration concentration are prepared for entry-level managerial careers in medical, public, and nonprofit
health settings.
- Graduates who select the public health concentration are prepared for careers as community health specialists in medical, public, and nonprofit settings.
Responsibilities include conducting health education and health promotion for diverse populations with the goal of promoting
healthy lifestyles and behavior.
- Graduates who select the school health education concentration are prepared to obtain licensure to teach in middle school, junior high, and high school. Graduates will be in demand as the field of school health education continues to grow throughout Indiana and the surrounding states. As more and more schools embrace the national initiative for Comprehensive School Health Education, which requires health education in each school, the demand for licensed school health education teachers will continue to grow.
In addition, graduates of the Health Services Program (all four concentrations) are prepared to pursue graduate education in a variety of related fields.
Accreditation:
The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Students have many sources of financial support for their studies, including financial aid, work-study programs, veterans' benefits, and special scholarships for entering freshmen and transfer students.
In addition, the Department of Health, Safety, and Environmental Health Sciences offers a variety of scholarships and awards. For information, contact the department.
Further Information:
Department of Health, Safety, and Environmental Health Sciences
Indiana State University
812-237-3071
www.indstate.edu/hsehs
The Catalog of Indiana State University is the document of authority for all students. The requirements given in the catalog supersede information issued by any academic department, program, college, or school. The University reserves the right to change the requirements at any time.
Last updated 5 November 2009