The Department of Allied Health provides a diversified curriculum which prepares students for careers in a variety of health and/or safety-related disciplines, such as gerontology, health education, community health, health services administration, and safety and environmental management. The department offers a bachelor of science with a major in health science or a major in safety and environmental management, and a bachelor of science in education with a major in health education, and a certificate or minor in gerontology.
Slippery Rock University is one of an elite group of institutions to have its program in health education meet national standards of the Association for the Advancement of Health Education.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Health Science
Specialization: Community Health (60 credits)

Students majoring in health science may select from the following areas of specialization: community health, or health services administration.

Specialization in Community Health

“After my graduation from Slippery Rock University, I had no problem gaining employment. Other health professionals seemed to be very impressed with the educational background I received as a community health major. Because I am working as a health data analyst, I found my data management, biostatistics, and epidemiology courses to be most helpful. My employers were also impressed that, while at SRU, I participated in an undergraduate research project. This provided me with the opportunity to further explore and practice data analysis.”

Amy Zychowski ’99

Community Health is a discipline in which professionals deliver health information and programs within the community setting. Graduates of this program have a broad based background in the field of health that prepares them for entry level positions in health education, health promotion, health data management or for further graduate study in a health-related field.

Upon completion of this program our students are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist examination, which is a national credentialing examination for people who wish to practice health education in a community (non-public school) setting. Today, the Certified Health Education Specialist credential is often preferred or even required for many health education positions. Graduates who complete our Community Health program successfully pass the Certified Health Education Specialist examination at a rate well above the national average. Recent graduates have entered positions in state and local health departments, in community based wellness programs, for voluntary health organizations such as the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society, and for federal government health programs such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Cancer Institute, and health insurance companies such as HealthPLACE of Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. About one-half of graduates enter graduate programs in physical or occupational therapy.

Students are encouraged to take additional coursework or minors in complementary areas of study such as gerontology, foreign language or business. The program culminates in a 12-credit internship, which provides hands-on experiences and further insights into career opportunities in community health. Students may select their own internship site or may choose from a database of previously used sites. It is through this internship experience that students actually identify the branch of community health in which they would like to practice. Students are required to select a major project for their internship experience that demonstrates mastery of entry-level professional skills. The internship experience culminates with a mock professional conference on campus at which all students make a professional presentation of the internship project. Frequently interns remain at the sites as employees following their internships.

Community health faculty members have on-going research projects in which advanced level students can become involved. Students help professors analyze data and prepare professional conference presentations, which the student actually attends and presents under the mentorship of the faculty member. Students also have the opportunity to present at the National Collegiate Undergraduate Research Conference. Other student activities include the Pennsylvania Public Health Association Collegiate Chapter and the peer health education program run by the SRU student health service.

Admission Criteria
Declaration of the community health major does not guarantee admission into the community health program.

To be officially admitted into the community health program, a student must attain a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.000 and a minimum QPA of 2.500 in the program courses by the end of the second semester of the sophomore year.

Curriculum
Professional Requirements: AHEA 210, 262, 301, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 406, 410, 450, BIOL 210, 216, 217, CHEM 104, MATH 114

Internship Required: Cumulative QPA of 2.000 and program QPA of 2.500 required for internship assignments, which are during the summer.

Retention Criteria
Students must maintain both a 2.000 cumulative and 2.500 program QPA to be retained in the program. Students failing to meet a QPA of 2.000 cumulative and a 2.500 in the program (major) will be given one semester to meet these requirements. Students can either retake courses or take additional courses to improve their QPA. If the student is not successful in meeting the QPA requirements, the student will be removed from the program. At that point the student must select another major.

Degree Completion in Four Years*
Community Health (BS)

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
ENGL 101, 103	6		BIOL 216, 217	6
CHEM 104	3		AHEA 210, 262, 301	9
CPSC 110	3		MATH 114	3
PESM 141	1		COMM 200	3
PESM			Liberal Studies	9
Liberal Studies	18
Total Hours	32		Total Hours	30
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
BIOL 210	3		AHEA 406, 410, 450	18
AHEA 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314	18		Electives	10
Liberal Studies	3
Electives	6			28
Total Hours	30		Total Hours	28
			Completion Hours	120

Specialization in Health Services Administration

“The health services administration program at Slippery Rock University built an excellent foundation and offered the opportunities to assist in my personal and professional development. If I had it to do all over again, I would not change a thing.”

Jill Sibert, ’97
Business Analyst
Health Care Management Services
Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield

The health services administration program prepares traditional and non-traditional students to assume decision-making positions within a dynamic health care environment. It accomplishes this by providing a comprehensive and current curriculum in health administration. This program maintains high standards and membership in the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.

Coursework, structured extracurricular learning experiences and an internship provide an excellent foundation in this area. Students are prepared to assume a variety of positions within the health care field and are also prepared to enter highly selective graduate and professional programs.

Health services administration students have pursued a variety of positions within health care systems and health-related organizations. These positions represent a broad spectrum of health care systems including hospitals, nursing homes, managed care plans, group practices, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, technology firms, medical supply companies, adult day care centers, senior citizen centers, rehabilitation centers, primary care centers, retirement villages and medical centers.

Students participate in the student chapter of the American College of Health Care Executives and attend the Annual Congress of the American College of Health Care Executives held in Chicago, Illinois. Field trips include the Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania, Hamot Medical Center, Health Policy Institute of the University of Pittsburgh, and numerous others.

Health services administration students participate in a 12-week administrative internship during the summer of their junior year or the summer of their senior year. This internship provides the linkage between the knowledge obtained throughout the curriculum and the knowledge required in the field. SRU students have been given excellent recommendations for graduate programs and employment following internships. Additionally, many students have been offered employment as a result of their excellent performance during the internship.

Professional Requirements: AHEA 111, 231, 332, 333, 335, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 439, 450, ACCT 205, CPSC 210, MGMT 250, 354, 365

Internship Required: A 12-week summer internship is required as a capstone experience prior to graduation. The internship provides opportunities to obtain practical experience, to network, and to identify potential employment opportunities.

Students are encouraged to maintain active membership in the SRU student chapter and the national chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives and other professional associations based upon special interests. Invaluable opportunities exist within the organizations and they assist with socializing students into the profession and serve as an excellent opportunity to network with administrators in the field.

Certificate Program
The Health Services Administration (HSA) Program is the only undergraduate program at Slippery Rock University, which has been approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to offer the 120 hours required to be eligible to sit for the Nursing Home Administration license examination. Once admitted to the HSA program, students must meet all of the HSA program requirements and take six designated courses to earn the certificate in Nursing Home Administration.

Degree Completion in Four Years*
Health Services Administration (BS)

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
AHEA 111	3		AHEA 231	3
ENGL 101, 103	6		COMM 200	3
PESM 141	1		CPSC 210	3
Liberal Studies	16		ACCT 205	3
Elective	3		ENGL 210	3
			MGMT 250	3
			Liberal Studies	13
Total Hours	29		Total Hours	31
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
AHEA 332, 333, 335	9		AHEA 433, 434	6
MGMT 354, 365	6		AHEA 435, 436, 437, 439	12
Liberal Studies	12		AHEA 450	12
Elective	3
Total Hours	30		Total Hours	30
			Completion Hours	123

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education
Major: School Health Education (65 credits)

The specific course of study and the requirements leading to a major in school health education with teacher certification in health education are available in the Department of Allied Health or from the student’s advisor.

Official admission to and retention in the College of Education are prerequisites for teacher education coursework. Details are available in the Department of Allied Health or from the student’s advisor.

Professional Requirements: AHEA 205, 210, 262, 301, 309, 314, 316, 406, 455, PSYC 321, BIOL 216, CEDP 248, 342, SPED 313, SEFE 200, 270, 329, 375, 380, 426

Degree Completion in Four Years
School Health (BS)

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
ENGL 101, 103	6		AHEA 210, 262	6
PESM 141	1		COMM 200	3
Liberal Studies	21		BIOL 216	3
			PESM Activity	1
			SEFE 200	3
			CEDP 248	3
			CEDP 342	3
			Liberal Studies	9
Total Hours	28		Total Hours	31
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
AHEA 205, 314, 316	9		AHEA 406	3
AHEA 301, 309	6		SEFE 329, 375, 380, 426	8
SPED 313	3		AHEA 455	12
SEFE 270	3		Liberal Studies	3
Electives	3		Elective	5
Liberal Studies	6
Total Hours	30		Total Hours	31
			Completion Hours	120

*This program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Program in Safety and Environmental Management

Coordinator
Joseph Cali

“The education and support I received from the faculty in the Slippery Rock University’s safety and environmental management major was excellent! The major contained top notch classroom education and a practical real world internship that enabled myself and other alumni to be extremely marketable to employers.”

Angela Mattis, ’97
Compliance Officer
U.S. Dept. of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration

This major is designed to assure development of competencies which enable innovative approaches in the establishment and direction of comprehensive occupational safety programs in educational, governmental, and private business and industrial enterprises. The curriculum is aimed at assuring understanding of both foundation and application concepts emphasized by contemporary safety programs. The curriculum emphasizes safety integration, risk curtailment, hazard abatement and loss minimization. The philosophical basis of this major is to achieve the mission of curtailing the causes of incidents and minimizing sustained losses and incurred costs. The primary focus is to protect and preserve people, property, and productivity. The major is based on safety management with technical elements incorporated throughout the curriculum. Courses are offered primarily during the day with some evening classes.

All students accepted into the safety and environmental management major are encouraged to be student members of both the American Society of Safety Engineers and the student section of ASSE at Slippery Rock University. Both of these organizations have annual dues. Students are also encouraged to attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops as part of their professional educational growth.

Students enrolled in the safety major are provided a unique opportunity to access Slippery Rock University’s Center for Safety and Environmental Management. Students are able to enroll, at no cost, in the available certification course offerings and programs, such as hazardous waste operations and emergency response, permit required confined space, hazard communication, respiratory protection, blood borne pathogens, asbestos, etc.

Upon completion of the degree, students are prepared for entry-to-mid-level administrative, managerial, and supervisory positions in the field of safety in a variety of enterprises, including, health care, insurance, manufacturing, chemical, consulting, higher education and government agencies. Examples of positions include: risk control manager, safety consultant, safety coordinator, safety account manager, assistant safety representative, loss control representative, health and safety scientist, safety and environmental manager, safety engineer, regional safety coordinator, senior environmental engineer, corporate health and safety officer, regulatory compliance coordinator, safety and health compliance officer, safety supervisor, and field safety coordinator.

The internship program is administered in cooperation with a variety of agencies, including government, industry insurance, health care and other related enterprises. Students in the internship program gain practical experience under the direction of professional safety personnel. The 12-week, 12-credit internship is offered only during the summer term, with the majority of interns receiving compensation. Students have been offered safety positions at their internship site as a result of their performance.

Contact the Department of Allied Health for the most current requirements.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Safety and Environmental Management (59 credits)

Required Professional Courses: AHEA 118, 218, 318, 328, 338, 348, 368, 408, 448, 488, and 450. CHEM 104 or 107, MGMT 250 or 251, MGMK 354

Select two from: AHEA 418, 428, MGMT 451, 452, 453, 455, 546

Degree Completion in Four Years
Safety & Environmental Management (BS)

Freshman Year	Hours		Sophomore Year	Hours
ENGL 101, 103	6		CHEM 104	3
AHEA 118	3		COMM 200	3
PESM 141	1		ENGL 210	3
Liberal Studies	19		AHEA 218, 338	7
			MGMT 250 or 251	3
			Liberal Studies	6
			Elective	6
Total Hours	29		Total Hours	31
Junior Year	Hours		Senior Year	Hours
MGMT 354	3		AHEA 408	3
AHEA 318	4		AHEA 418 or 428	3
AHEA 328, 348, 368	9		PESM Activity	1
AHEA 448, 488	6		Liberal Studies	9
AHEA 418 or 428	3		Elective	1
Liberal Studies	3		AHEA 450 (summer)	12
Elective	3
Total Hours	31		Total Hours	29
			Completion Hours	120

Program in Gerontology

Coordinator
Nancy Gabrielsen

“My experience with the SRU gerontology program fostered my interest in aging. The education was the key that unlocked the door to my career in gerontology.”

Michelle Zanicky Jamieson
December, 1992

Gerontology is an interdisciplinary specialization that focuses on aging and the aging process. This specialization is designed to enhance the understanding of aging and enrich interactions among generations. It is a valuable adjunct for those preparing to work directly with, or indirectly for, older persons. Job opportunities for students who have academic preparation in gerontology are available in community agencies servicing the older adult, long term care facilities and hospitals, senior citizen living facilities, and community recreation and senior centers. The program is open to students in any major. Students may decide to complete the requirements for a certificate in gerontology or a gerontology minor.

The Student Gerontological Society provides students with opportunities to participate in the annual campus-wide Health Fest in October, community outreach activities, and program marketing as well as attend national and regional conferences. Sigma Phi Omega, the national honorary society in gerontology, recognizes students’ exemplary scholastic accomplishments in the field of aging. Undergraduate students with a QPA of 3.300 or above (on a 4.000 scale) are eligible to apply.

Requirements for the Certificate in Gerontology
With the assistance of an advisor from the Gerontology Program, students will select four 3-credit courses approved from the gerontology specialization and will culminate their studies with a 3-credit internship related to their area of interest.

Requirements for the Minor in Gerontology
Students must take a total of five 3-credit courses as well as a 3-credit internship related to major area of interest and involving the elderly unless they have taken such an internship in their major. Of the five required courses, one must be Aging and the Older Person (GERO 265), at least one course from the list of approved gerontology courses in the health science area, and one course from the psychological/sociological area.

To enter the gerontology program, students must submit an application form requiring the advisor’s signature. A quality point average of 2.500 is required at the end of the semester prior to internship. Students are to notify the gerontology office when they have completed all of the requirements.

Courses Approved for Gerontology: GERO 265, 425, 450, 465, 490, AHEA 202, 414, ERS 235, 476, SASW 342, PSYC 365, PREE 420, CEDP 504, NURS 498

Advisement. Students planning to complete the program in gerontology will declare a major within a department. Major responsibility for advisement will rest within this department. Students must assume responsibility for fulfilling all requirements for graduation.

Program in Health Care Informatics

Coordinator
Ramona Nelson

Health Care Informatics is focused on the development and application of information technology to health care information. It is an interdisciplinary program integrating health care computer and information science. Health care informatics specialists are professionals who assume direct responsibility for automated information systems within a health care context acting as a liaison between health care and computer specialists.

The Health Care Informatics program is offered in three tracts. Tract I is designed for students who are interested in health care and computers but do not have a degree in either area. Tract II is a fast tract for students with a major or degree in one of the health care fields. Tract III is a fast tract designed for students with a major or degree in computer science/information systems. Each of the three tracts is offered as an undergraduate minor or as a certificate. The certificate option is available for post-baccalaureate students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree.

All students in each tract are required to take two courses in health care informatics (NURS 311, 511) and complete a 3-credit practicum or internship capstone experience (NURS 450). In addition students must complete the requirements for their specific tract.

Requirements for students in Tract I
CPSC 130 or 140, 210, 323; AHEA 111, 231, 335; a computer science elective course, select one of the following: CPSC 140, 150, 300, 305, or 413; and a health related elective course, select one of the following: AHEA 202, 210, 311, 433, NURS 312, 408, 422, or PHIL 325.

Requirements for health-related student in Tract II
CPSC 130 or 140, 210, 323; elective course, select one of the following: CPSC 140 150, 300, 305, or 413.

Requirements for computer science/information system student in Tract III
AHEA 111, 231, 335; elective course, select one of the following: AHEA 202, 210, 311, 433, NURS 312, 408, 422, or PHIL 325.

Healthcare informatics students will be provided advisement related to the minor or certificate program by Ramona Nelson, nursing department, or Sharadchandra Joshi, computer science department.