The Department of Health Sciences serves the region by educating and preparing competent and responsible health-care professionals so that they can deliver the best quality health care possible. The Department of Health Sciences also fosters professionalism, personal growth and development, and self-actualization, and is committed to continuing professional development for the health care practitioners in the tri-state area.

For General Information

Jim Kadel, M.B.A., D.D.S., Dean
Mattie Burton, PhD, RN, CNEA, Associate Dean
Sarah Clausing, M.B.A., Secretary
College of Professional Studies

Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

Phone: 740.351.3270
Fax: 740.351.3354
E-mail: jkadel@shawnee.edu
           mburton@shawnee.edu
           sclausing@shawnee.edu
          

Health Science Admissions Representative:

Phone: 740.351.3209
Fax:  740.351.3107

Master of Occupational Therapy Admission Representative:

Penny Merritt, Secretary
Phone:740.351.3225
Fax: 740.351.3354
E-mail: pmerritt@shawnee.edu

Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

Programs in Health Sciences
 

Selective Admission Criteria

Fulfilling the criteria for admission into a health sciences program does not automatically guarantee entrance into the program. Since the number of candidates who meet the minimal criteria for admission generally far exceeds the number of vacancies, each program ranks the candidates using selected criteria in addition to the minimal admission requirements. For example, additional criteria may include, but is not limited to, high school and/or college grade point average; completion of additional coursework in college level biology, mathematics, and chemistry; work experience; and autobiographies. Information about the criteria used for the ranking of applicants may be obtained by contacting the department chairperson.

Hospital Clinical Sites

Some health science programs utilize hospital clinical sites for the completion of their requirements for graduation. These affiliating hospitals have the right to accept or reject a student, which could result in a student being delayed in a program or unable to complete the requirements for graduation. A conviction record for certain classes of misdemeanors or any felony may result in ineligibility for licensure in specific health occupations. Also, the affiliating hospitals have the right to reject students due to a criminal record.

Health Science Class Scheduling

The majority of all health science classes are scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. However, it may be necessary to schedule your required classes in English, natural sciences, and humanities during the evening hours as the required clinical and laboratory times in the health science courses involve many hours during the 8:00 to 5:00 day schedules.

Pass/No-Credit Policy

Classes may only be taken for non-credit if prior permission has been obtained from the health science department chairperson. This applies to courses taken in preparation for admission to the health science programs as well as courses taken after admission to a program.

Guidelines for Appealing a Dismissal From a Health Science Program

Each of the programs within the Department of Health Sciences has minimum academic and clinical performance standards that permit a student to continue in the program. Failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal from the program. Information concerning the performance standards is available in this catalog, the student handbook for the individual program, and from the department’s chairperson.

Dismissal from a health science program may be appealed by the following process.

• Within three working days following a dismissal notification a request in writing to appeal the dismissal must be made to the department chairperson. The chairperson will notify the student of the result of this appeal within three working days following the meeting.
• The chairperson’s decision may be appealed by submitting a written request to the chairperson to arrange for a review by the dean (or designee), the chairperson (or designee), and the provost (or designee). The student will be informed of the result of this review within two working days following that meeting.

Criteria to be used in ruling on a dismissal appeal include past academic achievement, the student’s rationale for current grade status, and the prediction of future performance in the program.

Dismissal from a health science program is not the same as dismissal from the University. University dismissal policies are outlined in this catalog under the section titled ‘‘Academic Policies.’’

Associate Degrees

Minimum Admission Requirements for Associate Degree Programs

The following requirements apply to all associate degree health science programs:

• New students must submit an application to Shawnee State University, along with an application for admission to the health science program of their choice and the current nonrefundable application fee. Individual health science applications are available as a PDF at www.shawnee.edu.
• Current Shawnee State students must submit an application for admission to the chosen health science program, along with the current nonrefundable application fee. Individual health science applications are available as a PDF at www.shawnee.edu.
• Official high school transcript or GED test score transcript (along with partial high school transcript) and official college transcripts must be submitted.

Please note: Transcripts may be sent directly from the high school or applicants may hand carry the transcript in an envelope sealed with a guidance counselor’s signature. Guidance counselors or high school officials may send transcripts via FAX to 740.351.3111 if accompanied by a signed transmittal form or by electronic transfer. The University reserves the right to verify the final, official authenticity of any student’s transcript. Any transcript document found to be fraudulent becomes the student’s responsibility and the University reserves the right to withdraw admission acknowledgment and/or approval of acceptance.

College transcripts must be sent directly from the school to Shawnee State to “be official.’’ Photocopies, fax, and hand-carried transcripts are not accepted.

• Students must have a “C” or above in algebra, biology, and chemistry requirements. A ‘‘C-’’ is not accepted. Students with a “C-” average in one of these courses are not considered for admission.
• ACT results that meet the published requirements.
• Students may be required to complete an ‘‘Autobiography Form,’’ which is provided to students after the application to the University is received.
• Applicants to the physical therapist assistant or occupational therapy assistant programs are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours volunteer or work experience in a facility serving the disabled or handicapped. OTA applicants must work under the direct supervision of either a licensed occupational therapy assistant or occupational therapist. Applicants to the PTA program must work under the direct supervision of either a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Appropriate forms are provided to students after the application to the University is received, or they are available on-line.
• When all minimum admission criteria have been met, files are forwarded to the appropriate department’s chairperson. Students are not considered for admission to a health science program until all minimum admission requirements are completed.
• Applicants to the medical laboratory and respiratory therapy programs must schedule a meeting with the department’s chairperson when their file is complete. Applicants to other programs are contacted if further information is needed.
• Physical examinations are required for students who have been officially accepted into a health science program. Forms are provided by the individual departments.

Questions regarding admission procedures or application status should be directed to the health science representative at 740.351.3209.

Associate Degree Admission Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Admission Consideration

Please note that meeting the minimum criteria for admission consideration does not guarantee admittance into a Health Science Program.  All candidates meeting the minimum criteria for admission consideration are subsequently ranked and only a selected number are admitted due to clinical site limitations.  In most years, the number of applicants meeting the minimum criteria far exceeds the numbers of seats available in individual Health Sciences Programs.  As a result, the qualifications of those students admitted are much higher than the minimum requirements for admission consideration.

¹  Applicants with 20 hours of college credit are required to have a GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
²  Nursing applicants must have a score of 18 in all ACT sections, if less than 20 hours of college credit.  All high school applicants will be required to take placement tests in English and Math unless they have post-secondary credit or ACT scores that will place them in appropriate course levels.
³  All nursing applicants must place or have college transfer credit equivalent to English 1101 or  English 1102, and Math 1200.
⁴ Applicants to the occupational therapy assistant program must work/volunteer under the direct supervision of either a licensed occupational therapy assistant or occupational therapist.
⁵ Applicants with 15 hours of college credit are required to have a GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale, to substitute for a low or absent ACT.
⁶ Applicants to the physical therapist assistant program must work/volunteer under the direct supervision of either a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and must have 20 hours each in two distinct PT settings. (Total 40 hours)
⁷ Radiologic technology and respiratory therapy applicants must be eligible to enter MATH 1200 and ENGL 1101 or 1102 as the program curriculum describes. 
⁸No minimum hours of shadowing experience for Respiratory Therapy.
⁹Dental Hygiene students are required to have 12 hours of observation prior to application deadline.
¹⁰For admission purposes, applicants may only retake a college level Biology or Chemistry one time to improve their grade.       Those who retake either of these courses multiple times will not be considered for admission into the Dental Hygiene Program.

Deadline for Receipt of ALL Application Materials:

After the application deadlines listed below, students who have completed application materials may be considered for acceptance on the basis of space available in the program and the academic qualifications of the student.

February 1
           Radiologic Technology           

March 1
           Associate Degree Nursing (for Fall Semester entry)
           Dental Hygiene

April 1
          Medical Laboratory
          Occupational Therapy Assistant
          Physical Therapist Assistant
          Respiratory Therapy

September 1 
           Associate Degree Nursing (for Spring Semester entry)

Rolling Admission
           Emergency Medical Technology
           RN-BSN Nursing