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The Department of Health Sciences serves the tri-state area 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., Interim Dean
Sarah Clausing, 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
           sclausing@shawnee.edu

For Health Sciences Admission Information

Cindy Haney, Secretary

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

Phone: 740.351.3209
Fax: 740.351.3354
E-mail: chaney@shawnee.edu

Programs in the 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’s 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

Students in health science programs are not permitted to take courses on a pass/no-credit basis. This applies to courses taken in preparation for admission to the health science programs as well as courses taken after admission to a program. Classes may be taken for non-credit, but only with the prior permission of the health science department’s chairperson.

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 handcarry 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 acknowledgement 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 online.
• 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 sciences representative at 740.351.3209.

¹ Applicants with 24 hours of college credit are required to have a GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
² Lower placement scores will be accepted on the condition that the student has successfully completed prerequisite coursework for ENGL 1101 and/or MATH 1200 prior to entry into the nursing program.
³ Nursing applicants must have a score of 18 in all ACT sections or successfully complete selected college courses in mathematics and science.
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.
⁷ PTA applicants must have a score of 19 in science reasoning and composite.
⁸ Radiologic technology and respiratory therapy applicants must be eligible to enter MATH 1200 and ENGL 1101 or 1102 as the program curriculum describes.

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

Associate Degree Nursing
Radiologic Technology

March 1

Dental Hygiene

April 1

Medical Laboratory
Respiratory Therapy
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant

Rolling Admission

Emergency Medical Technology
RN-BSN Nursing

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