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The College of Professional Studies Allied Health Sciences mission is to educate competent health professionals, provide leadership in the respective allied health science professions, add to the knowledge bank of the allied health science groups, and promote life-long learning.

For General Information

Tony Ward, Chairperson
Lori Perry, Academic Administrative Assistant

Allied Health Sciences Department

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

Phone: 740.351.3348
Fax: 740.351.3354
E-mail:  tward@shawnee.edu
            lperry@shawnee.edu
          

Programs in Allied Health Sciences

Health Science BS

The Bachelor of Health Science degree aligns with SSU’s Strategic Planning Guidelines by preparing students for the changing needs of business, industry, education, society, and health care through its diversified degree programs including the Bachelor of Health Science degree. 

Shawnee State University’s health related associate degree programs have a long tradition of excellence.  The occupational outlook shows health related careers are in high demand. The Bachelor’s degree in Health Science will provide both the traditional and non-traditional student with the opportunity to complete a degree or a stand-alone bachelor degree in a health science field.   The Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science degree is particularly appropriate for students applying for or waiting to be accepted into an associate health science program.  The Baccalaureate degree in Health Science provides a variety of opportunities in the industry and also provides a path for degree advancement. The structure of the degree allows for Baccalaureate degree completion for the 2 year health-related degree programs earned at Shawnee State University and other accredited institutions, and also serves as a standalone 4-year General Health Science track degree.

The predicted growth in the health related areas demonstrates a positive occupational outlook and provides potential employment opportunities for graduates of the program.  Below is a chart that suggests a variety of employment opportunities for the successful graduate. 

Occupational Outlook for Health Science Graduates (Source: O*Net)

Degree Requirements

General Education Program                                                                                     40 Hours

Capstone (Senior Seminar)                                                                                       3 Hours

BSHS Major Requirements                                                                                       30 Hours

Pathway Specific Requirements (Completion of one of the degrees below)                   50-56 Hours

                Physical Therapy Assistant Pathway                                                            50 Hours

                Occupational Therapy Assistant Pathway                                                      53 Hours

                Medical Laboratory Technology Pathway                                                       53 Hours

                Dental Hygiene Pathway                                                                              56 Hours

                Radiologic Technology Pathway                                                                    50 Hours

                Respiratory Technology Pathway                                                                  50 Hours

                General Health Science Pathway                                                                  50 Hours

Courses in the Major

Required

_____  BSHS 3100  (BUHE 3100)                 The US Healthcare System                                3 hrs

_____  BSHS 3343  (BSNR 3343)                 Research and Design for Healthcare                   3 hrs

_____  BSHS 3342  (PHIL 3332)                   Healthcare Ethics                                             3 hrs

_____  BSHS 3400                                      Epidemiology                                                   3 hrs

_____  BSHS 4200 (BUHE 4200)                  Management Techniques for Healthcare              3 hrs

_____  BSHS 4500                                      Legal Issues in Healthcare                                 3 hrs

_____  BSHS 4250 (BUHE 3120)                  Leadership in Healthcare                                    3 hrs

_____  BSHS 4300 (BUHE 4300)                  Concepts in Healthcare Finance                          3 hrs

Choose two of the three listed

_____  BSHS 4600                                      Survey of Disease and Disability                          3 hrs

_____  BSHS 4100                                      Healthcare Program Development                        3 hrs

_____  BSHS 4400                                      Healthcare Policy and the Aging                          3 hrs

Selective Admission Criteria

Fulfilling the criteria for admission into an Allied 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 program leader or department chairperson.

Hospital Clinical Sites

Some Allied Health Sciences programs utilize hospital clinical sites for the completion of their requirements for graduation. These affiliating hospitals have the exclusive 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.

Allied Health Sciences Class Scheduling

The majority of all Allied Health Sciences classes are scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. with the exception of Emergency Medical Technology. 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 program leader or 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 an Allied Health Sciences Program

Each of the programs within the Allied Health Sciences Department 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 Allied Health Sciences programs 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, but not limited to, past academic achievement, the student’s rationale for current grade status, and the prediction of future performance in the program.

Dismissal from an Allied Health Sciences program is not the same as dismissal from the University. University dismissal policies are outlined in this catalog under the section titled ”Academic Policies.”

Admission Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements for Allied Health Sciences  Programs

The following requirements apply to all  Allied Health Sciences programs:

• New students must submit an application to Shawnee State University, along with an application for admission to the  Allied Health Sciences 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 unofficial 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.
• Applicants to the dental hygiene program are required to complete 12 observation hours in two different clinical settings prior to the application deadline.  Appropriate forms are provided in the on-line dental hygiene application.
• When all minimum admission criteria have been met, files are forwarded to the Allied Health Sciences department’s chairperson. Students are not considered for admission to an Allied Health Sciences program until all minimum admission requirements are completed.
• Applicants to the medical laboratory program must schedule a meeting with the Allied Health Sciences department’s chairperson when their file is complete. Applicants to other programs are contacted if further information is needed.
• Applicants to the respiratory therapy program may schedule a meeting with the program leader regarding any questions.
• Physical examinations are required for students who have been officially accepted into all Allied Health Sciences programs. Forms are provided by the individual programs.

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 an Allied Health Sciences 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 Allied Health Sciences Programs.  As a result, the qualifications of those students admitted are much higher than the minimum requirements for admission consideration.

  Applicants with 20 hours of college credit are required to have a GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale

¹For 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.

 ²Medical laboratory technology, radiologic technology and respiratory therapy applicants must be eligible to enter MATH 1200 and ENGL 1101 or 1102 as the program curriculum describes.

 ³No minimum hours of shadowing experience for respiratory therapy.

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
           Dental Hygiene

April 1
           Medical Laboratory
           Respiratory Therapy

Rolling Admission
           Emergency Medical Technology
          

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