PROPOSAL OUTLINE

 

Introduction

The College of Health and Nursing Sciences was formed in 1997 with the merger of two colleges – the College of Nursing, including the departments of Nursing and Medical Technology, and the College of Physical Education, Athletics, and Recreation - and the addition of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics from the College of Human Resources.  This merger created a college with four departments, with majors focused on specific areas related to careers in health service, leadership, research and education. 

 

The goal of the proposed undergraduate major in Health Studies is to provide a broad-based degree for students who are interested in health-related careers. Examples of the growing number of employment opportunities for students with this educational training include positions in a variety of health care and health-related settings: medical offices, health clinics, health maintenance organizations, non-profit health agencies, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and community health programs. This degree will also serve as an excellent platform for students who wish to continue their education in graduate and professional schools in health-related fields such as Physical and Occupational Therapy or Medicine.

 

Students who complete the Health Studies Degree program will participate in educational experiences to better prepare them to:

·        Communicate in a professional manner, using written and oral methods.

·        Describe the normal structure of the body systems.

·        Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of ethical aspects of health care and the critical thinking processes involved in making health care decisions.

·        Critically analyze health/fitness related research and interpret research findings.

·        Discuss the current societal, governmental, ethical, scientific or business issues concerning their selected area of study in Health Studies.

 

Program Description

The proposed undergraduate degree program in Health Studies is designed for students seeking a health-related major that is more broadly based than the focused, existing majors within the College. The major will combine a foundation in sciences, humanities, and social sciences with a breadth of courses within one or more departments in the College of Health and Nursing Sciences.  In addition to the major requirements, which represent the health focus of the college, students will select a concentration area or an existing University minor outside the college that will build on students’ personal and career objectives and interests. This major is ideal for students who may envision working in a variety of settings within the health services arena during their professional careers.

 

The curriculum requires 120 credit hours comprised of the following:

37 credits of University and Breadth requirements

65/66 credits of major requirements including a 6-credit Capstone/Service Learning course

15 credits of a concentration area or UD minor offered outside the college

Additional credits of free electives for a total of 120.  

 

 

Rationale and Demand

Mission Compatibility

The College of Health and Nursing Sciences is an interdisciplinary, professional, service-oriented college, emphasizing leadership, education, service and research in a variety of health fields.  The college provides high quality undergraduate education to University of Delaware students through both traditional classroom and applied experiences.  The proposed offering of Health Studies as an interdisciplinary curriculum is consistent with the college goals. The required service learning/capstone course (HLTH495) is designed to create a potential link between college study and employment settings.  

 

Planning Process

In the planning of this proposed major, we consulted extensively with a broad array of University faculty from diverse disciplines and have incorporated many of their suggestions in designing the degree program.  We have appended supporting letters.

 

Impact on Other Programs

There is little likelihood that the Health Studies major will compete with existing degree programs at the University.  There is a growing demand in the health care industry for educated professionals to fill a variety of positions. The Philosophy Department has indicated their willingness to serve Health Studies majors in the required PHIL241 course – Ethical Issues in Healthcare.

 

Utilization of Existing Resources

Faculty with expertise and interest in health science instruction currently teach in the College of Health and Nursing Sciences.  The major requirements and the concentration area or minor for the proposed major are comprised of existing courses and do not require the addition of new faculty at this time.  Changes to existing restrictions on courses that are required in this degree have been submitted to the challenge list.  The College Dean’s Office will administer this program; the college curriculum committee will stimulate, review, and recommend changes to this degree program. Professionals in the Dean’s Office will provide academic advisement to students enrolled in this program.

 

Student Demand

Enrollment Projections

We anticipate the program will begin with a small number of students, no more than 15.  Within three years, we expect the total number of students enrolled in the Health Studies major to range between 50-60, the majority of whom will be full-time students.

 

Specific Student Clienteles

The proposed Health Studies major is designed to serve the following populations of undergraduate students.

 

a.       Those seeking a broadly based degree that will prepare them for an entry level position in a health-related field.

b.      Those seeking an appropriate undergraduate degree structure within which to take the prerequisite courses for graduate or professional school in a health-related field.

 

Transferability

Currently, no institutions in Delaware offer a bachelor’s degree in Health Studies or any degree that is similar to it.  As is currently the University’s policy, individual departments will evaluate transfer from other institutions to the University of Delaware.  There are, however, several associate degrees from Delaware Technical and Community College that would provide transfer courses into this undergraduate degree program.  For example, the requirements for many of Delaware Technical and Community College’s Allied Health Associate degrees, including Exercise Science Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Bioscience Technology, Chemistry Technology and the Associate degree in Nursing, provide an excellent entry into the Health Studies undergraduate degree program.  As in other programs at the University, courses taken at the University of Delaware to fulfill the Health Studies degree requirements may be accepted at other accredited institutions. We do, however, expect that most students who pursue this undergraduate major will complete their degree at the University of Delaware.

 

Demand and Employment Factors

With expanding opportunities in the area of health care employment, this degree provides an attractive opportunity for students whose interests in health and fitness are broad-based. Job growth in the health care area is projected to continue for many years.  According to the Career Guide to Industries from the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002-2003 “health services is one of the largest industries in the country, with about 11.3 million jobs.  About 13 percent of all wage and salary jobs created between 2000 and 2010 will be in health services http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm.

 

Advertised job openings represent many different facets of health care.  “Most jobs in health services provide clinical services, but there also are many in occupations with other functions as well. Numerous workers in executive, administrative, and managerial occupations and marketing and administrative support jobs keep organizations running smoothly. Although many health services managers have a background in a clinical specialty or training in health services administration, many enter these jobs with a general (undergraduate) education.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002)

 

The job outlook for health care professionals is excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,  “Employment in the health services industry is projected to increase 25 percent through 2010, compared to an average of 16 percent for all industries.  Employment growth is expected to add about 2.8 million new jobs—13 percent of all wage and salary jobs added to the economy over the 2000-2010 period.”  In addition the Bureau finds, “Employment in health services will continue to grow for a number of reasons. The elderly population, a group with much greater than average health care needs, will grow faster than the total population between 2000 and 2010. …  Advances … will continue to improve the survival rate of …  patients, new technologies will lower the cost of treatment and diagnosis while enabling identification and treatment of conditions not previously treatable. In addition, medical group practices and health networks will become larger and more complex, and will need more managerial and support workers. Various combinations of all these factors will ensure robust growth in this massive, diverse industry” (http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm).

 

 

Regional, State and National Factors

There are no comparable undergraduate programs in the state that offer study in sciences, humanities and social sciences with a health discipline focus.  A few institutions in the region have undergraduate majors that are similar to the Health Studies major but without the concentration area or minor available in this proposed program.  The University of Maryland at Baltimore offers a degree in Health Education in their Department of Public and Community Health, the University of Sciences in Philadelphia awards a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, and Towson University offers a degree in Health Science.  The Pennsylvania School of Technology offers a baccalaureate degree in Applied Health Studies that prepares students to work as health-care professionals. Mount Saint Vincent College in New York has an undergraduate degree in Allied Health Studies that prepares students to work in hospitals, clinics, and health maintenance organizations in many different health-related occupations.

 

Describe other strengths

We have had many inquiries and requests from students for a broad-based major in health. Students seeking a degree in an area of health care but who are not focused on one specific career path will find this degree option appealing.  The major provides flexibility for students while maintaining the high academic standards of the University.

 

Accrediting and Licensing Requirements

There are no national, regional or local accrediting agencies that govern this major.

 

Enrollment, Admissions, and Financial Aid

Enrollment and Admission Requirements

Students who meet the existing criteria for admission to the University of Delaware as undergraduates will be eligible for admission to the Health Studies major.  Students will be required to follow the application procedures outlined in the University of Delaware’s catalogue.  Following consultation with the Associate Provost for Enrollment Services, the major will be noted in the catalogue as “Upperclass only” See attached letter. The program will begin in fall of 2003. 

 

Student Expenses and Financial Aid

There will be no required student expenses beyond the traditional book and supply costs.  Qualified students will be eligible for scholarships as other undergraduate students are. 

 

Curriculum Specifics

Degree Awarded

Students who graduate from this program will receive a Bachelor of Science degree

(See the specific curriculum for the major in the catalog entry at the end of the proposal).

 

 

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

 

Learning Resources

The University of Delaware Library affirms it is well able to support the proposed degree.

 

Faculty and Administrative Resources

At this time, additional faculty or administrative support for this major is not required.  Professionals in the Dean’s Office will provide advisement for the proposed major.

 

External Funding

There is no external funding needed or available at this time. However, enrollment is not contingent upon external funding.

 

Resources Required

Learning Resource Required

No additional learning resources are required at this time.

 

Personnel Resources

No additional administrative support staff is required to start this program.

 

Budgetary Needs

No additional budget support is necessary at this time.

 

Implementation and Evaluation

Implementation Plan

The Health Studies undergraduate major proposal will be submitted to the College of Health and Nursing Sciences’ Curriculum Committee for review and approval. The proposal then will be submitted to the Faculty Senate’s Undergraduate Studies Committee. After approval, students admitted to the major, will meet with an advisor to help them develop a program of study.  Students will be expected to identify their interests in the health-career field and focus their coursework to meet their specific interests and career goals.

 

Evaluation Plan

In anticipation of the review by the Faculty Senate for permanent approval, the College of Health and Nursing Sciences will establish a committee to conduct a self-study. 

 

On –going assessments will be conducted to measure the quality of the program.  These measures include, but are not limited to, exit interviews of graduating students, course evaluations, capstone evaluations, and graduation rates.              

 


University of Delaware Undergraduate Catalog Entry

 

DEGREE: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

MAJOR: HEALTH STUDIES

 

CURRICULUM                                                                                                                      CREDITS

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

ENGL 110 Critical Reading and Writing (minimum grade C-)............................................................... 3

Three credits in an approved course or courses stressing................................................................. 3

            multicultural, ethnic, and/or gender-related content

 

BREADTH REQUIREMENTS

Creative Arts and Humanities............................................................................................................ 6

Includes all Arts and Science Group A courses as well as art courses and foreign language courses not used in the Communication/Foreign Language requirement

Social Sciences (4 of the following 6 choices)................................................................................. 12

PSYC201, ECON100 or ECON151, SOCI201, IFST201, BUAD309,

Social Science/History Elective (as listed for Arts & Science Group B or C

Sciences (4 of the following 5 choices; must include a biology course with lab)................................ 13

BISC104 or 207, CHEM101 or CHEM103 or CHEM105, BISC106 or BISC276 or
BISC306, 100-level or higher MATH, BISC208, and other natural science courses.

 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (minimum grade of C- in each course)

Second Writing Course ................................................................................................................... 3

An approved course taken after completion of 45 credit hours (listed as "Section satisfies A&S writing requirement" in the registration booklet).

Communication or Foreign Language Course.................................................................................... 3

Statistics Course at the 200 level or above........................................................................................ 3

CSCC/PHIL241    Ethical Issues in Healthcare ……………..………………………………..………..………. 3   

 

MEDT100

      or

NURS100         Introductory Course.................................................................................................. 1

NURS101        Anatomy................................................................................................................... 2

      or

HESC220        Anatomy and Physiology........................................................................................... 3

HESC155        Personal Health Management................................................................................... 3*

      or

HESC 214       Wellness: A Way of Life............................................................................................ 3

NTDT 200        Nutrition Concepts..................................................................................................... 3

HESC 210       Safety, First Aid and Emergency Care........................................................................ 3

 

MEDT 210       Information Technologies and Communication Skills................................................... 2

      or

HESC 276       Personal Computers in Health, Physical Education and Recreation.............................. 2

NTDT305         Nutrition in the Lifespan.............................................................................................. 3

NURS 362       Research Concepts in Health Care............................................................................. 3

      or

HESC 400       Research Methods.................................................................................................... 3

MEDT375        Clinical Laboratory Principles and Statistics ............................................................... 2

NURS411        Topics...................................................................................................................... 3

 

AND, ONE COURSE FROM EACH GROUP

HESC200        Issues in Health Behavior Management...................................................................... 3

HESC300        Issues in Physical Activity Studies............................................................................. 3

HESC329        Dynamics of Team Problem Solving.......................................................................... 3

 

NTDT255         Multicultural Food Habits............................................................................................ 3

NTDT310         Nutrition and Activity.................................................................................................. 3

NTDT350         Nutrition and Older Adults.......................................................................................... 3

 

Additional HESC, MEDT, NTDT, or NURS........................................................................................ 16

 

HESC495 Health Studies Practicum: Capstone Course: Student will be required to complete a Service Learning Experience            …….      6 *

                      

CONCENTRATION AREA (minimum grade of C- in each course. Cannot be courses used as part of the major requirements)

 

Minor outside College of Health and Nursing Sciences...................................................... minimum 15

      or

Concentration (No more than 9 credits at the 100 and 200 level)......................................... minimum 15

Family and Personal Health: (COMM200, FOSC102, HESC335, IFST329, IFST339, IFST401, IFST410, NTDT305, NTDT310, NTDT350, NTDT452, PSYC325, PSYC334, SOCI418)

Health Ethics and Decision-Making: (CNST332, CSCC/HIST382, ECON390, HESC200 or HESC300+, HESC329, NTDT255, NTDT452, PHIL/BAMS/WOMS327, PHIL/CSCC444, POSC/SOCI/CSCC343, SOCI/CSCC311, WOMS/CSCC389)

Science-Based Health Information: (BISC105, BISC110, BISC152, BISC171/300, CHEM102 or CHEM104 or CHEM106, CHEM213, CHEM214 & 216, HESC220, HESC350, HESC425 or HESC426, HESC430 & HESC431, NTDT201, PHYS201, PHYS202, PSYC314)

 

ELECTIVES

After required courses are completed, sufficient elective credit must be taken to meet the minimum credits required for the degree.

+Only HESC200 or HESC300 can be used to satisfy the requirements of this major.

 

CREDITS TO TOTAL A MINIMUM OF........................................................................................... 120

* HLTH rubric to be initiated with approval of Health Studies major.


 

Health Studies Major in the College of Health and Nursing Sciences

 

 

WHEREAS                there is currently a documented nationwide shortage of adequately

                                    educated health care professionals, and

 

WHEREAS                there are undergraduate students at the University of Delaware

                                    interested generally in both an education and career opportunities

                                    in health care services, and

 

WHEREAS                students in one of the existing majors in the College of Health and Nursing Sciences may wish to seek a broader-based health-related undergraduate degree, be it therefore

 

RESOLVED               that the College of Health and Nursing Sciences offer a new major in Health Studies.

 

RESOLVED               that the new major will be evaluated in a timely manner and revised as necessary.



FALL

 

Freshman Year

MEDT100

or NURS100

Introductory Course

1

HESC155

or HESC214

Personal Health Management or Wellness: A Way of Life

3

NTDT200

Nutrition Concepts

3

ENGL110

Critical Reading and Writing

3

GEN.ED

(Social Science)

3

MULTICULTURAL COURSE

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophomore Year

STAT200

Basic Statistical Practice

3

PHIL241/

CSCC241

Ethical Issues in Healthcare

3

BISC104

or BISC207

Principles in Biology and Lab or

Introductory Biology I

4

GEN.ED.

(Social Science)

3

NTDT305

Nutrition in the Lifespan

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junior Year

MEDT375

Clinical Laboratory Principles and  Statistics

2

MINOR/CONCENTRATION AREA

3

NTDT25

or NTDT310 or NTDT350

Multicultural Food Habits or

Nutrition and Activity or

Nutrition and Older Adults

3

COMMUNICATION/LANGUAGE

3

ADDITIONAL CREDITS IN COLLEGE

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Year

2nd WRITING

3

CREDITS IN COLLEGE

6

MINOR/CONCENTRATION AREA

3

 


SPRING

 

 

NURS101

or HESC220

Anatomy or

Anatomy and Physiology

2

3

HESC210

Safety, First Aid and Emergency Care

3

MEDT210

or

HESC276

Information Technologies and Communication Skills or

Personal Computers in Health, Physical Education and Recreation

3

MATH

 

3

GEN.ED.

(Creative Arts)

3

GEN.ED.

(Social Science)

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NURS362

or HESC400

Research Concepts in Health Care or

Research Methods

3

HESC200

or HESC300 or HESC329

Issues: Health Behavior Managmnt or

Issues in Physical Activity Studies or

Dynamics of Team Problem Solving

3

GEN.ED.

(Science)                                            3-4

MINOR/CONCENTRATION AREA

3

GEN.ED.

(Social Science)

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NURS411

Topics in Healthcare Delivery

3

MINOR/CONCENTRATION AREA

3

GEN.ED.

(Science)                                         3-4

GEN.ED.

(Creative Arts)

3

ELECTIVE

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HLTH495

Health Studies Practicum

6

CREDITS IN COLLEGE

3

MINOR/CONCENTRATION AREA

3

ELECTIVE

3