School of Health Sciences

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363 HANNAH HALL (248) 370-3562
Fax: (248) 370-4227
www.oakland.edu/shs

Dean: Kenneth Hightower, Ph.D.

Office of the Dean: Richard Rozek, Ph.D., associate dean; Brenda K. Pierce; assistant dean; Michelle D. Southward, advising coordinator; Maria DeWitt, academic adviser

Board of Visitors

The Board of Visitors for the School of Health Sciences is composed of community leaders directly interested in issues of health and health care education. The board helps the school encourage healthy living as a means to promote wellness and encourage safety maintenance in the home and work place. In addition, the board helps the school develop curricula and continuing education initiatives to meet community needs regarding current knowledge about the delivery of health care. Board members offer advice on needed research and long-range planning for the school.

Members of the Board of Visitors are:

Henry D. Boutros, P.T., M.Ed., Director, Center for Integrated Therapy
Vanett Capizzani, President, M. Rose Construction
Patrick Elwell, Founder, Mental Illness Research Association (MIRA)
Joseph H. Guettler, M/D, Performance Orthopedics, Sports Medicine,
Moon J. Pak, M.D., Ph.D.
Steve Piotrowski, Director, Human Resources Heartland Rehabilitation Services
Teresa Stayer, Vice President, SpectraMed

General Information

The School of Health Sciences offers degree and non-degree programs in health and medically related fields. Bachelor of Science degree options include applied health sciences, health sciences, occupational safety and health, medical laboratory sciences, and wellness, health promotion and injury prevention. Master of Science degrees are offered in exercise science and in safety management. The School of Health Sciences also offers both an entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy degree for students who want to become physical therapists, and a post-professional Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy degree for licensed physical therapists. The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Health Sciences allows qualified students to choose one of six academic concentration areas completed at Macomb Community College in health information technology, medical assistant, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, respiratory therapy, or surgical technology. The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences allows students to choose one of five academic concentration areas in exercise science, integrative holistic medicine, pre-physical therapy, pre-health professional studies or pre-pharmacy. Graduate certificates are available in orthopedic manual physical therapy, pediatric rehabilitation, orthopedics, neurological rehabilitation, teaching and learning for rehabilitation professionals, clinical exercise science, complementary medicine and wellness, corporate and worksite wellness, and exercise science at the graduate level.

Continuing education is offered by the School of Health Sciences Center for Professional Development in order to meet the educational needs of health sciences professionals. Specialized contract programs are also provided to meet the unique professional staff development needs of employers in health care, business and industry, government and other settings. Programs are individually tailored to meet the specific workplace needs of professionals and employers. Programs and courses are offered either for university credit or noncredit. When noncredit programs and courses are offered they carry the nationally recognized Continuing Education Unit (CEU).

Admission to any program offered by the School of Health Sciences may be considered on a competitive basis if the balance between applicants and available instructional resources requires such action to maintain the academic integrity of the program.

School programs with laboratory and internship components require that physical, cognitive, and psycho-social technical standards be met. Students with disabilities who have questions about meeting these standards are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services, 157 North Foundation Hall, (248) 370-3266.

High school students considering a major in any of the programs offered by the School of Health Sciences should consult the Admissions section of the catalog for specific preparation requirements.

The academic requirements for each of the baccalaureate programs of the School are described in the pages that follow. The requirements include prerequisite-level course work that complements each program’s core curriculum, the program major course requirements, the university general education and U.S. diversity requirement. Students changing majors are required to follow the program requirements listed in the catalog no earlier than the one in effect at the time of admission to the new program. (A change from pre-major to major standing in the same field does not constitute a change of program).

Students transferring from other universities or colleges to Oakland University must have their transcripts evaluated by the School of Health Sciences to determine which core curriculum or program course work requirements have been met. See Transfer student information for additional information.

Academic advising

Professional academic advisers are available to assist students with degree requirements, plans of work course scheduling, transfer course evaluation, establishing academic goals, health career choices and the process of achieving major standing. The health sciences advising office is located in 317 Hannah Hall. For advising appointments please call (248) 370-2369 or schedule your appointment online at www.oakland.edu/shs/advising. Freshman and transfer orientation advising is required of all entering students. Undecided health science students should meet with an academic adviser early in their programs of study. Thereafter, students are encouraged to make appointments with an adviser periodically to monitor their progress. Health sciences faculty members are also available to assist with curriculum and course questions once students are enrolled in health sciences major course work.

To avoid delays in seeing an adviser, students are encouraged to schedule advising appointments during times other than early registration periods. Advisers are obligated to assist students in planning their programs. Ultimately, students are responsible for understanding and fulfilling the degree requirements for graduation as set forth in this catalog.

Approved minors

School of Health Sciences students may elect to complete a minor in another discipline offering such an option. It is recommended that students who are considering declaring a minor consult as early as possible with the School of Health Sciences academic adviser and the minor field adviser. Credits earned toward a degree in the School of Health Sciences can be counted also toward any minor to which they would otherwise apply that is offered by the other schools or the college.

School honors

Honors are awarded to School of Health Sciences graduating students who have earned a GPA of 3.50 or above in courses completed in the School.

Petition of exception:

For students enrolled in health sciences programs, all petitions of exception must be reviewed by an academic adviser and the appropriate program director before referral to the Health Sciences Committee on Instruction. See the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog for further information (Petition of exception).