Applied Health Sciences

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GRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED:

Master of Science:

• Health Sciences - Specialization in Public Health
• Family and Consumer Sciences with Specialization in Dietetics

Driver Education License

Department of Applied Health Sciences
Health and Human Services Building, Room B-83
Phone: 812-237-3079
Fax: 812-237-8607
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/ahs

Department Chairperson: Dr. Yasenka Peterson

GRADUATE FACULTY

Professors

Ferng-Kuo, Shiaw-Fen, Ph.D., REHS, University of California, Los AngelesProfessor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences 

Associate Professors 

Behrendt, Linda S., Ph.D., CFLE, Michigan State University
Associate Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Human Development and Family Studies

Bermudez, Eliezer, Ph.D., CP-FS, University of California, Los Angeles
Associate Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences

Clauss, Barbara A., Ph.D., Purdue University
Associate Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Family and Consumer Sciences Education

Duerr, Lynn, Ph.D., R.D., C.D., University of Akron
Associate Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Food and Nutrition

Peterson, Yasenka, Ph.D., CHES, Texas Woman’s University
Chairperson, Department of Applied Health Sciences and Associate Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences

Assistant Professors

Hutchins, Matthew, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences

Johnson, Maureen, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences

Melancon, Jim, Ph.D., CHES, Texas Woman’s University
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences

Osborn, Robyn A., Ph.D., R.D., C.D., Indiana University
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Food and Nutrition 

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Applied Health Sciences offers various programs designed for students seeking graduate studies to develop master-level proficiency in their chosen vocation or profession. 

MAIN OBJECTIVE

These programs are particularly rewarding as a means for students to advance their professional careers in the fields of dietetics, health promotion, and public health.

All public halth graduate courses are offered in a web-based format. Some classes are totally asynchronous while others may require logging into one live session per week. Courses are delivered using Blackboard and require broadband Internet connection. Contact instructors for hardware and software requirements for individual classes. Contact the Department of Applied Health Sciences for more information. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Master of Science in Health Sciences – Public Health Specialization

For admission, applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, and satisfy standards established by the Department of Applied Health Sciencesincluding:submit a letter of interest describing their academic and or employment experience as well as their reasons for pursuing the master’s degree; a current resume; and names, e-mail and phone number of at least two references. Applicants must aklso be available for an interview which may be conducted by telephone. Scores for the General Tests of the Graduate Records Examination (if undergraduate grade point average iis less than 2.8) must also be submitted.

Additional requirements include:

1. A baccalaureate degree including the following undergraduate courses:

a. two semesters  of college-level anatomy and physiology; and

b. one semester of college-level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or statistics

      2.  One of the following professional requirements:

a. Baccalaureate degree in allied health professions; or

b. Two years of professional work experience within the field of health care, public health, or  health education/promotion, as approved by the   Department of Applied Health Sciences

Applicants failing to meet the requirements may be granted conditional admission. 

Master of Science: Family and Consumer Sciences with Specialization in Dietetics

Students selecting the food and nutrition option and wishing to qualify for registry eligibility may apply for admission to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association. Included within the food and nutrition courses are 1,200 clock hours of preprofessional practice experience. All courses with clinical components must be taken at the undergraduate level since experiences are entry level. Upon completion of this graduate option, a student is awarded a master of science degree. The graduate is eligible for membership in the American Dietetic Association and to take the national examination to earn the credential of registered dietitian.

During the spring semester each year, students may apply for admission to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. The program is limited to 16 students per class. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 or minimum grade point average of 3.0 on the last 32 credits of course work is required for entry into the program. Graduate applicants will be interviewed and evaluated along with undergraduates being considered for the program. Complete entrance requirements and applications may be obtained from the director of the program, or are available on the web site. Students are required to submit a written application, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and participate in a personal interview. Students who apply to the Coordinated Program but are not admitted may still complete the master of science degree with an emphasis in food and nutrition.

A student entering the program without undergraduate deficiencies may be able to complete the master of science and preprofessional practice in two calendar years. Students who have not completed required prerequisites will be required to complete the following undergraduate deficiencies (or their equivalents) in order to meet American Dietetics Association Registration eligibility requirements:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Microbiology
• Elementary chemistry
• Elementary organic and biochemistry
• Introduction to nutrition (B- or better required)
• Fundamentals of foods (B- or better required)
• Nutrition methodology (B- or better required)

      Other deficiencies may be met by taking the following graduate courses:

• Advanced nutrition
• Food science 

Driver Education License

This license can be an additional licensure for all-grade or secondary content teacher’s license with the Indiana Professional Standard Board through Indiana Department of Education. Upon completion of the licensure courses, students are also certified to teach driver education in the private sector. 

Additional Options for Graduate Credit

Applicants who have not received official notification of admission prior to registration may enroll in up to nine credits of graduate-level course work in health at Indiana State University under tentative graduate admission. However, students should complete the admission process in accordance with the College of Graduate and Professional Studies’ policy in order to apply the first nine credits of Indiana State University graduate work toward a specific degree program. Recommendations for admission are made by the Department of Applied Health Sciences to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Official notification of admission and requirements is sent to the student by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Transition to Teaching Program

Students wishing to obtain initial teacher licensure at the graduate level should consult the appropriate section of the Catalog dealing with post-baccalaureate non-degree licensure for secondary teachers (See Bayh College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology).

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