Applied Health Sciences

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GRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED: 

•  Master’s of Science:
  • Health Sciences
    • Public Health
    • Public Health Nutrition

           o Family and Consumer Sciences - Specialization in Dietetics

•  Doctorate of Health Sciences

•    Licensure
  •    Driver Education

Chairperson: Dr. Eliezer Bermúdez
Department Office: Health and Human Services Building, Arena B-81
Phone: 812-237-3079
Fax: 812-237-8607
Web site: www.indstate.edu/ahs/
E-mail: ahs@indstate.edu

GRADUATE FACULTY

Professors

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

Peterson, Yasenka, Ph.D., CHES, Texas Woman’s University
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, College of Nursing, Health and Human Services and Professor 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

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

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

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

Assistant Professors

Berlin, Kathryn, Ph.D., CSCS, Purdue University
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Public Health and Gerontology
 

Borrero, Lisa, Ph.D., Indiana University-Bloomington
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences and Gerontology
 

Doss, Darleesa M., Ph.D., CHES, Indiana University-Bloomington
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences

Kruger, Tina, Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Gerontology
 

Uruakpa, Florence, Ph.D., R.D., C.D., University of Manitoba
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Food and Nutrition
 

Walker, Anthony, Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Human Development and Family Studies
 

Yen, Wan-Ju, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Assistant Professor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Food and Nutrition

Instructors

Ayodele, Olabode, Ph.D., Walden University
Instructor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences

Lawrence, Carrie A., Ph.D., Indiana University-Bloomington
Instructor of Applied Health Sciences
Specialization: Health Sciences

Reed, Carol, M.S., R.D., University of Arizona, Tucson
Clinical Coordinator Dietetics
Specialization: Food and Nutrition
 

INTRODUCTION

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

MAIN OBJECTIVE

The graduate programs available through the Department of Applied Health Sciences are particularly rewarding as a means for students to advance their professional careers in the fields of dietetics, health promotion, and public health.
All masters level public health concentration graduate courses are offered in a web-based format. Some classes are asynchronous while others may require logging in to one live session per week. Courses are delivered using Blackboard and require broadband internet connection.. Contact the Department of Applied Health Sciences for more information about graduate programs.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Doctorate of Health Sciences

To be considered for admission, a student must satisfy all general requirements of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies as stated in the Graduate Catalog. In addition applicants to the Doctorate of Health Sciences must have a grade point average of 3.0 or above in all graduate coursework attempted.
 

Minimal qualifications:
 

•  Master’s degree in a health-related field or Master’s degree in any field with the equivalent of three years full-time work in a health-related field.

•  Completion of at least one Master’s level statistics course with a B or better

•  Completion of at least one Master’s level research methods course with a B or better
   

It should not be assumed that meeting minimal qualifications guarantees admission to the program. The admissions committee must receive all of the following before an admission decision will be made:
 

•  Completed application form for admission to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies

•  A written statement of purpose and employment experience

•  A copy of the applicant’s curriculum vitae 

•   Letters of recommendation from at least three people who know the prospective student in a professional capacity

•  One official transcript from each school at which any undergraduate or graduate work has been done 

• Scores on the Graduate Record Examination - General Tests (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical).

International students must also comply with the required TOEFL score requirements as stated in the Graduate Catalog. Requests to complete Interlink in lieu of TOEFL scores will be considered only on the basis of submitted scores on the Graduate Record Examination Tests.
 

The admissions committee may require the applicant to appear for a personal interview and to present evidence of his or her ability to write acceptable prose under controlled conditions.
 

Master of Science in Health Sciences

Public Health Concentration and Public Health Nutrition Concentration

 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 Sciences, including: submission of 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 addresses, and phone numbers of at least two references (i.e., individuals who have known the applicant in a professional capacity). Applicants may also be asked to participate in an interview, which may be conducted by telephone. Scores for the General Tests of the Graduate Records Examination (if undergraduate grade point average is less than 2.75) must also be submitted.
 

The Master’s degree concentration in Public Health provides a general mastery of public health beyond that of the undergraduate level. It is particularly recommended for those students who wish to advance in their career beyond entry-level positions, who wish to assume additional organizational responsibilities, or who wish to pursue a doctorate degree. Courses for this concentration are offerded on-line only.
 

The concentration in Public Health Nutrition is designed to meet the needs of Registered Dietitians and Public Health professionals who want to work with individuals and communities to promote healthy dietary intake. It also prepares public health officials who want to work in the obesity and chronic disease management area. Within the concentration, there is a track for Registered Dietitians and a second track for those with a health promotion/public health undergraduate degree. Some courses for this concentration are offeredface-to-face, and others are offered online.
 

Additional requirements include:

1. A baccalaureate degree including the following undergraduate courses:
      a. At least two semesters of college-level anatomy and physiology; and
      b. At least one semester of college-level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or statistics
2. One of the following professional requirements:
     a. Bachelor’s degree in an allied health profession; or
     b. Two years of professional work experience within the field of health care, public health, or health education/health promotion,as approved by the Department of Applied Health Sciences.      

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

Master of Science: Family and Consumer Sciences - Dietetics Specialization

Students selecting the dietetics option and wishing to qualify for eligibility to sit for the registered dietitian exam may apply for admission to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. This Dietetics program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Included within the required courses are 1,200 clock hours of pre-professional clinical practice experience. Upon completion of the Dietetics graduate option, graduates are eligible 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 highly competitive as admission is limited to 16 students per entry cohort,including undergraduate students. 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 and are available on the web site of the Department of Applied Health Sciences. Students are required to submit a written application, transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework completed, two letters of recommendation from individuals who have known the applicant in a professional capacity, and to participate in a personal interview.
 

A student entering the program without undergraduate deficiencies may be able to complete the Master of Science and pre-professional practice in two calendar years. Students who have not completed the necessary prerequisites will be required to complete the following undergraduate deficiencies (or their equivalents) in order to meet the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics registration eligibility requirements:
  

• Human anatomy and physiology (2 semesters)
• Microbiology
• Elementary chemistry
• Elementary organic chemistry and biochemistry
• Upper level biochemistry
• Introduction to nutrition (B- or better required)
• Fundamentals of foods (B- or better required)

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

 • Advanced nutrition
• Food science
 

Driver Education Licensure

 This licensure can be an additional licensure for all-grade or secondary content teacher’s license with the Indiana Professional Standard Board through the Indiana Department of Education. This program consists of three courses (9 total credit hours) that are typically taken in one 8-week summer session. All three courses meet in a synchronous, interactive online format. Upon completion of the licensure courses, students are also certified to teach driver education in the private sector. The program is recognized by the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association.

 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 coursework in the Department of Applied Health Sciences at Indiana State University under a conditional graduate admission. Students should complete the admission process in accordance with the policies of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies 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 is sent to the student by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

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