Applied Health Sciences

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GRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED:

•  Master’s of Science:
  • Public Health (MPH)
  • Public Health Nutrition

               o Dietetics (M.S.)

• Dr. Linda Behrendt, Chairperson
  Department Office: College of Health and Human Services, A-432
  Department Phone:812-237-3079 
  Fax: 812-237-8607
  Web site: https://www.indstate.edu/health/department/ahs
  E-mail: ahs@indstate.edu

  INTRODUCTION

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

  MAIN OBJECTIVE

  The graduate programs available through the Department of Applied Health Sciences allow students to advance their professional careers in the fields of dietetics, health promotion, and public health through high-quality instruction provided by faculty with a variety of specializations.

   

Master of Public Health (MPH)

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 résumé; and contact information for at least two people who know the applicant in a professional capacity.

The MPH provides a general mastery of public health beyond that of the undergraduate level. It is recommended for those students who wish to advance their career beyond entry-level positions, who wish to assume additional organizational responsibilities, or who wish to pursue a doctorate degree. This program is offered in an on-line only format.

Additional admissions 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 a health related field; 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 on a case-by-case basis.

Additional information is available at https://www.indstate.edu/health/program/mph

Master of Science: Dietetics

Students selecting the dietetics option and wishing to be eligible to sit for the Registered Dietitian (RD) 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 RD credential.

Potential students may apply for admission to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics during the spring semester each year. The program is highly competitive as admission is limited to 16 students per cohort, including undergraduate students. A minimum, overall 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 evaluated along with undergraduates. 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.

A student entering the program having fulfilled the required undergraduate coursework 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 courses (or their equivalents) in order to meet the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics registration eligibility requirements:

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

Additional information is available at https://www.indstate.edu/health/program/cpd-ms

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