Public Health & Health Sciences
While the roles of physicians and nurses define health care as we know it, the bulk of health services are actually provided by other professional specialists, acting in either administrative, educational, or direct care capacities. We offer bachelor's degrees in Health Care Administration, Health Sciences, Health Education, Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology, and Radiation Therapy. We also offer graduate programs in Anesthesia and Health Education as well as several complementary minors in areas such as aging, environmental health, and public health. As health care expands and grows, these specialists will be in high demand, and the School of Health Professions and Studies Public Health & Health Sciences is well-positioned to give you the skills to take advantage of these career opportunities.
Undergraduate Programs
Health Care Administration (BS)
Graduates of the Health Care Administration program work in a variety of inpatient, ambulatory and other health care settings, including primary care facilities, medical group practices, public health organizations, health insurance companies, federal, state, and local agencies, and alternative delivery organizations. Students also pursue graduate degrees in a broad range of fields, including public health, law, medicine, business administration, and health services research. Our students join us from all across southeast Michigan with interesting and diverse backgrounds. The curriculum combines excellent preparation for a professional career with a firm grounding in the liberal arts. The internship experience provides students an opportunity to apply new skills, anticipate learning needs, and clarify personal career goals. ^top
Health Education (BS)
The BS in Health Education Program emphasizes education
and training for entry level health educators who are
seeking knowledge and expertise in program planning,
implementation, and evaluation. Courses often take a real
world approach to practicing health education and promotion
in a variety of settings.
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Health Sciences (BS)
The Bachelor of Science in Health Science is designed for
students with an interest in human health leading to graduate
study, or career advancement. Because many students are drawn
to the health care field, but are often unsure of which
direction may be best for them, this degree was designed to
expose students to a wide range of health science careers,
while providing the foundational courses required for professional
health science post-graduate work, such as physical therapy,
physician assistant, environmental health, etc.
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CLS/Medical Technology (BS)
The Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical
Technology (CLS/MT) provides an undergraduate education to those
preparing to enter the field of clinical laboratory science,
also known as medical technology. Medical technologists produce
reliable diagnostic data reflective of patient health status.
Physicians rely on the clinical laboratory data provided by
medical technologists to determine the presence, absence,
extent, or cause of disease. Clinical laboratory professionals
are essential members of the heath care team, uncovering scientific
facts leading to the accurate diagnosis and timely treatment
of disease. Students of clinical laboratory science develop the
analytical thinking skills necessary to function effectively in
a clinical laboratory environment.
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Radiation Therapy (BS)
Graduate Programs
Anesthesia (MS)
The University of Michigan-Flint's School of Health Professions and Studies offers the Master of Science Degree in Anesthesia through the Department of Public Health and Health Sciences in conjunction with Hurley Medical Center in Flint. This two-year, full-time program provides registered nurses the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills required to enter into anesthesia practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The MS in Anesthesia curriculum integrates clinical experience with classroom instruction. ^top
Health Education (MS)
The health field is steadily gaining a stronger focus on
the prevention of illness and injury, and on the promotion
of healthy lifestyles for improving overall health. The MS
in Health Education trains health promotion professionals
to design, implement, and evaluate interventions promoting
healthy behaviors and lifestyles. The MS in Health Education
makes an advanced degree possible for those already working
in the field, as well as those students who have recently
completed an undergraduate degree in health education or a
related field. This program offers instruction in health
behavior change theory and practice; program planning; marketing,
health communications, and program evaluation; and research techniques.
The MS in Health Education is designed to accommodate both part-time
and full-time students and working health professionals by offering
evening courses on campus. Full-time students who start the program
in the spring semester are able to complete the program within 18 months.
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Minors
Environmental Health
The Minor in Environmental Health provides a basic introduction
to the field of environmental health. It is designed to supplement
degree work in fields such as chemistry, biology, health care,
earth and resource science, or public administration.
“Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical,
and biological factors external to a person, and all the
related factors impacting behaviours. It encompasses the
assessment and control of those environmental factors that
can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards
preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments.
This definition excludes behaviour not related to environment,
as well as behaviour related to the social and cultural
environment, and genetics,” — World Health Organization.
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Gerontology/Specialist in Aging Certificate
Growth in the population of elderly persons is a trend whose
effect will be increasingly felt throughout the United States,
and the world. In 1900, only 4 percent of the population was
over 65. As we begin the 21st century, those over 65 comprise
nearly 13 percent of the population. Among those, the fastest
growing segment of the population includes persons 85 and older.
These trends challenge institutions of higher education to
provide opportunities for students to learn about the personal,
political and social implications of an aging society. To meet
this challenge, the department of Public Health and Health Sciences
(PHHS) offers a concentration in gerontology.
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Health Care Administration
The overall mission of the Health Administration Program
is to prepare our students, who are primarily part-time
working adults, to become culturally competent health care
leaders in health administration who will contribute to
the knowledge base of health care delivery and advocates
for fairness and equity in health among diverse populations.
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Health Education and Behavior
Some of the necessary skills for health educators include the assessment of community assets and needs, cultural competence to assure effective health intervention strategies for diverse populations, and the ability to interact effectively with the community. Typical responsibilities of a health educator include the preparation and dissemination of health education materials, coordination and management of health education programs, and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education programs. ^top
Public Health Science
The minor in Public Health Science provides an interdisciplinary selection of courses designed to give all students access to education in public health. This minor provides opportunities for local and global applications of knowledge, analytical skills, problem solving, team work, all from a population perspective. ^top
