Undergraduate Bulletin > Academic Units > School of Health & Human Sciences

School of Health and Human Sciences

In the School of Health and Human Sciences, academic programs are offered through the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, the Department of Kinesiology, the Department of Nutrition, the Department of Public Health Education, the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation, and the Department of Social Work. There are also graduate programs in Genetic Counseling, Gerontology, and Conflict and Peace Studies. Each department and program offers varied courses for all University students and programs of study leading to undergraduate and graduate majors and minors in their respective areas. The School’s programs are designed to meet specialized interests of students and also the requirements of state and national accrediting agencies and professional associations.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders provides opportunities for the study of normal speech, language, and hearing and the associated disorders, leading to the bachelor of science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. The courses offered in this program are pre-professional and prepare the student for further study at the graduate level. Faculty and students in Communication Sciences and Disorders provide services to clients in the University Speech and Hearing Center, and engage in cooperative work with area schools, hospitals, and other human service agencies. In addition, the faculty and students in Communication Sciences and Disorders are actively involved in research.

In the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation a student majoring in Recreation and Parks Management may choose from two areas of concentration: Therapeutic Recreation or Community Recreation and Event Planning. These concentrations lead to the bachelor of science degree. A Community and Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Travel, Tourism, and Commercial Recreation, in addition to a master of science (M.S.) degree, are also available. The undergraduate program has been fully accredited by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation since 1981.

The Program in Genetic Counseling offers an interdisciplinary master of science degree. The program is accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Applicants admitted to the program are expected to enroll as full-time students, registering for the required courses for each of the four semesters of the program and the intervening summer sessions.

The Program in Gerontology offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in gerontology, a master of science in gerontology, and a dual master of science in gerontology/master of business administration. Courses fulfilling the certificate program may be used to meet requirements in a degree program in accordance with the policies of The Graduate School.

Programs in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies focus on early care and education, child and adolescent development, and family studies. At the undergraduate level, students prepare for entry level positions in early childhood settings and agencies, Birth through Kindergarten teacher licensure, community agencies serving children, adolescents and their families, and family-related careers in family, government, and community service agencies. Master’s and doctoral programs provide advanced study in these areas.

The Department of Kinesiology offers the major in Kinesiology leading to the bachelor of science degree. Students may select concentrations in Fitness Leadership, Sports Medicine, Physical Education and Health Teacher Education (licensure track), or in Community Youth Sport Development (non-licensure track). Kinesiology prepares students for careers in preventive and rehabilitative exercise and fitness, and may be tailored to meet the needs and interests of students planning graduate study in athletic training, medicine, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. This department also offers graduate studies leading to the master’s degree and doctoral degrees.

The Department of Nutrition offers undergraduate studies with majors in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition and Wellness, and Nutrition Science and graduate programs for the master's degree, doctoral degree, and a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship certificate. The undergraduate Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration (also known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics) and the Dietetic Internship program are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.

The Department of Public Health Education offers the Public Health major, leading to the bachelor of science degree. Within the Public Health major, students may select a concentration in Community Health Education or Health Studies. The Community Health Education concentration is a professional program preparing graduates to become Health Educators. The requirements of the Community Health Education concentration meet the professional standards of the field of Health Education allowing graduating students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) national credentialing exam. A Health Studies concentration is available for those looking for a pre-professional or non-professional degree option. A Health Studies minor is also available. The department also offers graduate studies leading to a master of public health (M.P.H.) degree and the doctor of public health (Dr.P.H.) degree in community health education. As a complement to the academic enterprise of the department, faculty, and students within Public Health Education are also actively involved in local and national research and outreach.

The Department of Social Work prepares undergraduate students for entry level generalist social work positions in public and private social service agencies, health care organizations, courts, and school systems. The master of social work degree, offered in collaboration with N.C. A&T State University, is the only joint program of its kind in the nation. The B.S.W. and M.S.W. programs are both accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Further details about specific major programs can be found in the alphabetical Department listings. Graduate degree programs and graduate-level courses are more completely described in The Graduate School Bulletin.