The Students and Faculty of the Health Science Department

The Health Science Department is home to nearly 400 undergraduate and graduate students, 15 full-time, and approximately 20 part-time faculty members. Students and faculty are representative of the University’s diverse population reflecting a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Faculty members are dedicated to teaching, scholarship, and service. Faculty members strive to develop responsible and knowledgeable graduates capable of addressing social and public health problems. The department maintains a strong commitment to research through individual faculty pursuits. Additionally, faculty members provide visionary leadership for local, statewide, and national professional organizations, governmental agencies, voluntary, and community based organizations.

The Health Science Department offers a B.S. in Health Science with options in:

School Health

The School Health Education Option is designed for individuals who desire to pursue a professional preparation program leading to qualification as a health education teacher in middle, junior, and high schools. Graduates may also pursue other administrative careers within a school district such as health education curriculum coordinator, or a substance abuse prevention coordinator. In addition to core requirements, students seeking this option must also be admitted to the College of Education’s Single Subject Credential Program. Students must successfully complete all required coursework and teaching assignments leading to a California Single Subject Teacher Credential.

Courses must be selected in consultation with the department advisor.

 

Community Health Education

The Community Health Education Option is designed for individuals interested in the links among lifestyle, social and physical environments, and good health. The occupational objective of those selecting this option is to serve as a community health educator in public or private health care agencies, voluntary organizations, medical clinics or corporate settings. Health educators use a variety of communication strategies, policy implementations, teaching methods and creative learning experiences to promote voluntary actions, and informed decisions conducive to health. Health educators are specifically trained to:

·        Assess health education needs.

·        Provide communication regarding the distribution and determinants of disease and injury.

·        Plan, develop, implement, manage and evaluate health education programs

·        Participate in social planning, advocacy, and coalition building.

Courses must be selected in consultation with the Department Advisor.

 

Health Care

The option in Health Care is designed for those individuals who have received certification and/or license from an approved allied health of health care program and desire a Bachelor of Science Degree. The focus of this option is the development of professional skills for people whose career objectives are providing service, or instructing in the health care setting.

Courses must be selected in consultation with the department advisor.

 

Radiation Therapy

The option in Radiation Therapy is designed for individuals who wish to pursue a career as a Registered Radiation Therapist. Radiation therapists operate equipment to deliver physician prescribed doses of ionizing radiation for treatment of malignant and some benign diseases. The option consists of a preprofessional component and a three-year professional program combining didactic and clinical experiences. Successful completion of the program allows students eligibility to apply for licensure examinations at the national level. The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the State of California, Department of Health Services, Radiologic Health Branch.

Courses must be selected in consultation with the radiation therapy department advisor.

Career Opportunities

Alumni of the Department are leaders in public health and health education. Students who major in Health Science may choose to pursue careers in teaching, program planning, or administration in a wide variety of settings including:

secondary schools, community colleges/universities

local and county health departments and agencies

volunteer agencies such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and Planned Parenthood

hospitals and health clinics

industrial corporations

health maintenance organizations

community based organizations

Admission to the Program

The options in Community Health, School Health, and Health Care within the Health Science Department (except the Radiation Therapy option) require no special admission procedures. The Health Care option requires a previously earned professional license in a field such as nursing. Students interested in the Radiation Therapy option must complete all University general education requirements of the University as well as a series of prerequisite courses.

Freshman/Transfer Information

All freshman students entering CSULB should begin preparing for their first semester of study by taking the Mathematics and English Placement Tests (ELM and EPT) offered by the University. In addition to completing GE requirements prior to entering CSULB, transfer students should consult the CSULB catalog for lower division courses that may be taken at a community college. Please refer to the Department for possible updates. Registration for fall classes begins with the Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) program. A SOAR brochure will be mailed to admitted students.

Student Organizations

The Health Science Student Association (HSSA) enables students to work closely with faculty in planning various activities such as health fairs, graduation, celebratory events, and fund-raisers. The HSSA strives to provide Health Science students with opportunities to get to know faculty and other Health Science students to promote lifelong professional and personal bonds.

Distinctions

Health Science graduates hold leadership positions in public health throughout the greater Southern California area.

Questions

To check on your admission status, call (562) 985-5505. To check on your financial aid status, call (562) 985-4641. Remember to keep photocopies for your personal use of all official documents submitted to the University.

The Health Science Department is located in the Health & Human Services Bldg. (HHS-2), Room 115, (562) 985-4057.

To discuss undergraduate options, call (562) 985-8083 or visit "http://www.csulb.edu/depts/hs/htdocs"

For more information regarding the Radiation Therapy option, contact the Director of Radiation Therapy at (562) 985-7507.

For additional information or to arrange for a tour of the CSULB campus, please contact the office of University Outreach & School Relations (UOSR).