Social and Public Health, Department of

College of Health Sciences and Professions
Grover Center W324
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4675
Fax: 740.593.0555
www.ohio.edu/chsp/sph/

Kristin Schuller, Chair

Mission

Programs in the Department of Social and Public Health provide students with the lifelong ability to transform knowledge into responsible action with the environmental, public health, health service, and child and family studies professions. Educating students through critical thinking is our highest priority.

The Department values the personal and professional growth of both students and faculty. We encourage scholarly activities and integrating research and classroom experiences into professional settings. The Department also prioritizes participation in community outreach activities that support and facilitate a wide variety of initiatives to improve health outcomes.

The Department of Social and Public Health is committed to providing a healthy learning atmosphere for students and a professionally stimulating work environment for faculty and staff. We believe in mutual respect and concern for others and embrace diversity among students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Programs

The Department of Social and Public Health in the College of Health Sciences and Professions offers the following academic undergraduate programs:

Community and Public Health (B.S.H.) - BS8105
Child and Family Studies (B.S.C.F.S.) - BS6468
Health Services Administration (B.S.H.) - BS8119
Environmental Health Science (B.S.E.H.) - BS6260

Community and Public Health Minor - OR8100
Environmental Health Science Minor - OR6260
Health Services Administration Minor - OR5380

Environmental Engineering Technology (A.A.S.) - AA5018

Opportunities

Opportunities for professional preparation vary by degree. Community and Public Health prepares students for entry-level staff and management positions in public-health and health-promotion agencies. Students learn skills necessary for assessing and planning health programs to address the needs of the community being served.

The Child and Family Studies program prepares students to work with children, adults, and families throughout the lifespan in a broad range of settings. The developmental orientation of the program provides students with a thorough understanding of all major life periods in multiple contexts.

Environmental Health Science students focus their studies on factors that might cause or contribute to impaired health of individuals in any environmental setting. The Environmental Health major is nationally-accredited and prepares students for a career in one of the many fields of public health. It also qualifies students to sit for the examination to obtain professional registration as a sanitarian.

Health Services Administration focuses on preparing students for entry-level management positions in hospitals and other health delivery systems. Blending business techniques and tools with health care applications and principles, students are taught to deal with complex organizational structures and associated business complexities. Students can choose one of two tracks: Policy & Management or Aging Services.

Most programs require practica and/or internships for students to engage in experiences that are complementary to their academic coursework.

Student Organizations

Child Life Student Organization (CLSO) Information

The Child Life Student Organization (CLSO) is designed to enhance educational needs of students pursuing the Child Life profession. The purpose of this organization is to improve the understanding of the Child Life profession and prepare and educate students aiming to become Child Life Specialists through speakers and educational workshops. Membership is open to enrolled Ohio University students interested in the field of child life. However, any member must understand that the only way to access the field of child life at Ohio University is within the Child and Family Studies Major/Child Life Concentration (undergraduate or graduate). This major provides the required Child and Family courses, child life content, child life hands-on experience, and faculty who are Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS); all necessary academic program components needed to become a CCLS.

Advisor: Jenny Chabot, chabot@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.2871

Eta Sigma Gamma

Eta Sigma Gamma is the National Professional Health Honorary Society. The primary purpose of Eta Sigma Gamma is to enhance the professional competence and dedication of individual members of the profession of health education.

Advisor: Heather Harmon, harmonh@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.4675

Environmental Health Student Organization

The Ohio University Environmental Health student association was founded over 20 years ago to foster a sense of community among students engaged in these university programs of study. The association is affiliated with several professional groups, including the Central Ohio local section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the American Society of Safety Engineers, and the Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs. Officers of the organization are elected by all members of the BSEH majors in an annual election held each spring semester. Meetings are held at least once per semester. Interested students are always welcome and are encouraged to attend and become active in the group. There is always an opportunity to get involved, meet faculty, and serve as an officer, if desired.

Advisor: Michele Morrone, morrone@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.9549

Ohio University’s Society for Health Administration (OUSHA)

The purpose of OUSHA is to promote an educational environment where students may develop professional, personal, and social skills necessary to start a career in health services administration. OUSHA attempts to develop an association with local, regional and national health services executive groups that may enhance academic and career opportunities.

Advisor: Sara Berens, berenss@ohio.edu, phone: 740.597.7925