Springfield College Introduces New Program in Health Science/General Studies

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Aug. 6, 2008 – As the nation confronts an increasing shortage of health care professionals, the Springfield College School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies (HSRS) will introduce a new bachelor’s degree program in health science/general studies this September.

“There has been considerable growth in the types of careers in health care, and the demand for qualified professionals and workers throughout the field is at an all-time high,” said William Susman, Springfield College HSRS dean. “This new undergraduate program is designed to help prepare students for a range of career opportunities in health care, or for further study toward a health care profession. It also is ideally suited for students who are interested in a career in health sciences or human services but have not yet made a specific career choice.”

Susman said that the health science/general studies degree can prepare students, upon graduation, for careers in public health agencies, human services agencies, wellness services, health insurance, hospital administration, pharmaceutical sales, elder services, scientific writing, research, and other health care venues. It also is a foundation for other degree programs at Springfield College or other institutions.

Courses in the new program will include anatomy, physiology, genetics in health care, and ethics. Students will also take courses on patient/provider relationships, cultural diversity, medical terminology, biostatistics, and information literacy. They will gain real-world experience by learning through service or fieldwork in health care settings, and will receive individual academic and career guidance.

“Our nation is experiencing an explosion in the number of people needing health care services, and the trend will only increase,” Susman said. “Several factors are driving this trend. Our population is aging and living longer. We’re doing a better job of preventing and managing illness, enabling people to survive injury and illness through better emergency and acute care, and our technology is advancing rapidly. There is also greater integration of persons with disabilities into society.”

Susman said that students in the new health science/general studies major might also migrate to other Springfield College health career programs. The college offers undergraduate programs in rehabilitation and disability studies, communication disorders, pre-occupational therapy, and emergency medical services management. Its master’s degree programs are in rehabilitation counseling and services and occupational therapy. It offers five-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in physician assistant studies and in occupational therapy, and a six-year combined bachelor’s and doctoral degree program in physical therapy.

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Springfield College 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109-3797 413.748.3000
Page updated on: 08/06/2008