College of Health Sciences and Professions 
Grover Center W324
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4675
Fax: 740.593.0555
http://www.ouchsp.org/sph/

Matthew Adeyanju, Director
Maureen Rogers, Administrative Associate

Mission

The Department of Social and Public Health provides students with the lifelong ability to seek and acquire information and transform this knowledge into responsible action within the environmental, public health,and health-care communities. This mission recognizes that the education of students through the critical thinking process is our highest priority.

The Department is committed to the provision of quality education to our students in the environmental, public health and health sciences professions through the critical thinking process; the contribution of knowledge in the environmental, public health and health sciences professions; the personal and professional growth of both students and faculty through support of academic development, scholarly activities and community service; the integration of classroom activities, research and practical experiences in professional settings; the involvement and participation in Community Outreach services. Research and scholarly endeavors as means of contributing to the body of knowledge in the environmental, public health and health sciences professions; the provision of a healthy learning atmosphere for students, and a professionally stimulating work environment for faculty and staff; the support of activities for community development as well as professional needs; showing mutual respect and concern for one another, the University, the community, and professionals in the health and health-related fields; acknowledging and embracing cultural and ethnic diversity among students, faculty and staff.

Programs

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

Majors

Community Health Services  (BS8105)
Family Studies  (BS6351)
Health Services Administration  (BS8119)
Long-Term Health Care Administration  (BS6836)
Environmental Health Sciences  (BS6260)
Industrial Hygiene  (BS3309)

Minor

Environmental Health Sciences 

Certificate

Gerontology 

Department Accomplishments

The Department houses accredited Environmental Health (EH), Industrial Hygiene (IH), Public Health (MPH), and Long Term Care Administration programs. The EH program is 1 of only 30 nationally accredited programs. The IH program is 1 of only 5 accredited undergraduate programs in the nation. The MPH is part of largest consortium program in the United States, thus maximizing Ohio resources. The graduate Certificate in African Community Health Services is the only one of its kind in the United States, bolstered by collaborations in 12 African countries, with students engaged in various community health initiatives.

Opportunities

Opportunities for professional preparation vary in the Department. Community health services prepares students for entry-level staff and management positions in public-health and health-promotion agencies, social task force agencies, and other noninstitutional health agencies. Students are taught the skills necessary for assessing and planning health programs, according to the needs of the community being served.

Environmental and occupational health and safety students focus their studies on factors that might cause or contribute to impaired health of individuals in any environmental setting. The industrial hygiene option deals with industrial hazards and how they affect individuals in the workplace. The environmental health option 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 administration programs focus on preparing students for entry-level management positions in hospitals, long-term care facilities, 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 electing to specialize in long-term care administration receive an undergraduate Gerontology Certificate and are eligible, upon completion of the degree, to sit for the Ohio and National Nursing Home Administrator’s licensure examination.

Most programs provide practica and/or internships in order to provide students with practical experiences, complementary to their academic coursework.

Note: Most courses offered through the Department of Social and Public Health can be retaken up to two times (one initial registration and two retakes). Variable credit courses usually cannot be retaken (with the possibility of the initial grade no longer being figured in the accumulative grade point calculation), but can be repeated for credit to count toward your degree.

Student Organizations

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.

Adviser: Tania Basta basta@ohio.edu
Phone: (740) 593-4681

Future Healthcare Administrators (FHCA) of the Ohio University
The purpose of FHCA is to promote an educational environment where students may develop professional, personal and social skills. FHCA attempts to develop an association with local, regional and national health services executive groups that may enhance academic and career opportunities.

Adviser: James Stephens stephej1@ohio.edu & David Stretton stretton@ohio.edu
Phone: (740) 593-0434 / ( 740) 593-1218
President: Kim Grabor kg207804@ohio.edu
Vice President: Erin Luckas el175003@ohio.edu
Secretary: Courtney George cg607604@ohio.edu
Treasurer: Erin Desatnik ed944903@ohio.edu
Human Resource Coordinator: Kait Higgins kh254903@ohio.edu
Webmaster: Brian Kolligan bk370803@ohio.edu

Industrial Hygiene Student Local Section of AIHA
The Ohio University Industrial Hygiene Student Association (IHSA) was founded over a decade ago to foster a sense of community among students engaged in this university program of study. Officers of the organization are elected by all members of the BSIH major by an annual election held in spring quarter. Officers of the IHSA help ensure the organization meets its objectives of sponsoring social activities and semi-professional activities, such as resume and cover letter writing workshops, fundraising, major recruiting and topics of interest to the student membership. IHSA meetings are held approximately once per quarter in a local restaurant, officer’s home or classroom in Grover Center.

Adviser: Tim Ryan ryant@ohio.edu
Phone: (740) 593-2134
Contact: Emily Fulk ef155003@ohio.edu

Student Environmental Health Association

Adviser: Helmut Paschold paschold@ohi.edu
Phone: (740) 593-4680