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/

Douglas Bolon, Chair
Adrienne Johnson, 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 social service communities. This mission recognizes that the education of students through the critical thinking process is our highest priority.

The Department of Social and Public Health is committed to the provision of quality education to our students in the environmental, public health and social service professions. The Department values the personal and professional growth of both students and faculty through the contribution of knowledge disseminated by scholarly activities as well as the integration of research and classroom activities into professional settings. The Department also encourages participation in community outreach activities that support and facilitate a wide variety of community development initiatives.

The Department of Social and Public Health is committed to the provision of a healthy learning atmosphere for students, as well as a professionally stimulating work environment for faculty and staff. This manifests itself through the demonstration of mutual respect and concern for others, while simultaneously embracing the cultural and ethnic 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:

Majors

Community Health Services (B.S.H.) - BS8105
Child and Family Studies (B.S.C.F.S.) - BS6468
Health Services Administration (B.S.H.) - BS8119
Long-Term Health Care Administration (B.S.H.) - BS6836
Environmental Health Science (B.S.E.H.) - BS6260
Occupational Hygiene and Safety (B.S.O.H.S.) - BS3300
Social Work (B.A.) - BA6601
Social Work (B.S.W.) - BS6605

Minors

Environmental Health Science
Social Service

Department Accomplishments

The Department houses accredited Environmental Health (EH), Public Health (MPH), Long Term Care Administration (LTC), and Social Work (SW) programs.

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.

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 and Occupational Hygiene and Safety students focus their studies on factors that might cause or contribute to impaired health of individuals in any environmental setting. The Occupational 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.

Social Work programs prepare students to enter generalist social work practice or pursue a graduate degree in social work or a related field. Graduates qualify to apply for licensure as a social worker in Ohio and most other states.

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 electing to major in Long-Term Care Administration may also 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. The program prepares students for a multifaceted profession that focuses on skilled nursing, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities.

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

Student Organizations

Alpha Beta Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society

The purposes of Phi Alpha Honor Society are to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote high academic standards in social work education. Undergraduate students are eligible for membership after achieving the following (see below) national requirements and meeting local chapter requirements. Local chapters may establish higher eligibility requirements. The application process begins in spring semester with the deadline for applications being January 31st. A membership fee of $35 is also required upon acceptance to the Phi Alpha Honor Society. Requirements for application include:

Declared social work major
Achieved sophomore status
Completion of three social work courses
Achieved an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Achieved a 3.25 grade point average (GPA) in required social work courses
Submit an essay of no more than 500 words describing the reasons why you want to belong to Phi Alpha and why you are qualified to be a member of Phi Alpha (beyond the requirements for admission)

Advisor: Annelle Edwards edwarda2@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.597.1728

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: 740.593.0528

Occupational Hygiene/Environmental Health/Safety Combined Student Organization

The Ohio University Occupational Hygiene/Environmental Health/Safety 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 BSOHS/BSEH/ISE majors in an annual election held each spring semester. Officers of the organization help ensure the group meets its objectives of sponsoring social activities and semi-professional activities, such as resume and cover letter writing workshops, fund raising, picnics, a fall semester bonfire, and other events of interest to the membership. Meetings are held at least once per semester in the Grover Center OHS/EH teaching lab or at a local restaurant or classroom in Grover Center. 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: Tim Ryan ryant@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.2134

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: Douglas Bolon bolon@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.4675

Ohio University’s Student Chapter of The American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA)

This student organization focuses on the administration side of the growing long-term care field. ACHCA student chapter activities include fundraising initiatives, field trips, and guest speakers. Student chapter memberships provide individuals with the information and networking experiences necessary to establish a solid foundation for career development in the long-term care industry. The ACHCA student chapter is open to all students and majors interested in the field of long-term care.

Advisor: Lisa Yehl yehl@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.1223

Student Social Work Association (SSWA)

SSWA is open to all social work students and others interested in social issues. SSWA promotes community service on campus and in the region. The organization has regular meetings which are announced in classes and posted on the organization’s BlackBoard site, as well as its Facebook page.

Advisor: Kerri Shaw shawk@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.9773