Health Sciences

Dr. Diane L. Davis, Co-Director
410-548-4787

Dr. Lisa M. Marquette, Co-Director
410-677-0058

The School of Health Sciences consists of undergraduate programs in community health, exercise science, medical laboratory science and respiratory therapy, and graduate programs in applied health physiology and athletic training.

The undergraduate programs provide coursework in the basic sciences, General Education and specialized areas that prepare graduates for national certification in their fields of study. During the first two years of each program, students take prerequisite and General Education courses. The last two years comprise the professional core, offering courses in the major with student laboratories accompanied by rotations through clinical facilities. The courses prepare students to practice in community health, exercise science, medical laboratory science or respiratory care under the guidance and supervision of professionals during internships in “real world” environments.

The graduate program in applied health physiology is a professional degree program designed to prepare health care professionals. Graduates of this program should possess the vision, the knowledge and the skills necessary to promote health and wellness in strength and conditioning careers as well as a variety of clinical settings (e.g., cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation, geriatric centers, youth centers, state and local health departments, and corporate wellness programs). The curriculum emphasizes both theory and practice in the preparation of administrators, technologists and supervisors. The program is designed to include the knowledge, skills and opportunities for practice that are essential for the development of health care and strength fitness professionals.

Graduate Program in Applied Health Physiology

The School of Health Sciences offers a program leading to the This professional degree program is designed to prepare leaders in the fields of health care, wellness or fitness. The program offers three possible areas of focus: cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and fitness/wellness. The program provides academic preparation for students seeking certification by the American College of Sports Medicine as exercise physiologists (CEP or EPC) or by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS). The academic coursework prepares students for careers in health care settings such as hospitals, youth and geriatric centers, state and local health departments, corporate wellness programs, and universities and private facilities as strength and conditioning coaches. The academic and clinical faculty members provide multiple opportunities for hands-on experience in addition to traditional classroom interactions.

Graduate Program in Athletic Training

The at Salisbury University prepares students for a career as an athletic trainer. Athletic training is a health care profession that involves the prevention, diagnosis and management of active individuals who sustain traumatic or lingering injuries, or develop acute illness or other medical conditions that impair a person’s normal function. Upon graduation from the program, students are eligible for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination and, in most states, must apply for license to practice as an athletic trainer. Courses are delivered in-person and online using an innovative curriculum design that incorporates a variety of instructional modalities. A diverse and immersive clinical education experience provides students with an opportunity to apply their skills to patients of varying ages and abilities.

Undergraduate Program in Community Health

The Program facilitates students to be successful public health educators. Throughout the required coursework, students plan, implement and evaluate health programs that are based on assessed needs of target populations and theories of health behavior in the effort to promote and maintain individual and community health. Students also complete a semester-long internship where they apply course material to a practical experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals, non-profit organizations, corporations and government departments. Upon completion of the major, students are eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam to become nationally certified in the profession. Community health education is an interdisciplinary field with growing employment opportunities.

Undergraduate Program in Exercise Science

The and Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in various health and fitness occupations, or for graduate education in exercise science or other pre-professional health-related disciplines, such as physical therapy, physician assistance and medicine. The program is also designed to prepare students for professional certification by appropriate organizations. The academic foundation of exercise science is in physiology, bioenergetics, and movement anatomy and mechanics, with applications to exercise responses and adaptations, strength and conditioning, sport performance, and disease and injury. Courses include human anatomy and physiology, fitness instruction, exercise physiology, fitness and stress testing, kinesiology, and injury prevention and emergency management.

Undergraduate Program in Medical Laboratory Science

The Program (MLS) prepares students to perform and supervise others performing laboratory analyses used in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease, as well as the maintenance of health. One study showed that up to 70 percent of all medical decisions are leveraged by laboratory results, so the employment future in this field is bright. Although many graduates enter healthcare, the high skill level of MLS graduates makes them ideal candidates for employment in a diversity of settings and for graduate education in a broad spectrum of areas related to healthcare and laboratory analysis. Graduates seek careers in clinical settings (hospitals or private laboratories performing tests related to disease conditions in humans and animals), industry (marketing, pharmaceutical, biomedical technology, occupational health, research and development, and quality assurance), research, informatics, health care administration (infection control, health promotion, laboratory consultation) and public health (epidemiology, crime laboratory science, Peace Corps). Many graduates continue education in widely varied programs, including medicine, physician assistant, pathologist assistant, pharmacy, forensics and other graduate programs related to laboratory specialties.

SU’s program provides courses in basic math and science (statistics, chemistry and biology), General Education and specialized areas (microbiology, immunology, clinical biochemistry, hematology, transfusion services, urine/body fluid analysis, phlebotomy, lab safety and management). Computerization, mathematics, instrumentation and writing are integrated into the curriculum. Clinical internships in regional hospitals are capstone experiences in which students practice what they’ve studied to become competent practitioners. Students apply for positions in the spring of the sophomore year, and all prerequisite courses must be completed to enter the program. Therefore, students wishing to pursue the degree should seek academic advisement early to insure proper course sequencing.

The Bachelor of Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS, 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, 773-714-8880).). Graduates are eligible to take certification examinations offered by various national organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Statistics regarding pass rates on certification exams, student attrition and graduate placement are maintained on the Medical Laboratory Science Program website.

Undergraduate Program in Respiratory Therapy

The School of Health Sciences offers a program leading to the , preparing highly trained health care practitioners who administer care to patients with disorders of the cardiopulmonary system. Program admission is competitive and it is highly recommended that students wishing to pursue the degree seek academic advisement early.

The professional coursework in the respiratory therapy program provides extensive exposure to many therapeutic modalities including, but not limited to, oxygen therapy, small volume nebulizer therapy, chest physical therapy, intermittent positive pressure breathing, mechanical ventilation, intubation, blood gas acquisition and analysis, neonatal intensive care, monitoring heart and lung functions of critically ill patients, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and numerous rotations (e.g., pulmonary function laboratory, cardiopulmonary rehab, etc.). The clinical rotations of the respiratory therapy program are divided among the student’s junior and senior clinicals. The junior year is spent providing care to patients on the general floors and the senior year is spent providing care entirely in intensive care and the emergency department. This provides graduates the best exposure to a wide variety of patient diseases and severity of diseases. Graduates are offered certifications in CPR, Neonatal Resuscitation, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

The Bachelor of Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Graduates are eligible to take credentialing examinations offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog