Department of Population Health

This is an archived copy of the 2016-2017 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit catalog.shsu.edu.

Interim Chair: Dr. Rosanne Keathley (936)-294-1171

Department of Population Health website

Mission

The mission of the Department of Population Health is to foster student-centered learning for early and advanced health professionals; to conduct applied, evidence-based research in population health; and to improve health and well-being through community engagement at the local and global levels.

Highlights

  • Nationally-recognized
  • Honorary affiliation (Eta Sigma Gamma)
  • Student-focused
  • Value student diversity (various ethnic and cultural backgrounds)
  • Seeking to create a diverse pool of graduates for successful entry into the workforce
  • Outstanding faculty and staff

Career Opportunities

  • Hospitals
  • Geriatric facilities
  • Correctional Health Care
  • Corporate health promotion programs
  • Federal, state and local health agencies
  • Wellness Settings
  • School settings
  • Voluntary agencies
  • Clinical settings

Student Organizations

Eta Sigma Gamma - National Health Science Honorary Society - requires a 3.0 GPA in Health and an overall 2.5 GPA; focus is research, service, and education; volunteer hours required.

Internships

The undergraduate Health program provides for majors a 200 or 400-hour professional internship and minors a 200-hour internship. The internship will be conducted in either the school, community, medical or corporate health setting under the instruction and supervision of a qualified and experienced health-care professional.

Scholarships

  • Cady/Huskey Health Education Scholarship-Full-time junior or senior Health major displaying leadership potential with at least a 3.0 GPA.
  • Department of Health & Kinesiology ScholarshipHealth or Kinesiology major demonstrating financial need with a satisfactory GPA.
  • Robert L. Case Health & Kinesiology Wellness Scholarship—Health or Kinesiology major displaying leadership potential with at least a 3.0 GPA and reflecting a high level of fitness.
  • Roy G. Moss, Jr., Health Education Scholarship— Majors in Health or Kinesiology, who demonstrate financial need, have an exemplary GPA, display leadership potential and are actively involved in community health issues.

Health Minor (Chosen by Non-Health University Majors)

  • Business
  • Communication
  • Criminal Justice
  • Marketing
  • Education
  • Kinesiology
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

HLTH 1360. Fund Hlth Promo & Hlth Careers. 3 Hours.

This course explores the determinants of health, theories of health behavior, the nature and history of health education, and the role of the health educator as a professional in the school, work, clinical, and community settings to promote health and prevent disease.

HLTH 1366. Lifestyle And Wellness. 3 Hours.

Lifestyle and Wellness explores a variety of health issues which influence the well-being of an individual throughout the life cycle. The student is given an opportunity to develop a personal philosophy of wellness and self-responsibility for health through self-assessment, investigation of factors affecting one?s health, and the examination of behavior modification strategies.

HLTH 2330. First Aid-Red Cross/Instruc Cr. 3 Hours.

A course for those who wish to acquire knowledge of Red Cross emergency and preventive measures. Successful completion leads to CPR, first aid, and responding to emergency certification. Students may also become instructors through additional American Red Cross training. (Also listed as KINE 2330).

HLTH 2372. Health & Medical Terminology. 3 Hours.

This course provides medically-oriented students with the cognitive skills they need to understand the foundations of medical technology for health professionals. The content of this course focuses on the prefixes, suffixes, and roots of medical terms that are associated with multiple disease processes, medical protocols, and the human anatomical system.

HLTH 2381. Consumer Health Education. 3 Hours.

A study of the factors which influence the consumer marketplace for health related products and services. Topics include fraud and quackery, advertising, health care professional services, alternative medicine, consumer protection agencies, and consumer protection throughself-responsibility.

HLTH 2383. Multicultural Health Issues. 3 Hours.

This course addressed health issues and problems that various ethnic groups face in the United States. Cultural differences in health behaviors, health care access, and promotion and prevention programs are emphasized.

HLTH 3219. Group Exercise Instruction. 2 Hours.

This course presents a comprehensive and research-based discussion and application of all formats of group exercise instruction. These formats include lifestyle-based, dance-based, equipment-based, and mind-body classes. The course presents foundational knowledge for group exercise instructors.
Prerequisite: KINE 2119 or concurrent enrollment.

HLTH 3345. Health Statistics. 3 Hours.

This course presents an overview of statistical measures used in the health sciences. The problems-based course provides hands-on applications of statistical software that is oriented to authentic health issues and cases. Emphasis will be made in the application of statistical tools to answer and solve real-world public health related questions and problems.
Prerequisite: MATH/STAT 1370.

HLTH 3350. Principles of Public Health. 3 Hours.

This course will prepare students with the knowledge, skills, core values, and professional dispositions they will need to work in one of the diverse areas of public health.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

HLTH 3355. Principles US Health Care Sys. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with a comprehensive survey of the components, organization, and management of the US health care system. Topics of the course include the historical perspectives, structure, operations, economic indicators, and current/future directions of the US health care delivery system.

HLTH 3360. Epidemiology. 3 Hours.

The course examines the basic epidemiological tenets, research techniques and technologies, findings of association and causation, distribution of diseases, and those factors that explain such distributions. Emphasis is placed on the interactions of biological, social, and economic factors in relation to accessibility of health services and geographical variations in health risks.
Prerequisite: MATH/STAT 3379.

HLTH 3361. Health Planning & Evaluation. 3 Hours.

This course surveys the use of program planning models and health behavior theories in the wellness setting as well as assessment and evaluation processes for wellness management programs.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

HLTH 3380. Drug Use and Abuse. 3 Hours.

This course explores the use and misuse of drugs and their effects on the health of man.

HLTH 3382. Child & Adolescent Health. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the causes of and approaches to physical, social, mental, and emotional health problems among young people. Emphasis is placed on creating an environment in which children and adolescents can learn to make prudent decisions regarding health related behaviors. .

HLTH 3385. Safety Education. 3 Hours.

This course presents the foundations of accident prevention and injury control. Applications are made to motor vehicle, home, recreational, and occupational safety.

HLTH 3390. Family Life & Sex Education. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the formation of intimate relationships: family, marriage, and friends. Individuals are directed into the study of their personal backgrounds, lives, and dreams in preparation for marriage. Includes problems of relationships: rape, battering partners, sexually transmitted diseases, and divorce.

HLTH 3391. Study Of Human Diseases. 3 Hours.

Introduction to the relationship between the human body and disease, both communicable and non-communicable. Includes historical aspects of various diseases, etiology, prevention and control, prevalence, symptoms, and treatment.

HLTH 3392. Health Comm & Literacy. 3 Hours.

An exploration of different modalities of communicating health issues and information to audiences in different settings. Emphasis is given to listening, writing and speaking skills. Students will learn how to make effective presentations using computer applications to design print and visual aid materials.
Prerequisite: HLTH 1360 and HLTH 1366.

HLTH 4117. Practicum. 1 Hour.

HLTH 4360. Hlth Profesns Resrch:Meth&Stat. 3 Hours.

An introduction to research methodology, evaluation, and statistical analysis with direct application to health education and health promotion. Students will learn how to apply these techniques to writing a grant proposal.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.

HLTH 4361. Mgng Hlth Promo In Workplace. 3 Hours.

A course designed to prepare the health educator to establish special programs which promote health in corporate, occupational, or industrial settings.

HLTH 4363. Interventions for Wellness. 3 Hours.

This course addresses the skills and resources needed to implement and facilitate specific interventions within a comprehensive wellness program. The development and delivery of programs including tobacco management, weight control, nutrition, physical activity, workplace safety, disease prevention, and other applicable interventions will be addressed.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

HLTH 4364. Directing Wellness Programs. 3 Hours.

This course addresses the general administrative and daily operational skills required to direct a wellness program in corporate, institutional, and community settings. Emphasis is placed on the collaborative and professional skills that are needed to manage wellness programs.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

HLTH 4365. Health Care Policy. 3 Hours.

This course prepares students in the essential health policy and law, and the policies and legal issues impacting health care and public health systems. Also included are the methods used to formulate health policies and laws.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

HLTH 4366. Health Informatics. 3 Hours.

This course will prepare students with innovative and best practice technological applications to support human health by individuals, professionals, care delivery organizations, and communities. Internet-based health resources, smart phone/mHealth applications, telehealth, health-related social networks, and policies to connect people and technologies securely across health care ecosystems are applied.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

HLTH 4367. Economics for Health Managers. 3 Hours.

This course provides an overview of economic principles and analysis tools as applied to the health care industry. Traditional market-based economic theories will be examined along with the significant role that government entities play in health care. Course topics include health care supply, demand, elasticity, risk, cost, pricing, and insurance costs.
Prerequisite: HLTH 3355, ECON 2302 or ECON 2301, Senior Standing.

HLTH 4370. Aids:Curr Hlth Prob/Prevention. 3 Hours.

An examination of the intensity and magnitude of health problems due to HIV and AIDS. Student will explore the nature of HIV; its transmission and progression; and the management of AIDS. The course will focus on prevention of the spread of AIDS among school-age children and young adults, and will address the economical, sociological, and ethical issues of AIDS.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.

HLTH 4371. Patient Navigation. 3 Hours.

This course prepares Bilingual Health Care Studies students with advanced health care concepts, resources, and skills related to patient navigation by applying Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in various health care settings. The course emphasizes the integration of patient navigation into, and through, the US health care system. Students evaluate topics related to patient navigation background and history, discuss the National Standards for CLAS in Health Care, and examine the roles and responsibilities of an effective culturally and linguistically competent patient navigator.
Prerequisite: HLTH 1360, HLTH 3391, Senior standing.

HLTH 4375. Health Laws and Ethics. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of health law and ethics. The course explores the multi-faceted aspects of employer-employee relations in the health care setting and the legal ramifications associated with patient relations, patient care, and medical records. In addition, the course explores and analyzes the issue of ethics in contemporary health care situations.
Prerequisite: HLTH 1360, HLTH 3355, Senior standing.

HLTH 4380. Global Health. 3 Hours.

This course serves to provide students with an in-depth approach to the social, economic, environmental, cultural, and intellectual issues that determine the health status of global populations.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

HLTH 4384. Internship Preparation. 3 Hours.

This course provides practical experience in wellness programming and leadership skills that are necessary to successfully complete an internship in the wellness management field. Students will be provided with job acquisition skills in resume development, interviewing techniques, and the job search process.
Prerequisite: Senior Standing.

HLTH 4387. Community Health. 3 Hours.

This course is an overview of the political, social, economic, and cultural variables affecting the health of a community. Topics include: foundations of community health, health resources, health through the life span, governmental and voluntary programs, and international health initiatives.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

HLTH 4390. Environmental Health. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to investigate community environmental health problems. Topics include population problems, housing, sanitation, air and water pollution, and other environmental health issues. Emphasis is on school-community action programs to conserve the environment.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.

HLTH 4392. Problems In Health. 3 Hours.

A directed individual study of an approved field problem in health and/or allied fields.
Prerequisite: HLTH 4393 and departmental approval.

HLTH 4393. Prof Prep Health Careers. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to prepare students for their professional internship. Course content focuses on the contemporary areas of: assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating health programs; communicating health needs; serving as a resource person; and coordinating health needs in a community.
Prerequisite:12 hours of Health including HLTH 4387.

HLTH 4394. Internship Program. 3 Hours.

This course provides the student with opportunities to demonstrate assessment, organization, group process and program planning skills in a health community setting.
Prerequisite: 18 hours of Health including HLTH 4393.

HLTH 4395. Special Topics in Health. 3 Hours.