College of Health Sciences

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Administrative Officers

Title/Department Officer
Dean Emily A. Roper, Ph.D.
ear007@shsu.edu; (936) 294-2395
Associate Dean Ryan K. Zapalac, Ph.D.
rzapalac@shsu.edu; (936) 294-2392
Associate Dean Jennifer A. Bunn, Ph.D.
jab229@shsu.edu; (936) 294-2393
Assistant Dean Christine G. Cardinal, Ph.D.
cxc107@shsu.edu; (936) 294-2735
Department of Human Sciences Ronald L. Reed, M.S., Chair
rlr054@shsu.edu; (936) 294-1242
Department of Kinesiology Jennifer J. Didier, Ph.D., Chair
jennifer.didier@shsu.edu; (936) 294-1398
Department of Public Health Ray G. Newman, Ph.D., Chair
rgn006@shsu.edu; (936) 294-3454
School of Nursing Devon M. Berry, Ph.D., Director
devonmberry@shsu.edu; (936) 202-5116

About the College

The College of Health Sciences (COHS) consists of the Department of Human Sciences, the Department of Kinesiology, the Department of Public Health, and the School of Nursing.  The College is comprised of undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on clinical training and work-based learning. Internships in prestigious healthcare and medical fields, hospitals, sports organizations, government agencies, and volunteer agencies are available for many of the degree fields.

The COHS offers the most up-to-date curricula using the latest technologies. Degree fields include human sciences, kinesiology, nursing, and public health, as well as preparation for further medical study in areas such as occupational therapy, chiropractic, and physical therapy. Some of the degree areas allow for an international focus--with language immersion--through study abroad opportunities to expand the student learning experience.

Factors such as an aging population, new medical technologies, and federal legislation have increased the need for qualified healthcare employees, educators, and professionals.  The COHS has made great advancements in addressing those demands by offering programs that will increase the number of educated employees for the Texas workforce.

The COHS promotes healthy living by preparing professionals for health and medical careers with a quality education at an affordable cost. Graduates will be prepared to succeed in their chosen health profession through mastery of the appropriate knowledge and skills, a well-developed sense of professionalism, and a strong commitment to promoting health and providing quality care.

Mission

The College of Health Sciences collaborates with community and global partners to advance knowledge and practice to inspire the lifelong pursuit of health and well-being.

Vision

The College seeks to empower society to cultivate the enduring health of individuals and communities.

Core Values

Teamwork: Engage in active participation to foster an environment of shared responsibility.

Outreach: Serve the current and future needs of individuals, families, and communities.

Excellence: Strive for the highest standards and quality in all that we do.

Diversity: Embrace our differences to ensure each unique voice is encouraged and valued.

Curiosity: Nurture innovation/creativity through consumption, creation, and dissemination of knowledge.

Entrepreneurism: Welcome risk-taking and view failure as an opportunity for discovery.

Highlights

  • The School of Nursing became an accredited nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN formerly NLNAC) in August 2013 and received full approval by the Texas Board of Nursing for the Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Education Program in January 2014.
  • The School of Nursing has a 94.70% success rate (2021) for nursing students sitting for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is above state and national averages. Additionally, 100% of students had secured a job in the field of nursing by graduation (Spring 2022).
  • The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Program in the Department of Kinesiology is accredited by the Council for Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE).
  • Study Abroad opportunities in Human Sciences, Kinesiology, Public Health, and Nursing.
  • The Interior Design Program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
  • The MS in Dietetic Internship Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
  • The Food Science and Nutrition Program is accredited by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Academic Programs

Department of Human Sciences

Department of Kinesiology

School of Nursing

Department of Public Health

Scholarships

  • Roy G. Moss, Jr., Health Education Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be majoring in Health or Kinesiology and demonstrate financial need, have an exemplary GPA, display leadership potential and be actively involved in community health issues.
  • Department of Health & Kinesiology Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be majoring in Health or Kinesiology and demonstrate financial need with a satisfactory GPA.
  • Robert L. Case Health & Kinesiology Wellness Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be majoring in Health or Kinesiology and display leadership potential with at least a 3.0 GPA and reflecting a high level of fitness.
  • Cady/Husky Health Education Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be a full time Junior or Senior Health major displaying leadership potential with at least a 3.0 GPA.
  • Betty Alexander Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be a Kinesiology major with at least two years of academic preparation at SHSU, having earned a minimum of 3.0 in the major.
  • H.O. “Molly” Crawford Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be a Male in Junior standing in Kinesiology seeking teacher certification with at least a 2.5 GPA and demonstrating financial need.
  • Joe and Mary Kirk Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be a Male in Senior standing in Kinesiology seeking teacher certification with at least a 2.8 GPA.
  • Margaret Powell Award: Award amounts varyRecipient must be a female majoring in Kinesiology displaying excellence in academics.
  • Robert J. Wagner Memorial Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be a Graduate student in Adult Fitness Management with 3.0 GPA, 1000 GRE and 3.5 graduate GPA reflecting a lifestyle of physical fitness and demonstrating financial need.
  • Department of Health & Kinesiology Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be a Health or Kinesiology major demonstrating financial need with a satisfactory GPA.
  • Robert L. Case Health & Kinesiology Wellness Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be a 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: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be majoring in Health or Kinesiology and demonstrates financial need, has an exemplary GPA, displays leadership potential and is actively involved in community health issues.
  • Women's Physical Education Scholarship: Award amounts vary
    Recipient must be a Kinesiology major of good character, Junior standing.
  • Alvin and Angeline Jasin Memorial Scholarship Fund: $1,500 per year.
    Recipients must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing, majoring in Pre-Nursing until Sam Houston State establishes a Nursing Program, at which time the major will be nursing. GPA of 3.00 is required.
  • Rylie Elise Ringer Memorial Scholarship: $1,000 per year.
    Recipient must be a full-time junior or senior student (at the time they receive the funding) in good standing, majoring in nursing; be admitted into the Nursing Program; demonstrate financial need. GPA of 2.50/3.00 is required.
  • Mary Ellen Ragsdale Nursing Scholarship Endowment: $5,000 per year.
    Recipient must be a junior or senior student in good standing; majoring in nursing and have been accepted to the nursing program; be a graduate of Humble High School. If there are no qualified applicants from Humble High School, preference will be given to graduates from any high school in the Humble Independent School District. If there are no qualified applicants from the Humble Independent School District, then the scholarship award will be open to any qualified student. Financial need will be a consideration but not a determining factor. GPA of 3.00 is required.
  • St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital Nursing Scholarship: $2,000 per year.
    Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing; must have been accepted into the Bachelor of Nursing Program. Preference will be given to current employees of St. Luke's The Woodlands Hospital, St. Luke's The Woodlands Hospital employee's spouse, legal dependent, child or grandchild. GPA of 3.20 is required.
  • Stewart-Jones Nursing Scholarship: $1,000 minimum
    Recipient must be a full-time junior or senior student in good standing; majoring in Nursing. Must have and maintain an overall GPA of 3.00.
  • Dr. Ruth M. Cady and Dr. Dorothy A. Huskey Health Science Endowed Scholarship: $2,000 per year.
    Recipient must be a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior student pursuing a nursing degree or pre-professional health related major.  Minimum GPA of 3.20 is required.
  • Dan Barnes Kaplan Scholarship: Award amount varies
    Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing, enrolled at Sam Houston State University for at least 30 hours, majoring in any discipline, and be coded as pre-medical. A minimum overall GPA of 3.4, a minimum overall GPA in all science coursework of 3.4, and have no grade below a C in any prerequisite coursework.
  • Smith-Hutson Scholarship: Award amount varies
    Recipient must be a resident of Texas and demonstrate financial need and academic potential. A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 must be maintained and recipient must complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours toward their degree each academic year.
  • Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP)
    The JAMP Program provides services to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged students pursuing a medical career. The program provides for undergraduate and medical school scholarships, as well as medical school admission to at least one of the participating medical schools for recipients who satisfy the requirements. Recipients must be eligible to receive a Pell Grant and be a Texas resident to be considered for JAMP. Minimum 3.25 GPA in science coursework and overall 3.25 GPA required. 
  • Sue Walker Rogers Nursing Endowed Scholarship: Award amount varies
    Endowment earnings to go toward tuition and books.  Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing enrolled at SHSU, be majoring in nursing, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.