New HHS degree to open fall 2010

Starting this fall, students at Chadron State College will have another degree option that will combine programs in the Family and Consumer Sciences and Health Professions areas. The degree will focus on preparing students for a profession in public health.

The Health and Human Services degree option can be added to Chadron State College’s degree program with no additional costs due to the use of existing faculty and the rotation of courses.

The degree is set up in such a way that it can easily be chosen by students who are already attending CSC. Some of the classes that have been added to complete this degree include Worksite Wellness, Epidemiology and Global Health, and Resource Management.

Jay Sutliffe, professor in the family and consumer sciences program, said that some of the benefits of this degree are the fact that health and human services is a rapidly growing field and is highly employable. The degree targets a wide range of jobs, which allows students to specialize in various areas.

Dr. Sutliffe said this option covers a whole lifespan, from working with children and families to taking care of the elderly. It also covers food safety issues, immunizations, and how to deal with outbreaks such as H1N1.

It is expected that students who earn the new degree from CSC will be prepared for immediate employment in entry level jobs or to continue on to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha to pursue a master’s in the public health profession.

Dr. Sutliffe said he recognizes a need for more trained professionals in the health and human services area.

Chadron State College faculty considered changing the human services option to the health and human services option after the University of Nebraska Medical Center approached CSC about creating additional places for students in the Rural Health Opportunities Program, or RHOP. Dr. Sutliffe said that it seemed like perfect timing for the change.

Two students from CSC in their fourth semester of college will be selected to enter the RHOP portion of the program each spring. Applications for this year were to be turned in by March 26, with selections being made after interviews later this month.

RHOP students who go on to further their education at UNMC will have five master’s degree options. These options include epidemiology, public health administration, biostatistics, occupational health and community education.