2012-2013 University Catalog 
  
2012-2013 University Catalog

College of Health and Human Services


Phone: 703-993-1901
Web: chhs.gmu.edu
College Code:  HH

Academic Departments

The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) comprises the School of Nursing, the Department of Global and Community Health (GCH), the Department of Health Administration and Policy (HAP), the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies (NUTR), the Department of Rehabilitation Science (RHBS), and the Department of Social Work (SOCW). The college prepares students to provide professional leadership, care, and services related to health promotion, wellness, disease prevention, and quality of life through the advancement of physical, social, and environmental health practices.

Since 1974, with the approval of its first baccalaureate nursing program, CHHS has evolved and expanded in response to the ever-changing fields of health care and social work. The college is multidisciplinary and offers degree programs and research opportunities in health administration, health policy, health information systems, health services research, nursing, public health, nutrition, global health, rehabilitation science, gerontology, and social work.

CHHS offers regular information sessions to prospective students. For dates and times, or to register for a session, visit the information sessions website or call the CHHS Office of Student Affairs at 703-993-1901.

Administration

Shirley Travis, Dean
Jack Hadley, Associate Dean, Finance and Planning
Keith Howell, Associate Dean, Research and Program Evaluation
Robin Remsburg, Associate Dean and Director, School of Nursing
Frank J. Whittington, Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Jan Boyd, Assistant Dean, Academic Outreach
Susan J. Swett, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs
Andrew Guccione, Chair, Rehabilitation Science
Cathleen Lewandowsk
i, Chair, Social Work
P. J. Maddox, Chair, Health Administration and Policy
Lisa Pawloski, Chair, Nutrition and Food Studies
Rick Zimmerman, Chair, Global and Community Health

Faculty

Faculty emeriti: Ailinger, Boland, Boyd, Brenkus, Carty, Jenkins, Langley, Normile, Parker-Smith, Redmond, Silva, Sorrell, Walker, Wu

Professors: Gaffney, Gerber, Guccione, Hadley, Howell, Kluger, Lewandowski, Maddox, Meiners, Metcalf, Milligan, Nichols, Raskin, Remsburg, Richards, Ritchie, Rose, Sluzki, Travis, Whittington, Vail, Zimmerman

Associate professors: Baghi, Chong, Cuellar, Davidson, Davis, Douglas, Eckenwiler, Giang, Gimm, Hardy, Harris Rome, Hatcher, Helmchen, Jacobsen, Keyser, Kitsantas, Lindley, Mahon, Matto, McDaniel, Mink, Pawloski, Perlin, Petrick, Rodan, Tompkins, Vakalahi, Wolf-Branigin

Assistant professors: Campo, Carle, Cantiello, Clark, Cleaveland, Dawson, Dickman, Evans, Freeborne, Frankenfeld, Gewa, Gill, Ihara, Kirsch, Kodadek, Maradiegue, Miklancie, Min, Moss, Nambisan, Oh, Peppard, Rosenberger, Slavin, Smoczynski, Urban, Weinstein, Willis, Wojtusiak, Yang, Zhou

Instructors: Almond, Burke, Cox, Davis, Durham, Henderson, Middle, Shiver, Stoehr, Toulouse, Winter

Research Instructor: Debold

Course Work

CHHS offers all course work designated GCH, HAP, HHS, NURS, NUTR, RHBS, and SOCW in the Courses  chapter of this catalog.

Academic Programs

CHHS is committed to educating the next generation of health professionals, researchers, and educators. Our School of Nursing produces more new RNs each year than any other program in Virginia, and these graduates have one of the state’s highest pass rates on the nursing licensure exam. Through the PhD program in nursing, the college is helping to fill the need for nursing faculty and researchers, and through the DNP program, provides an opportunity for nurses to become experts as nurse practitioners, nurse administrators, or clinical nurse specialists. The Department of Health Administration and Policy prepares students for careers as leaders of health care organizations and as health policymakers at the state and national levels, while the Department of Global and Community Health trains public health practitioners with a global reach, who can intervene and improve the health of local and international populations. The Department of Rehabilitation Science provides interdisciplinary programs to educate students to address the needs of the disabled. Graduates of the PhD program in rehabilitation science are prepared for careers in academic, governmental, and industrial research environments. The Department of Nutrition and Food Studies integrates education, research, and outreach in preparing students to improve the health and well-being of populations through food and nutrition. The Department of Social Work educates undergraduate and graduate students to be professional social workers practicing in either community organizations or clinical settings. The CHHS academic units offer a variety of specializations within degree programs, including gerontology, epidemiology and biostatistics, forensic nursing, health technology and informatics, data security, clinical social work, and conflict analysis and resolution.

Professional Conduct Policy

All CHHS students are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times. This means that certain behavior is prohibited, including verbal abuse, insubordination, and behavior that threatens the safety of a client, another student, a faculty member, or other health care provider when the behavior occurs within the context of an academic program. CHHS reserves the right to place on probation, suspend, or dismiss any student in its programs who engages in such conduct. Students disciplined for such reasons have the right to appeal to their department chair or director.

Student Affairs

The Office of Student Affairs supports students, faculty, and staff members on a variety of admissions, academic, and policy issues. Student Affairs is involved in recruiting new students; pre-admissions advising; processing applications for graduate programs and undergraduate nursing programs; and conducting orientations for newly admitted students.

Student Affairs maintains the college’s student records; reviews and recommends action on student requests for exceptions to academic policy; processes standard academic actions; and approves student records for degree completion prior to graduation. Student grade appeals fall under university policy as described in the Academic Policies  section of the catalog.

Each CHHS student is assigned an academic advisor, with whom he or she should meet at least once per semester in order to ensure that program requirements are met. The assigned advisor may be a faculty member, a departmental program coordinators, or an advisor in the Office of Student Affairs. 

Student Responsibility

All students are required to have an active Mason e-mail account and to update any change of address on-line through Patriot Web. The college will not communicate with students via a personal e-mail address, so it is important that students check their Mason e-mail regularly. Students are responsible for knowing the university academic policies and the policies governing their program as stated in the university catalog. They are also responsible to know the semester academic calendar including withdrawal deadlines; to review their Mason transcript on-line to ensure transfer of credit accuracy; and to monitor their degree progression through the degree evaluation tool on Patriot Web. 

Background Checks

Many clinical agencies and practicum sites mandate that students working there have a criminal background check. All students enrolled in the School of Nursing are required to complete a criminal background check prior to beginning the program. Students enrolled in other CHHS programs may be required to complete background checks before entering a practicum environment. Information obtained from the background check is strictly confidential but may result in a student’s inability to perform clinical or practicum activities and, therefore, will disqualify the student from entering or continuing in the program. School of Nursing students are sent information regarding the criminal background check process, and associated fees, in their admission packets. Other students are informed individually as they are considered for practicum activities requiring background checks. Students are responsible for notifying the assistant dean of student affairs of any arrests, regardless of adjudication, that occur after acceptance and during enrollment in the program. Failure to promptly notify the assistant dean of student affairs may be grounds for dismissal from the program.

Health Records

To comply with the policies established by the Commonwealth of Virginia, all students must provide current immunization records to the university’s Student Health Services at the time of admission to the college. Immunizations may be obtained through Student Health Services on any of the Mason campuses.  All students in the School of Nursing also must submit immunization records to the School of Nursing at the time of admission.  Additional documentation of good health may be required.

Students should keep copies of their health records should agencies require them for clinical and practicum assignments. All costs associated with immunizations and certifications are the student’s responsibility.

Insurance and Liability

Students are strongly advised to maintain health insurance coverage at all times. All students enrolled in the School of Nursing are required to maintain health insurance at all times. A student health insurance plan is available to eligible students through Mason. Students are responsible for their own health care, including emergency care, and CHHS assumes no financial responsibility for the health care of students. Enrolled students who are performing internships and similar experiential learning as a required part of their academic programs are considered agents of the university. They are covered for professional liability by the Commonwealth of Virginia Risk Management Plan while engaged in their prescribed educational duties.

Academic Outreach

The mission of the Office of Academic Outreach is to provide off-campus graduate coursework that supports the continued professional development and competency of practicing health professionals. This purpose is accomplished through collaborative relationships with expert health and instructional resources—individual and organizational—both internal and external to the University.

Academic Policies

Students should become familiar with the university’s general academic policies in addition to those specific to each academic unit.  Please see the Academic Policies  section of this catalog.

■ School of Nursing

Phone: 703-993-1901 (Undergraduate programs)
Phone: 703-993-1947 (Master’s programs)
Phone: 703-993-1961 (Doctoral program)
Web:  nursing.gmu.edu

Faculty

Emeriti: Ailinger, Boland, Boyd, Brenkus, Carty, Jenkins, Langley, Normile, Paker-Smith, Redmond, Silva, Sorrell, Walker, Wu

Professors: Gaffney, Milligan, Remsburg (associate dean/director), Richards (assistant dean, doctoral division), Travis (dean), Vail

Associate Professors: Chong, Davidson, Douglas, Hatcher, Mahon, McDaniel, Rodan (assistant dean, masters/post masters division)

Assistant Professors: Campo, Dickman, Evans, Gill, Kodadek, Maradiegue, Miklancie, Moss, Oh, Peppard, Smoczynski, Urban (assistant dean, undergraduate division), Willis, Zhou

Instructors: Almond, Burke, Cox, Davis, Durham, Middle, Stoehr, Toulouse


The School of Nursing is a teaching/learning organization with a national and international academic reputation, grounded in sound general education. It develops and supports a diverse faculty who are visionary and competent practitioners, scholars, and researchers, excellent in teaching in academic and practice settings, and responsive to the needs of students and the community. Specifically, the Nursing programs prepare graduates to function as providers, coordinators, and managers of care and for leadership, advanced practice, and nurse scholar roles, as well as members of the nursing profession. Graduates of the School of Nursing are prepared to function as interdisciplinary health professionals and citizens who provide leadership, care, and service to the community. The School promotes health and well being through its programs and centers, engaging in scholarly activities and research with the aim of maximum health for all people. Part-time students are encouraged to take at least 6 credits per semester to promote timely completion of the program.

Programs

Undergraduate Degree

Master's Degree

Master's Level Certificate

Doctoral Degree

■ Global and Community Health

Phone: 703-993-3126
web:  globalcommhealth.gmu.edu

Faculty

Professors: Howell (associate dean for research and program evaluation), Metcalf, Sluzki, Whittington (senior associate dean for academic affairs), Zimmerman (chair)

Associate Professors: Baghi, Jacobsen, Lindley, Mink

Assistant Professors: Dawson, Freeborne, Frankenfeld, Rosenberger

The Department of Global and Community Health (GCH) is a department within the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). The educational mission of GCH is to provide undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in health-related disciplines centered in global and community health issues. Its research mission is to promote and develop solid and meaningful research programs that help define and address health issues and the needs of affected populations at the regional and global level. Its service mission is to increase the awareness of these problems, enhance health-promoting information, and collaborate with other organizations toward enhancing local, national, and global health. Part-time students are encouraged to take at least 6 credits per semester to promote timely completion of the program.

Programs

Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate Minor

Master's Degree

Master's Level Certificate

■ Health Administration and Policy

Phone: 703-993-1929
web:  hap.gmu.edu/

Faculty

Professors: Hadley (associate dean for finance and planning), Kluger, Maddox (chair), Meiners, Nichols (Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics director)

Associate Professors: Eckenwiler, Cuellar, Giang, Gimm, Helmchen, Kitsantas, Perlin

Assistant Professors: Carle, Cantiello, Min, Nambisan, Wojtusiak, Yang

Instructors: Henderson, Shiver

Research Instructor: Debold
 

The mission of the Department of Health Administration and Policy (HAP) is to provide innovative education and research that contributes to improving health and human systems and the quality of life and health for those they serve across the life span. The Department prepares working professionals and those who aspire to careers in health systems and organizations to work as administrators, health technology officers, health informatics specialists, data security managers, and health policy analysts.

The research and scholarly activities of the department contribute to basic and applied knowledge about the organization, management, financing and performance of U.S. health systems and public health services; the development, adoption, use and management of health information systems; and the development and analysis of U.S. health policy to foster innovation and public accountability and contribute to ensuring access to cost-effective, high-quality health services. The Department works with stakeholders such as consumers, employer stakeholders, students, faculty, alumni, research funders, and state and federal agencies and advocacy organizations the community to ensure rigorous, relevant educational programs (including post-graduate professional development), professional and community service activities, and the development and timely dissemination of research. Part-time students are encouraged to take at least 6 credits per semester to promote timely completion of the program.

Programs

Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate Minor

Master's Degree

Master's Level Certificate

■ Nutrition and Food Studies

Phone: 703-993-4628
web: nfs.gmu.edu 

Faculty

Associate Professors:  Pawloski (chair), Petrick

Assistant Professors: Gewa, Slavin

The Department of Nutrition and Food Studies (NUTR) is a department within the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). The overarching mission of Nutrition and Food Studies is to inform students and the public about the role of food and nutrition in improving health and well-being among local and global populations through the integration of education, research and outreach. The educational mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in food and nutrition-related studies. The research mission is to promote, develop and support research programs that help define and address food and nutritional issues. The outreach mission is to increase the awareness of food and nutrition-related issues among local and global communities, support local and global food and nutrition initiatives, and enhance collaboration among individuals and organizations to improve nutrition and health-related outcomes. Part-time students are encouraged to take at least 6 credits per semester to promote timely completion of the program.

Programs

Bachelor's Level Certificate

Undergraduate Minor

Master's Level Certificate

■ Rehabilitation Science

Phone: 703-993-1950
web: rehabscience.gmu.edu

Faculty

Professors: Gerber (Center for the Study of Chronic Illness and Disability, director), Guccione (chair)

Associate Professors: Keyser

Assistant Professors: Weinstein

Instructor: Winter
 

The Department of Rehabilitation Science (RHBS) is a department within the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). Rehabilitation Science is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to understand the relationships among chronic illness, function, and disability and how to improve the quality of life for those individuals who live with a chronic condition. This field draws its body of knowledge from multiple disciplines spanning the physiological, health, and social sciences in order to approach the individual who lives with or is at risk of disability as a complete person with a full appreciation of the biopsychosocial environment in which that person functions.

The internationally recognized faculty mentor students through active involvement in their own funded research programs. Upon graduation, students are prepared for professional careers in academic, government, and industrial research environments with the tools to develop their own lines of research in Rehabilitation Science. Part-time students are encouraged to take at least 6 credits per semester to promote timely completion of the program.

Programs

Master's Level Certificate

Doctoral Degree

■ Social Work

Phone: 703-993-2030 (Undergraduate programs)
Phone: 703-993-4247 (Graduate programs)
web:  socialwork.gmu.edu

Faculty

Professors: Lewandowski (chair), Raskin, Ritchie, Rose

Associate Professors: Davis, Hardy, Harris Rome, Matto, Tompkins, Vakalahi, Wolf-Branigin

Assistant Professors: Clark, Cleaveland, Ihara, Kirsch


The mission of the BSW Program is to prepare entry-level generalist social work professionals who will demonstrate ethical leadership in innovative multidisciplinary practice, social reform, and research in diverse communities. Students are provided a range of opportunities to develop a broad knowledge and skills base consistent with the systems and strengths perspectives. They are expected to practice using core social work values and to examine and resolve ethical dilemmas. Classroom and field experiences prepare students to be competent in the use of relevant new technologies and in culturally sensitive generalist social work practice.

The MSW Program seeks to prepare social workers for advanced professional practice who are innovative leaders bringing superior management, interpersonal, technological, research, and communication skills to the human service delivery system. Through a concentration in either social change or clinical practice, graduates will be prepared to empower individuals, strengthen families and communities, stimulate positive change through advocacy, social and political action, and help meet the local, national, and global challenges of the new century. The MSW Program builds upon a foundation of generalist social work knowledge and skills that integrates micro and macro theory and practice and emphasizes empowerment and systems transformation. This foundation equips students to enhance human well-being and to promote social and economic justice through ethical professional practice with culturally diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Part-time students are encouraged to take at least 6 credits per semester to promote timely completion of the program.

Programs

Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate Minor

Dual Degree

Master's Degree

Master's Level Certificate