Stephens College School of Health Sciences FOCUS Booklet

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SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES | PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Welcome Welcome to the Stephens College School of Health Sciences.

Our mission is to prepare outstanding professionals to serve as leaders; exhibit critical and creative thinking skills; adhere to high ethical standards; and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, dispositions and cultural sensitivity required to contribute to the needs of an evolving and diverse society. We are home to an expanding offering of undergraduate programs in health sciences, including clinical, pre-professional and management programs as well as two graduate degree programs focused on making a difference in our communities.

Stephens College offers a supportive environment that allows you to focus on your goals in the health sciences. We set the bar high and provide the mentoring and support necessary to attain the mark. Whether it’s entry into the graduate health professions or carving out a novel pathway to a career in the sciences, our faculty are equipped to fully develop your talents.

I am honored to be entrusted to lead the School of Health Sciences at Stephens College to fulfilling this mission. I invite you to explore all that we have to offer.

Sincerely,

Julia A. Moffitt, Ph.D. Dean, School of Health Sciences

Programs of Study Residential women’s college (Undergraduate) Biology (including Pre-Med/Pre-Vet) Health Science Equestrian Studies Psychology Human Development Co-educational programs Health Information Administration (Undergraduate, Online) Master of Education in Counseling (Evening and Online) Master in Physician Assistant Studies (On Campus)

Biology Our Biology program provides the flexibility you need to pursue your own academic interests while ensuring you have the prerequisites you need to excel beyond Stephens.

Leadership is valued and promoted in a women’s college environment that provides extensive opportunities to take on high-visibility, high-impact roles.

Some of our faculty teach in both our undergraduate and graduate programs. This provides an important continuity between programs but also allows you to build relationships with faculty who understand what you need to excel in a competitive graduate school program. We work with you to identify formal and informal shadowing and internship opportunities that fit your unique goals and interests. We emphasize research and hands-on lab work throughout every year of our studies (including your first semester).

The Biology program at Stephens can put you on the right track to graduate programs in a broad range of fields including: • medical school • dental school • veterinarian medicine • physician assistant • physical therapy • occupational therapy • pharmacology • research scientist

Health Science Our small-class environment and women’s college mission ensure students have ample opportunities to get to know faculty, actively participate inside and outside of the classroom, and feel comfortable asking questions (and asking for help). Exposure to the full range of healthcare issues and career options will broaden your understanding of the industry and its many opportunities.

From your first semester at Stephens, your faculty advisers will help you determine the path that best suits your interests, strengths and goals. Here you’ll build a solid foundation in fundamental sciences, human function, health research and service, and health policy as you explore the physical, biological, behavioral and social domains of health.

Healthcare and related careers are predicted to be among the fastest growing in the country over the next decade (bls.gov). Health science majors can use their degrees in a variety of ways including: • nonprofit health and human services • public health • medical insurance • medical equipment and sales • community health specialists

“The faculty always pushed me to be my best.”

–Taylor Edwards ’17

10 1 RATIO -TO-

STUDENT – FACULTY

Equestrian Studies Our Equestrian Studies program has a longstanding reputation for excellence. Generations of students have been part of a community of riders and equestrian women who support and encourage one another; this includes a national network of program alumnae. Handson, immersive learning; a small-class environment; and faculty, advisers and mentors dedicated to your success are hallmarks of the program. Visiting industry experts present clinics on campus and network with students.

Tailor your program to your goals • Equine Business track … focused on industry entrepreneurship and management • Equine Science track … supporting graduate school or equine health careers • Teaching/Training track … a rigorous riding program for the competitive multi-disciplined rider Our four riding disciplines are Huntseat, Western, Saddle Seat and Driving. Many students ride for fun and competition; others with previous experience compete at the highest levels. Our Prince of Wales Club is the country’s oldest continuously active riding club and open to everyone.

“My time at Stephens taught me dedication and perseverance, as well as the value of hard work.”

–Dr. Michelle Schultz DeBoer ’12

Michelle was inspired by her time in the barn to pursue a Ph.D. in Equine Nutrition. She recently earned that Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Today, she teaches Animal Physiology, Equine Production and Animal Science Careers at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Psychology Stephens’ psychology curriculum ensures students develop a solid understanding of cognitive, emotional and social processes before diving into specific tracks such as abnormal psychology, forensics or counseling. Students learn in a small-class environment that encourages critical thinking and hands-on involvement, and conduct original research in the lab or field.

Human Development The Stephens human development curriculum is focused on the understanding of how children and adults develop physical and mental traits and behaviors. Dedicated faculty advisers will help you explore our child study and psychology tracks and develop the path that is right for you. All students benefit from working in our on-campus laboratory school where child development can be studied in a true working lab environment.

“If you want to come to a college where you will grow exponentially as an individual, as a student, as a leader, and as an athlete, then you have to consider Stephens College.”

–Emily Mendoza Fellers ’15 B.S., ’18 M.Ed.

Emily received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to pursue her M.Ed. in Counseling at Stephens while serving as a graduate resident in the Office of Student Development.

Health Information Administration Online program, co-educational bachelor’s degree Career professionals with registered health information administrator (RHIA) credentials are in high demand today. Hospitals, clinics and other health-related agencies are looking for qualified HIA professionals for positions, including management roles in quality assurance, compliance, legal/privacy, health records management, consulting and auditing.

Program advantages • 100% online program ideal for working professionals • Excellent industry exam pass rate (RHIA) • CAHIIM-accredited (not all programs are) • Longstanding reputation for innovation and excellence

Master in Education in Counseling Co-educational evening and online program Counseling professionals with the right educational foundation and credentials are in excellent position to pursue career success. Employment for those in the counseling field is expected to grow in the years ahead. Our program curriculum, alumnae network and industry connections support student success.

Program advantages • Evening courses for working professionals • Scientist-practitioner training model that offers a meaningful learning experience • Peer-to-peer networks with fellow counseling students • Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling options

CAHIIM

Accreditted HIA Program

“Stephens’ small class sizes and individual advising helped me adjust to college life as a working adult.”

–Liz Isherwood ’17

“At Stephens, I felt supported as a student, a woman and a young adult who was trying to find her way in the world.”

–Dana Heggemann ’16 B.S., ’18 M.P.A.S.

After graduating from Stephens with a biology degree, Dana was accepted into the first class of the College’s Physician Assistant Studies program.

Today, she is a PA fellow at the University of Missouri.

100% Pass Rate

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM National Certifying Exam

Master in Physician Assistant Studies 27-month co-educational program on the Stephens College campus The mission of the Stephens Physician Assistant program is to educate and prepare clinically astute, compassionate and patient-centered PAs who will become leaders in their profession, while remaining dedicated to meeting the needs of the medically underserved. With 13 months of didactic training and 14 months of clinical training, students graduate well prepared to take on the challenges and rewards of this expanding and in-demand healthcare career.

Clinical rotations include family medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, general surgery, internal medicine, behavioral medicine and emergency medicine. Stephens has partnered with area hospitals, clinics, private practice groups and individual providers to offer the highest-quality clinical training by providers who are dedicated to their patients and to the students they teach.

Center for Health Sciences The Stephens PA program is housed in the Center for Health Sciences at Sampson Hall.

After a significant renovation, the building welcomed the first PA class in 2016. Today, the 5,850-square-foot addition includes four human patient simulation examination rooms, a simulated acute care hospital environment, a state-of-the-art human anatomy lab dedicated to cadaveric dissection, as well as meeting rooms, classrooms and flexible study spaces.

The PA program also offers undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences opportunities to attend Grand Rounds and guest speaker presentations and to get to know program faculty and students. All Stephens College students who have completed the appropriate prerequisites are guaranteed an interview with Stephens’ highly competitive PA program.

The Admissions Process

VISIT

APPLY

Discover the Stephens difference. Our campus tours offer opportunities to meet with amazing faculty and current students.

Schedule your visit at stephens.edu/visit or email us at visit@stephens.edu.

We have a rolling undergraduate admission policy and accept both ACT and SAT scores. Early applications allow for more time to review your financial aid options. Begin your application at stephens.edu/apply.

EXPLORE

AFFORD

Get to know Columbia, Missouri, one of the best-rated communities in the country.

With 36,000+ college students, a vibrant arts community, and so much to do, it’s a great place to learn, work, live and play.

Check it out at stephens.edu/como.

We have been helping students chase down their dreams since 1833. We know how to work with students and families to help them navigate their options and fund their education.

Learn more at stephens.edu/finaid.

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