Nursing and Health Studies

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Chair: Brigid Lusk

Graduate Faculty

Karen Baldwin, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago
Virginia Cassidy, professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University 
James R. Ciesla, professor, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Sarah Conklin, professor, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Carolinda Douglass, professor, Ph.D., RAND Graduate School of Policy Studies
Judith Hertz, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin 
Arlene Keddie, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science School of Public Health
Jinsook Kim, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Daniel Klein, associate professor, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University
Ayhan A. Lash, professor, Ph.D, University of Chicago
Brigid Lusk, professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago
Diana Mertens, supportive professional staff, Dr.P.H., University of Illinois, Chicago
Donna Munroe, professor, Ph.D., University of Southern California 
William A. Oleckno, Distinguished Teaching Professor, emeritus, H.S.D., Indiana University
Donna Plonczynski, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago 
Lola Prince, assistant professor, Ph.D., Loyola University
Julie Robertson, professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Jeanette Rossetti, associate professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Maribel Valle, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago

The School of Nursing and Health Studies offers programs of graduate study leading to a Master of Science (M.S.) in nursing, a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.); three post-master’s certificates of graduate study—family nurse practitioner, oncology nurse practitioner, and nursing education; and two certificates of graduate study–health education and public health. The school also offers the opportunity for simultaneous enrollment in the M.S. in nursing and M.P.H. degree programs to qualified graduate students. In addition, students seeking initial teacher certification or endorsement in health education may qualify for the M.A.T. or M.S.T. degrees with specialization in health education.

The M.S. in nursing specialization prepares students for certification as adult nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, and adult clinical nurse specialists. Students can also select the nursing education specialization to prepare for roles in academic and practice settings or the community health nurse specialist field of clinical study to prepare for leadership roles in health promotion and disease prevention focused on populations and communities. The M.S. in nursing is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The M.P.H. curriculum prepares students for leadership positions in health services management and health promotion. Students learn skills in leadership, problem solving, and planning and promoting change in public health and health care systems. The M.P.H. program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent accrediting agency for schools of public health, as well as community health education and community health/preventive medicine programs located outside of schools of public health. The Council on Education for Public Health is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The M.P.H. program is also an institutional member of the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR), a professional organization whose purpose is to set standards for the academic preparation of students in the fields of public health, disease prevention, and health promotion.

The M.A.T. and M.S.T. degrees are administered by the university through the Graduate School with specializations in various teaching content areas. The M.A.T. with specialization in health education leads to initial teacher certification in health education for candidates with baccalaureate degrees. The M.S.T. with specialization in health education leads to endorsement to teach health education 6-12 and middle school for candidates who already hold a secondary teaching certificate in another content area.

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening

Students in nursing and the M.A.T. are required to undergo criminal background checks and drug screening. The nursing program and the M.A.T. with a specialization in health education may be unable to place students in a clinical or student teaching settings if they have a positive drug screen or if the student has a prior criminal record; therefore, the student may not be able to complete the program of required courses.

Grading Policies for Master’s Degree and Certificate Students

Students must earn a minimum grade of B in each required course in their program of study.

Any required course in which a grade of C or lower is earned must be repeated and a grade of B or higher earned prior to progressing in program course work. Students who earn two grades of C in the same course or any combination of courses will be dismissed from the graduate and certificate programs.

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