Mar 29, 2024  
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Nursing and Health Studies


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Chair: Jan Strom

Graduate Faculty

Maryann Abendroth, assistant professor, University of Florida
Lucy Bilaver, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Derryl Block, professor, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Wendy Bostwick, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago
Karen Brandt, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago
Patricia Braun, assistant professor, D.Sc., Rocky Mountain University
Cathy Carlson, associate professor, Ph.D., Indiana University
James R. Ciesla, professor, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Sarah Conklin, professor, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Manju Daniel, assistant professor, Ph.D., Rush University
Carolinda Douglass, professor, Ph.D., RAND Graduate School of Policy Studies
Jennifer Gray, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago
Joanne Haeffele, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Utah
Lynn Herrmann, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois
Judith Hertz, professor, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin 
Kari Hickey, assistant professor, Ph.D., Illinois State University
Arlene Keddie, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science School of Public Health
Jinsook Kim, associate professor, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Mary Elaine Koren, associate professor, Ph.D., Rush University
Donna Munroe, professor, Ph.D., University of Southern California 
Kathleen Musker, assistant professor, Ph.D., Loyola University
Nancy Oldenburg, assistant professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Christina Papdimitriou, associate professor, Ph.D., Boston University
Donna Plonczynski, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago 
Jeanette Rossetti, associate professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Tomoyuki Shibata, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Miami
Jan Strom, professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago
Ping Yau, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Missouri

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.); two post-master’s certificates of graduate study-family nurse practitioner and nursing education; and two certificates of graduate study-health education and public health. In addition, students seeking initial educator licensure 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-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, and adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialists. Both nurse practitioner specializations are focused on primary care not acute care. Students can also select the nursing education specialization to prepare for roles in academic and practice settings. 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.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 educator licensure 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 educator license 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 setting 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.

Clinical Requirements: Graduate Nursing Programs

All students are admitted to the nursing graduate programs provisionally until they have provided proof of meeting the clinical requirements outlined in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook and then they will be fully admitted. Full admission to the nursing program is required to enroll in nursing courses. All graduate nursing students are required to submit proof of having met clinical requirements when requested and must maintain clinical requirements for continued enrollment in the graduate nursing program. If requirements are not met, the student may not be able to complete the program. The Graduate Nursing Student Handbook contains additional policies related to admission and progression through the nursing program.

Clinical requirements include documentation of a Registered Nurse (RN) license in Illinois, immunizations/immunity, criminal background checks, drug screening, Standard Precautions/Universal Precautions training, CPR Healthcare Provider certification, and health insurance. Professional Liability Insurance is provided as part of student fees.

Students are required to undergo criminal background checks and are evaluated for a disqualifying criminal offense under Illinois regulations for health care workers. A student with a disqualifying offense will be unable to complete the program. Students who commit a crime while enrolled in the nursing program may not be able to complete the program. To qualify for an Advanced Practice License in Illinois, a RN license is required.

Students with a positive drug screen for illegal or unauthorized drugs may be unable to complete the program.

All clinical requirements are to be maintained throughout the curriculum as outlined in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Grading Policies for Nursing Master’s Degree and Certificate Students

Nursing 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 B- 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 B- or lower in the same course or any combination of courses will be dismissed from the graduate and certificate programs.

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