College of Health and Human Sciences

Kelly Fiala, Ph.D., Dean

Rachel Gordon, PhD, Associate Dean for Research and Administration

Sherrill Morris, PhD, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

The departments and schools of the College of Health and Human Sciences offer baccalaureate programs leading to the degree Bachelor of Science (B.S.). The College of Health and Human Sciences offers a contract major leading to the B.S. degree.

The undergraduate offerings in the College of Health and Human Sciences prepare students for entry into specialized career and professional fields as well as graduate-level study. Some programs require graduate study for career entry at the professional level.

Programs in the College of Health and Human Sciences are affiliated or are in cooperative arrangement with many areas of the community, state and federal agencies, business and industry, and professional organizations. Relationships with these agencies and institutions facilitate mutual information exchange, professional growth, and field and/or internship student experience.

Where appropriate, programs in the college meet the requirements of state and national accrediting agencies. Professionally accredited university undergraduate programs/emphases include medical laboratory sciences (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences); nutrition and dietetics (Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Educators); nursing (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). Other programs in the college are accredited at the graduate level when that is the entry level for the profession.

College Mission Statement

The mission of the College of Health and Human Sciences is to promote health and well-being through scholarship that integrates teaching, research, and service. The vision of the college is to enhance the lives of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.

Department/School Names and Undergraduate Programs Offered

School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders
B.S. in communicative disorders

School of Family and Consumer Sciences
B.S. in human development and family sciences ¹
B.S. in fashion merchandising

School of Health Studies
B.S. in medical laboratory sciences ¹
B.S. in nutrition, dietetics, and wellness
B.S. in public health

School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions
B.S. in health sciences
B.S. in rehabilitation and disability services

Department of Military Science

School of Nursing
B.S. in nursing ¹

Academic Advising

Academic advisers in the college office assist students in establishing academic goals and course selection and in interpreting university and college policies and requirements. At the department level, faculty advisers assist declared majors in degree completion and setting professional goals.

Leave of Absence

Students in limited admission programs in the college who must interrupt their enrollment from NIU must consult with their major department or program regarding a leave of absence. Each program maintains specific policies relative to leave of absence requests.

Clinical and Practicum Assignments

Many of the programs in the college require students to complete an internship or other professional experience. These experiences may be on campus or in off-campus affiliated agencies and institutions. Regulations governing such assignments are available in the department/program offices.

Dean’s List Criteria

The College of Health and Human Sciences recognizes undergraduates whose academic performance has been outstanding through the Dean’s List. The Dean’s List recognizes those students who achieve a GPA of 3.75 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) while completing a minimum of 12 graded semester hours within a fall or spring semester.

Special Clinical/Practicum Requirements

Students who select majors in the College of Health and Human Sciences may need to meet specific clinical/practicum requirements for their academic programs and/or entry into their chosen professions, such as a criminal background check, drug testing, immunizations and flu shots, proof of immunity, TB test, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, uniforms, and equipment. The student is generally responsible for the costs of meeting these requirements. Professional liability and general liability insurance are generally included as part of course fees when required. Students may be unable to progress in programs if there is a positive drug screen, prior criminal record, or they do not fulfill other special clinical requirements such as immunizations. Refer to the specific program for additional information on these and other requirements.

For Students in Educator Licensure Programs

Candidates who successfully complete the program and pass the state-mandated Teacher Performance Assessment will have completed all required ISBE and CAEP standards for receiving university recommendation for licensure. Successful completion of the program without receipt of a passing score on the state-mandated Teacher Performance Assessment may result in the candidate receiving a degree without university recommendation for licensure.

Policy on Dismissal

Students must make satisfactory progress in college programs to be allowed to continue and can be dismissed from the program or a class for academic reasons, behavior not accepted in the profession, or actions that threaten the health and safety of others. It is the responsibility of students to secure a copy of the dismissal policy from the program.

Footnotes

¹This is a limited admissions program, placement in which is highly competitive. See “Limited Admissions Requirements” in the Admission section of this catalog.