Overview

From the Department Chair, Dr. Andrea P. Boyar

In the Department of Health Sciences, well-qualified doctoral and professional faculty teach a diversity of courses within multidisciplinary programs that prepare students for careers and graduate study in the health sciences. Many are clinicians working in their respective fields and thus provide expert guidance for future professionals, while others engage in active scholarly pursuit within their areas of expertise and help to prepare students to engage in active research.

All of the faculty are devoted to teaching the diverse student body at Lehman College, and lead courses which embody the combined strategies of face-to-face classroom lecture and active student participation, distance education through online coursework, as well as writing intensive activities that seek to expand the capabilities of our students in their chosen fields of endeavor.

The Department offers five undergraduate degrees:

B.S. in Dietetics, Foods, and Nutrition, which includes the coursework required for the Didactic Program in Dietetics which is the first step in becoming a Registered Dietitian, as well as the opportunity to prepare for a career in foodservice management;
B.S. in Health Education and Promotion, which prepares students for careers in community health education;
B.S. in Health N-12 Teacher, which prepares students to become school health educators;
B.S. in Health Services Administration, which provides students with the knowledge and skills to become administrators in hospitals, community health facilities, insurance agencies, and in health maintenance and managed care organizations;
B.S. in Recreation Education, which prepares students for entry into the recreation administration, therapeutic recreation, exercise, and leisure services profession.

These degree programs provide opportunities for students to focus on these diverse areas of health professions yet receive a common core of courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, and the U.S. health care system. The didactic and experiential components of these programs prepare students for success in graduate study. In addition, students learn to provide technical assistance in the analysis of health problems in individuals and communities, in policy formation and management. They also acquire professional skills in the delivery of services in health education, nutrition, health administration, exercise science and recreation therapy.

The Department offers five graduate degree programs:

M.S.Ed Program, Health N-12 Teacher, which prepares students for permanent New York State certification as health teachers;
M.A. Program in Health Education and Promotion, which prepares students for positions as health educators within public and community agencies, businesses and industry, hospitals, and other clinical facilities;
M.S. Program in Nutrition, which includes a Dietetic Internship option as well as options in clinical nutrition; and
M.S. Ed Program in Recreation Education, which prepares individuals for professional employment in administration of recreation and park services as well as in therapeutic recreation services in health facilities.
M.P.H. Program in Public Health, which prepares students for professional careers in the healthcare field as practitioners and researchers. In addition to the core public health courses, the program offers a specialization in community-based public health and health equity.

Updated: 10/23/2009