Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Health Professions


Charkarra Anderson-Lewis, Interim Director
118 College Drive, Box 5122
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
601.266.5794
 

Anderson-Lewis, Arrington, Bes, Choi, Dobson, Dolbow, Fastring, Fiorentini-Wright, Green, Mayfield-Johnson, McGuire, Parr, Purvis, Ziegler

The programs offered in the School of Health Professions include a Bachelor of Science in allied health, a Bachelor of Science in public health in the emphasis areas of health education and health policy and administration, a Bachelor of Science in athletic training, a Bachelor of Science in recreation (therapeutic recreation), and a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology (kinesiotherapy). The school also offers minors in health policy and administration, and public health.

BS in Allied Health

Students majoring in allied health must have graduated from an accredited two-year allied health program with an associate’s degree and be eligible to sit for a national certification examination in the specific discipline area for the associate degree level allied health professional. The allied health degree enhances the skills and employment options for graduates of community college allied health programs such as respiratory care, radiology technology, and dental hygiene, preparing students for management positions in a wide variety of health care settings. Students in the allied health program must complete a special problems course under the supervision of an administrator in a health care facility.

This 124-hour degree includes 33-39 hours of classes in the major, in addition to any University-level requirements. Please see the degree plan for details regarding the specific classes required. The following are also requirements for a degree in allied health:

A cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required for admission into the program
A cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required to take any DPH course above 300 (except 430 and 436)
A grade of C or better must be earned in all program curriculum courses in order to complete the degree.

Though a student may be admitted to the program based on a cumulative GPA earned at a previous institution (i.e., junior college), once admitted the student must obtain and maintain a University of Southern Mississippi cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better to remain in good standing within the program. Students whose cumulative University of Southern Mississippi GPA goes below 2.50 will be placed on program probation and will not be allowed to enroll in DPH courses 300-level and above until the cumulative GPA is once again at 2.50 or above.

BS in Athletic Training

The Bachelor of Science degree program in athletic training (AT) is designed to provide students with a firm foundation in the professional preparation for a career in athletic training. The athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). All athletic training majors must complete the 89 semester-hour program curriculum as well as the University general education curriculum requirements. Students who wish to pursue athletic training certification by the Board of Certification (BOC) and Mississippi Athletic Training Licensure should major in athletic training.

Upon successful completion of the academic degree in athletic training, the student is eligible to sit for the BOC exam. Students who pass the BOC exam may be employed at various settings such as high schools, clinic outreach programs, clinics, colleges and universities, professional sports, industrial wellness centers and performing arts.

Program Application and Admission Requirements

All athletic training majors are subject to the admission procedures and standards of the University and to a secondary application process to be selected into the program. Until they have completed prerequisites and been accepted into athletic training, students must select another major. The School of Health Professions recommends that students who intend to graduate with a major in athletic training start with a major in kinesiotherapy. Because of their intended degree, students will be advised by someone in athletic training as well as have support from kinesiotherapy. If students maintain interest in athletic training and are admitted, they will then change their major to athletic training at that time.

Admission to The University of Southern Mississippi does not ensure admission to the athletic training program. All athletic training majors must complete prerequisites for consideration for admission to the AT program. Prerequisite courses include the following:

BSC 250 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I  (with BSC 250L  taken concurrently)
BSC 251 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II  (with BSC 251L  taken concurrently)
HPR 218 - Athletic Training and Therapeutic Terminology 
HPR 219 - Introduction to Athletic Training  (40 hours of supervised observations by BOC-certified athletic trainer)
MAT 101 - College Algebra 
PSY 110 - General Psychology  

Students must achieve a grade of C or better on all prerequisite courses. Students who have completed the prerequisites for admission to the AT program must also complete a program application that can be obtained from the AT website. Application to the AT program is made during the fall semester. The deadline for submitting part A of the application is August 31 and for part B is November 1 of each year.

Progression to the upper division athletic training courses is reserved for students admitted to the AT program. The following are required to be considered for admission to the AT program:

  1. Completed application forms and two letters of recommendation
  2. Cumulative collegiate GPA of 2.80 (includes USM and transfer courses, excluding remedial coursework) All official transcripts are required.
  3. Minimum grade of C in each of the required prerequisite courses, as previously noted
  4. Forty hours of observation with a certified athletic trainer
  5. Submission of a complete physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner, a TB skin test (or chest X-ray if positive), a current tetanus immunization (within 10 years) and verification of Hepatitis B vaccination. Each of these should be completed no earlier than June and no later than August of the application year to remain in effect for that academic year. Students admitted to the AT program will be required to repeat this process annually while enrolled in the program.

Athletic Training is a limited-access program. Top candidates who qualify for consideration will be invited for formal interviews with the AT admissions committee. Admission decisions will be made by December 1 and admission will be contingent upon successful completion of all prerequisites taken during the application semester and a cumulative collegiate GPA of 2.80 at the end of the fall semester. Candidates who are not accepted may reapply the next application period.

Students admitted to the AT program may be required to purchase liability insurance through The University of Southern Mississippi. Students will be required to sign indicating that they can meet the technical standards for admission provided below.

Transfer Students

Students wishing to transfer to The University of Southern Mississippi may complete prerequisite courses and observation hours that are approved by The University of Southern Mississippi AT program coordinator. Transfer students must apply to the program by the November 1 deadline. For additional information and a review of official college transcripts, transfer students should contact the AT program coordinator prior to transferring to The University of Southern Mississippi.

Transfer Students from Another AT Program

Students who were enrolled in another AT program and wish to transfer to The University of Southern Mississippi are considered for admission to the AT program provided there is space available. In addition to all AT program application requirements, transfer students are considered based on the following criteria:

  1. Official college/university transcripts are evaluated on an individual basis for credit toward AT requirements. To be considered for credit toward AT requirements, each course must meet at least the minimum grade requirement for the class in which credit is requested. Transcript courses at the 100 and 200-level are generally not accepted as a 300 or 400-level equivalent.
  2. One of the two letters of recommendation must be from the student’s previous AT program coordinator.
  3. Prospective transfer students must provide course syllabi of all relevant coursework. The level at which the student may be placed depends on the evaluation of the course syllabi and available space in the AT program.
  4. Prospective transfer students must be in good standing with and eligible to return to the college/university they last attended. Any applicant who is under suspension is not considered for admission until the terms of the suspension are satisfied.

Technical Standards for Admission

The AT program at The University of Southern Mississippi is a demanding and concentrated program that places detailed and specific requirements on the students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates for entry-level employment in a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The technical standards set forth by the AT program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills and abilities of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the AT program. The AT program technical standards are available on The University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Training Website.

Compliance with the technical standards does not guarantee students’ eligibility for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.

Candidates for selection to the Southern Miss AT program must demonstrate:

  1. The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
  2. Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment of patients.
  3. The ability to record physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
  4. Accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.
  5. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
  6. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
  7. The perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the AT program as outlined and sequenced. This includes reporting to campus on or about August 1 of each year for orientation and to begin your clinical experience. This also includes a minimum of 935 logged hours in the clinical experience. The clinical experience may include hours during early mornings, late evenings, weekends and time outside of the academic calendar.
  8. Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
  9. Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Candidates for selection to the AT program are required to verify that they understand these technical standards and believe that they can meet each of these standards.

Laboratories, Field Experiences, Internships, Practica

Clinical experiences are divided into five clinical courses (HPR 354L , HPR 355L , HPR 454L HPR 455L  and HPR 456L ). Students must accumulate a minimum number of hours of supervised clinical experience in clinical courses each semester. These requirements are identified in the syllabus for each clinical course.

Additional Costs

There are additional costs (above tuition/fees and costs of textbooks) for course materials, lab fees and expenses related to travel to the clinical sites or conferences/workshops. Costs may include but are not limited to (a) professional liability insurance, (b) physical examination and immunizations, (c) professional state and national association fees and educational workshops and conferences, (d) transportation to all off-campus clinical sites and (e) uniforms. Each student has a minimum of one off-campus clinical assignments during the curriculum. Students may contact the AT program director for a complete list of expenses.

Program Progression Standards

All students admitted to the AT program must adhere to the program retention policies as stated in the AT Program Policies & Procedures Manual.

The following policies apply to all students admitted to the AT program:

  1. Any student who drops below a cumulative collegiate 2.80 GPA is placed on probation in the program for one semester. If the student does not obtain a cumulative collegiate 2.80 GPA during the probation semester, he/she is dismissed from the program. The AT program director notifies the student of dismissal from the program.
  2. Any student who receives a grade lower than C in any program curriculum course (see current degree plan page) is placed on probation and must retake the course the following year and make a grade of C or better in order to continue in the program.
  3. Any student on program probation earning a grade lower than a C in a program curriculum course that is being repeated will be dismissed from the program.
  4. Any student earning a grade lower than a C in three program curriculum courses including labs will be dismissed from the program.
  5. A student may be on program probation only two times after which the student will be dismissed from the program.
  6. Clinical settings and rotations require that students conduct themselves in a professional manner, including a strict professional dress code as established by the clinical site. Failure to follow the dress code, lack of attendance, excessive tardiness, the inability to fulfill technical standards, or function safely in a clinical setting is cause for dismissal from the program (see AT Program Policies & Procedures Manual).
  7. Students who violate established clinical site policies or codes of moral and ethical conduct are subject to dismissal from the AT program (see current policies in the AT Program Policies & Procedures Manual and Code of Ethics of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association).

Readmission

Students who have previously enrolled in AT courses, have a break in attendance of one or more terms, and leave in good standing may reapply. The deadlines for return of completed applications are March 15 for fall term readmission and October 15 for spring term readmission.

The following are considered when an application for readmission is received by the AT program director:

  1. Student’s standing in both academic and clinical courses prior to withdrawal
  2. Student’s cumulative collegiate GPA
  3. No grade lower than a C in any completed program curriculum course
  4. Availability of space in the AT program

Any student requesting readmission to the AT program must follow the appeal process as outlined in the AT Program Policies and Procedures Manual.

BS in Kinesiotherapy

Current employment settings and duties of program graduates for registered kinesiotherapists are in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, public and private hospitals, medical fitness facilities, rehabilitation facilities, learning disability centers, schools, colleges and universities, private practice and as exercise consultants. The types of treatments carried out by kinesiotherapists focus on, but are not limited to, therapeutic exercise, ambulation training, geriatric rehabilitation, aquatic therapy, prosthetic/orthotic rehabilitation, psychiatric rehabilitation and driver training. Upon successful completion of course work, graduates are eligible for the Kinesiotherapy Registration Examination administered by the Council on Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (COPSKT).

Program Progression Standards

The following progression policies apply to all students in the kinesiotherapy program as well as students transferring to the program:

  1. A minimum grade of C or better in BSC 250 , BSC 250L , and PSY 110 .
  2. A minimum cumulative USM degree GPA of 2.5 or above (calculated on all USM and transfer coursework, excluding remedial coursework)
  3. A minimum program curriculum GPA of 2.5 or above;
  4. A minimum grade of B in each of the following courses: KIN 301 THY 412 , THY 413 , THY 414 , THY 415 , THY 421 , THY 422 , THY 451 , THY 460 , THY 470  
  5. A minimum grade of C in all remaining program curriculum required courses.

Probation and Dismissal Standards

Students will be given one opportunity to repeat a course in which they failed to achieve the minimum required grade. Students failing to achieve the minimum required grade on the second attempt will be dismissed from the program for a minimum of one semester.

Students who fail to maintain a minimum program curriculum GPA of 2.5 will be placed on program probation for one semester. During this time, the student may take other courses at the University, but cannot enroll in program-specific courses. Students who fail to earn a minimum program curriculum GPA of 2.5 by the following semester will be dismissed from the program.

A student dismissed from the program may submit a written petition to the coordinator of kinesiotherapy for consideration for readmission to the program.

Clinical Internship Experience

Students must complete two semesters of clinical internships (THY 460  and THY 470 ) in an approved clinical setting. Students must register for THY 421  concurrently with THY 470 . At least one semester of internship must be completed at a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Kinesiotherapy Program (KT).  Prior to beginning the clinical internship, students must have successfully completed all General Education and Program Curriculum (DEG 01 and DEG 02) requirements (to include minimum letter grade requirements for all required courses), have a minimum program curriculum (all DEG 01 and DEG 02 coursework only) GPA of 2.5, and have current certification in CPR/AED.

BS in Public Health

Students with a degree in public health work in a variety of health-related settings, including hospitals, health clinics, health departments, nursing homes, assisted living communities, and nonprofit and community outreach organizations. Students majoring in public health with an emphasis in health policy and administration will complete courses pertaining to health care planning, management, marketing and financing in addition to public health course work. Students majoring in public health with an emphasis in health education will complete courses pertaining to personal wellness, contemporary health issues, community program planning and evaluation, health policy and administration, and social and behavioral psychology. Public health students are required to complete a 200-hour practicum at an approved health-related facility. In the practicum, students will observe and participate in daily activities under the direction of a facility preceptor.

The following are requirements for a degree in allied health or public health (as well as for those transferring into the program):

  1. A cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required for all students.
  2. A cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required to take any DPH course above 300 (except 430 and 436).
  3. A grade of C or better must be earned in all program curriculum courses in order to complete the degree.

Though a student may be admitted to the program based on a cumulative GPA earned at a previous institution (i.e., junior college), once admitted the student must obtain and maintain a University of Southern Mississippi cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better to remain in good standing within the program. Students whose cumulative University of Southern Mississippi GPA goes below 2.50 will be placed on program probation and will not be allowed to enroll in DPH courses 300-level and above until the cumulative GPA is once again at 2.50 or above.

Minor in Health Policy and Administration

Students pursuing a minor in health policy and administration must complete 18 hours of coursework, each with a grade of C or better, including DPH 425 , DPH 427 , DPH 428 , DPH 460 , and DPH 470 . The remaining 3 credit hours must be a DPH course at the 300- or 400-level.

Minor in Public Health

Students pursuing a minor in health policy and administration must complete 18 hours of coursework, each with a grade of C or better, including DPH 101 , DPH 305 , DPH 321 , DPH 420 , and DPH 432 . The remaining 3 credit hours must be a DPH course at the 300- or 400-level.

BS in Recreation (Therapeutic Recreation)

The Bachelor of Science degree program in recreation offers professional preparation in therapeutic recreation. The therapeutic recreation emphasis is designed to prepare students for professional positions as therapeutic recreation specialists in a variety of settings. Therapeutic recreation specialists may work with individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional or social limitations in clinical, residential or community-based settings. The Bachelor of Science degree in recreation with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation prepares students to sit for the national Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) exam offered by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

Laboratories, Field Experiences, Internships and Practica

All recreation majors must complete a 39- to 42-hour degree core as well as the University general education curriculum requirements. All students in recreation are required to enroll in three hours of HPR 210 - Practicum  and 12 hours of HPR 495 - Internship . The practica are taken on three occasions over three separate semesters for one credit hour each. The third and final practicum must be taken in the semester immediately prior to internship. The practicum is a 40-hour-per-semester field experience that provides the student the opportunity to learn through observation, practice new skills, and develop an appreciation for the profession. The internship is the culminating experience for all students in recreation and is taken after all course work has been completed. The internship is a 14-week (minimum) full-time field work experience in which students are provided the opportunity to apply theory to practice and begin the process of developing and shaping their skills.

Program Progression Standards

The following progression policies apply to all students in the therapeutic recreation program as well as students transferring to the program:

  • A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required to transfer to the major.
  • Students must have a 2.2 cumulative GPA or a 2.5 GPA in major requirements including BSC 250 /BSC 250L , BSC 251 /BSC 251L  and PSY 110  for therapeutic recreation emphasis and all other course work completed to begin internship.

Programs

    Bachelor of ScienceNon-degree