Health Care at Shenandoah

Most health care programs are math and science intensive, we suggest taking as much math and science as you can in high school to help prepare you for these rigorous curriculums.

 

Nursing

Shenandoah University’s Nursing program is special because it has direct admittance. Many schools do not admit students into their nursing programs until their junior year, but at Shenandoah you know you are in the nursing program upon admittance to the university. That also means that you start taking nursing classes earlier. Your first nursing course will be in your first year and your first clinical will be in your sophomore year. You will complete three clinicals with SU, rather than just one.

 

Public Health

Public Health prepares you to identify the causes of disease; understand the principles and practices of health promotion, disease/injury prevention and protection; understand national/international public health issues from historical, social, cultural and scientific perspectives.

Shenandoah offers a  Public Health (MPH) 3 + 2 Accelerated Track

 

Health Care Management

The Health Care Management major is a great choice if you want a career in health care, but aren’t sure if medical school is right for you. The highly specific requirements of both the biology and business components mean you’ll receive a comprehensive foundation of knowledge to prepare you for a successful career ranging from managing small medical clinics or health care practitioner offices to roles such as CEO of a large hospital.

 

 

Music Therapy

For disabled individuals, making music is not just a healthy expression, but a chance for normalization, self-actualization and holistic growth. As a music therapist, you can make a difference by helping this harmonic convergence take place. Music therapists work with diverse client populations — from infants in a neonatal unit to children with special needs, adolescents with behavior challenges, adults with developmental disabilities, older adults with intellectual impairments and individuals facing the end of life. Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Music Therapy program features a process-oriented approach that prepares you to interact with individuals in a wide range of circumstances, and to design, implement and evaluate therapeutic music experiences tailored to individual interests and needs.

 

Bachelor’s Degrees that lead to Graduate Health Care Programs

The Pre-Health Program is designed to help guide students develop as competitive applicants to graduate schools that match their desired profession and their academic and pre-professional profile.

Pre-Health Advising at Shenandoah University consists of in-person advising sessions either in a group or individual setting that seek to provide guidance to students interested in pursuing a career in within the health professions.

Pre-Health Students follow one of these tracks at Shenandoah:

• Traditional Pathway
• Articulation Agreement Pathway
• Early Assurance Pathway

Biology

The study of life and living organisms is great foundation for understanding the human body and how to keep it functioning properly. Therefore, Biology is the undergraduate major that leads into graduate programs like Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, and Medical School. 

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies through an undergraduate degree in Biology.

 

Chemistry

Through valuable hands-on experience with a variety of specialized laboratory equipment and instrumentation, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking and comprehension skills and gain scientific expertise in a supportive laboratory-based environment. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to participate in original research with our faculty, and you’ll learn how to approach problems using scientific methods. Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program prepares you for graduate studies and for a career in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, molecular biology, environmental monitoring and control, research and development of medical cures, teaching and more.

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Pharmacy through an undergraduate degree in Chemistry.

 

Biochemistry

The biochemistry program prepares students for positions in fields related to biochemistry in industry and government, as well as for graduate study in biochemistry, molecular biology and health-related professions such as medicine, pharmacy and dentistry. Students have the opportunity to learn to understand and solve problems at the interface of chemistry and biology through courses featuring active learning techniques and hands-on laboratory experiences. 

 

Exercise Science

Our program gives you a strong scientific and practical understanding of the acute and chronic effects of physical activity and exercise on the human body. You’ll learn to assess, design and implement individual and group exercise, physical fitness and/or sports performance programs for a wide range of populations.

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Athletic Training through an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science.

 

Psychology

Discover a field that combines your passion for helping others with your curiosity about human beings and how psychology relates to how they think, learn and interact. Have you ever wondered how to help others? How biology is related to how you think, act and feel? How to treat problem behaviors and mental disorders? How to solve problems like violence, prejudice and discrimination? In psychology, we ask and answer questions like these to better understand ourselves and our world. Many of today’s problems require solutions not only from technological or medical/biological sources, but from psychological ones as well.

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy through an undergraduate degree in Psychology.

 

 

Transfer Nursing Track

The BSN Transfer Track in Nursing prepares you with the necessary skills and knowledge for an entry-level nursing position in a variety of settings. This track begins in the fall or spring semester and may be completed in five academic semesters.

 

Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Track

The 15-month track is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. Because of the intensity of the program, we strongly recommend you not be employed while enrolled in this accelerated program of study.

 

RN-to-MSN

• Family Nurse Practitioner is designed to provide the nurse with the necessary skills and knowledge to assume the role of a primary health care provider in a variety of clinical settings. Didactic and clinical course content focuses on assessment and management of health promotion and health maintenance strategies, risk reduction, common acute and chronic alterations in health status for individuals and families across the lifespan, and role development. 
• Nurse-Midwifery is designed to provide the student with the necessary skills and knowledge to assume the role of a certified nurse-midwife in a variety of clinical settings. Didactic and clinical course content focuses on role development, assessment and management of women’s health —antepartal, intrapartal, postpartal and neonatal periods, as well as primary women’s health —throughout the lifespan. Clinical experiences are in a wide variety of ambulatory and community rural and medically underserved health care settings appropriate to the Nurse-Midwifery track.
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is designed to prepare graduates to serves as an educator, consultant, prescriber, therapist and researcher to enhance life quality for individuals with mental illness, and to prevent mental illness in high risk populations such as children, the elderly and those with co-occurring medical illness and/or substance abuse.

Pharmacy

Today’s pharmacists fulfill traditional roles and serve as experts in drug information, drug dosing, patient assessment and pharmacotherapy. You’ll learn to observe changes in the healthcare industry and to interpret how those changes will impact your role as a pharmacist.

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Pharmacy. 

 

Physical Therapy

Shenandoah University’s Division of Physical Therapy (PT) prepares students to be reflective practitioners who provide effective, evidence-based, compassionate care for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of movement dysfunction and to promote physical health and functional ability across the lifespan.

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Physical Therapy. 

 

Athletic Training

Become an expert in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Specializing in prevention, rehabilitation, and management of injuries resulting from participation in athletics and physical activity, the athletic trainer is an integral member of the sports medicine team.

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Athletic Training.

 

Physician Assistant Studies

As a physician assistant, you’ll be an integral member of the health care team, working with physicians to meet the needs of society’s patients. You’ll serve in all medical specialties, treating patients’ illnesses and injuries, as well as educating them on wellness and disease prevention.

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

 

Doctor of Medical Science

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) program is designed to prepare physician assistants (PAs) with the advanced skills needed in today’s dynamic healthcare environment as doctorally prepared clinicians. This program is online and asynchronous. The focus of this clinical doctorate program is to advance students’ knowledge in healthcare science, evidence-based practice, health equity, and leadership.  

 

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling program prepares students to practice counseling competently. The program includes core classes and clinical classes to provide students the knowledge and skills to deliver individual and group counseling services grounded in evidence-based practices.

 

Speech-Language Pathology

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program trains you to evaluate and treat people of all ages with communication disorders. These disorders can emerge from neurological conditions including strokes, traumatic brain injuries or developmental disabilities. 

 

Master of Science in Nursing

• Family Nurse Practitioner is designed to provide the nurse with the necessary skills and knowledge to assume the role of a primary health care provider in a variety of clinical settings. Didactic and clinical course content focuses on assessment and management of health promotion and health maintenance strategies, risk reduction, common acute and chronic alterations in health status for individuals and families across the lifespan, and role development. 
• Nurse-Midwifery is designed to provide the student with the necessary skills and knowledge to assume the role of a certified nurse-midwife in a variety of clinical settings. Didactic and clinical course content focuses on role development, assessment and management of women’s health —antepartal, intrapartal, postpartal and neonatal periods, as well as primary women’s health —throughout the lifespan. Clinical experiences are in a wide variety of ambulatory and community rural and medically underserved health care settings appropriate to the Nurse-Midwifery track.
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is designed to prepare graduates to serves as an educator, consultant, prescriber, therapist and researcher to enhance life quality for individuals with mental illness, and to prevent mental illness in high risk populations such as children, the elderly and those with co-occurring medical illness and/or substance abuse.

 

Doctor Of Nursing Practice

The Doctor Of Nursing Practice Program prepares nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to assume the role of Primary Health Care Provider in a variety of settings

 

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who need specialized assistance to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives due to physical, developmental, social, or emotional problems. Occupational therapy is a form of therapy for those recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life.

Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance (EA) Pathway for a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy. 

 

Master of Music Therapy

For disabled individuals, making music is not just a healthy expression, but a chance for normalization, self-actualization and holistic growth. As a music therapist, you can make a difference by helping this harmonic convergence take place. Music therapists work with diverse client populations — from infants in a neonatal unit to children with special needs, adolescents with behavior challenges, adults with developmental disabilities, older adults with intellectual impairments and individuals facing the end of life. The Master of Music in Music Therapy (MMT) program offers an integrated sequence of courses that prepare you for advanced clinical practice.

 

Master Of Science In Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis emphasizes the analysis and design of the environment to improve the performance of individuals as diverse as children or adults with autism, the foster parent of an aggressive youth, and the corporate executive intent on maximizing the productivity of her employees. Behavior analysts work in settings such as hospitals, mental health centers, residential facilities and schools.

 

Master of Public Health

This online program provides students with an opportunity to analyze current health problems from a variety of interdisciplinary and interprofessional viewpoints. The program provides coursework opportunities for students to obtain broad knowledge and basic skills in public health. The MPH program prepares students to assume a wide-range of public health positions that address today’s most challenging population health issues.

 

Anatomy & Physiology Graduate Certificate

This program provides an understanding of human anatomy and physiology at a level required for clinical medicine. Graduates of the program will be able to relate basic science knowledge to clinical scenarios and will be prepared to develop instructional and assessment plans utilizing best practices and appropriate pedagogy for learners at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

 

Applied Behavior Analysis Post-Graduate Certificate

Students will learn to make evidence-based decisions in regards to individuals, families, and communities and understand how research is used to address the behavioral needs of all persons. Students will also learn the role that culture plays in the implementation of behavioral principles throughout the world. 

 

Healthcare Management Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate in healthcare management provides you with the critical tools necessary to identify, anticipate, analyze, and solve the complex problems currently facing healthcare organizations.

 

Performing Arts Medicine (PAM) Graduate Certificate

This program educates health care professionals and performing art educators on the prevention, assessment, and management of injuries and disorders specific to dancers, theatre artists, and musicians along with promoting clinical research to determine best practices.

 

Family Nurse Practitioner Post Graduate Certificate

The Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate is for registered nurses who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing. Our program provides you with the necessary knowledge, skills, values, meanings and experiences to assume the role of a primary health care provider in a variety of clinical settings through both didactic and clinical courses.

 

Music Therapy Certification Eligibility Professional Studies Program 

Shenandoah’s Professional Studies Program for Music Therapy Certification Eligibility is perfect for you, if you have a bachelor’s degree, skills as a musician, and an interest in working with people. Our full-time, two-year professional studies program allows you to develop your skills and clinical expertise in a supportive, creative learning environment at the oldest music therapy degree program in Virginia. 

 

Nurse-Midwifery Post-Graduate Certificate

Shenandoah’s Nurse-Midwifery Post-Graduate Certificate prepares you with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead the profession in the promotion of high quality midwifery care, expand knowledge through research and evaluate and revise care through quality assurance. Nurse-midwives are advanced practice nurses who provide family-centered primary health care to women throughout their reproductive lives, including counseling and care during pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum periods. Midwifery is one of the most rewarding advanced practice nursing occupations, allowing you to gently and naturally aid the childbirth process and address women’s general health care.

 

 

Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner Post Graduate Certificate

The Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner serves as an educator, consultant, prescriber, therapist and researcher to enhance life quality for individuals with mental illness, and to prevent mental illness in high risk populations such as children, the elderly and those with co-occurring medical illness and/or substance abuse.

 

Population Health Certificate

There is increasing demand for health professionals that can navigate the ever changing and complex healthcare landscape. The online Population Health Certificate prepares individuals with the skills to examine and respond to the challenges and opportunities to improve health within and across populations.

 

Public Health Graduate Certificate

The Public Health Certificate is designed to offer working professionals, current health professions students, and other traditional and non-traditional students a way to advance their public health training. The online program format allows students the flexibility to earn this certificate from any location, and engage with students and faculty who have a shared drive and passion for making a difference.

 

Esports Health & Fitness Graduate Certificate

The certificate provides foundational courses on the core principles of injury/illness prevention, strength and conditioning, nutritional requirements, and the integration of mind and body techniques to enhance performance in this growing field. 

 

Esports Medicine Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Esports Medicine provides health care professionals an opportunity to specialize in and be leaders in the health, assessment and treatment of injuries and illnesses related to esports.

 

Performing Arts Health and Fitness Graduate Certificate

The Performing Arts Health and Fitness Program prepares you to be a leader in performing arts health and fitness whether you are a performing artist, a performing arts educator, an exercise physiologist, a certified personal trainer, a certified strength and conditioning coach, a massage therapist or other fitness professional.