School of Health Sciences

Exercise Physiology Department | Healthcare Informatics and Information Management Department | Occupational Therapy Department | Occupational Therapy Five Year + Fieldwork Master's Program | Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy Department | Social Work Department

Exercise Physiology Department

Exercise Physiology is the identification of physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity, the comprehensive delivery of treatment services concerned with the analysis, improvement and maintenance of health and fitness, rehabilitation of heart disease and other chronic diseases and/or disabilities, and the professional guidance and counsel of athletes and others interested in athletics, sports training and human adaptability to acute and chronic exercise. Scientific results from exercise physiology research help to understand the physiological effects of systematic exercise, and the extent to which exercise helps in developing and maintaining cardiovascular and musculoskeletal integrity.

The Exercise Physiology academicmajor is accredited by the Board of Accreditation of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP). The Department of Exercise Physiology offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Physiology. During the spring semester of the senior year, students choose to do either an internship (EXP 4555) or stay on campus to do research (EXP 4430, EXP 4437, EXP 4439, EXP 4441).
Tommy Boone, Ph.D.,M.P.H., F.A.S.E.P., E.P.C.
Professor and Chair

Entrance requirements:

Students should apply for admission to the department at the beginning of the fall semester of their third year in college. Applicants must have at minimum a 2.7 cumulative grade point average. Application and information about the interview can be obtained from the chair of the department.

Upon completion of the academic degree in Exercise Physiology, the student will:

1. be prepared to communicate the role of nutrition in health and athletics.
2. demonstrate knowledge and competencies fundamental to understanding and communicating advanced physiology concepts and laboratory skills.
3. demonstrate an understanding and ability to compare and contrast health, fitness and exercise related researchmethods,designs, statistics and implications for healthy lifestyle.
4. demonstrate requisite professional knowledge and competencies fundamental to assuming different exercise physiology jobs in the public sector.
5. demonstrate requisite anatomical knowledge and cardiovascular physiology competencies fundamental to the exercise physiology profession.
6. demonstrate requisite knowledge and application of stress management interventions in promoting healthy lifestyles.
7. be motivated to become a professional member of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).
8. develop professional attitudes and valuedriven responses to disciplinary connections between relevant content areas from liberal arts (psychology),biology and chemistry to research application, scope of practice and career opportunities in exercise physiology.
9. demonstrate requisite communication skills fundamental to leadership positions in the profession of exercise physiology.
10. demonstrate critical thinking skills fundamental to articulating personal and professional values.

Exercise Physiology major

All Exercise Physiology majors take the following prerequisite courses: CHM 1021 (Students have the option to test out), CHM 1025, CHM 1035, BIO/CHM 1036, MTH 1111, BIO 2110, 2120, PSY 2208,PSC 2001 and the following departmental core courses: EXP 1110, EXP 3321, EXP 3322, EXP 3323, EXP 3330, EXP 3331, EXP 3332, EXP 3334, EXP 4431, EXP 4436, EXP 4438, PSY 3331.

Healthcare Informatics and
Information Management Department

The major in Health Information Management is housed in the Department of Healthcare Informatics and Information Management. It provides students with professional knowledge necessary to assume management responsibility for health records and health information systems in a variety of health related settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-termcare settings, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance companies and software vendors. It is ideal for the person who likes the healthcare environment but does not want direct patient contact.

In 1934 The College of St. Scholastica became the first college in the U.S. to offer amajor in this field. The programis accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. Graduates are eligible to sit for the AHIMA national registration examination. Passing this examination entitles one to use the designation RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) after his/her name.

A professional practice internship consisting of three weeks experience in a regional hospital, two weeks in a large medical center or specialized healthcare facility and oneweek in an alternative career setting is required in the spring semester of the senior year. The student provides travel and living expenses during this time.

A special program has been designed for registered health information technicians (RHITs) which enables them to earn a baccalaureate degree in Health Information Management. This RHIT to RHIA Progression Program incorporates two intensive summer modules of one week each on the St. Scholastica campus, Web-based distance learning courses, transfer of equivalent course work in basic health information management subjects, challenge exams as needed and transfer of general education credits taken at the student's local college/university. The professional practice experience, which is adapted to individual student needs, has three components: clinical visits, an administrative project and a two-to-three-week management affiliation in a healthcare facility.

A post-baccalaureate certificate option is available to students who enter the program with a previously earned baccalaureate degree. The certificate program requires completion of all Health Information Management course requirements as outlined for the major. The certificate, in combination with the student's prior bachelor's degree, qualifies the student to sit for the American Health Information Management Association's national registration examination.

A graduate program leading to a Master of Arts in Health Information Management was established in 1997. Students interested in the master's degree should refer to the College's Web site www.css.edu.
Chair: Kathleen M. LaTour, M.A., R.H.I.A., F.A.H.I.M.A.

A student applies to the Health Information Management Program during spring semester of his/her sophomore year or at the time of transfer to the College. The Health Information Management Program follows the admission and retention policies of the School of Health Sciences. Those policies are delineated in the School of Health Sciences section of the catalog.

A student graduating with a major in Health Information Management from The College of St. Scholastica is well prepared to assume an entry-level position in this professional field. Specifically, program outcomes are designed to assure that graduates of the programwill be prepared to demonstrate:

• requisite professional knowledge, skills and competencies fundamental to the health information management profession;
• self-directed learning skills using a variety of resources and technology;
• critical thinking and systems thinking skills;
• effective communication skills;
• personal attitudes and attributes critical to professional leadership.

Health Information Management major

BIO 1110 or BIO 1035 and CHM 1035; BIO 2110, 2120, and 3020; CIS 1007 and 1008, 3105, 3107, and 3108;HIM 2101-4556 (HIM Progression students substitute HIM 4530, 4540 and 4550 for HIM 4555); HSC 2203, 4423; PSY 3331; TRS 3311. Admission and retention policies for the Health Information Management Department are consistent with those listed in the Health Sciences section.

Health Sciences major

The Health Sciences major includes three choices:

1. The Health Sciences School concentration is intended for the student who has an interest in health care, but has not fulfilled all the requirements for a specific program within the school. This major requires at least 36 credits in the school,with 16 credits in HSC-designated courses or other courses approved by the Dean of the School of Health Sciences. A clinical experience is highly recommended. Students with a departmental major within the health sciences are ineligible for this option. A student interested in this concentration must apply for an upper-division Health Sciences major through the school dean. There is no Health Sciences minor.
2. The Physical Therapy concentration requires admission to the Physical Therapy Program and satisfactory completion of its Phase II courses. See the Physical Therapy Program description for further details.
3. The Occupational Therapy concentration requires admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and satisfactory completion of the first year of the professional program. See the Occupational Therapy Program description for further details.

A student graduating with a Health Sciences major from The College of St. Scholastica will:

1. understand the broad relationships and connections among the disciplines studied within the school;
2. understand the most basic and essential principles of at least one school discipline;
3. knowledgeably analyze a problem germane to the school disciplines or critically evaluate a proposition pertinent to the fields of study;
4. articulately communicate his/her analysis of a problemor evaluation of a proposition.

Health Sciences major admissions and retention policies Minimum admission requirements:

1. Junior level standing.
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.
3. C (2.0) in all courses required by the major department.
4. Personal interview, health examination and/or psychological testing may be required.
5. Each department reserves the right to set more rigorous selection criteria than those stated above as appropriate to students' academic and personal suitability for entry into professional practice. If such criteria are set, the department will make them available to students interested in seeking admission to the department.
6. Each department reserves the right to select the applicants with the best qualifications from those who meet minimum criteria.

Retention requirements:

1. C (2.0) in each major course. In the case of sequential courses, it is necessary to obtain the grade before proceeding to the next level course.
2. A major course (one required by department) may be repeated once.
3. Each department reserves the right of retaining in the major only those students who satisfy requirements of scholarship, health and personal suitability for the profession.

Student alternatives:

1. If a student fails to meet standards as set forth above for admission or retention, the student may request probationary status from the department chair.
2. A student may appeal through the College academic grievance procedure.

Occupational Therapy Department

Occupational therapists primarily work in schools, skilled nursing facilities, clinics and hospitals, as well as community settings, to help individuals achieve a maximum level of independent living. Occupational therapy is needed when an individual's ability to live independently, to care for personal needs, and to participate inwork, school, family and community life is disrupted by illness or injury. Occupational therapists also provide support for wellness and prevention concerns. Program faculty have a keen interest in responding to the needs unique to rural practice and exploring alternative service delivery models (i.e., other service providers, prisons, mental health agencies and businesses.)

The Occupational Therapy Programis accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). State credentialing is based on graduation from an accredited occupational therapy education program and passing the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

Occupational Therapy Five Year +
Fieldwork Master's Program

The necessary liberal arts and the prerequisites for the Occupational Therapy Program are included in the first three years of undergraduate study. During the final year of undergraduate study, the student completes the first year of the professional program leading to a baccalaureate degree (B.A.) in Health Sciences. Subsequently, as a graduate student, the student completes the second year of professional preparation, including the graduate research project and the required fieldwork experiences, for an entry-level Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Occupational Therapy. The program is also offered on a part-time basis.

The following prerequisites (or their approved transfer equivalents) are required for admission: BIO 1110, BIO 2110, BIO 2120, BIO 3020; HSC 2209; *PSC 1501 (or PSC 1201); PSY 1105, PSY 2208, PSY 3330, PSY 3331, PSY 3423; choice of SOC 1125, SOC 2433, HON 2125 or HIS/WMS 2231. (*preferred)
Interim Department Chair: Carolyn Dorfman, Ph.D., OTR/L

Admission

There are two methods of acceptance into the program, the First-Year Admission Criteria Track (FACT) or the Standard Admissions Track.

FACT Admission

First-year students at The College of St. Scholasticamay apply for FACT (detailed in the Graduate Programsection on theWeb site). Students who declare their intent to pursue an M.A. degree in Occupational Therapy by the end of fall semester of their first year will be guaranteed admission to the programafter three years of undergraduate work, if they meet the plan criteria.

Standard admission

Students apply directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Preference is given to applications submitted by November 15 of the junior year. Applicants will be considered after the submission date if there are spaces available. The initial acceptance pool consists of up to 20 qualified FACT students and the remainder of qualified St. Scholastica and transfer students for a class of 32. Applicants are considered individually through a unique process that reviews each applicant on the basis of his/her individualmerits. Criteria used in consideration for admission include GPA (overall and prerequisite), clinical observations, letters of recommendation, interviews, an on-site essay and an application autobiography. Students must have a 2.7 G.P.A. (overall and prerequisite) and complete all prerequisites prior to beginning the Occupational Therapy classes. For admission, the applicant must submit documentation for completion of a minimum of two clinical work/volunteer or observational experiences of 20 hours each, at least one with an OTR or COTA, and obtain two recommendation forms (one from an OTR or COTA); and demonstrate good oral and written communication skills. The clinical experiences must have been completed with in the two years prior to application. Applications and observation forms may be obtained by contacting: Office of Graduate Admissions, The College of St. Scholastica, 1200 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth MN 55811 or (218)-723-6285.

Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy

General information

Upon completion of all academic and fieldwork requirements of the Occupational Therapy Program, students are awarded a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. Graduates of the Program are eligible to sit for the national certification examfor occupational therapists administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). (Note:A felony convictionmay affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.) After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a registered occupational therapist (OTR).

The Occupational Therapy Programis accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220,Bethesda,MD 20824-1220.AOTA's phone number is (301)-652-AOTA.

Most states require credentialing to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on graduation from an accredited occupational therapy education program and passing the NBCOT exam.

FACT (First-Year Admission Criteria Tract).

First-year students at The College of St. Scholasticamay apply for FACT. FACT is a criterion based, early admission plan for the graduate-level Occupational Therapy Program. FACT is available for up to 20 first-year students at The College of St. Scholastica on a first-come first-serve basis. Students who declare their intent to pursue a master's (M.A.) degree in occupational therapy will be guaranteed admission to the Occupational Therapy Program after three years of undergraduate work, if theymeet the plan criteria. Guaranteed admission criteria include the following:

1. Make application to the Occupational Therapy Program by the end of fall semester of the first year. The Master of Arts Occupational Therapy Application form will be a working document as one progresses through the three years preceding entry into the professional Occupational Therapy Program. Initially, complete only pages 1 and 2.
2. Complete 96 semester credits prior to entry into the professional Occupational Therapy Program; including aminimumof 16 upperdivision credits.
3. Complete all general education requirements.
4. Complete all prerequisite courses for the Occupational Therapy Program.
5. Maintain an overall and prerequisite grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
6. Obtain no grade lower than a C in any prerequisite course, and obtain a minimum grade of B on the first year English composition course. If a student receives a grad lower than a C on a prerequisite course, he or she will be removed from the FACT plan. These students can, however, retake that prerequisite course and apply through the Standard Admissions Track.
7. Complete a minimum of 40 hours of work/ volunteer experience. This must be completed at two different locations to contribute to the student's understanding of occupational therapy and how their unique skills match the demands of being a care provider and a therapist. The minimum time for each experience is 20 hours.One of the experiencesmust be in a setting that allows the student to observe the work of a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) or registered occupational therapist (OTR). Complete theMaster of Arts inOccupational Therapy Observation forms for the occupational therapy experiences. Clinical observations should be completed in the 24 months previous to November 15 of the year prior to entering the professional program.
8. Submit three letters of recommendation (to be sent directly or, if included with the application must be in sealed envelopes which have been signed over the seal) are required.Two of these lettersmust be from an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. Suggestions for the third reference include a college instructor, employer, or volunteer coordinator/supervisor. The reference should be from someone who is sufficiently familiar with the student to be able to offer behavioral examples to support statements.

In addition to the above criteria, studentswill be assigned to an Occupational Therapy Program advisor at the end of the spring semester first year.

Studentswho do notmeet the above criteriawill be able to apply to the Occupational Therapy Program through the Standard Application Process (see above). Benefits of the FACT include: exemption of the graduate application fee, continuous access and interaction with occupational therapy faculty member, exemption from the application essay, exemption fromt he application interview, and guaranteed admission if plan criteria is met.

Prerequisites for admission

*BIO 1110, BIO 2110, BIO 2120, BIO 3020; HSC 2209; *PSC 1501 (or PSC 1201); PSY 1105, PSY 2208, PSY 3330, PSY 3331, PSY 3423; choice of SOC 1125, SOC 2433, HON 2125 or HIS/WGS 2231. (*preferred)

Fees and expenses

Course fees are assessed in all OT courses for course materials and other expenses. The amount is determined from actual costs each year. Students can anticipate total charges of approximately $1,000 for course fees and approximately $1,500 for textbooks and resources,during the course of the 2 1/2 year program. During the time a student is completing fieldwork, the student is responsible for living expenses, transportation to and from the site, and other related costs.Level II Fieldwork experiences are full-time (40 hours/week) work experiences that often require homework assignments and outside responsibilities.

Admission requirements upon acceptance

Prior to starting the occupational therapy program, applicants must obtain certification in CPR (CPR for the Professional Rescuer course) and Basic First Aid. They must also provide medical documentation, which includes a physical, titers and proof of immunizations (a list of specific requirements is available). All enrolled OT students must pass a Criminal Background Clearance Check for MN and the current state of residence, if different. Some fieldwork sites may have additional requirements, which may include a drug test/ screen.

Additional information

Student handbooks are provided to all accepted applicants for specific policies and procedures related to academics and field work.

Occupational Therapy curriculum

These are the first-year graduate Occupational Therapy courses that also serve as the final year of the undergraduate Health Science Major. The complete OT curriculum is detailed on the College Web site and in the Graduate Catalog.

Physical Therapy Department

The Department of Physical Therapy is committed to education and preparation of entry-level doctors of physical therapy. Graduates of our program are dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of society with special consideration for rural communities through practice, education, and administration. As autonomous practitioners or members of multidisciplinary teams, program graduates are recognized as leaders in the provision of evidence-based practice that is compassionate,ethical and legal. Program graduates adapt to and implement change that benefits their community and the profession.

The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at The College of St. Scholastica is a 3+3 model of education. Prerequisite years contain coursework necessary for admission to the program and Benedictine liberal arts requirements. Physical therapy professional education begins in the fourth year and is a full-time day program, 33 continuous months in length.Once admitted into the program, students take all courses at the graduate level. During the first year, students gain knowledge of the profession and begin fundamental skill acquisition. Students who start the first year without a bachelor's degree will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences upon successful completion of the first year of the program. During the fifth and sixth years, students continue to acquire application skills along with proficiency in critical inquiry necessary for knowledge advancement and evidence based practice in the profession.

Students interested in physical therapy should be aware that at least 36weeks of internship are required. Placement in internships is done through the department at approved facilities. Students should expect that the majority of internship placements will be outside the Duluth-Superior area. The program currently has over 170 affiliation sites, the largest number within the five-state area.

Admission requirements

Students interested in physical therapy should realize that enrollment in the program is competitive and limited to 36 students. Students apply directly to the Physical Therapy Program. Selection for admission is based on several predictors of success including academic record, interviews, scores on the GRE, and professional exploration. Applicants are required to demonstrate awareness of the diversity and specificity of the physical therapy profession by performing volunteer work,by conducting observations, or by working in a physical therapy setting.Exposure to physical therapy in a variety of settings is required in at least two different clinical settings addressing the needs of distinct patient/client populations. Transfer studentswith and without degrees are eligible to apply to the program; however, transfer students without a degree must meet the College's general education requirements for a bachelor's degree prior to matriculation in the physical therapy program. A minimum of six and maximum of 12 transfer students will be accepted.

Admission decisions are based on assessment of the student admission portfolio. To apply to the program, students must have: at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses;exposure to the profession of physical therapy in at least two different settings addressing the needs of distinct patient populations; two to four letters of recommendation, one of which is from a licensed physical therapist; interviews with two members of the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee; and completion of the GRE. Scores on the GRE must be an absolute minimum score of 3.5 for the writing analytical section and 870 for the combined quantitative and verbal sections,with preferred minimum scores of 400 for the verbal section, 500 for the quantitative section, and 1,000 for the combined quantitative and verbal sections. Upon acceptance, entry into the program begins in July. Students accepted and enrolling in the physical therapy program must have completed 96 credits (10 of whichmust be upper-division credits), all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher, all general education requirements, converted any incomplete (I) or in progress (IP) courses to an A-D, F letter grade, and maintained a cumulative grade of 3.0. Demonstration of completionmust be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by June 15 prior to the program's start date in July.Once in the programstudentsmust be enrolled full time and all courses must be successfully completed in the required sequence. Alterations in progression due to extenuating circumstances, such as academic probation or an unexpected life event,are considered on an individual basis.

Applications for the program may be obtained by contacting:

The College of St. Scholastica
Graduate Studies Office
Physical Therapy Admissions
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811-4199

Prerequisites for admission

The following prerequisites (or their transfer equivalents) are required for admission: BIO 2110-2120; *CHM 1110-1120 (or CHM 1020, 1021,1035,and BIO/CHM1036 during the 2007- 2008 academic year).; PSC 2001-2002;HSC 2209; PSY 2208, 3331, 3423.

*a full year, full sequence of chemistry is required; if the student is seeking a bachelor's degree in another field (biology, pre-med, exercise physiology, or other) the student must follow the chemistry requirements for that major. Students must declare an alternate major and should follow the chemistry sequence for that major.

General information

Students must apply to the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee for entry into the professional program.They must successfully complete 107 graduate credits to be awarded the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Students who graduate from the program are eligible to take the licensure examination for physical therapy required in all states.

The physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Alterations in progression due to extenuating circumstances, such as academic probation or an unexpected life event,are considered on an individual basis.

*Students who have not completed all prerequisite courses must be able to project a reasonable course of study with proof of completion received by July 1 prior to the program's start date.

Applications for the program may be obtained by contacting:

The College of St. Scholastica
Graduate Studies Office
Physical Therapy Admissions
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811

Technical Standards For Admission To
And Progression In The Physical Therapy Program

Success in the physical therapy program is dependent on a number of functions deemed essential for the practice of physical therapy. Applicants must meet these essential functions and students must continue to demonstrate compliance with these essential functions throughout the program.Students needing reasonable accommodations to meet these essential functions should notify the chair of their request.

Essential functions

Critical thinking, problem-solving capabilities, sound judgment, emotional stability and maturity, and ability to learn and function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings to be able to:

• Develop, monitor and manage individual patient/client plan of care.
• Performand interpret physical examinations.
• Perform physical therapy procedures.
• Communicate effectively in oral andwritten formats.
• Direct and supervise support personnel.
• Maintain professional demeanor.
• Demonstrate empathy, integrity, flexibility, responsibility and effective stress management.

Critical demands

Physical
(0-33% occasionally; 34-66% frequently; 67-100% continuously - based on an 8-hour work day)

• Firm grip strength - occasionally
• Gross hand coordination - continuously
• Fine hand coordination - continuously
• Sit - occasionally - Stand - frequently
• Walk - frequently - Reach - frequently
• Stoop/squat - frequently
• Push/pull - occasionally
• Kneel - occasionally
• Lift up to 50 lbs. - occasionally
• Carry - frequently
• Work with variety of therapeutic and adaptive devices including but not limited to wheelchairs, crutches, canes, electric stimulation, etc. - continuously
• Vision - corrected or non-corrected.

Communication

• Listen /hear
• Read English
• Speak English
• Write legibly in English

Students in the program are required to complete a physical examination and a criminal background check annually.

Student handbook

The Physical Therapy Department publishes a student handbook each year containing policies, procedures and general information. Students should use this handbook as a primary resource for their day-to-day activities. Changes to the handbook are made during the summer or, if changes are made during the academic year, changes are published and distributed to all students prior to implementation.

Clinical internships

Students must complete four internships while in the program. Clinical internships provide opportunities for the student to integrate and apply theory,knowledge,and skills acquired during the academic year to a variety of patient populations. In keeping with the mission and philosophy of the program, clinical internships are designed around themultiple experiences in physical therapy. Students must complete one internship in a rural setting; each remaining internshipmust differ in type of setting or experience. Within this affiliation framework, students have the opportunity to pursue areas of interest including but not limited to pediatrics, geriatrics, sports medicine, industrial medicine, etc. The assignments for the clinical internships are made by the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education in consultation with the student.Selections are made on the basis of type and availability of setting and skills of the student.

Fees and expenses

Due to the nature of the learning environment in the program, students are charged course fees for any course with a laboratory component.Students in the first year of the programcan expect to pay approximately $750 in fees; students in the second and third year pay approximately $400 in course fees between the two years. Textbook requirements are carefully screened with texts chosen based on the utility of information. Students should anticipate paying approximately $1,550 for text books while in the program. Additional expenses associated with internships are the responsibility of the student. These costs are associated with travel to, between, and from clinical sites, and with housing. Travel and housing are arranged by the student.

Licensure and registration

Students graduating from accredited programs in physical therapy are eligible to take the physical therapy licensure exam. Successful completion of the examis required to attain licensure in all states. Requirements for taking the examvary by state. Students must apply separately for the national examand for licensing. The department will certify the student's readiness for these procedures, but is not responsible for obtaining, completing or returning the required forms.

Physical Therapy curriculum

These are the first-year graduate Physical Therapy courses that also serve as the final year of the undergraduate Health Science major. The complete PT curriculum is detailed on the College Web site.

Social Work Department

The mission of the social work profession is "to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of peoplewho are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty" (from the Preamble of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics). Social work addresses the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities. The core values of the profession are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the individual, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. The College of St.Scholastica's SocialWork Program embraces the mission of the social work profession in the context of the College's Benedictine tradition. The program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, requires graduates to be well prepared for beginning generalist professional practice. Graduates find employment in a variety of settings, some of which include: child and family service agencies, hospitals and other health care facilities, community action agencies, schools, child and adult protection, residential treatment programs, tribal social service agencies, gerontological services, mental health settings, criminal justice, developmental/mental disability programs, and international social work.

St. Scholastica graduates also may enter most MSWprograms with advanced standing, requiring only 12 months of graduate study. For students who care about people and want tomake a difference, social workmay be the appropriate major.
Department Chair/Program Director: Lee Gustafson, Ph.D.,MSSW, LISW

The St. Scholastica Social Work Program has three goals and 11 specified educational outcomes that are used to assess program effectiveness. Students who graduate from this program have had courses grounded in the liberal arts and a successively more advanced set of professional learning experiences that lead to readiness for entry-level practice, community service and graduate education. The mission, goals, and outcomes specified by the program are the same for both themain campus and distance sites as follows:

Goal One

The College of St.Scholastica Social Work Program will prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups,organizations and communities.

Outcomes

Students will:

1. apply the NASWCode of Ethics in academic and professional practice settings with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
2. understand the forms and mechanisms of discrimination and oppression and, with this understanding, participate in activities that promote social and economic justice.
3. demonstrate the professional use of self.
4. understand the bio-psycho-social-spiritual variables that affect individual development and behavior, and apply theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and their social environment.
5. understand the development of social policies; analyze the effects social policies have on client systems, workers, and agencies; and develop advocacy skills to promote socially just policy development.
6. demonstrate the ability to produce and effectively use social science research and, with supervision, evaluate their practice interventions.
7. demonstrate effective use of communication skills with varied and diverse client populations, colleagues and members of the community.

Goal Two

The Social Work Program will foster themission of the College and the values from the Benedictine heritage: community, hospitality, respect, stewardship, and the love of learning.

Outcomes

Students will:

1. examine Benedictine values, personal beliefs and social work values, and develop an integrated personal and professional value statement.
2. demonstrate personal and beginning professional contributions to the community through direct service, research, and modeling ethical behavior.
3. engage in the political process by creating a sense of community while valuing the uniqueness of the individual.

Goal Three

The Social Work Program will prepare students for lifelong learning.

Outcome

Students will demonstrate the ability to develop andmaintain professional relationships, and continue professional growth and development.

The College of St. Scholastica undergraduate Social Work Education Program prepares students in the generalist social work practice model, with emphasis on acquisition of basic knowledge, values and skills essential to beginning level professional practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. The program is guided by the liberal arts tradition of the College and integrates a humanistic, egalitarian educational philosophy with rigorous, sequential academic programming. Students completing the program are prepared to work in rural, urban, and international areas with diverse populations.

Social Work Licensure

The College of St. Scholastica Social Work Program enables graduates to sit for licensure as a Licensed SocialWorker (LSW) by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Additionally, the curriculum is approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching for School Social Worker Licensure. Students seeking licensure as a school socialworker are required to complete the social work major coursework and SWK 4555 Senior Field Practicumin a school setting under the supervision of a licensed school social worker, consisting of at least 400 contact hours during one school year.

Social Work major
General education requirements:

• BIO 1102 or BIO 2110 and 2120
• PSY 1105 or PSY 2208
• SOC 2265 or SOC 4405 or INS 4410 or INS 4415 or INS 4420 orWGS 1011
• SOC 1125 or HIS/WGS 2231 or SOC 2433 - Social/Behavior Science elective (4 cr.)
• - RES elective (4 cr.)

Social work core requirements:

SWK 2240, 3339, 3360, 3362, 3370, 3383, 3385; 3380 or 3315 or 3390 or 3395; SWK 3555, 4440, 4441, 4449, 4555, 4470.

Other requirements

Students provide their own transportation to community learning experiences such as their field practicum during the junior and senior years. Students are required to obtain professional liability insurance and submit a criminal background check before beginning field experiences. Students first become members of NASW at the beginning of their junior year and maintainmembership through graduation. Students planning to attend graduate school (including programs offering advanced standing in social work) are strongly recommended to take PSY 3331 - Statistics.

Admission and retention procedure and policy

All entering students are encouraged to submit their application for the SocialWork major with the Registrar Office once they are an intended major. Social Work majors apply for formal admission to the Social Work Program during the spring semester of the sophomore year. For fall junior-status priority admission, students transferring from a community college with an A.A.degree should make application to both the College and the SocialWork Programby April 15.

Admission to the Social Work Program is a prerequisite condition for registration in SWK 3370. Application to the Social Work Program includes the following:

1. written application from the student;
2. one recommendation from a non-Social Work faculty member;
3. one recommendation from an agency supervisor who has observed the student in relationship to a client population;
4. one recommendation from a community member;
5. a structured writing sample;
6. possible interview by the Social Work Program Admissions Committee.

The Social Work Program director/chair informs the student of the decision inwriting by June 15. Possible actions include:

• acceptance of application;
• provisional acceptance of application; or
• denial of application. Students who are denied admission to the Social Work Program have the right to appeal the decision to the Social Work Advisory Council Grievance Committee.

Admission and retention criteria for the program are:

• Student must maintain acceptable academic standing.For admission this includes: junior standing; a 2.5 overall GPA (on a 4.0 scale);and 3.0 cumulative GPA in psychology, sociology and social work courses.All social work courses must be passed with a minimumgrade of C. Retention requires continuation of these minimum grades. Students who earn a grade below C in any required social work course must retake the course prior to enrollment in the next course in the professional practice sequence.
• Students are expected to exhibit commitment to the profession through attendance and active participation in classes.

Other evaluative criteria used by the program include:

• ability to demonstrate increasingly more advanced writing skills;
• demonstration of growth and maturity as a person and as a professional;
• willingness to give and receive honest and respectful feedback;
• increased growth in self-awareness;
• satisfactory performance in prerequisite courses, as well as in seminar and field experiences;
• positive references fromacademic and field representatives throughout the student's education;
• proper use of supervisory and collegial resources;
• ability to uphold the NASWCode of Ethics.

The Social Work Program reserves the privilege of accepting and retaining in the program only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, Admission Committee and Grievance Committee, satisfy the requirements of scholarship and the integrity of the socialwork profession as set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics. No academic credit is awarded for life or previous work experiences in this degree program.

Social Work Diversity Statement

The Social Work Program encourages all students to learn about the diversity in their communities. Program activities are dedicated to expanding students' experiences with diversity and to assist them in developing cultural competency. The Social Work Program conducts all of its activities without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age,marital status, local commission status, or status with regard to public assistance.