College of Health

AT-A-GLANCE

College web-page: https://health.csuohio.edu/

The College of Health is composed of seven academic units: the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, the Department of Music Therapy, the School of Nursing, the Department of Occupational Therapy, the Department of Physical Therapy, and the School of Social Work. Our undergraduate and graduate degree programs are designed to prepare students for a variety of health-related careers. This preparation is facilitated through classroom instruction, interactive laboratory experiences, and real-world practice during field placements/clinical rotations. Our dedicated faculty and staff provide individualized advising and mentoring from admission through graduation to facilitate student success.

Whether a student is interested in patient care, health education, administration, counseling, or health promotion, there is something for everyone in the College of Health. As an undergraduate, students have the opportunity to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Exercise Science, Health Science (including pre-professional tracks), Music Therapy, Nursing, or Social Work. Students can continue the pursuit of their educational and career goals within the College of Health through a variety of graduate and certificate programs specific to Community Health, Exercise Science, Health Sciences, Music Therapy, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Social Work.

The College of Health features state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Nursing Resource and Simulation Laboratory and an on-site Speech and Hearing clinic. Students gain hands-on experience working with up-to-date technology in our motion analysis lab, human performance lab, as well as our anatomy lab. We have built strong partnerships with numerous healthcare organizations and community agencies throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond where our students can complete required field placements/clinical rotations. Our programs emphasize the importance of interprofessional practice, education, and research to optimize health and wellness within our communities and delivery of quality and effective care to diverse populations.

ACADEMIC PROCEDURES

ADVISING

Professional Staff Advising - All students are strongly encouraged to consult with an advisor early and often in their academic career. Advising related to the General Education Requirements, University Requirements, and College Requirements is available through professional staff advisors. Professional staff advisors provide a wide range of services, including information on college and university graduation requirements, information on academic regulations, evaluation of transfer credit, assistance in planning a course schedule, and assistance in preparing petitions. Students should utilize the Starfish feature in CampusNet in order to determine their staff advisor and/or to schedule appointments.

Faculty Advising - In addition to a professional staff advisor, faculty advisors are available for most programs. Major programs differ in the number and nature of credit hours required. Students should consider their own interests, aptitudes, and professional aspirations in selecting a major. Also, students should pay close attention to university, college, and major requirements, and then plan a schedule to ensure that they do not unnecessarily extend the period of time it takes to complete a degree. Students are expected to consult with faculty advisors within academic departments to discuss the course requirements within a particular major.

DECLARING A MAJOR

All students should declare a major as soon as possible after admission to the university, but they must declare a major by the end of their second year (or before the completion of 60 credit hours). By declaring a major early, students will have more opportunities to work with faculty members and to participate in the research or creative activities of their academic department. Students who declare a major are also able to take advantage of the Degree Audit feature in CampusNet, which provides a preliminary evaluation of a student’s progress toward a degree, and have an individualized graduation plan prepared by an advisor.

To declare or change a major (or minor), please contact your professional staff advisor. Through CampusNet, students may also use the “Ask a Question” feature in Degree Audit to initiate the declaration or change of major process.

Students must be in good academic standing in order to declare a major in the College of Health. The following programs have additional admission criteria.

Health Sciences: Pre-Therapy

Students who meet one of the following criteria may declare the Health Sciences Pre-Therapy Track as their major. Students who have not met this criteria will be placed into the Pre-Health Science: Pre-Therapy designation until they qualify for entry into the major. 

1. Freshmen who meet the following requirements may declare the Health Sciences Pre-Therapy Track (pre-­OT or pre-­PT) as their major upon admission to CSU:
   1. ACT 24 or SAT of 1180 or
   2. Accepted into CSU’s Honors or Scholars Programs OR
2. Students who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours of postsecondary education at CSU may declare the Health Sciences Pre-­Therapy Track (pre-­OT or pre-PT) as their major if they have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at CSU OR
3. Transfer students who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours of postsecondary education at another accredited institution may declare Health Sciences Pre‐Therapy Track as their major upon admission if they have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The Registrar’s Office calculates cumulative GPAs as part of the admission’s process.

Music Therapy

Music Therapy candidates accepted to the university will be admitted as Pre-Music Therapy majors. Formal admission into the Department of Music Therapy bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy program will be assessed following first year of study.

Nursing

Admission to the Nursing major is selective and is granted on a competitive basis. Selection of students for the Nursing major uses a holistic admissions process that is based on a number of criteria including prerequisite and overall grade-point averages, essays, interviews and related health-care experience. The number of available spaces in the program is limited. Prospective Nursing students can declare a Pre-Nursing designation until they are admitted to the Nursing program. Further information on the Nursing admission criteria can be found on the School of Nursing page .

Social Work

Students who declare a major in Social Work will automatically be given the Pre-Social Work designation. After completing the required coursework, students can submit their application and letter of reference to the program coordinator, who determines eligibility to declare the Social Work major. Further information on the Social Work admission criteria can be found on the School of Social Work page .

Other

Although they are not considered majors, students can add a “Pre-Medicine”, “Pre-Pharmacy”, “Pre-Dentistry”, “Pre-Optometry” or “Pre-Veterinary” designation to their academic record, in addition to a declared major, to denote their intent to pursue admission to a professional school. For these and all students with clinical healthcare intentions, the Pre-Professional division of Career Development and Exploration also provides resources, application assistance, mock interviews, and supports individual student goals. 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Each student is solely responsible for meeting all curricular requirements and for knowing and following all academic regulations and policies of the College Health, the university, and the major. Students are urged to review all appropriate sections of this catalog, in particular the chapter on University Regulations  as well as the chapters on Academic Procedures and Academic Policies for the College of Health.

Petitions for a waiver of a requirement or for an exception to a regulation (either for the college or university) can be obtained from a professional staff advisor.

Although students must assume responsibility for knowing and fulfilling graduation requirements and for knowing and following policies and regulations, advisors are available to assist them. Whenever in doubt, a student should consult with an academic advisor for assistance.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE COMPLETION

The College of Health awards degrees to students who meet the following general requirements:

Successful completion of a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, of which 24 semester credit hours must be earned in 300- and/or 400-level courses, in residence. Credit toward the degree must be earned in courses acceptable to the departments and curricula of the College of Health, which includes those courses included in official articulation agreements and other courses taken through accredited institutions.

All students must successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. However, some degree programs may require more than the minimum. Students must comply with the requirements of their major program.

All students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 semester credit hours at the 300- and/or 400-level, in residence, at Cleveland State University. Some degree programs, however, may require more than the college minimum.

Fulfillment of all of the General Education Requirements of the university and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 as set forth in the section on University Regulations . (Note: A minimum grade-point average higher than 2.00 may be required by a department. Students must meet the requirements as specified by their major department.)

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

ACCELERATED MASTER’S PROGRAMS

High-achieving undergraduates in select College of Health programs have the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree with one extra year of study. Accelerated Master’s programs are available for the Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Health Sciences; Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Master of Public Health; Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Master of Education in Exercise Science. Students must meet eligibility criteria set by the academic department. Interested students should contact their faculty advisor.

CO-OPS, INTERNSHIPS AND CLINICALS

Co-op, internship, and clinical opportunities are available and may be required in some programs. These experiences place students in actual work settings related to their educational and career interests. Students may be able (or may be required) to register in a corresponding course, thereby earning academic credit.

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

Departments within the College Health may accept credit by examination for specific courses. The subject material to be covered, the method of examination, the minimal acceptable score/grade for passing, and the number of semester credit hours to be granted will be determined by the academic departments. Contact the faculty advisor for further information. Credit may also be earned through CLEP examinations, administered through the Testing Center.

HEALTH SCIENCES ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS WITH CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (TRI-C) AND LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE (LCC)

The College of Health has articulation agreements with Cuyahoga Community College and Lakeland Community College for those students who have completed, or have been accepted to and intend to complete, an associate degree in one of the eligible allied health programs. The articulation agreements enable the associate-degree holder to complete the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) in approximately two years of additional full-time study beyond the associate degree, and will facilitate the transfer of credits from the associate degree to the baccalaureate degree. Pathway plans for this program can be found on the Transfer Center’s website. Interested Cuyahoga or Lakeland Community College students should contact their counselor/advisor or the College of Health Student Services Center to inquire about the Bachelor’s Completion Program for Allied Health Associate Degree Holders track of the BSHS. Cuyahoga Community College students who have not yet completed their associate degree are also encouraged to participate in the Dual Admission Program.

RN to BSN ARTICULATION AGREEMENT WITH CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (TRI-C)

The School of Nursing offers a three semester degree completion program for registered nurses with an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing. All nursing coursework for the RN-BSN is online. There are volunteer hours associated with NUR 405 - Gerontological Nursing . The program admits twice a year (fall and spring). The School of Nursing application deadline is June 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. Students admitted through the articulation agreement are eligible to apply for the completion scholarship.

PATHWAYS TO PRACTICE (PIPELINE TO MEDICINE)

Cleveland State University sponsors the Pathways to Practice program for students interested in practicing urban medicine. The goal of this unique program is to recruit a diverse group of future physicians with an expressed interest in serving NE Ohio. Four pathways are available. Students in all pathways complete needed medical school prerequisites, prepare for success on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and complete an urban health certificate.

EARLY ASSURANCE UNDERGRADUATE PATHWAY

Qualified undergraduate students, usually in their sophomore year, can apply for this partnership program with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Undergraduates can complete their bachelor’s degrees in most majors while taking pre-medicine science courses, urban health courses, and MCAT preparation courses, all while knowing they have a seat reserved for them at the NEOMED College of Medicine if they meet GPA and MCAT requirements.

POST-BACCALAUREATE EARLY ASSURANCE PATHWAY

Qualified students with a bachelor’s degree can apply for this partnership program with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Students take pre-medicine science courses, urban health courses, and MCAT preparation courses, all while knowing they have a seat reserved for them at the NEOMED College of Medicine if they meet GPA and MCAT requirements. Post-baccalaureate students who do not need to take or retake science prerequisites may be able to complete a Master of Science in Health Sciences or a Master of Public Health degree while in the program.

BERKMAN/JACKSON FELLOWS PATHWAY

Qualified students at either the undergraduate or post-baccalaureate level can apply for this program, which is designed to enhance student competitiveness for admission to medical school. Students take pre-medicine science courses, urban health courses, and MCAT preparation courses.

FRESH PATHWAY

As of Fall 2022, Pathways to Practice has offered a new pre-med track for recent high school graduates and incoming CSU freshmen called Fresh Pathway. The Fresh Pathway is designed to increase interest and enthusiasm for a career in the medical profession as well as provide extensive support during the pre-med journey. The new track will provide comprehensive wraparound services to student participants including success coaching, tutoring, academic planning and advising. There are also scholarship opportunities for students beginning their second year in the program.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE PATHWAY

Application to apply available March 15, 2024 

Beginning Fall 2024, CSU’s P2P is launching a new pre-med track for students transferring from partnering community colleges, Cuyahoga Community College, Lakeland Community College, and Lorain County Community College. We break down general education courses to create a pre-med curriculum that aligns with medical school requirements. We layer in courses that provide a base foundation in urban health and provide wrap-around support services to ensure your success. Please visit our website for more information.

Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Pathways to Practice program is proud to announce that they have entered into a formal agreement with Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine. DUQCOM will be welcoming its first medical school class in the summer of 2024. The P2P program will have an undergraduate pathway into DUQCOM and we are excited to add DUQCOM as an option for our P2P students.