Health and Community Studies

Introduction

The Department of Health and Community Studies is comprised of undergraduate (B.A. and B.S.) programs; a Human Services Bachelor of Arts and an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN); and two graduate programs; a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling (M.A.). Each program is committed to an academic learning experience that integrates theory and practice using a strengths-based model of professional practice. For more information on these programs, please visit www.wwu.edu/hcs.

Faculty

RAINE DOZIER (2008) Chair and Associate Professor. BA State University of New York; MA, PhD, University of Washington.
JACQUELYN BAKER SENNETT (2000) Professor. AB, Occidental College; PhD, Cornell University.
ANNE BLANCHARD (1997) Senior Instructor. BA, MEd Western Washington University; PhD, University of Washington.
ELIZABETH BOLAND (2004) Professor. Academic Program Director of Rehabilitation Counseling. BBA, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
SAMIT BORDOLOI (2013) Assistant Professor. BA, Hindu College; MSW, Tata Institute of Social Sciences; MS, Kansas State University; PhD, University of Connecticut.
DANA BRICKHAM (2014) Assistant Professor and RC Clinical Coordinator. BA, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin - Madison.
DEVYANI CHANDRAN (2014) Assistant Professor. BA, Lady Shri Ram College; MSW, Tata Institute of Social Sciences; PhD, University of Kansas.
HOPE CORBIN (2013) Assistant Professor. BA, State University of New York at Plattsburgh; MPhil, PhD, University of Bergen.
SONDRA CUBAN (2013) Professor. Academic Program Director of Adult and Higher Education. BA, Sonoma State University; MILS, University of Hawaii-Manoa; PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
STANFORD GOTO (2004) Associate Professor. BA, MA, PhD, University of California-Berkeley.
DIANA JONES (2008) Associate Professor. Academic Program Director of Human Services. BA, Adrian College; MA, Emory University; MTS, Candler School of Theology, Emory University; PhD, Vanderbilt University.
JOHN KORSMO (2006) Associate Professor. BA, Portland State University; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
KATHE MATRONE (2004) Senior Instructor. BA, Idaho State University; MS, Utah State University; PhD, Michigan State University.
JILL MOUNT (2012) Assistant Professor. BA, Earlham College; BSN, University of San Francisco; MSN, University of North Carolina; PhD, University of Washington.
TRULA NICHOLAS (1994) Associate Professor. BA, MS, Western Washington University; EdD, Nova Southeastern University.
CASEY SHILLAM (2013) Associate Professor. Academic Program Director of RN-to-BSN. BA, Portland State University; BSN, MS, PhD, Oregon Health and Science University.
KRISTI SLETTE (2000) Senior Instructor. BA, Western Washington University; MEd, Western Washington University.

Human Services
www.wwu.edu/hs

The Human Services major (B.A.) attracts students with a strong commitment to social and economic justice, human dignity, self-determination, and the desire to affect change through direct and indirect service delivery. Since the program’s inception in the mid 1970’s, Western has graduated thousands of human services majors who have committed their careers to the helping professions. Graduates work in agencies and organizations in such fields as mental health services, nonprofit management, human resources, faith-based services, community development, advocacy, public policy, corrections, and international relief. Graduates often serve as case managers, grant writers, educators, or administrators to address such social issues as poverty, child abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness. Many graduates pursue advanced study in social work, education, public policy, law, nonprofit management or counseling.

Course of Study

The faculty is committed to the idea that undergraduate preparation in human services requires both a strong academic foundation and a solid experiential base. Students who are enrolled in the major become members of an interdisciplinary and inter-professional community of learners who engage in classroom and field-based inquiry with WWU faculty, practicing professionals, and community members.

The Human Services curriculum is designed to meet National Standards in Human Services education as outlined by the Council for Standards in Human Services education (www.cshse.org). Students take many of their courses as a cohort. This learning community provides students with an opportunity to build a deep understanding of the human services profession in a dynamic and collaborative learning environment. Built on a liberal arts foundation, the core of the curriculum examines the profession within the context of self and individuals, small groups, organizations, communities, and global systems. Additionally, students gain knowledge and experience in case management and interventions, human development, diversity and social justice, applied research, agency management, and program planning and evaluation. Partnering with community based human services agencies and organizations, the program incorporates several quarters of field study, including practicum and internship, that integrates theory, knowledge, and skills with professional practice. Together classroom and field-based study prepares graduates to confront the challenges of the 21st century. For additional information visit: www.wwu/edu/hs.

Declaration Process

Human services program applicants must have a 2.75 GPA or higher overall college level work (with some exceptions as noted below) and must submit the following materials to be considered for admission to the major:

A completed Human Services program application, including written essay
A completed self-assessment of essential functions
A criminal history background check, which may also include fingerprinting
A signed contract indicating an understanding and intention to comply with the program’s expectations for academic and professional performance

Interviews may be required for admission to the program. Prospective students are encouraged to seek information online at www.wwu.edu/hs or in Miller Hall 318, 360-650-7759, prior to submitting an application. Please contact the program for application deadlines. Students with a Washington state transferable Associate of Arts degree must apply to both Western and the major.

Provisional Program Acceptance and Admission Exceptions

Human Services applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.75 but whose most recent 45 credits of college level work is 2.75 or above, may contact the department to discuss the provisional acceptance policy. A personal interview may be required.

Additionally, applicants who expect to be within 10 credits of completing Western’s GURs or within 5 credits of receiving a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) Associate Degree from a Washington state community college at the time they begin taking Human Services classes, are eligible to apply to the program. Contact the department for details.

A minor in Human Services is not available. Non-matriculated students, undeclared majors, and/or students from other majors at Western are able to enroll in some courses on a space available basis, with permission of the department.

Technology Competency and Access

Many courses in the major have an online learning component. Therefore, students admitted to the Department of Health and Community Studies are expected to maintain regular internet access and possess competence in the use of word processing, spreadsheet and database applications. All applicants are required to complete and submit the Technology Self-Assessment Statement when applying to the program.

Program Offerings and Tuition

The Human Services program is offered in Bellingham, Everett, and via Distance delivery. Some courses are hybrid, combining both face-to-face and online class meetings.

Note that tuition rates and fees are different for students enrolling at off campus locations.

Program Retention and Completion

Retention in the Human Services program is dependent upon each student’s ability to meet university requirements and the program’s essential functions and expectations for academic and professional performance. Prior to entering a practicum / internship placement, all students are required to successfully complete HSP 340 and the Practicum I benchmark examination. To qualify for program completion, students must successfully complete a comprehensive capstone portfolio that demonstrates they meet both program standards and National Standards in Human Services education, as outlined by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education (www.cshse.org). For additional information on the human services major, see www.wwu.edu/hs.

Questions

For additional information on the Human Services program, call 360-650-7759, or e-mail hsp.info@wwu.edu.

Nursing
www.wwu.edu/bsn

The Nursing BSN (RN-to-BSN) degree is a BSN completion program that includes 45 upper division credits to be completed at WWU. As an exclusively transfer degree at this time, it builds on and provides credit for previous GUR and nursing credits completed in an Associate Degree pre-licensure program along with WWU credits.

The RN-to-BSN program is specifically designed for nurses who have completed an Associate’s or Diploma nursing program, have their RN license already or who will take the NCLEX-RN exam and are successfully licensed as a Registered Nurse by the end of their 2nd quarter of study. It has been designed to meet the most recent AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008) through a collaborative career pathway that incorporates both prior learning from your pre-licensure nursing education along with RN-to-BSN course work. It is structured with classes meeting one day per week in order to allow returning nurses to balance their continued professional education along with ongoing work and personal responsibilities.

This innovative 5 quarter program of full-time study (8-9 quarters part-time) will prepare nurses with the professional competencies necessary for the increasing complexities of healthcare. It has been guided by national standards for nursing as well as the WWU Student Learning Objectives:

AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008)
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/essential-series
Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) Competencies
http://www.qsen.org
QUAD Council Competencies for Public Health Nursing
http://quadcouncilphn.org/
WWU General Education Requirements: Student Learning Objectives:
http://www.wwu.edu/vpue/gened/index.shtml

WWU RN-to-BSN Program will prepare graduates to:

Assimilate theories and concepts learned through the sciences and humanities into professional nursing practice.
Access, appraise and synthesize credibility of varied sources of evidence to inform clinical judgment and organizational decision-making for optimal healthcare delivery.
Promote a culture of evidence-based practice by integrating clinical expertise and diverse perspectives that support patient-centered care and optimal health outcomes.
Advocate for access to and delivery of equitable health care services with an understanding of the influences of individual, socio-cultural, legal and policy factors.
Apply principles of leadership, systems theory, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary communication to promote patient safety and quality care in a variety of settings.
Advocate for and practice health promotion and disease prevention strategies to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, communities and populations.
Coordinate the delivery of healthcare services through effective professional communication, patient care technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Provide BSN generalist care within the context of evolving professional standards and a commitment to life-long learning.

Admission Expectations

RN-to-BSN applicants with a GPA below 2.75 may contact the department to discuss the admissions exceptions policy. A personal interview will be required.

Technology Competency and Access

Adult and Higher Education
wce.wwu.edu/ahe/adult-and-higher-education

The Adult and Higher Education program is designed to prepare both entry-level and advanced practitioners as teachers, trainers, educators and administrators, particularly in community college and continuing education settings. Upon graduation, competence is expected in such areas as leadership, program development, instructional technology, teaching, research, policy making, curriculum development, assessment and program planning.

The program office is located in Miller Hall 417B, phone: 360-650-3190, email: ahe.info@wwu.edu.

Rehabilitation Counseling

www.wwu.edu/rc

The Rehabilitation Counseling program (M.A.) prepares dedicated and qualified rehabilitation counselors who will partner with individuals with disabilities to enhance their lives, including self-determination, independence, meaningful employment, and full community participation. Graduates work in a variety of public and private settings and are eligible to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination that is required by many organizations. The program includes a combination of delivery modes, with some classes offered at the program’s outreach site located at Everett Community College and other courses offered via distance in a web-based format.

The program office is located in 251 Gray Wolf Hall at the Everett University Center, phone: 425-405-1644, email: rc.everett@wwu.edu.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Graduate

Courses

Rehabilitation Counseling

Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400, 500 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Student Affairs Administration