Mar 28, 2024  
2023-24 Western Washington University Catalog 
    
2023-24 Western Washington University Catalog

Health and Community Studies


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Introduction

The Department of Health and Community Studies is comprised of two undergraduate programs, a Human Services Bachelor of Arts and an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN); two graduate programs, a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling (M.A.); and Compass 2 Campus (C2C), a mentoring component. Each program is committed to an academic learning experience that integrates theory and practice using a strengths-based model of professional practice and a shared commitment to equity and social justice. For more information on these programs, please visit wce.wwu.edu/hcs.

Faculty

DEVYANI CHANDRAN (2014) Chair and Professor. BA, Lady Shri Ram College; MSW, Tata Institute of Social Sciences; PhD, University of Kansas.
JACQUELYN BAKER SENNETT (2000) Professor. AB, Occidental College; PhD, Cornell University.
ELIZABETH BOLAND (2004) Professor. Academic Program Director of Rehabilitation Counseling. BA, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
DANA BRICKHAM (2014) Associate Professor and RC Clinical Coordinator. BA, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin - Madison.
SANDRA BRANSON (2023), Associate Professor, Academic Program Director of Nursing. BS, Texas Woman’s University Houston; MS, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing.
MICHELLE BURKHART (2022) Senior Instructor. BA and M.Ed., Western Washington University.
HEATHER COCHRAN (2018) Senior Instructor. BA. University of Massachusetts, Amherst; M.Ed. Western Washington University; MA California Institute of Integral Studies.
HOPE CORBIN (2013) Professor. BA, State University of New York at Plattsburgh; MPhil, University of Bergen; 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.
RAINE DOZIER (2008) Professor. BA State University of New York; MA, PhD, University of Washington.
CHRISTINE ESPINA (2017) Associate Professor. BSN, Oklahoma Baptist University; MSN, University of Washington; DNP, University of Washington.
GAIL GOULET (2014) Senior Instructor. BA, Simon Fraser University; MEd, Western Washington University; PhD, University of Glasgow.
JOHN KORSMO (2006) Professor. BA, Portland State University; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
BRETT KUWADA (2014) Senior Instructor. BA, Western Washington University; MA, Washington School of Professional Psychiatry; Psy.D., Argosy University Seattle.
KATHE MATRONE (2004) Senior Instructor. BA, Idaho State University; MS, Utah State University; PhD, Michigan State University.
THEODORE THORNHILL (20022) Assistant Professor, BA, Florida Atlantic University; MS, Florida State University; MA Sociology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Ph.D, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
NICOLE TORRES (2019) Assistant Professor, BA, Colorado Mesa University; MA, University of Chicago; PhD, University of Washington; MSW, University of Washington.

Human Services 

wce.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 effect change through direct and indirect service delivery. Since the program’s inception in the mid-1970s, Western has graduated thousands of human services majors who have committed their careers to the helping professions. Graduates work in a variety of settings as case managers, grant writers, youth workers, volunteer coordinators, human resource specialists, trainers, or advocates working with people who have experienced child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence, homelessness, addiction, and other social issues. Many graduates pursue advanced study in such areas as social work, education, public policy, law, nonprofit management, and counseling.

Course of Study

The major provides students with an opportunity to build a deep understanding of the human services profession within dynamic and collaborative learning environments. Built on a liberal arts foundation, the core of the curriculum examines the profession within the context of self, individuals and small groups, organizations, communities, and global systems. Partnering with community-based human services agencies and organizations, the major incorporates several quarters of field study, including two supervised internships, 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: wce.wwu.edu/hs.

The Human Services major is offered in Bellingham, Everett, and via distance delivery (with staff and advising support available in Bellingham, Everett, and Bremerton). Some courses in Bellingham and Everett are hybrid, combining both face-to-face and online class sessions. Students enrolling in the Distance program take all courses online.

Admission Expectations

Applicants to the major in Human Services with a GPA below 2.75 may contact the department to discuss the admissions exceptions policy. A personal interview may be required.

Questions

For additional information on the Human Services major, see wce.wwu.edu/hs, call 360-650-7759, or e-mail hsp.info@wwu.edu.

Nursing

wce.wwu.edu/rn-bsn

The Nursing BSN (RN-to-BSN) degree is a BSN completion program that includes 48 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, currently have their RN licensure or are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

Admission Expectations

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

Questions

For additional information on the RN-to-BSN Program, email bsn.applications@wwu.edu, go to wce.wwu.edu/rn-bsn or call 360-650-6700.

Adult and Higher Education

wce.wwu.edu/ahe

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

For additional information, the program office is located in Miller Hall 417B, see wce.wwu.edu/ahe, call 360-650-3190, or email ahe.info@wwu.edu.

Rehabilitation Counseling

wce.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 face-to-face, hybrid, and distance courses, with in-person class sessions offered at the program’s outreach site located on the Everett Community College campus.

For additional information, the program office is located in Office 326 of the Everett University Center, see wce.wwu.edu/rc, call 425-405-1644, or email rc.everett@wwu.edu.

Compass 2 Campus

wce.wwu.edu/c2c

The Compass 2 Campus (C2C) program is designed for University students to gain understanding of education systems and the role education plays in a diverse society through course work and the mentor process.

Information about the Compass 2 Campus program may be obtained by contacting:

Programs

    Undergraduate MajorUndergraduate MinorGraduate

    Courses

      Adult and Higher Education

       

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

      Compass 2 Campus

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

      Human Services

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

      Nursing

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

      Rehabilitation Counseling

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

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