Health Science is an interdisciplinary program grounded in the liberal arts. The major is comprised of courses in Health Promotion, Nutrition, Substance Abuse and Addictions, Physical Activity, Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology. Students learn how environmental, socioeconomic, and personal factors influence the health of individuals and populations. All Health Science majors complete the Health Science core, which focuses on health and health promotion. To complete the Health Science major, students select one of three options: Health Promotion and Wellness, Nutrition, or Substance Abuse and Addictions. Prospective students should meet with a faculty advisor during their first semester to review the application process that is required for each of the options within Health Science. Specific requirements and standards are listed for each of the options.
Health Promotion and Wellness Option
The Health Promotion and Wellness option offers two specializations: Community Health and Behavior and Health. Students select one of the specializations and complete option requirements and specialization requirements. Health Promotion and Wellness option graduates work to change policies, environments, attitudes, and behaviors that affect health. The Community Health specialization prepares students for professional careers in community health education, global health, or for graduate programs in public health or health education. The Behavior and Health Specialization prepares students for such graduate programs as Health Psychology, Pain Management, or Behavioral Health.
The application process for admission to the Health Promotion and Wellness option should be initiated during the first semester for students intending to major in Health Science and typically completed by the end of the second semester. Each student should meet with a Health Science faculty advisor and take HLSC 101 Health and Wellness. The review of applications and notification of the results of this review will be made following the second semester. If a student is not accepted, he or she should schedule a consultation with his or her Health Science faculty advisor. During the conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency that need to be addressed. Once admitted, the student must officially declare his or her major through a faculty advisor.
Admission Criteria
Overall GPA of 2.5, major GPA of 2.5, and a grade C or higher in HLSC 101 Health and Wellness is required. For transfer students, equivalent transferred courses may be considered if approved by health science faculty.
Health Promotion and Wellness Requirements
Allied Discipline Requirements
16 credits
BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab
BIO 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab
INCHEM 100 Introduction to Chemistry
IHCOMM 171 Public Speaking
Allied discipline courses are prerequisites for courses in the major. The BIO sequence should be started in the second semester of the first year.
Community Health Specialization
24 credits
HLSC 305 Epidemiology in Health Science
Select one:
- HLSC 318 Nutrition throughout the Lifespan
- ISPSYC 312 Lifespan Psychology
HLSC 325 Community Health
HLSC 330 Health Psychology
IIENST 150 Global Environmental Change
Select one:
- MATH 141 Introductory Statistics
- MATH 242 Applied Statistics
Behavior and Health Specialization
28 credits
PSYC 101 General Psychology
Select one:
- HLSC 318 Nutrition throughout the Lifespan
- ISPSYC 312 Lifespan Psychology
HLSC 330 Health Psychology
PSYC 221 Social Psychology
PSYC 242 Personality
PSYC 253 Brain and Behavior
PSYC 345 Abnormal Psychology
ELECTIVES
Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree. Please meet with a faculty advisor for selecting electives.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
120 credits
Nutrition Option
60 credits
The Nutrition option is currently granted initial accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. This option provides the basic academic preparation necessary to become a registered dietitian (RD). Certification as an RD is often mandatory for professional positions and requires completion of an approved postgraduate supervised practice program.
Typically, a student who successfully completes the ACEND-approved curriculum, an ACEND-accredited internship or pre-professional practice program, and the registration examination becomes qualified as a health professional responsible for services in areas such as nutrition service-related management, clinical or community dietetics, education, consultation, private practice, and research.
The application process for admission to the Nutrition option occurs during the first semester for freshmen and transfers. Each student should meet with a faculty advisor and take HLSC 101 Health and Wellness. The review of applicants and notification of the results of this review will be made by the end of that semester. If a student is not accepted, he or she should schedule a consultation with one or more members of the Health Science Admissions Committee. During the conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency that need to be addressed. Once admitted, the student must officially declare his or her major through a faculty advisor.
Admission Criteria
Students must have an overall GPA of 2.8. Application for permanent admission to the option is typically completed at the end of the student's first year. After completion of the following courses with an average of B or higher (3.0), students interested in pursuing the Nutrition option must submit an application for permanent admission to the Health Science Nutrition option:
- HLSC 101 Health and Wellness
- INHLSC 175 Essentials of Nutrition Science
- INCHEM 103 Fundamentals of Chemistry
For transfer students, equivalent transferred courses may be considered if approved by the Admissions Committee.
Application Process
The application process for admission to the Nutrition option occurs just after grades are finalized in the spring semester. The following steps should be followed by all students interested in applying to the Nutrition option:
- Arrange an appointment with an advisor in the Nutrition option and complete a Declaration of Major form that is then submitted to the Registrar's office.
- Complete the following introductory courses required before the "official" application for permanent admission to the Nutrition option will be considered: HLSC 101 Health and Wellness, INHLSC 175 Essentials of Nutrition Science, INCHEM 103 Fundamentals of Chemistry. An overall GPA of 2.8 and an average grade of B or better in those courses previously listed are required for application submission.
If the above criteria are met, applications can be officially submitted for permanent admission to the option. Applications should be submitted to the Nutrition option program director immediately upon completion of the spring semester. Applications need to be postmarked by one week following the last day of final exams in the spring semester. Enrollment in additional Health Science/Nutrition option major courses will not be allowed if application has not been made.
The review of applications and notification of the results of this review will be made in writing before the start of the fall semester. Students who have met the application criteria will be considered admitted to the option. The overall GPA of these students will then be monitored by their Nutrition option advisor to assure that it remains at the 2.8 or higher level.
Students who are not admitted into the Nutrition option or do not submit application materials to the option by due dates will be deregistered from HLSC 215 and/or HLSC 216. These students will be able to adjust their schedule using the online registration process at least 1 week prior to the start of classes. If a student is not permanently accepted into the Nutrition option they should complete the following steps:
- If the student desires to continue to pursue the option, schedule a consultation with her/his Nutrition option advisor. During this conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency, which need to be addressed.
- If the student does not desire to continue to pursue the Nutrition option, complete a new "Declaration of Major" form removing them from the Nutrition option. If the student does not complete this step, their advisor will notify the Registrar's office to change their major to "undeclared."
- If interested and if deficiencies are addressed, the student can reapply one time at the conclusion of the following fall semester.
Nutrition Option Requirements
40 credits
HLSC 215 Nutrition Science and Application
HLSC 216 Current Topics in Food Culture
HLSC 225 The Nutrition Profession (2 credits)
HLSC 240 Microbiology for Health Professionals
HLSC 310 Food Science
HLSC 313 Foodservice Management
HLSC 318 Nutrition throughout the Lifespan
HLSC 410 Experimental Foods (2 credits)
HLSC 415 Nutritional Biochemistry
HLSC 416 Medical Nutrition Therapy
HLSC 473 Practicum: Nutrition
The following courses are required for ACEND:
Allied Discipline Requirements
20 credits
BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab
BIO 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab
INCHEM 103 Fundamentals of Chemistry and Lab
CHEM 220 Fundamental Organic Chemistry and Lab
IHCOMM 171 Public Speaking
Allied Discipline courses are prerequisites for courses in the major. The BIO sequence should be started in the second semester of the freshman year.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
120 credits
(Integrative Studies + HLSC core + Option + Allied)
Substance Abuse/Addictions Option
36 credits
The Substance Abuse/Addictions option at Keene State College is an academic program with practical training in preparation for further studies in the field or entry-level employment in Substance Abuse/Addictions. The program provides students with a theoretical understanding of substance abuse and addictions and an introduction to counseling, treatment, and related practices. The curriculum emphasizes research, theory, and practice regarding the continuum of care in addictions. Students can specialize in the area of prevention or treatment in course selection and internship placement.
Depending on the criteria of each state, the work in this Substance Abuse/Addictions program may be applied toward becoming a licensed or certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor or prevention specialist. However, this process is pursued separately through the students' State Bureau of Substance Abuse, Prevention, and Treatment Services.
The application process for admission to the Substance Abuse/Addictions option should be initiated during the first semester for students intending to major in Health Science and typically completed by the end of the second semester. Each student should meet with a Health Science faculty advisor and take HLSC 101 Health and Wellness. The review of applications and notification of the results of this review will be made following the second semester. If a student is not accepted, he or she should schedule a consultation with his/her Health Science faculty advisor. During the conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency that need to be addressed. Once admitted, the student must officially declare his or her major through a faculty advisor.
Admission Criteria
Overall GPA of 2.5, major GPA of 2.5, and a grade C or higher in HLSC 101 Health and Wellness is required. For transfer students, equivalent transferred courses may be considered if approved by Health Science faculty.
Substance Abuse/Addiction Requirements
20 credits
HLSC 200 Alcohol and Other Drugs: The Fundamentals
HLSC 382 Addiction Counseling and Management
HLSC 386 Chemical Dependency Diagnosis and Treatment
HLSC 492 Internship in Substance Abuse and Addictions
Select one of the following:
- HLSC 489 Drug Abuse Prevention
- HLSC 491 Advanced Drug Treatment Methods
Allied Discipline Requirements
16 credits
IHCOMM 171 Public Speaking
BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab
BIO 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab
INCHEM 100 Introduction to Chemistry
Allied Discipline courses are prerequisites for courses in the major. The BIO sequence should be started in the second semester of the first year.
ELECTIVES
Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
120 credits
