Department of Health Sciences and Nursing

The Department of Health Sciences and Nursing offers the following undergraduate academic programs: Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, Health Science and Nursing. The department offers RN to BSN programs for traditional and nontraditional students seeking professional certificates or Bachelor of Science degrees. All programs provide state-of-the-art professional preparation that includes course work in the natural and social sciences, liberal arts, and general education. Graduates are prepared to meet the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic challenges of our changing healthcare system.

Accreditation

Refer to Accreditation and Memberships for the department’s accreditation memberships and addresses.

Upon completion of the clinical requirements of the department’s programs, students are eligible to sit for professional certification, registration, and/or state licensure examinations.

Academic Standards

Specific program standards are outlined in each professional program’s student handbook. Students must attain a grade of C or better in WRT 110 and WRT 111 or their equivalents. These courses must be taken for a letter grade and may not be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Professional Phase of Study

Students take courses in various colleges at the University of Hartford during their undergraduate experience. The professional component of each program includes courses offered by the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions that are required for the major. The courses are also reviewed by external accrediting agencies. In radiologic technology and respiratory care, students typically begin their professional study during their sophomore year.

Students of our programs may be required to undergo criminal background checks and/or drug screening prior to placement at an affiliate partner. The results of the background check or drug screen may result in the denial of eligibility for a student to participate in fieldwork at one or more of our affiliates. This may also limit the ability of a student to graduate from the applicable degree program. Please refer to the specific program for additional information.

Additional Requirements

Transportation to and from clinical sites and living expenses are the responsibility of the student. Students in the health sciences are required to purchase malpractice insurance before beginning their clinical placements. Students may also be required to purchase their own uniforms and/or lab coats to meet the requirements of a clinical site. It is strongly recommended that students, with the advice of their personal physicians, obtain Hepatitis B and all other immunizations prior to entering the clinical component of their program. Students in the Radiologic Technology and Respiratory Care programs must provide evidence of medical insurance coverage at least equal to the coverage provided by the University’s student healthcare insurance policy.

Advising

The Department of Health Sciences and Nursing has established a first-year and transfer student curriculum to assist new students in adjusting to academic and campus life and to begin to examine issues related to the healthcare professions. Students meet regularly in small classes with a faculty advisor during the fall and spring semesters to discuss educational goals, curricular and extracurricular options, career opportunities and healthcare issues. The relationship developed between faculty and student helps to ensure the student’s academic success at the University.

Premedical professions students participate in the University’s Premedical Advising program, which begins in the second semester of the first year. This special program assists students in achieving their professional goals by offering a structured advising program that provides the solid foundation needed for further study in the medical professions.

Continuance into Professional Course Work

When health professions students are admitted directly into their major, the letter of acceptance indicates the year that the student will enter the professional phase of the program. Students are guaranteed placement in the professional program for the date indicated in their acceptance letter and need not reapply to the program as long as and only if they (1) maintain continuous full-time status and (2) maintain the specified overall GPA and science GPA required for their program of study. Students who do not meet the above criteria forfeit their guaranteed placement.

Enrollment in Courses at Other Institutions

Health sciences students may enroll in courses at other institutions in accordance with University policy. The appropriate form must be signed by the program director. Grades attained in approved science courses will be included in the calculation of the science grade point average, although they will not be reflected in the official university grade point average. Science courses taken by transfer students at other institutions are also included in the science grade point average calculation. Students enrolled in the Health Science Pre-Professional programs may not take science courses at another institution.

Honors Program

Qualified students in the Department of Health Sciences and Nursing are eligible to participate in the University Scholars program and in honors courses offered by the department, in the All-University Curriculum, and in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Graduate Courses

Seniors in good academic standing are eligible to take selected graduate courses in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions and the College of Arts and Sciences with the permission of their advisor and the course instructor.

Health Science (BS)

The Health Science program is a Bachelor of Science curriculum that may be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Individuals may enter the program as first-year or transfer students. The premedical professions program of study prepares students for professional graduate study in health-related fields, such as physician assistant, pharmacy, occupational or speech therapy, or dentistry. The program may also be pursued as a Bachelor of Science completion degree for healthcare professionals who have attained clinical competency through hospital-based or community college health professions programs.

The upper-level program is open to all certified allied health personnel and to registered nurses (associate or diploma). The degree may qualify these individuals for professional advancement, graduate study, or for advanced certification.

The flexible curriculum allows students the opportunity to study, in addition to the science core courses, advanced areas of science and medicine or to develop skills in managerial operations, educational techniques, computer science technology, or communication.

Admission Requirements

Upper-level program applicants should hold the appropriate professional certification or license, and their academic records should include formal clinical study from an accredited program. (Pre-professional and physical therapy applicants refer to specific admission information.)

Applicants who have completed formal programs of study in allied health or nursing, and hold the appropriate professional certification or license, may be granted up to 60 credits toward the lower-division degree requirements. Thirty credits may be awarded for a one-year, hospital-based, allied health program. Additional credit may be obtained through the University’s LINCS (Learning in Noncredit Settings) program.

Within the Health Science program, pre-professional tracks that are offered include pre-chiropractic, pre-optometry, pre-osteopathic medicine, pre-pharmacy, and pre-podiatry. Each program adheres to the University’s Manual of Academic Policies and Procedures, and each professional program has a student handbook that details academic policies specific to that program.

Joint-Degree Programs

The Health Science program has articulation agreements with five professional doctoral degree programs: the New England College of Optometry, located in Boston’s Back Bay area; New York Chiropractic College, located in Seneca Falls, N.Y.; New York College of Podiatric Medicine, located on Park Avenue in New York City; University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, located on the Maine coast in Biddeford; College of Notre Dame of Maryland School of Pharmacy; and Ross University School of Medicine. Prospective students with questions about our joint-degree programs may call Dr. Oakes at 860-768-5746.

Admission Requirement

For admission into the Health Sciences programs, 16 units of secondary subjects are expected, among which the following are strongly recommended:

English	4 units
Social studies	2 units
Foreign language	2 units
Mathematics (including one unit of algebra and trigonometry)	3 units
Science	2 units
Other academic subjects	3 units

Applicants for the Bachelor of Science degree programs must have three years of college preparatory mathematics, including trigonometry.

General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements for A.S. Degree (ENHP)

General Education Requirements for B.S. Degree (ENHP)

General Education Requirements for Transfer Students (ENHP)

Transfer Students

Transfer student programs are designed individually, with consideration given to academic history and to the specific program into which a student is transferring. Due to stringent state and national licensure requirements for the various programs within the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, cumulative grade point average requirements demand that transfer students plan their programs carefully and that they keep in close contact with their academic advisors. Transfer student admission policies vary from program to program; however, all transfer students must have attained a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for transfer into the Radiologic Technology, and Respiratory Care programs, and a GPA of 2.33 to be able to transfer into the Health Science program.

Facilities

The on-campus facilities of the Department of Health Sciences and Nursing are located in Dana Hall and the ISET complex. Features of the building include a simulated clinical laboratory, an energized imaging laboratory for radiography, classrooms, clinical skills teaching laboratories, and a combined laboratory/classroom for radiologic technology and respiratory care. Dana Hall also houses faculty offices and individual research laboratories for graduate student and faculty use.

Undergraduate Preprofessional Programs for Health Science Majors B.S. Degree (120 credits minimum)

Combined Bachelor of Science/doctoral programs at the University of Hartford, in association with several collegiate medical professional institutions, provide a unique opportunity for students with career goals in the areas of chiropractic, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and podiatry. The programs allow for the completion of the Bachelor of Science and a doctorate within a seven-year (or less) period. Initial study at the University of Hartford allows the student to complete the general education requirements of the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions; the basic sciences required for the health science major; and the prerequisite requirements for professional study. Typically, four years at an affiliated institution prepares the graduate for a career in the chosen health professional field.

Professional curricula include both basic science and clinical practice. The combined programs allow University of Hartford students to complete the fourth-year requirements of the B.S. in Health Science program during the first year of study at the affiliated professional institution. Refer to specific program information for curriculum and admission requirements: Pre-Chiropractic ; Pre-Optometry ; Pre-Osteopathic Medicine ; Pre-Pharmacy ; and Pre-Podiatry .

Nursing (BSN)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is an upper-level program designed not an entry level RN, it is an upper-level program designed for the practicing nurse who already holds the RN license. Graduates of the BSN program are prepared for advancement in professional nursing as well as graduate study in nursing.

The B.S.N. curriculum focuses on transforming the student’s perspective from passive to active learner, acute care to community focus, medical to nursing model, disease to health promotion orientation, job to career, and individualism to a community of scholarly caring.

Facilities

A comprehensive collection of nursing journals and books as well as audiovisual equipment are housed in the Mortensen Library. There are five computer laboratories on campus, supplied with a variety of personal computers, printers, and software. The Beatrice Fox Auerbach Hall houses the offices for the Nursing programs.

Accreditation and Memberships

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the State of Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing (CCNE). CCNE maintains program information on tuition, fees, and length of program. Contact CCNE at One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120; 202-887-6791.

The Nursing program belongs to the following organizations: American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), National League for Nursing (NLN), and Connecticut League for Nursing (CLN).

Financial Aid

Prospective students should check with the personnel office of their employer to find out if tuition reimbursement is a benefit to which they are entitled. Many institutions provide full or partial reimbursement for course work that leads to a degree. Nursing students who carry a minimum of 6 credits per semester are eligible to apply for the low-interest Stafford Loan. Forms are available in the Student Financial Assistance office.

Admission

Each applicant must submit the following:

evidence of RN licensure in the United States
official transcripts from nursing school and any colleges attended
evidence of a minimum of a C average in lower-division nursing courses

The University of Hartford participates in the Dual Admission Agreement of the Connecticut Community College Nursing Program.

Nurses who have graduated from foreign schools of nursing must obtain RN licensure in the state of Connecticut. To be eligible to sit for the state licensing exam, a graduate of a foreign nursing program must first pass a two-part exam given by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS, 3600 Market St., Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651, U.S.A.; telephone: 215.349.8767, fax: 215.662.0425).

Advanced Placement

Registered nurses interested in the BSN program are encouraged to contact the Nursing program and request a preliminary evaluation of their academic work as part of an informational interview. Under the terms of the Connecticut Articulation Agreement (2002), licensed registered nurses who are accepted into the University of Hartford’s B.S.N. program will receive a minimum of 60 credits toward their degree.

Academic Standards

A grade of C or better is required in each nursing course.

Radiologic Technology/Diagnostic Imaging (BS/Cert)

The four-year program in Radiologic Technology leads to a Bachelor of Science and a Certificate in Radiography (RAD). The curriculum consists of basic science and math, general education including humanities, arts, and social sciences; and professional radiography core courses. Students are able to practice various radiographic procedures and techniques within our fully energized x-ray laboratory.

Beginning in the second year and concurrent with didactic course requirements, RAD students complete clinical rotations at our local affiliate institutions. This “hands-on” experience occurs under the supervision of practicing medical imaging professionals and affords students the opportunity to clinically apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and lab. Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Connecticut Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Connecticut Valley Radiology, Grove Hill Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, Jefferson Radiology, Johnson Surgical Center, Manchester Memorial Hospital, New Britain General Hospital, Radiology Associates of Hartford, Rockville General Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, and UCONN Health Center serve as clinical affiliates for the Radiologic Technology program.

By the end of the third year, students have typically completed all required didactic and clinical radiography courses and have demonstrated competence of a predetermined list of radiographic procedures. Students will have completed the requirements for the Associate Degree in Health Sciences, which provides the eligibility to take the national examination in radiography offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Candidates for the credentialing examination must also comply with the Rules of Ethics outlined by the ARRT. Successful completion of this exam provides the radiography credential required to become a practicing x-ray technologist. Students with a history of criminal proceedings, military court-martial, regulatory agency disciplinary actions, and/or academic honesty violations may be ineligible for the AART credentialing examination.

During their fourth year, students fulfill the requirements of the baccalaureate degree, preparing them to take a leadership role in healthcare and society through an undergraduate concentration in management, education, communication, computer science, or advanced science and medicine. Students may also choose to specialize in either computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound (sono) during their fourth year.

Medical imaging is a vital component of the health care system. As a medical imaging professional, the radiologic technologist (or radiographer) employs X-rays and other forms of energy to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury. Radiographers are employed in various healthcare institutions including clinics, hospitals, and medical centers, serving as assistants to radiologists and other physicians. The typical medical imaging department consists of a vast array of sophisticated imaging department consists of a vast array of sophisticated imaging equipment and computer networks. This dynamic work environment requires the radiographer to combine state-of-the-art technical skills with superb patient care to produce high-quality medical images of the body.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet requirements established by the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. Prior high school or college courses should include mathematics, biology, and either chemistry or physics. Students are encouraged to complete 20 hours of internship experience prior to beginning the professional component curriculum in their sophomore year.

Transfer Admission

Students interested in potential transfer into the Radiologic Technology (RAD) program should consult with their academic advisor to facilitate the completion of the required prerequisite math and science course work. Due to the limited enrollment of the RAD program, the opportunity to transfer is also based on space availability. Decisions on transfer into the RAD major are made each May for the following fall semester. Candidates are selected from a waiting list by the program faculty. Transfer decisions are based on the academic achievement of the waitlisted students. Please consult your academic advisor or the Department of Health Sciences for more information on transfer into the RAD program.

Accreditation

The Radiologic Technology program is licensed and accredited by the State of Connecticut and accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (www.jrcert.org), located at 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182; 312.704.5300; mail@jrcert.org.

Respiratory Care (BS)

The four-year program in Respiratory Care leads to the Bachelor of Science and therapist-level certification. Based in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, the program offers the student the best of two worlds: a liberal arts education and a highly skilled, allied health career. The four-year program is accredited by the Commision on Accreditation of Respiratory Care, and by the State of Connecticut. During the program the student pursues both on-campus and hospital-based study. Clinical study begins during the second year and is integrated throughout the second, third, and fourth years. With the assistance of the clinical faculty, students select two areas of specialization that may include pediatrics, adult critical care, pulmonary function, patient assessment and education, allied health education, management, supervision, or research.

The program is open to qualified full-time and part-time students and welcomes applications from associate-degreed, registered respiratory care practitioners.

Programs

Requirements

Undergraduate Program(s) & Major(s)

Joint Degree Programs

Undergraduate Major/Certification

Radiologic Technology (Diagnostic Imaging), B.S./Certificate

Minor(s)

Health Science Minor

Certification

Courses

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