Department of Health Sciences

For information about the Department of Health Sciences, click here.

The Department of Health Sciences offers the following undergraduate academic programs: Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Health Science. 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 health care provider, 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 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 are eligible to participate in the University Scholars program and in honors courses offered by the department, in the University Interdisciplinary Studies program, 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.

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 are located in Dana Hall and the ISET complex. Features of the building include a simulated clinical laboratory, an energized imaging laboratory for radiography, a hydration lab, 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.

Programs

Undergraduate Program(s)

Joint Degree Programs

Undergraduate Major/Certification

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

Minor(s)

Certification