Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Health Science - Public Health, Bachelor of Science (BS) / Pre-Occupational Therapy (SRU) (3+3)

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Effective Professional Communication: Communicate with clients in an individual or group setting and with health professionals in a variety of health settings using a combination of communication skills for a clear exchange of ideas and information, listening and comprehending the viewpoints of others, effectively presenting information in oral and written formats and integrating media/technology. (UO 1)
  • Professional Competency: Use reasoned judgment drawing upon a broad knowledge base from social, behavioral and natural science, education and health to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and coordinate health promotion for individuals and communities. (UO 2,3,4)
  • Professional Ethics: Apply high ethical standards to public health practice with a sensitivity to multicultural traditions, legal issues, and adherence to a code of ethics of professional health organizations. (UO 8,9,10)
  • Continual Professional and Personal Development: Continue personal and professional development in holistic health, including the components of physical, emotional, spiritual, social, environmental and vocational health, through continuing education, advanced study, and participation in professional health organizations. (UO 5,7,9)

What are your options?

Pre-Occupational Therapy SRU 3+3:  Earn a Doctor of Occupational Therapy in six years rather than seven. In the first three years, you complete your major courses and prerequisites for the SRU OTD program. At the end of your second year, you apply for admission into the SRU OTD program. If accepted, your first year in the SRU OTD program meets the remaining requirements for your undergraduate degree. If not accepted, you continue to complete your undergraduate degree and can reapply to the program. The accelerated option is for incoming freshmen only.

Pre-Occupational Therapy (SRU Traditional): Complete the requirements for your major and the prerequisites for the SRU OTD program and apply to the SRU OTD program in your senior year.

RELATED LINKS

Public Health - Pre-Occupational Therapy, BS Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

1st Major: Public Health

  • Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
  • Major GPA (only includes Health courses): 2.0 or higher

2nd Major: Pre-OT SRU 3+3 Public Health

  • Overall GPA: 3.00 or higher 

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements43-44
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements30
Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements14
Additional Occupational Therapy Prerequisite Courses18-19
Electives23-25

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate. However, because this is a pre-professional program, credits taken during the 1st year of the graduate program are applied toward the undergraduate credit hours to meet the 120 credits required for your undergraduate degree.

ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
BIOL 209Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
Physical Sciences Inquiry
Select one of the following:3-4
Elements of Physics I with Lab
Understanding the Physical World
Subtotal16-17
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Required Thematic Thread Coursework:
Medical Terminology
Introduction to Psychology
Total Hours43-44
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

  • If you choose to pursue Pre-Occupational Therapy SRU 3+3 Public Health and are not accepted into the OTD program, then additional coursework is required to complete a first major of Public Health. Please refer to Public Health Curriculum Guide.
Required Courses in Public Health
HLTH 103Health and Behavior Change3
HLTH 210Introduction to Public Health3
HLTH 301Introduction to Health Education3
HLTH 310Environmental Health3
HLTH 311Global Health3
HLTH 312Data Management for Health Science3
HLTH 313Biostatistics3
HLTH 314Nutrition and Health3
HLTH 406Program Planning and Evaluation3
HLTH 410Epidemiology3
Total Hours30
*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

NATURAL SCIENCE AND MATH COLLEGE-WIDE REQUIREMENTS

BIOL 209Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 309Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
CHEM 104Introduction Chemistry I3
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I3
Total Hours14

ADDITIONAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PREREQUISITE COURSES

EXSC 250Medical Terminology3
or HCAM 250 Medical Terminology for Healthcare Administrators
INDP 318Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies3
or SOWK 318 Research Methods
PHYS 201Elements of Physics I with Lab3-4
or RCTH 364 Biomechanics of Individuals with Disabilities
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC 244Developmental Psychology3
PSYC 276Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3
Total Hours18-19

CO-CURRICULAR AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. Conference attendance
  2. Service-Learning
  3. Internships
  4. Career Education
  5. Peer Education Opportunities

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Prerequisite Admission Requirements – Pre-Occupational Therapy SRU 3+3

For Application Requirements

Please refer to Slippery Rock University’s Occupational Therapy Studies (Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Studies) website for requirements: http://www.sru.edu/OT

Rock Studies 2

Prerequisite Courses - SRU Occupational Therapy
BIOL 209Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 309Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
EXSC 250Medical Terminology3
or HCAM 250 Medical Terminology for Healthcare Administrators
PHYS 201Elements of Physics I with Lab4
or RCTH 364 Biomechanics of Individuals with Disabilities
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I3
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC 244Developmental Psychology3
PSYC 276Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3
Anthropology or Sociology 13
Race and Ethnic Diversity in the USA
Introduction to Anthropology
Biological Anthropology
Health and Society
Cultural Area Studies
Minority Groups
The Family
Society, Culture and Self
Gender Roles and Society
Sociology of Aging
Disability, Community Inclusion, and Diversity
Human Diversity
Research Methods - Select One: 13
Research Methods in Exercise Science
Health Care Theory and Research Capstone Seminar
Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies
Psychological Science I: Research Methods
Applied Research and Evidenced-Based Practice
Research Methods
Total Hours33
1

Select one course. See My Rock Audit for specific courses.

Pre-Occupational Therapy SRU 3+3

If any of these requirements are not met, the 3+3 designation will be removed from the student’s record:

  1. A 3.0 or higher overall GPA must be maintained by the student.
  2. The student can only be enrolled in the Pre-Occupational Therapy SRU 3+3 program for a maximum of three (3) years, full-time continuous enrollment (fall/spring).

Provision

Should a Pre-Occupational Therapy SRU 3+3 student be unsuccessful in completing the 1st two semesters (summer or fall) of the Occupational Therapy Program and wants to complete the original undergraduate degree, it is solely up to the discretion of the undergraduate program Department Chair to determine which, if any, Occupational Therapy courses will count toward the completion of his/her undergraduate degree. In addition, students must complete any unfulfilled requirements of their undergraduate major. Students may still apply to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program with an earned Bachelor’s degree.

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

HEALTH SCIENCE PUBLIC HEALTH - BS (6266)
PRE-OT SRU 3+3 (6PHO)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 10.05.2023
UCC 2.28.23

RECOMMENDED THREE-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
HLTH 103 Health and Behavior Change 3
CHEM 104 Introduction Chemistry I 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours16
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
INDP 202
Introduction to Anthropology
or Human Diversity
3
PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
 Hours18
Second Year
Fall
HLTH 210 Introduction to Public Health 3
BIOL 209 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
EXSC 250 Medical Terminology 3
PSYC 244 Developmental Psychology 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Declare a Thematic Thread (Choose a Thematic Thread that contains PSYC 105 and EXSC 250) 2
 Hours16
Spring
HLTH 301 Introduction to Health Education 3
BIOL 309 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
PSYC 276 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology 3
STAT 152 Elementary Statistics I 3
Thematic Thread Requirement - 300+ Level 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall
HLTH 312 Data Management for Health Science 3
HLTH 314 Nutrition and Health 3
HLTH 406 Program Planning and Evaluation 3
INDP 318
Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies
or Research Methods
3
Thematic Thread Requirement - 300+ Level ** 3
 Hours15
Spring
HLTH 310 Environmental Health 3
HLTH 311 Global Health 3
HLTH 313 Biostatistics 3
HLTH 410 Epidemiology 3
PHYS 201
Elements of Physics I with Lab
or Biomechanics of Individuals with Disabilities
3-4
 Hours15-16
Fourth Year
Fall
If not admitted to SRU OTD Program
HLTH 309 Introduction to the Study of Disease 3
BIOL 210 Medical Microbiology with Lab 3
3 Public Health Supporting Coursework courses 9
 Hours15
Winter
Potential Online Winter Course
Global Health
 Hours0
Spring
If not admitted to SRU OTD Program
HLTH 440 Public Health Seminar 3
HLTH 450 Internship (or summer after senior year) 12
 Hours15
Summer
Potential On-line Summer Courses
Global Health
 Hours0
 Total Hours**126-127
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

**

You will already have if you declare a Thematic Thread Fall 2022 or later that includes PSYC 105 & Medical Terminology.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 6266
Concentration Code: 6HPO
Revised 10.05.2023