Mar 28, 2024  
UofM 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
UofM 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

The School of Health Studies


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Richard J. Bloomer, PhD, Dean
106 Roane Fieldhouse
rbloomer@memphis.edu
www.memphis.edu/shs

The School of Health Studies (SHS) provides students with a quality education focused on the fundamental principles of health, exercise, nutrition, and physical activity, while equipping them with the cutting-edge knowledge and skills needed to fulfill leadership roles in their chosen area of specialty. From introductory courses in health and wellness, to specialized courses in nutrition therapy, biomechanics, health sciences, exercise physiology, and physical education teacher education, students are taught to analyze and synthesize data, and to develop alternative approaches to problem solving. As a result, students are prepared to move rapidly upward in their chosen career path upon graduation, whether seeking employment or advanced graduate study.

Undergraduate degrees in SHS may prepare students for graduate work in a variety of settings (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical education and recreation, strength and conditioning, medicine, physician assistant, dietetics and clinical nutrition, and more). Faculty members serve as mentors to students through laboratory and research activities, as well as through internships and study abroad opportunities. Five undergraduate and six graduate degree programs are currently offered within SHS. In addition, two graduate certificates are offered. A University-wide physical activity program is also coordinated through SHS.

Academic Programs

Major: Health Studies   (Concentrations in Dietetics; Exercise, Sport & Movement Sciences; Health Sciences; Healthcare Leadership)

Major: Physical Education Teacher Education  

Internships

  • For more information, including internship manual and application, please visit our internship webpage.

Within the School of Health Studies, undergraduate internship experiences are required and designed as culminating experiences that provide extensive, as well as intensive, hands-on work experience opportunities. The intern, while still a student, is expected to assume a responsible and comprehensive role that is commensurate with that of a full-time professional. Interns, in collaboration with their supervisors, are expected to establish objectives to be achieved during the internship experience. Credit hours assigned to internships range from 3 to 12 hours, depending on the requirements of various concentrations in the School.

Students enrolling in internship programs must complete prerequisites and program requirements in placements arranged by Dr. Dave Kean, SHS Coordinator of Internships, with the exception of Dietetics students who should contact Mary Catherine Schallert.
 

Study Abroad Programs

Most years, faculty members within the School of Health Studies lead students on a study abroad expedition. Students receive course credit and greatly benefit from the overall experience. For information pertaining to the upcoming trip, please contact Ms. Kathy Walker.

For Additional Information, Application, and Scholarship Information: Click here.

Research Opportunities

School of Health Studies Research

Faculty investigators within SHS are highly engaged in research within their respective disciplines. Some faculty are world-renown, developing and overseeing novel and focused research programs that command attention from investigators, clinicians, and other health specialists from around the world. Research within the SHS is funded through both internal and external sources, with faculty collectively securing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to support their work.

Due to the diversity of the academic disciplines within the SHS, several laboratories and supportive research areas exist, which provide resources to faculty and staff, as well as to graduate and undergraduate research assistants. Within and outside of the SHS, facilities are available to support cell culture studies, pre-clinical animal investigations (from rodent models), and human clinical investigations. Our current equipment inventory for laboratories within the SHS can be seen here.

Faculty investigators in the SHS are regularly seeking research participants. Please click here to see the current list of studies for which active recruitment is now taking place.

SHS Research Facilities

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory

    Director: Marie van der Merwe, PhD
     
  • Bone Densitometry and Body Composition Laboratory

    Director: Matthew Butawan
     
  • Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Laboratory

    Director: Richard J. Bloomer, PhD
     
  • Exercise Instructional Laboratory

    Director: Lucas Baumgartner, MS
     
  • Musculoskeletal Analysis Laboratory

    Director: Lawrence W. Weiss, EdD

 

  • Motor Behavior Laboratory

    Director: Yuhua Li, PhD

For more information, please visit the SHS Research website. In addition to the above facilities, which are directed by SHS faculty, several other research resources are available both on and off-campus. For example, on-campus facilities such as The Integrated Microscopy Center (IMC) and The W. Harry Feinstone Center for Genomic Research are available to support faculty research. Off-campus opportunities for collaboration are multiple, with investigators at The University of TN Health Science Center, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in addition to various medical device companies within the Memphis area.

 

Programs

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