Allied Health

Joan Rocks, PhD, ATC, Chair, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, MSAH Graduate Program Director
Shelley Payne, DHS, PT, ATC, Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Sport Sciences
Department Office: Rike Center, Room 230

Mission Statement
Program Description
Goals and Objectives
Admission
Transfer Credit
Time Limit for Program Completion
Academic Advising
Research Project

MISSION STATEMENT

The Master of Science in Allied Health will provide students with an advanced professional skill set to broaden career opportunities for individuals seeking knowledge in the areas of allied health administration, management, leadership, and health and wellness. The Department of Health and Sport Sciences is dedicated to creating a challenging and supportive environment where all members can develop their talents, intellectual abilities and a passion for lifelong learning. This program serves to draw on the strengths of the current undergraduate curriculums to ultimately meet the emerging needs of the constituencies we serve.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Master of Science in Allied Health degree is intended to further the educational background of individuals holding either a two-year associate or a baccalaureate degree in a related health care field of study. The umbrella of Allied Health is broad and it is necessary for individuals with an obtained associate’s or baccalaureate degree to extend their academic achievement to the Masters level in order to advance their careers. The Master of Science in Allied Health is designed to enhance the ability of professionals to think critically, collect and analyze data, and utilize relevant information technologies. Otterbein University has an established reputation for graduate level study and the Department of Health and Sport Sciences is committed to developing competent, self-directed professionals through sound curricular programming, dedicated faculty, and appropriate facilities and equipment.

There are 2 tracks of study within the Master of Science in Allied Health curriculum.

Exercise and Health Science (36 hrs)
Allied Health Care Administration (30 hrs)

Consistent with the Department’s and University mission, each track is meant to target three areas through the curricular content.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Provide Allied Health professionals with advanced clinical knowledge: This will enable practitioners to improve the scientific basis of their practice, update their content knowledge as it relates to the Health Sciences, and improve their skills related to critical inquiry.
Provide Allied Health professionals with advanced leadership skills: This will enable practitioners to advance their knowledge related to leadership and ethical issues, extend their skills as they relate to program development and design, and develop their skills related to assessment and evaluation.
Provide Allied Health professionals with advanced educational skills: This will enable practitioners to advance their knowledge as it relates to curriculum design and implementation, learning theory, pedagogy, and issues related to teaching and learning.

There is a 2 + 3 option for those students wishing to pursue a Bachelor’s in Allied Health and the Master of Science in Allied Health degree.

ADMISSION

Admission to graduate programs at Otterbein University is open to graduates of regionally accredited colleges or universities, who hold a four-year degree, and have the intellectual, academic and personal ability to succeed in graduate studies. Individual programs establish their own requirements (including but not limited to recommendations, standardized entrance test scores, interviews, and writing samples) that are approved by the University Graduate Committee and administered through The Graduate School office.

Admission to the Master of Science in Allied Health is open to graduates from a regionally accredited college or university who hold a four-year degree in allied health, wellness, fitness or closely-related field and have a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 0-4.

Applicants are required to submit a completed application, official transcripts for all previous college and/or university work, two recommendations, a current resume, and a personal statement that addresses how the applicant’s goals and interest in the MSAH program are consistent with the purpose and goals of the program.

Applications will be accepted for the Fall Semester, Spring Semester or Summer Term, and should be received four weeks prior to the desired admission term. Please contact the Graduate School at 614-823-3210 for specific dates.

All admission materials including transcripts must be submitted to:
The Graduate School
Otterbein University
1 South Grove St.
Westerville, OH 43081

TRANSFER CREDIT

A maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate work with a grade of B or higher may be transferred from an accredited graduate program upon approval of the HSS Graduate Director. After a student has been admitted to the graduate program, continuous progress toward completion of the degree is expected. The time limit for the completion of graduate course work is five years, computed from the first date credit is recorded on the college transcript until the program curriculum requirements are completed. Any transfer courses taken outside of the time limit will not be counted toward the degree. No transfer credit is awarded for life experience, portfolio, or credit by examination.

TIME LIMIT FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION

The time limit for the completion of MSAH course work is five years, computed from the first date credit is recorded on the college transcript until the program curriculum requirements are completed. If this cannot be met due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, an extension request can be submitted to the Graduate Program Director for consideration.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Every graduate student is assigned an academic advisor who is a full-time faculty member. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor with questions, concerns and related academic issues. A plan of study is developed between the advisor and the student and reviewed at least annually. MSAH graduate students will have an academic advisor in the Department of Health and Sport Sciences to help determine their course of study.

RESEARCH PROJECT

There are no comprehensive written or oral examinations required for program completion. There is however the option of a Master level thesis or Field specific practicum option. Both options require six total hours of graduate level work. Please see below for more details.

I) Option one for the Master of Science in Allied Health culminating experience:

The Master’s Thesis servers as a culminating project designed to allow the student to undertake a substantial research area of interest. Students will be required to develop a thesis committee which minimally will consist of the student’s advisor and one other faculty member selected by the graduate student. Additional committee members may include other allied health professionals who have expertise in the selected research topic area. Students electing this option must complete two - three hour terms for the Master’s Thesis requirement. Students will also be expected to prepare an oral defense of their project.

Course Objectives:

Design a research question suitable for graduate level work.
Work with committee members to develop the research project per established guidelines.
Develop a presentation and defend the research project.

Course Evaluation:

Both the oral and written portions of the project will be evaluated by each member of the student’s committee. Please consult the Graduate Thesis Handbook for copies of the rubrics to be used for each part of the thesis.

The thesis advisory committee will vary by student but will include the following members, which follows a similar format to the existing Master of Arts in Education:

Full-time Faculty member in student’s area of expertise which will serve as the first reader.
Full-time Faculty member to serve as a second reader.

The formal defense of the thesis will also include a Graduate School representative.

II) Option two is an Advanced Clinical Practicum which also requires six graduate level hours.

Course Description:

This course is designed to further the student’s growth per their individual degree plan and may include clinical placement settings such as a cardiac rehabilitation, specialized rehabilitation facilities, alternative athletic training venues, etc. The purpose of the practicum is to allow the student to gain valuable experience in the clinical setting as well as apply knowledge learned in the classroom to their respective clinical area of interest. This course is repeatable one time for a total of six semester hours.