About the School of Allied Health Science 

The School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS) is one of three health professional schools at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). The school was established in recognition of the need to provide access to quality education in a group of rapidly growing health professions. The school is divided into six divisions: Cardiopulmonary Science, Health Care Management, Health Informatics and Information Management, Health Science, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

Since its beginning in 1982, SOAHS has experienced continuous involvement in education, practice and research that has contributed to the strong reputation of each academic division within the school. Each division is accredited by its respective accrediting body. Overall, FAMU ranks as the number one producer of African-American allied health professionals in the State of Florida. The School has been successful in attracting extramural funding which has focused primarily on health issues of members of minorities and other underrepresented groups. After completing their degree requirements, highly trained professionals assume leadership roles in their discipline throughout the state and nation.

SOAHS Mission

The mission of the School of Allied Health Sciences is to provide an enlightened and enriched academic, intellectual, moral, cultural, ethical, technological, and student-centered environment for the purpose of educating individuals to become competent allied health professionals who are capable of: Complex critical thinking; Comprehensive communication skills; Interdisciplinary collaboration; Analysis and involvement in research processes; Improving the health status of under-represented and underserved populations; Lifelong learning.

SOAHS Vision Statement

The School of Allied Health Sciences as an exemplary health professions entity within Florida A&M University will provide the highest quality academic experiences at graduate and undergraduate levels, through excellence in student advising, teaching, research and service, in existing and emerging health care arenas, for the benefit of the citizens of Florida, the nation and the world.

SOAHS Core Values

The SOAHS core values are: scholarship; ethics; excellence; openness; collaboration; diversity; service; fairness; integrity; respect; collegiality; freedom; fiscal responsibility; accountability; courage; and honesty.

Degree Listing

• Cardiopulmonary Science: BS
• Health Care Management: BS
• Health Administration: MHA
• Health Informatics and Information Management: BS
• Health Science, General: BS
• Health Science, Pre-Occupational Therapy: BS
• Health Science, Pre-Physical Therapy: BS
• Occupational Therapy: MSOT
• Physical Therapy: DPT

Program Requirements

Admissions Qualifications

The School of Allied Health Sciences is comprised of five professional programs and two generalist programs.

Admission to the professional programs in the School of Allied Health Sciences is a three-step process. Undergraduate applicants must first be accepted by the university and then must apply for admission to the professional division of his or her choice. Admission to the university does not guarantee acceptance into any of the professional divisions. Graduate level applicants must submit an application to the professional division as well as to the School of Graduate Studies and Research. The requirements and procedures necessary for admission to the university are outlined under the heading Special Admissions, Requirements of Colleges and Schools.

A student seeking admission to a professional division in the School of Allied Health Sciences must have completed all admission requirements by the designated deadlines, as prescribed by each division.

Admission to a professional division in the School of Allied Health Sciences is based on an applicant’s selection by the appropriate admissions committee. Selection will be based on the evaluation of a number of factors such as, the student’s overall grade point average, grade point average in required science courses, work experiences, grade trends, leadership activities, demand for man-power, and mission of the university. A personal interview may be required. Consult each individual program for specific admission criteria.

Completion of pre-professional courses does not guarantee admission to the professional divisions.

The professional curriculum is composed of all courses and clinical experiences required to satisfy specific program requirements for graduation. Undergraduate students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required courses. *Graduate students must maintain a “B” average (3.0 GPA) ** Curriculum development is an ongoing process designed to keep pace with an ever-changing society and profession. Upon completion of curricula in the programs of cardiopulmonary science, health administration, health care management, health informatics and information management, health sciences, occupational therapy or physical therapy, a student will receive the designated undergraduate or graduate degree in the respective discipline.

*Please consult the section on the “School of Graduate Studies and Research” and the Graduate Student Handbook for progression requirements. ** The school may implement curricular changes which are required not only of incoming students, but also for currently enrolled students.

Policies

1. Dress Code- The student is required to adhere to a dress code, as determined by each of the divisions of the school. Faculty members will enforce this code in the classroom, laboratory, and during clinical experiences, as an integral part of professional socialization of health professionals. The student has a responsibility to adhere to the dress code of other colleges and schools where appropriate.
2. Excused Absence- The student is required to obtain, complete and submit an excused absence request form when a class absence has occurred. The request form must be completed and submitted along with appropriate supporting documentation within five days of the student return to class or campus. The approved excused absence is effective only until the expiration date.
3. Emergency Medical/Illness Policy- When an individual experiences any sudden, unexpected and unexplainable change in the physical or emotional condition of a student or faculty, which directs attention away from academic matters such as collapsing, vomiting, persistent moaning and noisy distractions during class, immediately make the student or faculty member comfortable, call 911, call campus police, and dean’s office using a cell phone or office phone if available. The campus emergency numbers will be in each classroom. Procedures are available in the office of the dean.
4. Disruption of the Academic Process Policy- The disruption of the academic process is the act and/or words of a student in a classroom or teaching environment which are deemed unreasonable in the estimation of a faculty member that directs attention away from academic matters such as noisy distractions; persistent, disrespectful or abusive interruptions of lecture, examinations or discussions; or presents a danger to the health and safety of the faculty member or other students. Procedures are available in the office of the dean.
5. Academic Honesty Policy- This policy applies to any student who gives or takes information or material and wrongfully uses it to aid himself/herself or another student in academic endeavors. It shall further include receiving unauthorized written or oral information from a fellow student. Stealing, buying, selling or referring to unauthorized written, oral or electronic information is also included. Procedures are available in the office of the dean.
6. Sequence of Courses- The student is expected to enroll in and complete courses in sequence, adhering at each point to all prerequisites. It is essential that the student keeps up with the progression of his or her course of study in order to stay in proper sequence to complete requirements on schedule. No student is allowed to take courses out of sequence or without completing prerequisites; nor is the student permitted to enroll in an advanced level of sequential courses without having completed the lower level course(s). Any exceptions to the rules above must be approved by the division director and the dean.
7. Appeal and Academic Grievances- Any decision affecting the status or academic standing of applicants for admission or students enrolled in any School of Allied Health Sciences programs may be appealed. Procedures of appeals and grievances are available in the office of the dean.
8. Clinical Experiences- Five of the professional divisions in the School of Allied Health Sciences have as part of their academic requirements a clinical experience in their particular discipline. The experiences vary in length and frequently occur away from the university site in Tallahassee. Prior to the start of clinical assignments, students must submit to, pay for, and pass background (criminal) checks, drug screening and fingerprinting. By title and function, a faculty member in each division coordinates clinical experiences. Each student is expected to assume responsibility for cost associated with clinical experiences.
9. Immunization- To qualify for admission to School of Allied Health Sciences programs, all students must submit documentation proving immunization against rubeola and rubella. Please call the Student Health Center (Clinic) at (850) 599-3777. No student will be allowed to register until this documentation has been submitted. All students in the cardiopulmonary science, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs must have proof of prior vaccination, immunity to or be vaccinated for hepatitis B at their own expense prior to the time of enrollment.
10. Graduation Competency- The School of Allied Health Sciences administration and faculty recognize their responsibility to graduate only the student whom they judge to be ready to accept the challenges of the allied health professions academically, ethically, and professionally and having met degree requirements. Consequently, the dean of the School of the Allied Health Sciences, upon recommendation of the faculty of the respective division, reserves the right to withhold the recommendation for graduation of any student who does not conform to these expectations.

Programs

• Health Care Administration, MHA

• Rehabilitation Services Management and Disabilities, Minor

• Health Information Privacy and Security Certificate
• Medical Coding Certificate
• Rehabilitation Services Management Certificate

Courses

• HSA 3110 Organization And Administration Of Health Care Facilities (3)
• HSA 3110E Organization And Administration Of Health Care Facilities (3)
• HSA 3140 Healthcare Strategy and Marketing (3)
• HSA 3140E Healthcare Strategy and Marketing (3)
• HSA 3164HB Business Communications for Health Care Managers (3)
• HSA 3170 Financial Management in Health Care (3)
• HSA 3180 Health Care Management Theory and Practice (3)
• HSA 3220 Long Term Care Administration (3)
• HSA 3221 Introduction To Long-Term Care (3)
• HSA 3222 Introduction To Long-term Care
• HSA 3225 Introduction To Long-term Care (3)
• HSA 3225E Introduction To Long-term Care
• HSA 3430 Health Economics (3)
• HSA 3430E Health Economics (3)
• HSA 3943HB Service Learning for Helath Care Managers (3)
• HSA 4000 Qual Improv In Health Serv Org
• HSA 4109 Man Hlt Care Tr, Con
• HSA 4150 Health Policy and Politics (3)
• HSA 4183 Applied Management In Long-Term Care (3)
• HSA 4191 Information Systems Management In Health Care (3)
• HSA 4191E Information Systems Management In Health Care (3)
• HSA 4223 Applied Management In Long-term Care Inst
• HSA 4340 Human Resources Management in Health Care (3)
• HSA 4383 Quality Improvements In Health Serv Org (3)
• HSA 4700 Health Care Research (3)
• HSA 4700E Health Care Research (3)
• HSA 4850 Health Care Management Practicum (6)
• HSA 4906 Directed Individual Study (1-12 Variable)
• HSA 4922 Capstone: Health Care Management (3)
• HSA 4930 Special Topic Health Care Management
• HSA 4931 Special Topic Health Care Management Practicum (1)
• HSA 4938 Special Topic Health Care Management Research
• HSA 5103 Intoduction To Health And Medical Care Organization (3)
• HSA 5103E Intoduction To Health And Medical Care Organization
• HSA 5194 Advanced Privacy Health For Info Tech
• HSA 5197 Advanced Health Information Technology & Infrastructure Management
• HSA 5198 Advanced Healthcare Informatics
• HSA 5199 Database Met For Clin Info Man
• HSA 5254 Advanced Pra App Hipaa Reg Hkh Inf
• HSA 5256 Adv Man Acc & Discl Health Information Technology
• HSA 5259 Adv Man Acc & Discl Health Information Technology
• HSA 5426 Legal Aspects And Ethics In Health And Medical Care (3)
• HSA 5513 Advanced Electronic Health Records & Cln Data Sup
• HSA 5736 Advanced Database & Research Management
• HSA 5752 Statistics In Health Care Management (3)
• HSA 5906 Direct Individ Study
• HSA 5926E Exe Seminar in Health and Business Communications (1)
• HSA 5934 Sem- Elect Health Record Comm
• HSA 5935 Executive Symposium I (1)
• HSA 6126 Managed Health Care
• HSA 6149 Health Care Plan & Marketing (3)
• HSA 6175 Health Care Financial Management I (3)
• HSA 6176 Health Insurance And Reimbursement Systems
• HSA 6178 Health Care Financial Management II: Case Studies (3)
• HSA 6342 Leadership And Human Resources Management In Health Care (3)
• HSA 6385 Quality Managment In Health Care (3)
• HSA 6505 Risk Management & Quality Impro Health
• HSA 6506 Risk Management Case Analysis (3)
• HSA 6507 Health Information System (3)
• HSA 6507E Risk Management Information System
• HSA 6717 Advanced Topics Health Care Man Res
• HSA 6735 Application Of Research Methods In Health Services Management (3)
• HSA 6758 Risk Management And Quality Improvement In Health Care
• HSA 6875 Administration Residency In Health Organization (6)
• HSA 6925 Executive Symposium II (1)
• HSA 6930 Advanced Topics In Health Care Management
• HSA 6937 Advanced Topics In Health Care Strategic Planning 1-6
• HSA 6938 Health Management Capstone (3)
• HSA 6938E Health Management Capstone (3)
• HSA 6978 Master’s Thesis
• RCS 3030 Introduction To Rehabilitation (3)
• RCS 3033 Disability And Society
• RCS 4060 Psychological Aspects Of Disability (3)
• RCS 4200 Introduction To Vocational Evaluation (3)
• RCS 4610 Supervision And Coordination Of Rehabilitation Program (3)
• RCS 4621 Supervision And Coordination Of Rehabilitation Program (3)
• RCS 5031 Foundation Of Rehabilitation C
• RCS 5067 Psychosoc Aspect Of Disability
• RCS 5250 Assessment In Counseling And R
• RCS 5780 Legal, Ethical, Professional
• RCS 5906 Directed Individualized Study
• RCS 6109 Case Man. In Rehab Counsel
• RCS 6907 Directed Individualized Study

• HIM 3003 Health Information Documentation (2)
• HIM 3006 Foundations in Health Information Management (2)
• HIM 3006L Foundations in Health Information Management Lab (1)
• HIM 3016 Legal Aspects Of Health Information (3)
• HIM 3116 Quality Management in Health Services (2)
• HIM 3116L Quality Management in Health Services Lab (1)
• HIM 3276 Healthcare Reimbursement Functions in HIIM (3)
• HIM 3437 Fundamentals of Medical Science I (3)
• HIM 3438 Fundamentals of Medical Science II (3)
• HIM 3626 Health Statistics and Research (3)
• HIM 3806 Professional Practice Experience I (1)
• HIM 3930 Professional Development I (1)
• HIM 4226 Clinical Classifications and Terminologies I (2)
• HIM 4226L Cln Clss & Terminologies I (1)
• HIM 4286 Clinical Classification & Terminologies II (2)
• HIM 4286L Clinical Classification & Terminologies II-lab (1)
• HIM 4306 Human Resource Management (3)
• HIM 4306L Human Resource Management Lab (1)