The Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte College of Health and Human Services

Sara Michaliszyn, Interim Dean

For more information, visit The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services.

Overview

In support of the University mission to provide a wide range of educational opportunities in higher education, the Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte College of Health and Human Services assumes a broad focus. That focus entails preparing students for competent practice in positions in both the health and human service professions. The College is committed to excellence in education through the quality programs it provides. To assure continuity and opportunity for health and human service majors, the College has encouraged the development of two-plus-two curricula in several majors that allow students to efficiently progress from associate to baccalaureate degree program completion. Master's degrees, two professional doctorate degree programs and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences further expand and advance the competencies of graduates in the delivery and administration of health care and human services.

Vision Statement

The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services produces graduates who provide exceptional health and human services to enhance quality of life in regional, national, and global communities.

Mission Statement

The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services will continue to impart knowledge, develop critical thinking, and serve society through holistic, integrative, and quality educational programs.  Graduates will achieve a high level of professional competence through scholarly inquiry and transformative experiences to address society’s ever-changing demands for healthcare and human services.

Living Learning Community

The Health and Human Services Interdisciplinary Learning Community enhances the Youngstown State experience and promotes success for first-year students by supporting academic success, facilitating professional development and encouraging student engagement among faculty and peers in a supportive environment.  Students in their first year of the HHS Interdisciplinary LLC will participate in shared coursework, guaranteed placement in core courses tailored to the LLC experience, residential experience with a cohort and access to a variety of programming, including but not limited to:

•     Live together in Lyden House
•     Volunteering Experiences
•     Social Events
•     Training Opportunities
•     Study Sessions with Tutors
•     Shared Classes
•     Begin Building Your Resume Your First Year
•     Priority Advising in Lyden House
•    Connect with Faculty Outside of the Classroom

Accreditation

  •  The dental hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
  •  The medical laboratory technology program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
  •  The Bachelor of Science in respiratory care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).
  • The Bachelor of Science in respiratory care program degree advancement online completion program is provisionally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).
  • The Master of Respiratory Care online program is provisionally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).
  •  The Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
  • The Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Exercise Science is accredited  by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
  •  The Masters of Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
  • The Entry-level BSN and the online RN-BSN Completion programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) - https://www.acenursing.org.
  •  The Entry-level BSN, the online RN-BSN program, the MSN program, the Post-Graduate APRN and Post-Master's certificates are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) - https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE.
  • The DNP nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) - https://www.coacrna.org.
  • The entry-level BSN and ADN programs are approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing - https://www.nursing.ohio.gov.
  •  The physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
  • The Long Term Care Administration is accredited by the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)
  •  The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Unique Requirements of the College

Incoming freshmen entering the College as an undetermined major or pre-major student or requires extensive remedial/developmental course work, or is a student returning to the College after a suspension, the student must complete YSU 1500, Success Seminar, within the student's first 30 semester hours of coursework. 

Students need to be aware that many of the programs in the College require a criminal background check. Some require drug testing and a physical fitness examination. In a few cases, there may be a requirement for a psychological evaluation. In addition to programs requiring some or all of the checks/evaluations listed above, some of the agencies where students complete clinical training, internships, or other related activities may also require these checks/evaluations. If you are concerned that you may not be able to complete a program or one of its requirements due to any of these checks/evaluations, please speak with an academic advisor or the chairperson of the department.  Students wanting to pursue Nursing, Pre-Dental Hygiene, Exercise Science and Medical Laboratory Science need to complete high school Chemistry and Biology with "C" or better.

Organization/Majors

The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services consists of six departments:

  • Criminal Justice and Consumer Sciences
  • Graduate Studies in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Military Science
  • The James and Coralie Centofanti School of Nursing
  • Social Work

A variety of graduate programs are offered by the five Departments of Criminal Justice and Consumer Sciences, Graduate Studies in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Professions, Nursing and Social Work.  The Northeastern Ohio Universities Master of Public Health program operates through a partnership of YSU, The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED).

The six departments are listed below with their associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral offerings. Students whose needs are not completely met by existing conventional programs may wish to investigate and apply for the Individualized Curriculum Program (see the Academic Policies and Procedures section).

Department of Criminal Justice and Consumer Sciences

  • Behavioral Health (Certificate)
  • Corrections (Certificate)
  • Criminology (Certificate)
  • Cybersecurity (Certificate)
  • Homeland Security (Undergraduate and Graduate) (Certificate)
  • Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (Certificate) 
  • Police Science (Certificate)
  • Criminal Justice (AAS, BSAS, MS) (MS in Criminal Justice Face-to-Face and Online)
  • 3 + 3 Law Degree Program5
  • Undergraduate to Master's Degree in Criminal Justice6
  • Corrections (Minor)
  • Criminal Behavior (Minor)
  • Criminal Justice Ethics (Minor)
  • Criminal Justice System (Minor)
  • Criminal/Legal Processes (Minor)
  • Juvenile Justice System (Minor)
  • Law Enforcement (Minor)
  • Security Studies (Minor)

Department of Health Professions

  • Allied Health (BSAS)1 (Online)
  • Community Health and Safety (minor only)
  • Dental Hygiene (BSDH)
  • Dietetics (BSAS)
  • Exercise Science (BSAS)
  • Exercise Science - Graduate Degree Preparation Track (BSAS)
  • Exercise Science - 4 + 1 MPH Track (BSAS)
  • Exercise Science - 4 + 1 MAT Accelerated Program
  • Health Services (AAS)
  • Health Administration (AAS)
  • Wellness (minor only)
  • Medical Laboratory Technology (AAS)2
  • Medical Laboratory Science (BSAS)2
  • Polysomnography (Certificate)
  • Public Health (Online) (BSAS)3
  • Public Health (Minor Only)
  • Public Health, 4 + 1 MPH Track (Online) (BSAS)
  • Respiratory Care (BSRC)
  • Respiratory Care Degree Advancement Online Completion
  • Respiratory Care (MRC) (Online)

Department of Social Work

  • Social Work (AAS, BSW, MSW)2

Department of Graduate Studies in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

  • Athletic Training (MAT)2
  • Health and Human Services (MHHS)
  • Health Sciences (Ph.D.)2 
  • Health Informatics (Graduate Certificate)
  • Healthcare Management (Graduate Certificate)
  • Physical Therapy (DPT)2 
  • Public Health (MPH)
  • Public Health (Graduate Certificate)
  • Public Health Administration (Graduate Certificate)
  • Public Health Research (Graduate Certificate)
  • Long Term Care Administration Track (MHHS)
  • Applied Aging and Life-Course Studies (Undergraduate Certificate)

Department of Military Science

  • Military Science (minor only)
  • Military Science History Track (minor only)
  • Military Science Political Science Track (minor only)
  • Army ROTC program4

Aerospace Studies Program

Air Force ROTC Program

ROTC students are allowed certain modifications of the requirements, as explained in the Military Science section. ROTC programs are offered in agreement with Kent State University.

The James and Coralie Centofanti School of Nursing

Undergraduate  Nursing Programs (BSN)2:

  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
  • Entry-level (BSN) (For Entry-Level Students, non-RN)
  • RN-BSN Completion Program for licensed RN's only (BSN) (Online)

Master of Science in Nursing Programs (MSN)2 (Online Only): 

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) (Online)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (Online)
  • Nursing Education (Online)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)2:

  • Nurse Anesthesia (in collaboration with St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc.)

Certificates2:

  • Nursing Education (Post Master's) (Online)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Post Master's) (Online)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (Post Master's) (Online)

It is the student's responsibility to satisfy all of the graduation requirements for the degree sought. These consist of:

  • The pre-college or preparatory courses for each degree as covered in the Academic Policies and Procedures section.
  • The courses and other requirements to be completed in the University as explained in the Academic Policies and Procedures section.
  • The specific curriculum requirements of a given program.

Course descriptions can be found in a separate section in the Undergraduate Catalog.

1

This degree is made available at Cuyahoga Community College and Lorain County Community College in addition to the YSU
campus offerings.

2

Restricted admission; see department for further information.

3

For the Institutional Report on the Quality of Teacher Preparation, Title II, Higher Education Act, please see Appendix C of the Undergraduate Catalog.

4

ROTC students are allowed certain modifications of the requirements, as explained in the Military Science section. ROTC programs are offered in agreement with Kent State University.

5

3+3 Law Degree Program in partnership with the University of Akron.

6

4 + 1 Undergraduate to Master's Degree in Criminal Justice