OUTLINE FOR PLAN TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN EXCELLENCE
IN STRATEGIC PROGRAMMATIC FOCUS AREA
Date: February 25, 2005
Name of Task Force/Programmatic Focus Area Health and Human Services
TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP
-Sponsor (Dean or Campus Director) – Linda Rooda
-Faculty Leader – Arlene Adler
-Student, Staff, Community Person and/or other Faculty Members:
Deans/Directors Members
Faculty Members
George Lord
Linda Delunas
Denise Travis
Arlene Adler
Atilla Tuncay
Susan Zinner
Pat Bankston
P.K.Bhattacharya
Linda Rooda
Manoj Pardasani
I. Program Plan Focus
The focus on health and human services provides a unique contribution to IUN’s mission,
which has as one of its two areas of excellence, sustainable regional vitality. This
programmatic focus provides the community with graduates who are vital members of
the health and human services team. In addition, this focus will provide an atmosphere of
creativity in the life sciences, setting the stage for IUN to contribute to the creation of
jobs in new biotechnology companies and the health care and social services industry.
Currently, campus wide, there are nearly1,703 majors in health and human services
programs or pre-health professional programs, which accounts for 41% of the current
campus enrollment. (These numbers also include the 36 medical students at our Indiana
University School of Medicine - Northwest). The small size of our campus provides ideal
opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and students in the health
and human services arena.
The current health and human services program offerings are well established and well
respected in the region. With regard to resources, there is a wealth of administrative and
faculty expertise and existing partnerships, such as those with Methodist Hospitals that
will serve as resources for future program development. The potential construction of a
new Methodist hospital adjacent to IUN will present new opportunities for programmatic
partnerships. All programs in this focus are subject to stringent and regular state and
national accreditation to assure that standards are continuously met.
Future growth of this focus area could include a bachelors in social work, a masters in
speech and language pathology, a masters in public health, a masters in biotechnology
and the development of a MT option in Biology.
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II. Linkages of Health and Human Services to the IUN Strategic Plan
Current program offerings include:
 Medicine, Nursing, Radiologic Sciences, Dental Hygiene, Social Work, PreProfessional programs and Health Services Administration (SPEA). (some health
professions AS offerings are in the process of being considered for transfer to the
Community College System or another unit).
Initiatives:
 Cross disciplinary campus wellness clinic and dental clinic
 Proposed Bachelors in Social Work
 Proposed Masters in Speech and Language Pathology
 Proposed Masters in Biotechnology
 Plan and implement initiative to increase the diversity of students in the pre-health
professional programs
Mission Differentiation:
 Focuses on baccalaureate and selected masters programs in that the existing
programs are either targeted for further development (nursing, health services
administration and chemistry) or in the maintain category (social work, radiologic
sciences, dental hygiene, biology and psychology). The unique opportunities
afforded by having the only medical school branch in the seven county NW
Indiana area promises a cross-disciplinary focus and strong cooperative
educational opportunities for both students and faculty. No other institution of
higher learning in our area can offer such a complete program with such a rich
array of opportunities.
Eight Outcomes:
 Outcome 1 “…academic excellence…”
All programs are state and nationally accredited.
Faculty in the Health/Human Services are heavily involved in community service.
Most programs require a separate admission process with high and rising standards.
 Outcome 2 “…lifelong learning, ethical practices…”
Most health programs have discipline specific codes of ethical behavior
and program outcomes that speak directly to these areas. The medical school is
nationally recognized for its problem based learning and competency curriculum, as
well as a student honor code. The Division of Social Work follows the Code of Ethics
as mandated by the Council of Social Work Education and the National Association
of Social Workers.
 Outcome 4 “…commitment to diversity…”
The Nursing program has the most diverse student body in IUSON. The Division of
Social Work is developing a proposal to assess the level of cultural competency of
their students and is committed to designing innovative curricula that addresses the
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vital issues of diversity and multiculturalism. Plans are being developed to increase
the diversity of students in the pre-health professional programs.
 Outcome 6 “…sustainable regional vitality and cultural discovery and learning…”
Health programs provide healthcare workers who directly impact the vitality and
health of the region. In pursuit of regional vitality and community service, the faculty
in the Division of Social Work serve as advisors, Board Members and consultants in a
number of social service agencies, schools and not-for-profit organizations. In
addition, the division assists local and regional programs in the design and
implementation of model services, grant writing and conducting needs assessments.
The faculty have developed and submitted proposals to the CRSV and CCDL, as well
as been awarded professional development grants (CETL).
Strategic Areas of Focus:
Campus climate:
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The planned campus health clinic and dental clinic includes the School of
Nursing and Health Professions, Medical School, Social Work and Health
Services Administration students (SPEA) and Speech and Language
Pathology. The clinic will benefit the health and wellness of our students,
our faculty and our staff and will be a cross disciplinary collaborative
effort. The new and expanded Dental Clinic will provide preventative
dental care to students, faculty and staff as well as the surrounding
community
Unique Identity
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The only regional university with a major focus on health and human
services
The only regional university with a medical education program
The only regional university with a genetics clinic
The only regional university with a dental clinic
The only regional university with a MSW Degree Program
Pursuit of Excellence
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IU is recognized nationally for medical education, nursing education,
health professions education programs, Social Work and SPEA
All programs are nationally accredited (as will be the new programs)
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Alignment with Quality of Life Indicators
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While health and human services impact all the quality of life indicators, it
is a healthy community that this programmatic focus most supports and
promotes. In addition The Behavioral Health Epidemiological Study for
Northwest Indiana, recently released by the Lake, Porter and LaPorte
County United Ways, will provide data to direct the health provider needs
of the community.
Alignment with Student Centered Principles
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Directly impacts principle number seven which emphasizes student wellbeing through wellness and dental clinic offerings
In addressing principle number eight, this collaborative cross-disciplinary
focus will provide a wide variety of opportunities for students to be
involved in campus life and enrichment activities, that will broaden their
educational experiences. The expertise of the medical school in the
student-directed Problem-based Learning (PBL) method will be shared
with all program faculty. The medical school’s student directed
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) would also be shared as a method
to allow students to become partners with faculty in improving the
educational offerings.
III. Structure of the Programmatic Focus
NURSING AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS PROGRAMS
In the School of Nursing and Health Profession, health professions programming exists at
the BS, AS and Certificate Levels. All of the programs have major service learning
components and student placement exists for clinical experience in all of the local area
hospitals and major clinics. Specific affiliation agreements are in place within each
individual program between the program and the specific clinical sites used by the
program.
BS in Nursing
Future focus will be on baccalaureate nursing education with the phasing out of
the AS degree in nursing. The last Associate Degree class will be admitted Fall 2005.
Plans for baccalaureate nursing education include twice a year admission and the second
degree (BA/BS to BSN) fast track option in addition to the RN to BSN mobility option
currently offered.
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BS in Radiologic Sciences
The BS in Radiologic Sciences is in a growth phase with a recent expanded
offering which includes diagnostic medical sonography along with previously existing
clinical concentrations designed to prepares qualified radiographers for advanced skills in
1) cardiovascular interventional technology, 2) computed tomography, and 3) magnetic
resonance imaging technology. A health management concentration has also been
developed to prepare radiographers for supervisory roles within the health care
environment. The health management concentration course work is offered through a
partnership with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). The diagnostic
medical sonography concentration has accepted its first class with an anticipated
graduation of December, 2005. A new faculty position has been approved for this
concentration and is scheduled to start in July, 2005. A partnership exists currently with
Methodist Hospitals to fund the faculty position through July of 2005.
Dental Hygiene
The Dental Hygiene program is currently reviewing the IUPUI baccalaureate
degree that will require an additional 27 credit hours, nine credits of core dental courses
and 18 credit hours from SPEA or Arts and Sciences.
AS Programs
AS Programs are offered in Dental Hygiene, Health Information Technology,
Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiography, Radiation Therapy and Respiratory
Therapy. Both the Respiratory Therapy Program and the Medical Laboratory
Technology Program are being targeted through the academic prioritization process for
review and reorganization primarily because of low enrollment. Plans include the
possibility of a partnership with IVTC to offer these degrees. The HIT program may be
moved to another academic unit.
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs in Coding and Phlebotomy and Dental Assisting are
currently offered. Enrollment is strong, however, these programs are being reviewed and
also being considered for partnership or transfer to IVTC.
SOCIAL WORK
The Division of Social Work proposes the addition of a Bachelor of Social Work
program at Indiana University Northwest. In so doing IUN will join the Bloomington,
IUPUI, and Richmond campuses and become a part of the already accredited Indiana
University School of Social Work
During the 2004-2005 academic year master of social work students provided 49,050
hours of field placement at over 60 regional agencies. The addition of a BSW program
with a single cohort of 25 would add 10,000 additional field placement hours.
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Group learning will occur as part of the academic curriculum and is an integral part of the
field placement learning plan. Division faculty will provide service learning and engaged
community learning opportunities, where appropriate, as part of the course objectives.
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRORNMENTAL AFFAIRS
IUN’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) offers a 48 credit hour Master
of Public Affairs (MPA) with a Health Services Administration concentration. SPEA is
the largest school of public affairs in the United States. Our program provides
knowledge and experience that can be used by the professional in various roles within
health services administration. Faculty have practical experience, including working as
administrators at local hospitals and serving on the Board of Directors of local hospitals.
Graduate-level internships are available.
SPEA also offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management (BSHSM)
degree, which is a 120 credit hour undergraduate degree. The BSHSM curriculum is
founded on the belief that (1) managers within allied health specialty departments should
be trained in the skills of management; (2) the health specialist manager should have a
background in liberal arts and science; and (3) in-service students should be able to
complete all requirements for a degree without interrupting employment. Students may
also participate in a health administration internship through the division’s Public and
Nonprofit Service Internship Program. Students may also minor in Health Systems
Administration.
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
The Indiana University School of Medicine – Northwest trains 36 first and second year
medical students in the scientific disciplines and medical skills needed to enter the third
year of training at hospitals in Indianapolis. Our program is designed around Problembased Learning, student centered approaches, including a nationally recognized abilitybased Competency Curriculum. That curriculum defines the skills and abilities of
communication, clinical skills, lifelong learning, social awareness, self-awareness, ethics,
problem solving and professionalism as those, which every student must demonstrate, in
order to graduate from IUSM.
In addition, a small number of Ph.D. students are trained in cooperation with departments
in Indianapolis.
PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
The pre-health professional program at IUN is a very high quality, tremendously
successful and a growing program and it consists of pre-med, pre-dental, pre-veterinary,
pre-podiatry, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-pharmacy, preoptometry, pre-physician assistant, and pre-chiropractor programs. The BS/BA degrees in
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Biology and Chemistry and the BS degree in Psychology are the backbone of these
programs. Approximately half of the students who get accepted into health professional
schools do not complete their degree requirements here at IUN. A small percentage of the
students in the program already have their degrees in a variety of disciplines and come to
IUN to take the pre-requisites for these programs. The pre-health professional program at
IUN also plays a very important role in providing underrepresented students (unique in
the region) to a variety of health professional schools including IU School of Medicine.
There is also a B/MD scholarship program in collaboration with IU School of Medicine
and the Northwest Center for Medical Education.
IV. Process to Sustain Excellence
A. Facilities Needed
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Facility needs will be met for current programs with completion of Phase
II of the Medical Education building and relocation of Nursing, select
Health Professions, Dental Education, SPEA, and Social Work to this
facility.
Should growth of this focus area include a bachelors degree in social
work, a masters in speech and language pathology, and a masters in
biotechnology, as mentioned above, new facilities may be necessary.
B. Budget, Grants, Faculty Development
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The budgets will be tied to the feasibility studies.
Faculty from the various disciplines in Health and Human Services will
work collaboratively and with the grants office to secure focus specific
funding.
Faculty development could be provided by attracting endowed visiting
professorships in Health and Human Services
C. Assessment
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Program accreditation by their respective state and national accrediting
bodies (where applicable)
Systematic plan of ongoing evaluation for continuous improvement based
on measurable criteria of “excellence” (to be developed by Outcome 6
committee 2005)
o Evaluation should include input from students, faculty, alumni
and external constituents
o Each program will have an Advisory Board of community
members (i.e., employers, etc) who will give input as to program
relevancy, employment markets, etc.
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Faculty numbers, mix and expertise in each program are appropriate to
sustain “excellence” (as defined above)
Student performance on licensure and/or certification exams or admission
to graduate school/professional schools (all where applicable).
Normal program prioritization review process
V. Next Step in Implementation and Communication
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Feasibility studies should to be conducted to determine the need for the bachelors
degree in Social Work, masters degree in Speech and Language Pathology,
Masters Degree in Biotechnology, Master of Science in Public Health and
Biology Degree: Medical Technology Option.
The aforementioned programs need to go through the process described in
Outcome #5 which states, “The program prioritization process will have
established a way to address introduction of new programs. . .”
Aggressively market the focus of Health and Human Services
Group offerings in the Bulletin under Health and Human Services
Continue to review models of best practice of Colleges of Health and Human
Services such as those at Marywood University, California State University, Ohio
University, University of Toledo, Western Michigan University, San Francisco
State University and Southwest Missouri State University.
Expand the numbers of medical students to the third and fourth years in
collaboration with local hospitals and physicians, allowing students to have the
entire four years of medical school in NW Indiana.
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PROPOSED NEW PROGRAMS IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Bachelor of Social Work Program
The Indiana University School of Social Work is proud to be the nations’ oldest
university social work education program. The School of Social Work offers programs
leading to a Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work or a Ph. D. in Social Work.
The BSW and MSW programs include a substantial Field Education component and are
fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the accrediting organization
for undergraduate and master’s level professional social work education. Students can
take advantage of first-class teaching, research, cultural resources and feel confident that
their degree is respected and recognized across the country and the world.
M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology
The M.A. curriculum in speech-language pathology is designed to prepare students for
their professional careers. Our program provides exposure to all areas of the field, while
giving students the opportunity to specialize in areas of particular interest. To be
awarded the M.A. degree, students must complete at least 36 credit hours of graduate
course work. In speech-language pathology, this course work will include five required
courses designed to establish the theoretical and research foundations for clinical course
work, together with elective courses focusing on assessment and treatment of speech,
voice, and language disorders, across the age span.
B. S. and M.S. in Biotechnology Program
This would be a joint program of the Northwest Center of Indiana University School of
Medicine and the Department of Biology at Indiana University Northwest. These
programs would be ideal solutions for professionals seeking positions of greater
responsibility, leadership, training or security within the biotechnology industry. These
programs are designed for scientist, technical professionals, attorneys, and business
strategists seeking a cross-functional understanding of biotechnology. They would
combine the most current scientific coursework and practical business practices to
enhance a productive career in biotechnology and its management. Committed
instruction, professional advising, and technical support complete an academic program
designed to ensure success.
M.S. in Public Health
Given the significant health disparities in northern Indiana, SPEA will explore the
possibility of offering a Master in Public Health (MPH) degree at IUN to be jointly
administered by SPEA and the School of Medicine. We could consider using the
Indianapolis campus MPH degree as a model. The medical students and SPEA students
take some classes together (such as epidemiology and basic health administration
courses) and some courses independently. We are interested in exploring whether this
would be an advantageous to both IUN and the northern Indiana community.
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B.S. Degree in Biology: Medical Technology Option
The B.S. curriculum is structured to provide a quality education in basic biology leading
to the knowledge, skills and professional attitudes required to follow good laboratory
practice in providing quality testing for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of
disease. The program is designed to prepare students for the MT national certification
examinations that are required for employment. The program is designed to
accommodate both students seeking to complete their degree in four years with integrated
clinical courses or returning MLT students who can complete their course work in a 2 + 2
pattern.