Samford’s Orlean Beeson School of Education has just announced a new partnership with Samford's School of Public Health. The new partnership will offer Human Development and Family Life Education students the opportunity to participate in a fast-track Master of Public Health program.
Education’s department of Human Development and Family Life Education houses the Human Development and Family Science major. The major focuses on human development within the family context as well as the family’s interactions with broader social institutions.
“Our department features one major with six tracks,” said Kristie Chandler, Human Development and Family Life Education chair. “This offers our majors a customizable pathway to focus in the content that will prepare them for a more specialized career or graduate school.”
Students can choose from three concentrations: child development education, child life or gerontology. They can also pick from three accelerated programs: social work, law and now public health.
“Because of our families and health course, which emphasizes the preventive and remedial approaches to promote optimal physical and emotional well-being within the family, students wanted opportunities to concentrate on the health issues families face.,” said Chandler. “This newest fast-track with Human Development and Family Science and Public Health provides a career option for students who want to impact the health of families and the communities in which they live.”
Students who participate in the accelerated program will dedicate three years to the completion of their bachelor’s degree. During the second semester of their fourth year of study, students begin enrolling in graduate level Public Health courses. One additional year is necessary for the completion of the graduate level course work. Following their fifth year of study, students will receive their Master of Public Health (M.P.H.).
Admission into the fast-track program requires careful advising and scheduling, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and approval of both the chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Life Education and the chair of the Department of Public Health. Formal application is submitted during the student’s final semester of undergraduate course work, and full admission is granted upon the completion of their bachelor’s degree.
For more information please contact Kristie Chandler, Department of Human Development and Family Life Education chair.