General Program Information
Ester L. Verhovsek-Hughes, Ed.D., Department Chair
Lamb Hall, Room 475
Box 70573
(423) 439-5053
e-mail: verhovse@etsu.edu
Landon Shields, Ed.D., Graduate Coordinator
Lamb Hall, Room 485
(423) 439-5060
shieldslc@etsu.edu
Lynn Williams, Interim Dean
Lamb Hall, Room 471
Box 70282
(423) 439-7454
e-mail: williaml@etsu.edu
Faculty: Randy L. Byington; Tabitha Fair; Donald A. Samples; Landon Shields; Ester L. Verhovsek-Hughes.
Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Science in Allied Health (MSAH) degree program is to prepare allied health professionals for positions in education and administration in their respective health care discipline. The goals of the Master of Science Degree in Allied Health program are as follows:
- To prepare allied health practitioners to analyze, interpret, and respond to the major factors influencing health and health care policy.
- To prepare allied health practitioners to have an understanding of administration/management skills.
- To prepare allied health practitioners to function as educators and/or leaders in academic, clinical, or community settings.
- To prepare allied health practitioners to be critical thinkers able to analyze concepts, principles, research, clinical findings, technologies, and outcomes and apply them to the professional practice.
Program Admission Requirements
Students who apply to the Master of Science Degree in Allied Health must meet all admission requirements as established by the School of Graduate Studies at East Tennessee State University and the following:
- Hold a professional license in an allied health discipline.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale (3.0 or higher for international students) or complete the GRE.
- Three professional letters of recommendation.
Curriculum
The program of study in the Master of Science in Allied Health consists of 18 credits of major field core, 12 credits of guided electives, and a 6-credit thesis or non-thesis capstone project or non-thesis coursework option. The student will work with their advisor to select courses from the guided electives that meet their professional needs and career aspirations. Students have the option of guided electives in allied health administration and education, and public health.
Additional Information
The advanced practice seminar (Capstone) option, combined with the comprehensive examination is designed as a culminating clinical experience. Students will be required to present an advanced practice plan and identify a clinical preceptor to their graduate committee prior to beginning their project. Advanced practice seminars include a minimum of 120 clock hours of clinical practice per three-hour course in the approved area. Upon completion of the experience, the student will be required to provide a written evaluation on the project. Additionally, the student will be required to perform an oral defense of the findings to their committee.
The thesis option constitutes a significant part of the work toward a master’s degree. The thesis must represent a high standard of scholarly inquiry, methodology, techniques, statistics, and literature review. Candidates for degrees are required to present findings to their graduate committee in the form of an oral defense. Students must meet additional thesis requirements as stated in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
The non-thesis coursework option, combined with the comprehensive examination is designed as a culminating experience. Students will be required to complete an additional six (6) credit hours of graduate level coursework. Classes can be selected from the advisor approved electives list or from ETSU’s established graduate certificate programs with advisor approval.
Retention Standards
Students in the Master of Science Degree in Allied Health program must meet the retention standards as set forth for graduate students by the School of Graduate Studies. Grades shall be based on the 4.0 scale as set forth in the Graduate Catalog. A student will be considered deficient for any course grade less than a “C” (2.0), or when their overall grade average is less than a “B” (3.0.) No more than 6 semester hours of “C” grades in the program of study can be applied toward the degree. Students with an overall grade average of less than a “B” (3.0) will be placed on probation for one semester. If their overall grade average does not improve to a “B” (3.0) the following semester, the student will be dismissed from the program. Students must have a cumulative grade point of 3.0 or better to register for advance practice seminar (capstone) or thesis or the non-thesis coursework option.
Graduation Requirements
Students accepted into the Master of Science in Allied Health program may select between the thesis, non-thesis capstone, and non-thesis coursework option. All students must successfully complete 18 credit hours of allied health core and 12 credit hours in the guided electives.
Upon completion of the required coursework, a comprehensive evaluation of the student’s performance will be administered in the form of a written examination to determine the level of mastery of their discipline.
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination and six (6) credit hours of ALHE 5800 - Advanced Practice Seminar in ALHE (Capstone) or six (6) credit hours of ALHE 5960 - Thesis or six (6) credit hours of additional advisor approved electives will serve as the culminating experience for all candidates. MSAH candidates must complete the comprehensive examination prior to enrolling in ALHE 5800 or ALHE 5960 or enrolling in six (6) credit hours of additional advisor approved electives. All coursework and other requirements for the Master of Science degree in Allied Health must be completed within 6 years from the date of initial enrollment. Students are required to meet additional graduation requirements as stated in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.