Mission and Goals

Mission

The mission of Undergraduate Studies is to provide students the opportunity to earn baccalaureate-level degrees in designated majors, as well as to lay the foundation for progression into upper-division School of Health Sciences programs. In doing this, it emphasizes the pursuit of academic rigor and integrity, excellence in instruction, intellectual accomplishment, and research. The academic environment creates a collegial and cooperative learning community, respect for and appreciation of differing viewpoints, scholarship, and academic freedom.

Goals and Objectives

1. Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
   • Students will be able to obtain in-depth knowledge of issues in their major.
   • Students will be able to apply knowledge of research to evaluate topics in their major.
   • Students will be able to accurately assess their own analysis skills, respond appropriately to constructive criticism from others, and develop strategies for improvement.
   • Students will be able to demonstrate critical decision-making skills and an open mindedness to alternative solutions through the use of case inquiry and problem solving.
2. Enhance written and oral communication skills and information literacy.
   • Students will be able to design and execute research under the direction of the faculty.
   • Students will be able to explain and evaluate research.
   • Students will be able to formulate written, computer and oral presentations.
   • Students will be able to use research skills to obtain information from appropriate Internet sources.
3. Provide the theoretical and applied expertise to select, use and analyze the methodologies available to synthesize and evaluate data.
   • Students will be able to collect and interpret background information relevant to the assessment process from available sources.
   • Students will be able to select, administer and /or adopt standardized measures.
   • Students will be able to compare work with the highest known standards in the field.
   • Graduates will be able to formulate and execute programs based upon their research and the new research being published in the field.
   • Graduates will be able to monitor program changes to allow for continuing quality improvement.
4. Provide the concepts and model the behaviors indicative of ethical practice within the profession.
   • Students will be able to understand and apply ethical principles.
   • Students will be able to defend the ethical standards, values and attitudes of the health care professional.