Siena College has just received state approval to offer a new major in health studies.
Returning students and entering freshman can declare the major effective this fall. The course of study will lead to a bachelor of arts degree.
The health studies major features three tracks of study: health administration, health sciences and health policy, according to Margaret E. Madden, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs.
“This three-track program makes Siena’s health studies major unique among similar programs at other colleges,” said Dr. Madden. “Students will be required to study at least one of the three areas in depth, and will receive an overview of the healthcare system and critical public health issues.”
Dr. Madden said this is the first major at Siena that is truly interdisciplinary among the College’s three schools. The full program will be housed in the School of Liberal Arts, since the majority of its courses will be offered by this school, but the School of Science and the School of Business will also host a track of the major. Health administration will be part of the School of Business; health sciences will be part of the School of Science; and health policy will be part of the School of Liberal Arts.
Duane A. Matcha, Ph.D., professor of sociology at Siena, is the director of the new program, which he says “aligns extremely well with current job and market trends."
“There are tremendous job opportunities in health care in the Capital Region and beyond, and these opportunities will only expand as the baby boomer population ages,” said Dr. Matcha. “If you look at job openings on any career website, you can see the wide variety of positions available for those with a degree aligned with health studies.”
Siena has offered minors and certificate programs in health studies and health administration since the 1990s. They currently enroll about 50 students. A minor in health studies will continue to be offered.
“Given the high level of interest from current and potential students, it was time to offer a full-fledged health studies major at Siena,” he said.
The health sciences track is expected to be extremely popular, as it will lay the foundation for graduate-level study for careers in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physician’s assistantship, exercise science, and a wide array of other medical and allied health fields.
Students in the administration track can pursue careers in the management of health care facilities, wellness centers, and clinics; human resources; home care case management, and more. Students in the policy track can prepare for careers in public policy or law related to health care. Another option after graduating from one of these tracks is to pursue a master’s degree in business administration, public health, or public administration.
Students from all three tracks of study will come together during their senior year for a capstone project, which will bring their various backgrounds in science, policy and administration to the table to create solutions for health care issues currently facing society.
Dr. Matcha said Siena’s Franciscan tradition will inform the students’ study from a moral and ethical perspective.
“The idea of serving others is at the core of the Franciscan tradition,” he explained. “We want our students to learn about the scientific and business aspects of health care, but at the basis of this needs to be a sense of compassion and responsibility.”
He said the American system of health care will be studied alongside the systems of other developed nations.
Planning for the new major began two years ago, after Siena’s new bachelor of science in nursing program was announced.
Also involved with the development of the new major were Deborah L. Kelly, Esq., associate professor of management; Elizabeth D. Brookins, Ph.D., health professions advisor; James D. Angstadt, Ph.D., professor of biology and chair of the biology department; Lisa M. Flack, D.N.S., director of nursing; and Donna Tytko, assistant dean of liberal arts; and faculty in each department involved in the program.
