College Code: HH
The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) has been renamed the College of Public Health (CPH) effective November 1, 2022. The name change is effective immediately, and the college renaming will be implemented across all of the university catalog content for the next edition (2023-2024).
Recognized as the “health college” of George Mason University, the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) offers highly specialized interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare students for professional careers aimed at improving the public’s health and well-being across the lifespan, while eliminating health disparities and promoting social justice. Graduates from our programs work in official health and social agencies, non-governmental health organizations, private industry, health systems, and colleges and universities.
Our college offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in community health, global health, health administration, health informatics, health policy, health system management, nursing, public health, social work, and selected academic minors, concentrations, and graduate certificates. To learn more about our degree programs, please visit https://chhs.gmu.edu/academics or call the CHHS Office of Student Affairs at 703-993-1901.
Throughout the year, the college hosts degree program information sessions to interested students. For dates and times and registration information, visit the Prospective Student Information Sessions website.
Academic Programs
Our college is committed to educating the next generation of health professionals, researchers, and educators. Our School of Nursing produces more new RNs each year than any other program in Virginia, and these graduates have one of the state's highest pass rates on the nursing licensure exam. The Department of Health Administration and Policy prepares students for careers as leaders of health care organizations and as health policymakers at the state and national levels, while the Department of Global and Community Health trains public health practitioners with a global reach, who can intervene and improve the health of local and international populations. The Department of Nutrition and Food Studies integrates education, research, and outreach in preparing students to improve the health and well-being of populations through food and nutrition. The Department of Social Work educates undergraduate and graduate students to be professional social workers practicing in either community organizations or clinical settings. Our academic units offer a variety of specializations within degree programs, including gerontology, epidemiology and biostatistics, health informatics, clinical social work, and conflict analysis and resolution.
College Faculty
Professors
Alemi, Cheskin, Cuellar, Drews-Botsch, Griffin, Hong, Ihara, Jacobsen, Jung, Kitsantas, Kubik, Maddox, Metcalf, Poms, Rodan, Roess, Rose, R. Sutter, Tang, Tompkins, Weiler, Weinstein, Wolf-Branigin
Associate Professors
Anand, Blair, Bloom, Cantiello, Cleaveland, Davis, Douglas, Fleming, Freedman, Gewa, Gimm, Goldberg, Gupta, Hines, Huddleston, Inoue, Keyser, Kirsch, Lahm, Lindley, Matto, Maughan, Middle, Min, Nakkash, Oetjen, Oh, Pollack, Sheingold, Slavin, C. Sutter, von Fricken, Winter, Wojtusiak, Xue
Assistant Professors
Avramovic, Basiri, Batheja, Black, Booth, Brooks, Brown, Catona, S. Chang, Chin, Davidson, de Jonge, DuBois, Eklou, Grace, Garrison, Green-Lawson, Gill, Haas, Hand, Harman, Kelly, D. King, Ko, Koduah, Krall, LaCharite, Landis, Madison, Mitcham, Rickerby, Scafide, Schriefer, Shiver, Stoehr, Tomaszewski, Turpin, Uriyo, Villodas, Waithaka, Wang, M. Williams, Zane
Instructors
K. Chang
Administrative Faculty
Adams, Beckwith, Cieslowski, Chomitz, Cornejo, Dove, Dugger, Fleck, Gillette, Green, Helmick, Hensley, Holmes, Hamayoun, Johnson, Joyner, Kargbo, Park, Perez-Brodeur, Sawyer, Thompson, Walsh, L. Williams
ASTHO Affiliate Faculty
Allen, Dennison, Fraser, Lane, Plescia, Ruebush, Yeide
Emeriti
Ailinger, Baghi, Boland, Boyd, Brenkus, Carty, Chong, Gerber, Guccione, Howell, Jenkins, Langley, Mallinson, Moore, Moss, Nichols, Normile, Parker-Smith, Raskin, Redmond, Ritchie, Rome, Silva, Sluzki, Sorrell, Vail, Walker, Whittington, Wu
Policies
Professional Conduct Policy
All CHHS students are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times. This means that certain behavior is prohibited, including verbal abuse, insubordination, and behavior that threatens the safety of a client, another student, a faculty member, or other health care provider when the behavior occurs within the context of an academic program. CHHS reserves the right to place on probation, suspend, or terminate any student in its programs who engages in such conduct. Students disciplined for such reasons have the right to appeal to their department chair or director.
Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs supports students, faculty, and staff members on a variety of admissions, academic, and policy issues. Student Affairs is involved in recruiting new students; pre-admissions advising; processing applications for graduate programs and undergraduate nursing programs; and conducting orientations for newly admitted students.
Student Affairs maintains the college's student records; reviews and recommends action on student requests for exceptions to academic policy; processes standard academic actions; and approves student records for degree completion prior to graduation. Student grade appeals fall under university policy as described in AP.3.9 Grade Appeals.
Each CHHS student is assigned an academic advisor, with whom he or she should meet at least once per semester in order to ensure that program requirements are met. The assigned advisor may be a faculty member, a departmental program coordinator, or an advisor in the Office of Student Affairs.
Student Responsibility
All students are required to have an active Mason e-mail account and to update any change of address on-line through Patriot Web. The college will not communicate with students via a personal e-mail address, so it is important that students check their Mason e-mail regularly. Students are responsible for knowing the university academic policies and the policies governing their program as stated in the university catalog. They are also responsible to know the semester academic calendar including withdrawal deadlines; to review their Mason transcript on-line to ensure transfer of credit accuracy; and to monitor their degree progression through the degree evaluation tool on Patriot Web.
Background Checks
Many clinical agencies and practicum sites mandate that students working there have a criminal background check. All students enrolled in the School of Nursing are required to complete a criminal background check prior to beginning the program. Students enrolled in other CHHS programs may be required to complete background checks before entering a practicum environment. Information obtained from the background check is strictly confidential but may result in a student's inability to perform clinical or practicum activities and, therefore, will disqualify the student from entering or continuing in the program. School of Nursing students are sent information regarding the criminal background check process, and associated fees, upon admission. Other students are informed individually as they are considered for practicum activities requiring background checks. Students are responsible for notifying the assistant dean of student affairs of any arrests, regardless of adjudication, that occur after acceptance and during enrollment in the program. Failure to promptly notify the assistant dean of student affairs may be grounds for termination from the program.
Health Records
To comply with the policies established by the Commonwealth of Virginia, all students must provide current immunization records to the university's Student Health Services at the time of admission to the college. Immunizations may be obtained through Student Health Services on any of the Mason campuses. All students in the School of Nursing also must submit immunization records to the School of Nursing at the time of admission. Additional documentation of good health may be required.
Students should keep copies of their health records should agencies require them for clinical and practicum assignments. All costs associated with immunizations and certifications are the student's responsibility.
Insurance and Liability
Students are strongly advised to maintain health insurance coverage at all times. All students enrolled in the School of Nursing are required to maintain health insurance at all times. A student health insurance plan is available to eligible students through Mason. Students are responsible for their own health care, including emergency care, and CHHS assumes no financial responsibility for the health care of students. Enrolled students who are performing internships and similar experiential learning as a required part of their academic programs are considered agents of the university. They are covered for professional liability by the Commonwealth of Virginia Risk Management Plan while engaged in their prescribed educational duties.
Academic Outreach
The mission of the Office of Academic Outreach is to provide off-campus graduate coursework that supports the continued professional development and competency of practicing health professionals. This purpose is accomplished through collaborative relationships with expert health and instructional resources—individual and organizational—both internal and external to the University.
Academic Policies
Students should become familiar with the university's general academic policies in addition to those specific to each academic unit. See Academic Policies.
Graduate Admission
Admission decisions are made by the faculty committee on admissions of the respective graduate programs. Denial of admission is not subject to appeal. Applicants denied admission to a program are not permitted to enroll in courses in that program through Non-Degree Studies.
If an applicant is offered graduate admission, the college reserves the right to withdraw that offer of admission or to terminate a student in a graduate program if:
- During his or her academic studies, the admitted applicant has a significant drop in academic performance or fails to graduate with a degree prior to the first day of classes for the term admitted.
- There has been a misrepresentation in the application process.
- Prior to the first day of classes for the term admitted, the college learns that the admitted applicant has engaged in behavior that indicates a serious lack of judgment or integrity, irrespective of the outcome of any disciplinary process related to such behavior.
The university further reserves the right to require the applicant to provide additional information (and/or authorization for the release of information) about any such matter.
Non-Degree Enrollment
Non-degree status enables students who have no immediate degree objective or may need to satisfy prerequisites for admission to a degree program to enroll in courses for which they are qualified without seeking formal admission to a degree program. Applicants should be aware of the fact that non-degree admission does not guarantee enrollment in any specific course or future degree program. Enrollment in specific courses is based on eligibility criteria and availability of space in courses. In some areas of study, enrollment may be restricted or prohibited.
Non-degree applications and their established deadlines are available online through the Office of Admission. Detailed information regarding non-degree admission policies and procedures can be found in Non-Degree Enrollment.
The Department of Global and Community Health, the Department of Health Administration and Policy, the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, and the Department of Social Work welcome non-degree students in their classes on a space-available basis. Programs in the College of Health and Human Services which have course restrictions are listed below.
Graduate Non-Degree Restrictions
All Graduate Programs
Students may take a maximum of 9 credit hours in non-degree studies. A student cannot graduate or receive a degree while in non-degree studies. Non-degree graduate students may not register for classes numbered 800 or higher.
Nursing, MSN
A student may be eligible to enroll in approved non-degree MSN courses when space is available if the student:
- Has not applied for the MSN program and has not been previously denied admission to the MSN program;
- Holds a BSN from an accredited college and achieved a cumulative degree GPA of 3.00;
- Holds a current RN license.
MSN non-degree students may not take classes numbered 800 or higher. In addition, they may take a maximum of 9 credit hours in non-degree studies.
Undergraduate Non-Degree Restrictions
Nursing, BSN
Students must be admitted into the BSN program in order to register for undergraduate nursing (NURS) courses.
Health and Human Services (HHS)
Note: See individual academic units within the college for other course offerings
200 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (HHS 270C or 270XS).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
400 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Special scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
500 Level Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
600 Level Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Special scale.
700 Level Courses
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
800 Level Courses
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy or Graduate.
Students in a Non-Degree Post-Baccalaureate or Non-Degree Undergraduate degrees may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students in the Health and Human Services college.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Rehabilitation Science (RHBS)
300 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
400 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: RHBS 390C or 390XS.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
600 Level Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
700 Level Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
800 Level Courses
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
900 Level Courses
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Rehabilitation Science.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.