Health science and education

School of Health Sciences and Education

From diverse global communities to underserved rural populations, be prepared to share your gifts with compassion and confidence.

  • Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Overview

    • Turn Your Calling Into a Career

    Saint Francis of Assisi had a legendary gift for caring, and our School of Health Sciences and Education will help you follow in his footsteps.
    Here we offer programs in healthcare, education, social work, and psychology that carefully blend specialized professional curricula with a liberal arts education rooted in Catholic Franciscan values developed to foster your unique gifts.  Whether you aspire to heal minds, bodies, and souls or you choose to cultivate the minds of tomorrow; our majors can help you be ready for an innovative, high-touch profession where learning never stops.  
    A diligent student with a cross sticker on their laptop

    focus on leadership development and service-learning

    Enthusiastic Faculty member gesturing with hands

    direct connections with expert faculty

    Students hands-on learning with a stethoscope

    quality clinical, internship, and student teaching opportunities

    Why Saint Francis?

    Approach Your Future with Confidence

    Our curriculum is designed to prepare you for success on any corresponding certifications or exams associated with your program, graduate programs, and your career. Our students benefit from:
    • Hands-on learning
    • Small class sizes
    • Practical, authentic educational environments
    • Opportunities for research, community engagement, inter-professional experiences, simulation and study abroad
    Faculty instructing students
    STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

    Opportunities for growth. Support for your passion.

     
     
    Our School of Health Sciences and Education is designed to provide you with the skills, practical experience, expert support, and innovative facilities you need to follow your calling. 
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    HSED BANNER

    Facilities and Resources 

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    SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND EDUCATION FACULTY

    A personalized approach to learning and leading

     

    The School of Health Sciences and Education utilizes exceptional learning opportunities to help you become the competent, compassionate and ethical professional you are destined to be. Experience our unique camaraderie through hands-on learning in small classes lead by expert faculty. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û professors will know you by name and provide individualized focus, attention and support to help you achieve your highest potential in your program of focus.

     

    Kerri Golden Profile Image

    Dr. Kerri Golden, Interim Dean, School of Health Sciences and Education

    An expert in administration and management, leadership, ethics, and occupational therapy, Dr. Golden is dedicated to supporting students in the School of Health Sciences and Education through high-quality experiences and individualized attention. Dr. Golden is a trained CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) where she serves as a child advocate for those at-risk in Cambria County. She has received numerous awards for teaching and advocacy from the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association. 

     

    Undergraduate Degrees in the School of HSED

     Education

    • B.S. in Early Childhood Education (on-campus)
    • Online ECE degrees (associate, degree completion and bachelor's) 
    • Subject-Specific B.S.  in Secondary Education: Grades 7-12 ( Biology, English, History, Mathematics, and Spanish)
    • B.S. in Special Education

    Education degree paths   

    Exercise Physiology

    • B.S. in Exercise Physiology ( concentrations in Fitness Professionals, Graduate Allied-Health, and Pre-Med)
    • Minors in Diving, Movement Science, and Exercise Physiology

    Exercise Physiology degree paths 

    Nursing

    • BSN (on-campus)
    • Accelerated RN to  BSN (second degree)
    • Online RN to BSN

    Nursing  degree paths

    Occupational Therapy

    • Accelerated /Early-Entry Master of Occupational Therapy

    Direct-entry occupational therapy path 

    Physician Assistant Science

    • Accelerated Early-Entry MPAS (3+2)
    • Pre-PA ConcentrationHealth Care Studies, B.S.

    Physician Assistant Science degree paths

     

    Physical Therapy

    • Accelerated 3+3 option, direct-entry to DPT program
    • Traditional 4+3 option, direct-entry to DPT program

    Direct-entry Physical Therapy degree path 

    Psychology

    • B.S. in Psychological Science (concentrations in pre-med and neuroscience)
    • Neuroscience (double major: Psychology/Biology)
    • Minor in Animal-Assited Health & Education
    • 4+3 DPT early-entry program

    Psychology degree paths 

    Pre-Med

    • Pre-Med (concentrations under Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Exercise Physiology, Psychology, and Public Health)
    • Early-Acceptance programs in dentistry,  optometry,  medicine, and pharmacy

    .Pre-med degree paths  

    Public Health

    • B.A./ B.S.  in Public Health (concentration in Environmental Science, Epidemiology, Health Policy Administrator, and Pre-Med)
    • Online B.A. in Public Health

    Public Health degree paths

     

    Social Work

    • B.S. in Social Work

    Social Work degree path

    More Healthcare Degrees

    Signature Minors & Certificates

    Graduate Degrees in the School of HSED

    Education

    Healthcare

     

    An Ancient stone wall hosting a hooded and pious Saint Francis gazing towards heaven. Sparsely garnished conifers glow green in the sunlight.

    Several academic programs within the School of Health Sciences and Education at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û are accredited by their respective specialized accrediting agencies.
    Learn more 

    Mission Statement

    The School of Health Sciences and Education provides an inclusive learning community with a focus on rural and underserved populations that integrates collaborative and innovative educational opportunities with a liberal arts foundation. Inspired by the teachings and character of Saint Francis of Assisi, we prepare competent, compassionate, and ethical educators, researchers and health care professionals to live in solidarity with all creation.

     

    Blog
    Left to Right: Michael Cacciotti, BG Principal, Students: Addison Berardi - Adaya Craig – Dominic Danastasio – Riley Gofus, Tori Wilsoncroft, BG School Counselor

    Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Welcomes Inaugural Group of Students to Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy

    Erin McCloskey | 10/15/2024
    Left to Right: Michael Cacciotti, BG Principal, Students: Addison Berardi - Adaya Craig – Dominic Danastasio – Riley Gofus, Tori Wilsoncroft, BG School Counselor Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Welcomes Inaugural Group of Students to Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û is excited to announce the acceptance of the inaugural group of students into the new Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program, offered exclusively to Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Academy students. This program, a unique collaboration between Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û and Bishop
    Mercy Ships

    Nursing alumnae volunteers with Mercy Ships in Africa

    Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 10/15/2024
    Michaela Smith, a 2016 Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û BSN graduate, recently served as a volunteer nurse for a two-week rotation in September with Mercy Ships, bringing healing and hope to communities in Sierra Leone, Africa.
    Dawson at Go Baby Go pick Up Day at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û

    Go Baby Go! offers cool wheels and big smiles

    Rachel (Vasilko) Heckman ‘13 | 05/09/2024
    Interdisciplinary, community-engaged program, Go Baby Go! benefits children with disabilities and offers hands-on experience for OT, PA, and engineering students at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û.
    Ava prepping for OT food lab

    Occupational Therapy in Action: Eating it All Up

    Rachel (Vasilko) Heckman ‘13 | 05/03/2024
    4-year-old Ava’s weekly feeding treatments offer hands-on experience for OT students. Since fall 2022, she has been attending these feeding sessions as part of a hands-on, community-engaged lab with the students in the pediatrics course.
    Powers Award Recipients 2024

    Three stand-out Cambria Heights educators receive Dr. John Powers Outstanding Educator Award

    University Communications & Marketing | 05/01/2024
    Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û presents the Dr. John Powers Outstanding Educator Award to a deserving elementary or secondary teacher or administrator each spring. This year, the university presented the award to three outstanding Cambria Heights educators during the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û President's Awards Convocation on April 30, 2024.
    Screen shot Kaleidoscope March 10 episode

    A new high school sport that connects all the students

    University Communications & Marketing | 03/25/2024
    On the March 10 episode of Kaleidoscope, host Sara Cameron introduced viewers to Unified Bocce Ball, a competitive co-ed high school sport similar to lawn ball that taking hold in the region.
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