49
The anesthesiologist assistant specialization for the
Master of Health Science Program, on the professional/
graduate level has programs in Fort Lauderdale and
Tampa. Upon graduation, students will be granted
a Master of Health Science degree. The innovative,
27-
month curriculum focuses on using state-of-the-art
instructional technologies and methods that will prepare
anesthesiologist assistants to be superior clinicians that
work within the anesthesia care team.
The Audiology Program offers students a scientific
foundation coupled with diverse clinical experiences
that are necessary for successful independent practice.
An audiologist is uniquely qualified to provide a
comprehensive array of services related to the diagnosis,
management, and treatment of people with hearing and
balance disorders.
Nova Southeastern University was first in the nation
to offer the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) Program
to current practitioners, allowing them to return to
school and earn their doctoral degrees. In addition to
the main HPD campus, the Audiology Department
offers the Doctor of Audiology Program for audiological
scientists and other qualified audiology practitioners in
the United Kingdom.
College of Medical Sciences
The College of Medical Sciences began the Master of
Biomedical Sciences (M.B.S.) Program in the fall of
1996.
It provides students with several options. The
M.B.S. program prepares students for admission to
professional school; further develops individuals who are
already professionals with degrees; and trains students
for careers in the basic medical sciences as generalists,
specialists, or teachers in one of the science fields. Those
interested in postgraduate training, either before or after
professional school, can also benefit from the program.
Courses of study are individualized as much as possible to
meet the student’s career goals and maximize educational
benefits. Small class sizes provide opportunities for small
group discussion and interaction with faculty members.
Students take basic science courses such as anatomy,
biochemistry, pathology, physiology, and pharmacology.
The college also serves to coordinate and provide all basic
and medical sciences education to the other division
colleges and contributes to the unique interdisciplinary
training environment. For example, while all of our
students need to be proficient in anatomy, the depth
and scope of this exposure will vary from profession
to profession. Osteopathic medicine, optometry, and
dental students require detailed study of head and neck
anatomy, while pharmacy and occupational therapy
students do not need this same level of emphasis.
Conversely, an extensive study of the extremities is
vital to the education of osteopathic medicine and
occupational therapy students, while optometry and
dental students have less involvement here and,
therefore, less of an emphasis.
The biomedical sciences have always been an important
component of the professional degree programs offered
in the Health Professions Division, and the College of
Medical Sciences is committed to providing students
with the highest quality education as they prepare for
clinical, academic, or scientific careers. In addition,
as a complement to, and resource for, the division’s
other health profession colleges, the College of Medical
Sciences is the starting point for the division’s nationally
recognized interdisciplinary education programs.
College of Nursing
With more than 2.7 million registered nurses
nationwide, nursing continues to be the largest health
care profession in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics projects that employment for registered
nurses (R.N.s) will grow faster than the average for all
occupations through 2012.
Most health care services involve some form of care
by nurses. Although 60 percent of all employed R.N.s
work in hospitals, many are employed in a wide range
of other settings, including private practices, public
health agencies, primary care clinics, home health
care, outpatient surgical centers, health maintenance
organizations, nursing-school operated nursing centers,
insurance and managed care companies, nursing homes,
schools, mental health agencies, hospices, the military,
and industry. Other nurses work in careers as college
and university educators preparing future nurses, or as
scientists developing advances in many areas of health
care and health promotion.