2021 NSU Fact Book

78 NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY scientific information with fundamental clinical application. Students are exposed to clinical settings in their first semester, which begins to prepare them for the real world of medicine. A systems approach to classes integrates material learned from the various departments so that clinical aspects, pathophysiology of diseases, and disorders of each system are addressed. Throughout the course of study, the principles and practice of osteopathic medicine, including manipulative techniques, are applied in specific fields, and attention is given to the fields of community medicine, geriatrics, minority medicine, and the humanities. Students can also undertake basic or applied research or scholarly study under faculty member supervision. To sustain its place at the forefront of osteopathic medical education, the college consistently reviews and updates its curriculum by implementing pro- gressive programs and interactive student-learning tools. The use of high-fidelity manikin simulators and standardized patients allows students to further hone their arsenal of clinical skills. Various modes of edu- cation and of cutting-edge technology, such as 3-D virtual anatomy software, have offered our students ample hands-on learning opportunities. Students receive clinical training in a vast and comprehensive network of affiliated public and private hospitals, medical practices, ambulatory centers, and public health units, as well as at the NSU health care centers. A notable aspect of the clinical training program is a required, three-month rotation in medically underserved practice settings. For two months, students rotate in rural and urban clinics throughout the state of Florida, assisting in providing health care to medically underserved and indigent patient popu- lations and learning to treat ethnic groups whose lifestyles, practices, and cultural attitudes toward health care differ from those in more traditional training sites. This enriching educational experience is one that cannot be taught in the classroom. The third month can be at a site that is within or outside the United States, selected by the student, and approved by the college. Physicians do not work in a vacuum; they are part of a health care team. The college uses the resources of the university’s multidisciplinary health care centers to provide a comprehensive learning experience. While on campus, medical students share faculty members, classes, and campus facilities with other Health Professions Division students and participate along with other disciplines in the comanagement of a diverse patient base as part of their clinical train- ing. The college exposes students to all aspects of managed care and integrated health care systems to provide them with the knowledge and skills they will need to function in the constantly changing health care environment. The college keeps pace with the changing health care system through partnerships with community, health, and educational organizations to better prepare students and residents for their future professional roles. Practice areas in affiliated graduate medical education programs include a wide variety of specialties and sub-specialties. MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) Program is an accredited, graduate-level program designed to prepare students to define, critically assess, and resolve public health problems. The program provides training in the theories, concepts, and principles of public health, as well as their application. To meet the rapidly changing needs of health service professionals, the curriculum is structured to accommodate a diversity of backgrounds and individual career goals. The M.P.H. program offers a general Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree, which requires a minimum of 42 credit hours of study. This consists of 27 credit hours of required core courses—including a public health field experience—and an integrative learning experience, in addition to a minimum of 15 credit hours of public health elective courses, such as special studies, community health project, and public health research. Coursework may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. M.P.H. students are required to complete their course of study within five years of matriculation. A full-time student may be able to Colleges and Academic Centers