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Posted: 5/07/20

TAMIU Expands Public Health Focus with New BS Degree

 

Dr. Marivic Torregosa
Dr. Marivic Torregosa, Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences  

This Fall, Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) College of Nursing and Health Sciences will expand its long tradition of service to public health with a new Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health (BSPH).

TAMIU dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dr. Marivic Torregosa said there can be no better time for the University to expand and maintain its leadership in the public health arena. 

“With the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic, no other time in our shared history has seen a greater need for public health professionals.  The College of Nursing and Health Sciences is honored to be able to continue its leadership in public health here,”  Dr. Torregosa said.

Torregosa explained the program’s mission and structure.

“The Public Health degree seeks to educate students from diverse disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds in core public health knowledge areas. Graduates will be equipped with competencies, knowledge, and skills that will help prevent disease and illness, promote physical and mental health and social well-being through practice, leadership, and applied research in public health,” Torregosa explained. 

The 120-hour degree includes a 42-hour core curriculum and  is carefully designed to include courses allowing for the broad practice of public health.  It is intent on developing hands-on skills and cultural sensitivity addressed in part through community immersion, internship, applied research projects, and study abroad courses, she added.

Torregosa said the University’s program has inherent distinctions which will advantage students in the new program.

“The BSPH has a solid foundation in the physical and social and behavioral science areas and is aligned with our other College of Nursing and Health Sciences BS programs including Nursing, Communication Disorders, and Kinesiology Health Science.  All will work within a multidisciplinary framework to address the acute and chronic health conditions facing South Texas, Texas and beyond. With these inherent distinctions, students can readily  develop an interdisciplinary perspective to address social determinants of health. Nursing, psychological, sociological, behavioral approaches to health disparities, health care delivery systems, and contextual/environmental factors will facilitate the development of innovative strategies that can be applied to effect positive changes in health promotion in border and other communities,” she observed. 

Leading the University’s multidisciplinary BSPH faculty will be Dr. Cindy Salazar-Collier.  She holds her Ph.D. from UTHealth in Epidemiology with a minor in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences and a breadth in health disparities. The Rio Grande Valley native earned a  Master’s in Public Health with a focus in Community Health Education from Baylor University. Her research interests include religion and health, chronic disease prevention and management, and determinants and measurement of physical activity engagement. 

Torregosa said the opportunities for BSPH degree graduates are limitless. 

“This degree will prepare undergraduate students for careers in public health. Their training and preparation will equip them to address major health care problems through the lens of a public health professional. Some of the opportunities available for graduates include health educators, community planners, community health navigators, epidemiologists, policymakers, health promotion experts, sanitarians, researchers and scientists. Just this past week, New York City sent out a call for 1000 public health professionals who can assist with  contact tracing, a critical element in the city’s COVID-19 response,” she noted. 

For additional information on the new Bachelor of Science in Public Health, please contact Felipe Rodriguez,  Academic Success Coach II  by email felipe.rodriguez@tamiu.edu  or call 956.326.3269. 

In addition to an online RN to BSN degree, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers other nursing programs such as traditional BSN program, and BS programs in  Communication Disorders and Kinesiology Health Science. A Masters in Nursing Administration (online), and the new MSN Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program are also offered.

Registration for Maymester, Summer and Fall 2020 courses is now underway.  An online catalog containing a list of nearly 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs is at http://catalog.tamiu.edu

Just last week, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved and authorized two new Engineering degrees to be offered by TAMIU’s School of Engineering:  a  Bachelor of Science with a major in Petroleum Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. 

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAMIU’s campus is closed only to the general public. Entry to campus continues for students, faculty, staff and those having legitimate reasons to be on campus. Online and virtual services at the University continue, practicing all CDC Guidelines on gathering, masking and social distancing and with most staff working remotely.  Office hours are subject to change and it is recommended that phone or email contact be made first to determine the office’s schedule of operation.   An online directory is here.

The University’s dedicated COVID-19 website is updated daily and includes information on office schedules and services, an expansive FAQ, quick links, student resources, official information links and much more.