The Biology program prepares students for a variety of health profession programs including biomedical laboratory, dental, medicine, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, and more. Winthrop Biology also offers internship credit for work completed in health professions, undergraduate research in biomedical fields, and a unique freshman research lab experience through the SEA-PHAGES program. Additionally, students can gain leadership skills in health organizations on campus through Tri-Beta and the Bench to Bedside Program.
For more information, e-mail biology@winthrop.edu or visit www.winthrop.edu/cas/biology
This department has been very successful in preparing students for several health profession programs. Winthrop chemistry majors have entered into multiple medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary and physical therapy programs. While the requirements for these programs are challenging, they are not the only route for students interested in the health professions. A major part of the chemistry program focuses on lab work (both for courses and through undergraduate research) as well as data analysis using instrumentation. Students are taught how to use these instruments and analyze data so that they can work in any laboratory setting, which covers several health-related occupations including nursing, dietetics, pharmacology, biochemistry and other interdisciplinary fields. Chemists and biochemists work in a wide variety of employment settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice.
For more information, e-mail chemistry@winthrop.edu or visit www.winthrop.edu/cas/chemistry
Winthrop’s Eagle STEM Scholars Program educates and trains undergraduate biochemistry, biology, chemistry, math, computer science, and other science students for direct matriculation into STEM Ph.D. programs or for direct entry into graduate health professional schools. Selected Scholars are first-generation undergraduates, college students with financial need, or members of minority groups traditionally underrepresented in these fields.
For more information, e-mail cavina@winthrop.edu or visit www.winthrop.edu/eaglestem
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The department houses several health professions programs, including the Didactic Program in Dietetics, accredited Dietetic Internship, and Medical Lactation Certificate Program. The dietetic programs assist students in becoming registered dietitian nutritionists. Dietitians study a variety of subjects ranging from food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry. Registered dietitian nutritionists work in a wide variety of employment settings including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice. An international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) helps mothers successfully breastfeed their babies in normal and challenging situations. Lactation consultants can be employed at WIC, in outpatient settings, and in private practice. IBCLCs can also be employed at hospitals, although some hospitals require an RN credential.
For more information, e-mail humannutrition@winthrop.edu or visit www.winthrop.edu/cas/nutrition
Bachelor of Professional Studies, Health Services: The Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) provides an efficient, flexible and affordable degree completion option for adults who have previously earned college credits. The BPS core courses include relevant and impactful assignments that take into account students’ previous education and work experience. Students with a background or interest in health-related fields can select the Health Services concentration. Credit can also be earned through Prior Learning Assessment.
For more information, visit www.winthrop.edu/bps
The Gerontology Minor (GRNT) offers students a solid background in gerontology and an understanding of the issues that affect the older adult population. The interdisciplinary minor includes course choices in sociology, psychology, nutrition, exercise science and biology. Since Gerontologists include researchers and practitioners in the fields of biology, nursing, medicine, criminology, dentistry, social work, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, economics, political science, architecture, geography, pharmacy, public health, housing, and anthropology, it is the ideal minor to stand out in any specific occupational area.
For more information, visit https://www.winthrop.edu/cas/socialwork/gerontology-minor.aspx
Athletic Training Program: Athletic training is a health care profession whose members provide prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. It involves the organization and administration of athletic training programs, as well as the education and counseling of patients. Athletic training has been recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care profession and is practiced under the supervision of a physician. The governing body for the profession is the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. The organization responsible for the certification of athletic trainers is the Board of Certification.
The Winthrop University Athletic Training Program (WU-ATP) includes formal instruction in the areas of injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, and pharmacology. Classroom learning is enhanced through extensive clinical education experiences.
The WU-ATP will transition from a Bachelor of Science to a Master of Science over the next three years. Freshmen who enter in 2020 will begin as Exercise Science students with a concentration in Athletic Training. These students will then begin their professional athletic training coursework in the summer of 2023.
For more information, visit www.winthrop.edu/ceshs/athletictraining
Exercise Science
Exercise Science is one of the largest majors at Winthrop and popular across the United States because of its emphasis on applied human physiology and movement as well as potential for many different career options. Student who are interested in allied health graduate programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, or physician assistant often choose exercise science as their undergraduate major. At Winthrop, effective Fall 2020, there is a 3+2 concentration program in athletic training where students complete their first 3 years in exercise science to earn both an undergraduate degree in exercise science and graduate degree in athletic training in 5 years. Other popular graduate programs for exercise science majors include clinical exercise physiology, applied exercise physiology, nutrition, sport psychology, and public health. Students can prepare for careers in the fitness industry and personal training, clinical exercise physiology/cardiac rehab, athletic strength and conditioning, and corporate and community wellness. All students complete a full-semester internship in their area of interest. They also have opportunity to become certified by leading professional organizations, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as an Exercise Physiologist or by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), the first program in South Carolina to carry this distinction, and is an Education Recognized Program from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
For more information, visit https://www.winthrop.edu/ceshs/exercisescience/index.aspx
The Winthrop University Department of Psychology is committed to helping all students achieve their goals whether it be pursuing graduate or professional school, working in health or human services, using psychology as a base for a career in business, law, medicine, or other professional field, or simply attaining a well-rounded liberal arts education. We offer an outstanding undergraduate program in psychology as well as a nationally recognized graduate program in School Psychology.
We have a strong faculty who possess expertise in such specialties within psychology as clinical, counseling, child, cognition, developmental, experimental, industrial/organizational, physiological, school, social, and related areas. Our faculty model active professional involvement by presenting at conferences, publishing papers and books, contributing to community and state agencies, and holding leadership positions in state and national organizations. However, enhancing student learning and development through quality teaching, mentoring, advising, and assessment is our primary focus, not a sideline.
As you consider a profession in health care, have you ever considered social work? When many hear social work, they think of child welfare and children being removed from their homes, but social work is so much more than that. In the health care setting, social workers are employed in hospitals, home care, hospice, behavioral and mental health settings, to name a few. Social workers assess and create care plans to meet patients where they are in their care. Social workers work as an integral part or the health care interdisciplinary team with doctors, nurses, physical therapists and dietitians to best care for patients. Winthrop offers a student-centered learning community, and the Social Work Department follows the established core social work values of service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. The program offers the following degree options to educate students to become generalist practice and advanced practice social workers: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and Master of Social Work (MSW) degree (MSW includes full time, advanced standing, weekend, and 100% online programs)
For more about what social workers can do, visit: www.helpstartshere.org
For more information on Winthrop’s Social Work programs, visit: www.winthrop.edu/cas/socialwork
