Health, Education and Professional Studies

Professor Valerie Rutledge, Dean

The mission of the faculty and staff in the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies is to collaboratively engage students in diverse, high quality learning with opportunities for research and service within the metropolitan community. In fulfilling this mission, the College is committed to:

Enhancing the bodies of knowledge in each of its disciplines.
Promoting the values and ethics of a truth-seeking, caring college.
Serving diverse populations by preparing family and social service experts; health and lifestyle professionals; and leaders and teachers for the 21st century.
Promoting critical partnerships with communities for the development of socially responsible leaders.

Departments within the College include Health and Human Performance, Interior Design, the School of Education, the School of Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Social Work.

Programs in the College have earned accreditation from the following organizations:

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Tennessee State Department of Education
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) (formerly FIDER)
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
American Dietetics Association (ADA)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) (conditional accreditation)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Council of Accreditation (COA) for Nurse Anesthesia
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CCATE)
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education/American Physical Therapy Association (CAPTE/APTA)

Health and Human Performance
Associate Professor Gary Liguori, Head

The Department of Health and Human Performance exists to educate and train students, conduct and translate research, and provide service in the areas of physical activity, preventive and rehabilitative science, nutrition, and health promotion. Career programs tracks include Exercise Science, K-12 Pedagogy, Dietetics, and Sport and Leisure Service Administration.

Interior Design
Associate Professor Dana Moody, Head

Interior Design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. Design solutions are functional, aesthetically pleasing and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

School of Education
Professor Linda Johnston, Interim Director

The School of Education offers programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels which prepare individuals for a wide range of professions. Courses of study range from those which prepare beginning teachers and individuals who will work with various agencies to those which enable professionals to pursue studies at the advanced level. Programs include initial licensure in a wide range of educational fields, the child and family studies area, and advanced practice. The curriculum for each of these programs meets the accreditation requirements of the appropriate national accrediting organization and allows candidates to acquire credentials in numerous areas.

School of Nursing
Associate Professor Chris Smith, Interim Director

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program prepares students for beginning practice as a registered nurse in a variety of settings. Students are prepared for graduate studies in nursing. The emphasis of the program is on the use of knowledge and skills to plan and implement nursing care.

Physical Therapy
Professor Debbie Ingram, Interim Head

The Doctor of Physical Therapy is designed to prepare graduates to meet entry-level practice in the physical therapy profession. The program involves the evaluation and management of movement system disorders while preparing graduates to assume a role in prevention, wellness and health promotion in today’s health care environment.

Social Work
Associate Professor Michael Sherr, Head

The social work program prepares professional social workers for beginning practice as social work generalists capable of functioning in a variety of agency and community settings and of practicing with diverse populations. The curriculum provides knowledge and skills for working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.