College of Applied Health Sciences
Important Note: This is the archived version of the 2013–2015 Undergraduate Catalog. The information on these pages was archived on August 6, 2013 and will not be updated as requirement and/or program changes are approved. Please see www.uic.edu/ucat for the most up-to-date requirements.
Table of Contents
- College of Applied Health Sciences
- Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition
- Disability and Human Development
College of Applied Health Sciences
- Academic Load
- Academic Performance
- Academic Probation and Dismissal Rules
- Change of Course Schedule
- Change of Major
- Class Attendance
- Course Prerequisites
- Credit/No Credit Option
- Declaring a Major
- Double Major, Double Degrees, and Second Bachelor's Degree
- Graduate-Level Courses for Undergraduate Credit
- Independent Study
- Petition Procedure
- Proficiency Examinations
- Progression to Clinical Fieldwork
- Registration Approval
- Repeat Policy for Standard Graded Courses
- Student Health
- Transferring
Academic Honors Student Organizations
Dean, Bo Fernhall
560 Applied Health Sciences Building (AHSB)
ahsinfo@uic.edu
http://www.ahs.uic.edu
Student Affairs Office: (312) 996-2079
Administration: (312) 996-6695
Biomedical and Health Information Sciences:
(312) 996-7337
Disability and Human Development: (312) 413-1647
Kinesiology and Nutrition: (312) 996-4600
Occupational Therapy: (312) 996-6901
Physical Therapy: (312) 996-7784
Nationally prominent in research, service, and education, the College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) is a leader in applied rehabilitation and disability studies. The college houses five departments: Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, Disability and Human Development, Kinesiology and Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.
A variety of degree programs is offered in the areas of biomedical visualization, disability studies, health informatics, health information management, nutrition, kinesiology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The college offers three bachelor’s degrees, seven master’s degrees, and four doctoral programs.
The research efforts of the multidisciplinary faculty are directed toward new and applied knowledge in aging and disability studies, health information sciences, and health promotion and disease prevention. The college’s research and educational programs are substantially strengthened by the unification of the academic departments with their clinical counterparts in the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.
The mission of the College of Applied Health Sciences is to prepare professionals for the advancement of health and of healthcare and its related aspects of human development, performance, and adaptation. The principal means through which this mission is accomplished is by actively integrating teaching, research, and service. The college’s first priority is the education of its students, which includes fostering their capacity for compassion, dedication, and advocacy. As a major component of an urban land grant institution, the college is committed to diversity, community needs, and the creation and dissemination of new knowledge.
The college encourages and accommodates the participation of persons with disabilities in all of its programs.
Each of the college’s professional programs is accredited by the appropriate accrediting agency and most serve as national models in education. For information on specific accreditation, refer to the appropriate program in the following sections of this catalog.
The College of Applied Health Sciences houses both traditional undergraduate BS programs as well as professional BS programs. Students can pursue an undergraduate professional course of study in either the Health Information Management program or the Nutrition Coordinated Program. The undergraduate professional course of study is arranged in two phases: completion of preprofessional course work and two years of professional course work at UIC leading to professional baccalaureate degrees in health information management or nutrition. Prerequisite courses equivalent to those offered by the University of Illinois at Chicago may be completed at any accredited college or university. The college’s professional programs coordinate classroom instruction with clinical experience in a variety of healthcare facilities in Chicago and surrounding areas throughout the two years of the program. The two-year, campus-based professional programs begin with the fall semester of each academic year. Completion of professional program graduation requirements culminating in a baccalaureate degree qualifies the graduate to take the appropriate national certification examinations. Information about the examinations will be provided by the academic program during matriculation. Professional certification is necessary and in most cases mandatory for practice. A Health Information Management online degree completion program is also available for students who have successfully completed the program prerequisites and earned an associate's degree in a healthcare discipline, information technology, or business.
The traditional BS programs are housed in the Kinesiology and Nutrition department. These programs help prepare students for professional studies at the graduate level in areas such as physical therapy, nutrition, medicine, dentistry, and nursing, or direct entry into careers in the health and fitness industries. The Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition accepts students at the freshman and transfer level and awards the BS in Kinesiology and the BS in Nutrition. There are two concentrations available in the Kinesiology program: Movement Science or Exercise Science and Health Promotion. Both programs encourage undergraduate participation in research; there are ample opportunities for undergraduates to become engaged in exciting research projects in state-of-the-art laboratories that are under the direction of world-class scientists. The Exercise Science and Health Promotion concentration includes an optional internship. The Nutrition program admits students to the Nutrition Science program at the transfer level only and awards the BS in Nutrition.The Nutrition Science program is an accredited “Didactic Program in Dietetics,” enabling graduates to apply for a dietetic internship at sites approved by the American Dietetic Association http://www.eatright.org.
The professional occupational therapy program is offered at the master’s (MS in Occupational Therapy) and doctoral (OTD, Doctor of Occupational Therapy) levels. The professional physical therapy entry-level program is offered through the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. For more information about these programs, contact the Department of Occupational Therapy at (312) 996-6901 or the Department of Physical Therapy at (312) 996-1501 or visit the college website http://www.ahs.uic.edu/.
Students planning to pursue a professional degree in Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy should consult the Preprofessional Studies information listed at the end of the AHS section of the catalog for information on recommended courses.
To earn a College of Applied Health Sciences degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. University and college degree requirements for all College of Applied Health Sciences students are outlined below. Students should consult the major department section for additional degree requirements.
Since the catalog is published in alternate years, changes to the graduation requirements may be announced in an online format. If requirements change, continuing students in AHS and those whose attendance at UIC has been interrupted for no more than two years, may continue to meet those requirements in effect at the time of their initial registration or may choose to complete the revised requirements. Students who return to UIC after an absence of more than two years are responsible for meeting the requirements of the University and college as well as the major or curriculum in effect at the time of the student’s reenrollment. For all students, however, if courses originally required are no longer offered or if external accrediting or certifying agencies modify their requirements, the college or department will specify course substitutes.
Semester Hour Requirement
The College of Applied Health Sciences semester hour requirement varies by degree program.
| Degree Program | Department | Degree Conferred | Total Hours |
| Health Information Management | Biomedical and Health Information Sciences | BS in Health Information Management | 123 |
| Nutrition—Coordinated Program | Kinesiology and Nutrition | BS in Nutrition | 140 |
| Nutrition—Nutrition Science | Kinesiology and Nutrition | BS in Nutrition | 120 |
| Kinesiology—Movement Science | Kinesiology and Nutrition | BS in Kinesiology | 120 |
| Kinesiology—Exercise Science and Health Promotion | Kinesiology and Nutrition | BS in Kinesiology | 120 |
General Education Core
General Education at UIC is designed to serve as a foundation for lifelong learning. Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 semester hours in the General Education Core with at least one course from each of the following categories:
- Analyzing the Natural World
- Understanding the Individual and Society
- Understanding the Past
- Understanding the Creative Arts
- Exploring World Cultures
- Understanding U.S. Society
For a description and a list of courses for each General Education Core category, students should consult the General Education section of the catalog. Information on meeting the General Education requirements for each degree program is provided in the College of Applied Health Sciences department sections.
General Education Proficiencies— University Writing Requirement
Applied Health Sciences students meet the requirement by achieving a passing grade in English 160 and 161.
Course Level Requirement
At least 9 hours of the elective course work taken by students in the Kinesiology curriculum must be taken at the 300– or 400–level. Nutrition and Health Information Management students follow a prescribed curriculum.
Enrollment Residence Requirement
Candidates for a bachelor’s degree from the College of Applied Health Sciences must earn the last 30 semester hours of credit in enrollment residence uninterrupted by any work at another institution. Concurrent attendance at the University of Illinois at Chicago and another collegiate institution or enrollment during the summer at another institution, when approved by the student’s college, does not interrupt the UIC enrollment residence requirement for graduation. A student must complete at least one-half of the course work required for their major field, excluding collateral course requirements, in enrollment residence at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The major course work completed in enrollment residence must include 12 hours at the advanced level. Students enrolled in professional programs, Health Information Management and Nutrition, must complete all of their professional course work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Upon successful completion of a proficiency examination, exceptions may be made to the major requirement for students in the Health Information program who are currently Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT).
Work taken at the Springfield and Urbana-Champaign campuses of the University of Illinois does not satisfy enrollment residence requirements. Credit earned through proficiency examinations including the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), UIC extension courses, and Urbana-Champaign distance-learning courses does not apply toward the minimum 30-semester hour enrollment residence requirement. Study abroad and distance-learning courses that have been approved by the student’s major department and by the college are not considered an interruption of enrollment residence for students.
Full-Time Enrollment
The Nutrition—Coordinated Program is a full-time, day program. The Kinesiology and Nutrition Science programs can be completed on a part-time basis. The Health Information Management program is available on a full- or part-time basis. The campus-based program is a day program with classes from morning to early afternoon. An online program is also available in Health Information Management. Enrollment is limited. Although health information technology course credits do not count toward the required 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of prerequisites, an RHIT can attempt to competency test out of the specific courses during the junior year.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement
Certain academic programs may require a minimum grade of C in selected, specific courses or a higher overall GPA. Students are informed of such requirements in writing at the beginning of the first term they are registered in the college (through program handbooks). All candidates for a degree must have a GPA of at least 2.00/4.00 for all UIC credits counted for graduation requirements and at least 2.00 for the combined transfer and UIC credits counted for graduation requirements. A minimum GPA of 2.00/4.00 for all courses in the major field is also required. Some academic programs within the college require a higher GPA for graduation. Refer to the student handbook for each program’s specific requirements.
Graduation Declaration/Filing to Graduate
Students declare their intent to graduate online using the my.UIC portal. The deadline for submission of the application for graduation is the end of the third week (fall and spring) or second week (Summer Session 2) of the term in which graduation is sought. Failure to submit the request at this time may delay the awarding of the degree. A final review will be made following the close of the term. If a student has satisfactorily completed all the degree requirements, the student’s name will be placed on the official degree list.
Students in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition must also declare their intent to graduate with their academic advisor at least one term prior to their intended graduation date.
Transfer Credit
When transferring credit from a community college after attaining junior status, a student must earn at least 60 hours from the University or another approved four-year college or university after attaining junior standing. Students are obligated to report all work from other institutions once enrolled at UIC.
Transfer Credit for Continuing Students
Continuing students who would like to take a course at another institution must petition their academic department for approval prior to enrolling in the course.
The following statements define general academic policies of the College of Applied Health Sciences, and include the procedures involving determination of academic probation and failure and channels for appeal of adverse decisions. Students should refer to their program handbooks for specific information.
Students registered for 12 or more hours during the fall or spring terms or for 6 hours or more in the summer term are considered full time. Students must request permission from their academic department to exceed 18 hours of enrolled course work.
It is required that students of the college achieve a minimum level of academic performance, which is assessed periodically during the prescribed course of study. Academic programs may require a minimum grade of C in selected, specific courses or a higher overall GPA. A student who receives a grade below C in any required academic course may be dismissed from the program, even if not on academic probation. Refer to the specific program student handbook. Students must complete all required courses with a grade of C or better prior to progression to clinical instruction and practice. Courses with clinical components must be completed with a satisfactory grade.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Rules
Probation Rules
Academic probation designates the status of a student who has failed to attain the acceptable level of academic achievement as defined below:a
- An overall grade point average of 2.00/4.00 in all courses designated as professional course work or an academic major offered by the department in which the student is enrolled;
- A grade point average of 2.00/4.00 for each semester completed in the College of Applied Health Sciences;
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.00/4.00 following matriculation into the College of Applied Health Sciences;
- Satisfactory attainment of competencies prescribed and published for any particular course.
Academic probation at UIC cannot be removed by course work from other colleges or universities, including programs of the Springfield and Urbana-Champaign campuses.
Removal from probationary status is dependent upon earning a minimum 2.00 grade point average (GPA) during the probation semester, and in subsequent terms achieving a grade point average that is sufficiently above 2.00 to maintain a GPA of 2.00 or above for all work in the College of Applied Health Sciences.
aThe probation guidelines described above apply to the Kinesiology, Nutrition Science, and Health Information Management programs. Students enrolled in the Nutrition Coordinated program must maintain a 3.00/4.00 for professional/major, UIC, semester, and cumulative grade point averages.
Dismissal Rules
The College of Applied Health Sciences reserves the right to terminate a student’s enrollment. When dismissed, a student is ineligible to enroll at the University for subsequent semesters. Such action will be initiated when the faculty of the program in which the student is enrolled deems it inadvisable for the student to continue toward completion of the course of study. The conditions contributing to this determination by the faculty may include but are not limited to:
- Failure to meet the college’s minimum grade point average standard 2.00/4.00, or the program minimum requirements which can include a higher overall GPA (refer to program student handbook);
- Failure to meet the conditions of probation;
- Failure to meet the conditions specified at the time of admission;
- Failure to earn any credit in a semester;
- Inadequate achievement and maintenance of professional performance, including performance during instruction in clinical sequences, personal deportment, and character deemed inconsistent with ethical standards of behavior for members of the health professions;
- Unsatisfactory progress toward completion of AHS degree requirements;
- Failure to maintain additional professional program standards as outlined in the specific program student handbook.
Change of Course Schedule—Dropping Courses
Undergraduate students may drop courses using the my.UIC portal through the end of the second week of classes for fall and spring semesters, the first Wednesday of Summer Session 1, or the first Friday of Summer Session 2. During weeks 3 through 10 of the fall and spring semesters (first Thursday through the second Wednesday of Summer Session 1 or weeks 2 through 5 of Summer Session 2) students may drop courses with the permission of their major college. If the drop occurs between 0 and 2 weeks in fall and spring, there will be no notation on the transcript. If the drop occurs during weeks 3 through 10 in fall and spring (first Thursday through the second Wednesday of Summer Session 1 or weeks 2 through 5 of Summer Session 2), a W is noted on the transcript. Undergraduate students may drop a maximum of 4 UIC individual courses that result in a W notation on their transcript during their entire undergraduate degree program.
College of Applied Health Sciences students should contact their individual programs, at the following locations, to make changes to their schedule: Health Information Management, Room 250 AHSB, (312) 996-3530; Kinesiology and Nutrition, for Kinesiology programs, Room 337 PEB, (312) 996-4600, and forNutrition programs, Room 632 AHSB, (312) 996-7890. Since W grades will impact a student’s completion ratio for financial aid, it is recommended that they consult their financial aid counselor to determine the financial implications of dropping a class.
In order for a student to be admitted to professional programs in the college, a student must complete supplemental application materials available in the individual departments prior to the specified deadline dates. Students are only admitted into the Nutrition and campus-based Health Information Management programs in the fall term. Students are admitted to the Kinesiology program in the fall and spring terms. Students who would like to change their major to Kinesiology should meet with the academic advisor in the Kinesiology program and submit the online Change of College/Major form, which can be found on the AHS website http://www.ahs.uic.edu/currentstudents/forms/.
It is expected that students will attend all lectures and laboratory sessions. Prompt and regular attendance is required for all scheduled activities. An absence may be excused if it is unavoidable or justified. The student is responsible for notifying the academic program and clinic each day that he or she will be absent from class or clinic, prior to the absence when possible. Excused absences will be given if a student has a documented serious illness or if there is a death of a family member.
Unexcused absences may be reflected in the course grade in a manner determined by the course instructors and in accordance with the policies of the University. Students with unexcused absences may be asked to leave the program.
Students must complete all prerequisite course work prior to beginning their professional programs in Health Information Management and Nutrition. In exceptional cases, a department may waive prerequisite course work for a student. In some cases, a proficiency examination will be given.
The credit/no credit option will not be accepted for prerequisite or required course work as specified by the department. Grades for credit/no credit are not used in the computation of the grade point average. Students must apply at their college office no later than the tenth day of the term (first Wednesday of Summer Session 1 or first Friday of Summer Session 2) to have a course designated for credit/no credit grading option. Grades of CR and NC are final and cannot be reconverted to letter grades, except under extenuating circumstances. Students interested in health professional programs are advised not to complete any science or other prerequisite courses as credit/no credit.
Admission to the Health Information Management and Nutrition programs provides automatic declaration of a major. Students in the Kinesiology programs must make an appointment with an academic advisor in the department to declare their major. A student must declare a major no later than upon completion of 60 semester hours. Transfer students entering with 60 semester hours or more must declare a major by the end of their first term at UIC. However, earlier declaration is recommended.
Double Major, Double Degrees, and Second Bachelor's Degree
Double Major
This option is not available in the College of Applied Health Sciences. Students interested in completing degrees in both Kinesiology and Nutrition should follow the instructions under the Double Degrees section below.
Double degrees consist of two bachelor’s degrees completed concurrently. Students seeking two bachelor’s degrees concurrently must formally request acceptance into the second degree program. Students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond those required for the first degree and all requirements for each of the degree programs as specified by the college and major department. All students interested in double degrees should discuss this option with an advisor.
Double degrees are not permitted when there is substantial course overlap between the first and second degrees.
Students who plan to earn two degrees concurrently in separate colleges must choose a primary college (the college of record), enroll at the University through that college, and then follow one of the relevant procedures below.
- For the Kinesiology program, students should obtain written acceptance into the program by submitting the Double Degrees request, which can be found online at http://www.ahs.uic.edu/currentstudents/forms/. Students must meet the same prerequisite requirements as other intercollege transfer students before being accepted for a double degree.
- For the Health Information Management or Nutrition programs, students should apply to and be admitted to the program following the same procedures as all other applicants. Acceptance will be for the fall term only for the Nutrition programs and campus-based Health Information Management program.
AHS students who want to complete a second degree in another college should consult that college to determine the options available and applicable rules. AHS students who want to complete a second degree in AHS should follow one of the procedures listed above.
Students who obtain double degrees receive a diploma for each degree. No more than two bachelor’s degrees may be awarded concurrently.
Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree at UIC or another institution are required to follow the same application procedures as all other applicants in order to pursue a second bachelor’s degree. Students must complete all requirements for the second degree as specified by the college and the major department, including a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond those required for the first degree. The UIC enrollment residence requirement must also be met, i.e., the last 30 semester hours for the second degree must be taken at UIC. A second bachelor’s degree is not permitted when there is substantial course overlap between the first and second degrees.
Graduate-Level Courses for Undergraduate Credit
With department approval, an undergraduate student may enroll in a graduate-level course (500-level) for undergraduate credit. Students should obtain approval from their department and the instructor prior to enrollment. Graduate-level courses taken by an undergraduate student are generally not applicable toward a graduate degree.
Undergraduates are encouraged to participate in research programs. Students must consult with the faculty member offering the independent study prior to registering for the section. A student can register for a range of hours depending on the Independent Study. Students in the Kinesiology programs who would like to participate in the Senior Research Seminar and Project must achieve a grade point average of 3.25/4.00 by their senior year of study. Students are required to register for two semesters of research seminar to participate.
Students may file a written petition with their individual department to request an exception to college policies. The department will make a recommendation to the college for granting or denying the request. Petitions are generally only approved for exceptional cases. The general petition form is available on the AHS website http://www.ahs.uic.edu/currentstudents/forms.
The Kinesiology program offers proficiency examinations for some of its courses. The Health Information Management Program (HIM) offers proficiency examinations for some of its professional courses. Students interested in proficiency examinations should contact the respective department.
Progression to Clinical Fieldwork
Students must complete required course work prior to assignment to clinical/fieldwork experience. They must show readiness for the experience by having achieved performance levels that are related to the clinical fieldwork and are consistent with safety and technical standards defined in specific program objectives.
Prompt and regular attendance is required for all clinical fieldwork experiences. All time lost must be made up. The affiliation clinical supervisor and the faculty member must be notified when a student cannot attend.
The broad range of learning experiences required to prepare for careers in the applied health sciences involves some work in various community settings and healthcare facilities. Some of the assignments for these learning experiences are in the Chicago metropolitan area; others are outside the Chicago area. Students should plan for additional living expenses and transportation for assignments outside the Chicago area. Every effort is made to make the assignments equitable, to meet individual student requests, and to provide appropriate instructions for safe conduct. With the limited resources available and the number of students to be accommodated among all the professions represented, it is not always possible to offer alternate choices.
Students in their first year of enrollment at UIC or those on probation must meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for the next term. Students in professional programs must complete their courses in the sequence prescribed by their academic department. Failure to complete the appropriate course work in a given term could result in dismissal from the program.
Repeat Policy for Standard Graded Courses
Students may repeat a course to increase their knowledge of the subject matter. There are circumstances under which repeating a course is advisable and to a student’s advantage. There are also circumstances where repeating a course may disadvantage a student and narrow a student’s options. The College of Applied Health Sciences requires students to discuss any plan to repeat a course with their academic advisor before they register to repeat the course.
Courses with A or B grades may not be repeated. Normally, courses with a C grade may not be repeated. Courses with D or F grades may be repeated once without written permission. In all cases, the original grade for the course and the grade for each repeat will appear on the transcript. The original grade will be calculated into the grade point average, unless the student initiates a request for Repeating a Course with Grade Point Average Recalculation as described below. Only one registration for the course counts toward the total number of credits required for graduation. A course cannot be repeated after receiving credit in a course for which the repeat course is a prerequisite.
To repeat a course more than once requires written permission from the student's college dean. Students who have been dismissed may not appeal on the grounds of intention to repeat courses. Certain courses may not be repeated; students should consult their college before repeating a course.
Repeating a Course with Grade Point Average Recalculation
Important Note: Grade point average recalculation for a repeated course is not automatic. The student must initiate a request in the college office as outlined below.
For the grade point average recalculation policy to apply, a student must declare to his or her college the intent to repeat a course for a change of grade. Students must submit this request to their college before the end of the official add/drop period, no later than the second Friday of the fall and spring semesters, the first Wednesday of Summer Session 1, or the first Friday of Summer Session 2. The course must be repeated within three semesters of the receipt of the original grade, and it must be taken at UIC. Only one registration for the course counts toward the total number of credits required for graduation.
Undergraduate students are allowed grade point average recalculation in up to four repeated courses. Under the course repeat policy, all courses taken and their grades appear on the transcript in the semester in which they were taken. Under the grade point average recalculation policy, the grade earned the first time the course is taken will be dropped from the calculation of the cumulative GPA and the grade(s) earned when the course is repeated will be used in the calculation. This rule holds, even if the second grade is lower than the first. If a course is repeated more than once, the first grade is not counted in the GPA, but all other grades for that course are calculated in the cumulative GPA. The Course Repeat and Grade Point Average Recalculation Request form can be found on the AHS website: http://www.ahs.uic.edu/currentstudents/forms.
Students enrolled in the College of Applied Health Sciences participate in a rigorous course of academic and clinical instruction. The students’ successful participation in the instructional programs requires maintenance of a level of physical and mental well-being sufficient to achieve course objectives. Should the faculty of a given program find that a student’s mental or physical well-being is a contributing factor to substandard achievement, they are obligated to counsel the student to seek help from the Health Service, Counseling Services, or private services. The faculty shall refer the case to the dean if the student resists such counseling. The dean shall determine the course of further action. Recommendations resulting from the Health Service or Counseling Services evaluation of the student’s health and well-being may be considered in overall assessment of a student’s capacity to participate in the instructional program. The student may accept the faculty’s assessment, or appeal to the dean, who will determine the course of further action.
Intercollege Transfer Students
UIC students from other colleges may apply to College of Applied Health Sciences programs. Students who would like to transfer to the Kinesiology programs should submit the Change of College/Major form found on the AHS website http://www.ahs.uic.edu/currentstudents/forms to initiate the intercollege transfer request. Only intercollege transfer requests received by the end of the seventh week of the fall and spring terms will be considered for transfer for the following term. Final approval of intercollege transfers is contingent upon good academic standing and minimum GPA requirements.
All other AHS programs require a program-specific application form and admission is competitive and offered only in the fall term. These forms are available from the individual departments and online under each program’s admissions page. Intercollege transfer students should consult the college and academic department sections of the catalog for admission requirements.
Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities
Interested transfer students should consult the admissions, college, and department sections of the catalog for admission requirements.
Selection of All Applicants
All applicants who meet the admission requirements and have completed applicant files are considered for admission. Application files are used to determine the position of each applicant in a selection system based on both academic and nonacademic criteria.
The Admissions Committee may waive specific course prerequisites for applicants who can demonstrate that they already possess appropriate knowledge or skills that would be gained through taking the required courses. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to waive other specific nonessential requirements when indicated by unusual circumstances.
Transferring Out of the College
Students who would like to transfer out of the College of Applied Health Sciences should schedule an exit interview with their academic advisor. Students should then meet with an academic advisor in their new college to request a change of curriculum.
Preprofessional studies in the College of Applied Health Sciences are designed for students who intend to pursue their undergraduate or graduate education in professional programs of the AHS College. Preprofessional students in AHS typically are Kinesiology majors. Advisors for students in pre-occupational therapy and pre-physical therapy are available in the AHS College Office of Student Affairs and the department offices. Students are also encouraged to participate in the preadmission information sessions which are held monthly within the OT and PT departments. Scheduling information for these sessions can be found on the AHS website http://www.ahs.uic.edu.
Completion of the required course work or attainment of the minimum grade point average does not guarantee admission to a professional program. Pre-OT and pre-PT students must complete all the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, including a major, in addition to the preprofessional studies.
Occupational therapists provide services to maximize the function and satisfaction of persons whose daily life performance has been interrupted and jeopardized by disease, disability, life stress, and other factors. The occupational therapist provides the individual with opportunities for involvement in carefully chosen work, play, or self-care activities. The occupational therapist also uses various methods of mutual problem solving, environmental modification, adaptive devices, technology, and biomechanical and sensorimotor treatment methods to support and enhance performance.
Many occupational therapists work within hospital settings, but there is growing emphasis on prevention and treatment of people with disabilities in nonclinical settings. As a result, many new areas of employment are now available. For example, occupational therapists are increasingly employed in school systems where they work with children with disabilities, enhancing their ability to perform as students. Working with in-home health organizations, occupational therapists help individuals and families function more adequately at daily tasks. In industrial settings, they aid workers' with disabilities or injuries return to gainful employment. In addition, occupational therapists have developed private practices.
The preprofessional course work listed below prepares students to apply to the professional program in the Department of Occupational Therapy in the College of Applied Health Sciences after completion of the undergraduate degree. Students should contact OTDept@uic.edu or (312) 996-3054 for further information.
Pre-occupational therapy students may choose any major but should work with a preprofessional advisor to plan a course of study that fulfills pre-occupational therapy studies requirements as well as the requirements for the major.
The pre-occupational therapy requirements follow and should be completed as part of the undergraduate degree program. The courses listed below must be completed with a grade of C or better.
| Coursesa | Hours |
| BIOS 100—Biology of Cells and Organismsb | 5 |
| KN 251—Human Physiological Anatomy Icd | 5 |
| KN 252—Human Physiological Anatomy IIcd | 5 |
| PSCH 100—Introduction to Psychologye | 4 |
| PSCH 242—Introduction to Research in Psychology | 3 |
| PSCH 270—Abnormal Psychologyde | 3 |
| PSCH 320—Developmental Psychologyd | 3 |
| PSCH 343—Statistical Methods in Behavioral Science | 4 |
| One course in anthropology or sociology | 3 |
Although not required, it is recommended that students complete a medical terminology course. Alternatively, students are expected to complete a self-study computerized course in medical terminology upon acceptance. |
|
| Total Hours—Pre-Occupational Therapy | 35 |
a Students completing an undergraduate degree at UIC must complete the General Education requirements. Students should consult the General Education section and their college/department sections of the catalog for more information on fulfilling these requirements.
b This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
c KN 251/252 sequence begins in the fall semester only.
d It is recommended that these courses be taken within five years of admission to the program. If a student took these courses more than five years ago, the student should complete a self-study before beginning the master's program.
e This course is approved for the Understanding the Individual and Society General Education category.
Other minimum admissions requirements include an earned bachelor’s degree in any field, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification with Health Providers Status, 3.00/4.00 GPA for the last 60 semester hours earned for the baccalaureate degree, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 300 combined on the verbal and quantitative sections, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Applicants with a GPA of below 3.00 who display strengths in other areas may be considered for admission. Students must apply for admission to the program approximately one year before planned enrollment.
Physical therapy is a health profession whose primary purpose is the promotion of optimal human health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, assess, correct, or alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunction. Physical therapy encompasses areas of specialized competence and includes the development of new principles and applications to more effectively meet existing and emerging health needs. Other professional activities that serve the purpose of physical therapy are research, education, consultation, and administration.
The physical therapist, working in cooperation with other health professionals, serves the individual needs of the client and the health needs of society. The physical therapy profession depends heavily on knowledge and application of the basic medical and behavioral sciences, coupled with specialized knowledge and skills in the clinical arts and sciences.
Physical therapists may work as staff, supervisors, or self-employed practitioners who serve clients directly; as administrators of clinical departments, health agencies, or educational programs; as healthcare agency consultants; as clinical or academic teachers; or as researchers.
They may work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools for children with disabilities, neighborhood health centers, physicians’ offices, nursing homes and convalescent centers, private and public health agencies, sports settings, and universities.
Pre-physical therapy students may choose any major but should work with an advisor to plan a course of study that fulfills the pre-physical therapy studies requirements as well as the requirements for the major. Students are advised to declare an educational goal of pre-physical therapy upon entering UIC which will alert them to specific workshops and other pertinent information.
The pre-physical therapy requirements follow and should be completed as part of the undergraduate degree program.
| Coursesa | Hours |
| BIOS 100—Biology of Cells and Organismsb | 5 |
| One of the following general chemistry sequences: | 10 |
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry I (5)b | |
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry II (5)b | |
| OR | |
| CHEM 116—Honors General Chemistry I (5)b | |
| CHEM 118—Honors General Chemistry II (5)b | |
| MATH 180—Calculus I | 5 |
| PHYS 105—Introductory Physics I—Lecturebc | 4 |
| PHYS 106—Introductory Physics I—Laboratorybc | 1 |
| PHYS 107—Introductory Physics II—Lecturebc | 4 |
| PHYS 108—Introductory Physics II—Laboratorybc | 1 |
| PSCH 100—Introduction to Psychologyd | 4 |
| PSCH 242—Introduction to Research in Psychology | 3 |
| One course in developmental or abnormal psychology, choose from the following: |
3 |
| PSCH 270—Abnormal Pscychology (3)d | |
| PSCH 320—Developmental Psychology (3) | |
| KN 251—Human Physiological Anatomy Ie | 5 |
| KN 252—Human Physiological Anatomy IIe | 5 |
| Total Hours—Pre-Physical Therapy | 50 |
a Students completing an undergraduate degree at UIC must complete the General Education requirements. Students should consult the General Education section and their college/department sections of the catalog for more information on fulfilling these requirements.
b This course is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World General Education category.
c Each of the following pairs of courses will be considered one course in meeting the LAS General Education requirements: PHYS 105/106; PHYS 107/108.
d This course is approved for the Understanding the Individual and Society General Education category.
e KN 251/252 sequence begins in the fall semester only.
In addition, applicants must complete a minimum of 40 hours of documented volunteer or observation experiences in a variety of physical therapy facilities. Current certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) with Health Provider Status is recommended prior to beginning the professional program. Students must also have earned a bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling in the program.
The minimum GPA for application to the program in physical therapy is 2.50/4.00 in science and nonscience courses. The competitive GPA, however, is considerably above this level. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within five years of the date of application. Students must apply for admission to the program approximately one year before planned enrollment.
The College of Applied Health Sciences offers a minor in Kinesiology and a minor in Nutrition. Both minors are open to majors from other departments and colleges. Refer to the list of eligibility requirements in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition section of the catalog. Requests to complete a minor in Kinesiologya or Nutrition can be submitted online through the AHS website: http://www.ahs.uic.edu/currentstudents/forms.
| Minor | Department | Hours |
| Kinesiology | Kinesiology and Nutrition | 19–20a |
| Nutrition | Kinesiology and Nutrition | 18a |
a One-half of the hours required for the minor must be completed in enrollment residence at UIC.
Academic advising is provided at the department level. Students should contact their unit’s program coordinator or academic advisor for more information on advising.
All Applied Health Sciences students are required to meet with their academic advisor once each term, or as specified in their program handbook. Students on academic probation are required to meet with their academic advisor prior to registering for the next term. Students interested in applying to professional programs in the College of Applied Health Sciences are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment at least one year prior to their expected admission date. Monthly advising sessions are offered for most professional programs in the college. Some programs assign a faculty advisor during the year of matriculation. Students should contact their individual departments or the Office of Student Affairs for further details.
The college recognizes and conforms with the campuswide honors program. University Honors are awarded to graduating students whose cumulative grade point average falls within the following honors categories:
Summa cum laude: 3.90 and above
Magna cum laude: 3.75 to 3.89
Cum laude: 3.50 to 3.74
Transfer students must have earned a minimum of 42 hours at the University of Illinois at Chicago at the end of the term prior to the term of graduation and have a minimum of 60 hours completed at UIC upon graduation.
In addition, transfer students must have an institutional (UIC) grade point average of 3.50 in order to qualify for University Honors.
Each semester the Dean’s List honors the academic excellence of students enrolled in the college’s undergraduate programs. Students must be full time and earn at least 12 semester hours of letter grades in his or her respective department to be eligible. Students must also earn a semester grade point average of 3.50/4.00 or higher.
Applied Health Sciences students have a variety of student organizations available to them, ranging from student government to professional societies and organizations to groups organized around a specific focus. Involvement in student organizations is encouraged as experiences gained can enhance learning and contribute to development of valuable leadership skills. All students, upon admission, become members of the Urban Allied Health Academy. Students can also serve on various college committees.
Abbreviated Listing:
Urban Allied Health Academy
AHS Student Council
Disabled Students Union
Disability History and Culture Club
Diverse Student Organization
Health Professions Student Council
Kinesiology Club
Pre-Occupational Therapy Club
Pre-Physical Therapy Club
Student Nutrition Association
