College of Integrated Health Sciences

Dean
Erin Bell, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Nursing and Public Health Faculty

Nursing Program Director
Cassandra Marshall, DNP, RN Capella University

Undergraduate Public Health Program Director
Beth Feingold, Ph.D., John Hopkins University

Professors
Erin Bell, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
David Carpenter, M.D., Harvard University
Janine Jurkowski, Ph.D., MPH, University of Illinois at Chicago
Shao Lin, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Jennifer Manganello, Ph.D., MPH, Johns Hopkins University
JoEllen Welsh, Ph.D., Cornell University
Igor Zurbenko, Ph.D., Moscow State University

Clinical Faculty
Catherine M. Bohn, MPH, University of California, Berkeley
Rachel deLong, M.D., MPH, University of Wisconsin
Annette Johnson, Ed.D., Columbia University
John Justino, MS, Georgetown University
Ursula Lauper, MPH, University at Albany
Cassandra Marshall, DNP, RN Capella University
Mary O'Reilly, Ph.D., University of Michigan
James Tesoriero, Ph.D., University at Albany
Dwight C. Williams, MSW, Rutgers University

Associate Professors
Allison Appleton, Sc.D., Harvard University
Christine Bozlak, Ph.D., MPH, University of Illinois at Chicago
Douglas Conklin, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison  
Diane Dewar, Ph.D., University at Albany
Beth Feingold, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Julia Hastings, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Jason Herschkowitz, Ph.D., University of North Carolina
Akiko Hosler, Ph.D., University at Albany
Mark H. Kuniholm, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Igor B. Kuznetsov, Ph.D., New York University
Ricky C. Leung, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Roxana Moslehi, Ph.D., University of British Columbia
Ramune Reliene, Ph.D., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Melissa Tracy, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Tomoko Udo, Ph.D., Rutgers University 
Elizabeth Vasquez, DrPH, New York Medical College               
Wendy Weller, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Xiaobo Xue, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh   
Yuchi Young, DrPH, Johns Hopkins University
Kai Zhang, Ph.D., University of Michigan

Assistant Professors
S M Ashiqul Islam, Ph.D., Baylor University
Chanup Jeung, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Bum-Kyu Lee, Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin
Muntasir Masum, Ph.D., University of Texas, San Antonio
Eric Rose, Ph.D., North Carolina State University
Edward Valachovic, Ph.D., University at Albany
Melonie Walcott, DrPH, University of Alabama
Xin Wang, Ph.D., University at Albany

Social Welfare Faculty

Senior Vice Dean and Director, Professor
Victoria Rizzo, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY

Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Crystal A. Rogers, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY

Chair, Undergraduate Program
Jildyz Urbaeva, Ph.D., Arizona State University

Director, Community and Public Service Program
Sharon Stevens, LMSW, University at Albany, SUNY

Professors
Katharine Briar-Lawson, Ph.D., University of California, Berkley
Nancy Claiborne, Ph.D., University of Houston
Lani V. Jones, Ph.D., LCSW, Boston College
Hal Lawson, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Carmen Morano, Ph.D., Florida International University
Loretta Pyles, Ph.D., University of Kansas
Lynn A. Warner, Ph.D., University of Michigan

Associate Professors
Eric Hardiman, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Julia Hastings, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Heather Horton, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Heather Larkin-Holloway, Ph.D., The Catholic University of America
Catherine K. Lawrence, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Eunju Lee, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Wonhyung Lee, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Barry M. Loneck, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Robert L. Miller, Jr., Ph.D., Columbia University
Sarah Mountz, Ph.D., University of Washington
Blanca M. Ramos, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Jildyz Urbaeva, Ph.D., Arizona State University

Assistant Professors
Lindsey Disney, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Cheng Ren, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Angie Wootton, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Instructor
Mary McCarthy, Ph.D., Memorial University of Newfoundland

The College of Integrated Health Sciences

To truly advance the health and well-being for all members of our society, we need researchers and practitioners trained to work in interdisciplinary teams grounded in community engagement and social justice. With this in mind, the University at Albany created the College of Integrated Health Sciences in 2024. This forward-thinking college, which includes the School of Social Welfare and the former School of Public Health, continues its 40-year partnership with the New York State Department of Health and brings together expertise in nursing, public health, biomedical sciences and social welfare to train the next generation of public health, nursing and social work professionals.

Through this new college, we are strategically equipped to address social determinants of health, engage in community outreach and advocacy, conduct high impact research, and improve individual and community well-being. In full partnership with our communities, we tackle issues such as food insecurity, poverty, unjust systems, mental health, cancer biology, child welfare, climate change, homelessness, environmental contaminants, infectious disease, and health policy.

Please visit the College's website for additional details.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The College of Integrated Health Sciences offers two pathways to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The Nursing B.S. 1+2+1 is a four year, pre-licensure program for students without prior nursing education. The Nursing B.S. Completion program is for registered nurses with associate's degrees in nursing. Each program has unique admission and curriculum requirements.

Nursing 1+2+1 Track in Partnership with St. Peter’s Health Partners

With a strong emphasis on both didactic learning and clinical experience, the 1+2+1 Nursing program prepares students new to nursing to excel in the field and to make a positive impact on patient care. In this four year program, students will complete prerequisite and foundational nursing classes at University at Albany in year one. During years two and three, students continue coursework at University at Albany while gaining lab and clinical experience from St. Peter’s Health Partners, leading to an A.S. in Nursing awarded by St. Peter’s College of Nursing. Upon completion of the A.S., students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and begin practicing as a nurse while completing the remaining B.S. requirements at University at Albany during year four.

1+2+1 Admission Requirements

The nursing curriculum is rigorous and relies heavily on scientific reasoning and mathematical skills. Admission to the program is competitive and is restricted to applicants who have completed each of the following high school or college level courses with grades of 85 or above for high school courses, B or above for non-credit bearing/remedial courses, or C or above for credit bearing college courses:

  • Algebra I and II
  • Biology with lab
  • Chemistry with lab

Accepted students will also be required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills Examination (TEAS) in year one prior to beginning the Nursing I – V sequence.

Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

1+2+1 Degree Requirements: A combined major and minor sequence consisting of a minimum of 86 credits.

A grade of C or higher in the following support courses is required (see Termination Policies below):

  • A CHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab (4-5)
  • A MAT 108 Statistics (3)
  • A PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • E PSY 224 Lifespan Development (3)
  • H NSG 210 (= H SPH 210) Human Anatomy & Physiology for Health Sciences I with Lab (4)
  • H NSG 211 (= H SPH 211) Human Anatomy & Physiology for Health Sciences II with Lab (4)

The following core courses must be taken on an A-E basis with a grade of B or better:

  • H NSG 100 Care and Caring (2)
  • H NSG 110 Foundations of Professional Nursing (2)
  • H NSG 212 Pharmacology (3)
  • H NSG 230 Microbiology for Health Sciences with Lab (4)
  • *H NSG 291 Nursing I Health Promotion & Wellness (6)
  • *H NSG 292 Nursing II Health Maintenance (9)
  • H NSG 300 Transformational Nursing Leadership & Management (3)
  • H NSG 301 Evidence Based Practice (4)
  • H NSG 320 Transcultural Nursing (3)
  • H NSG 322 Community and Public Health Nursing (3)
  • *H NSG 385 Nursing BH Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing (3)
  • *H NSG 394 Nursing IV Complex Health Maintenance (6) 
  • *H NSG 395 Nursing V Coordinating & Improving Care (10)
  • H NSG 485 Transition to Professional Practice (4)
  • 3 credits of an upper level elective chosen in consultation with faculty advisor

*Courses at St. Peter’s Health Partners

A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required to earn the Nursing B.S. 1+2+1 degree.

Course Progression Restrictions

  • Students must complete H NSG/H SPH 210 with a C or better to register for H NSG/H SPH 211.
  • Students must complete Nursing I with a B or better and H NSG 210, U UNI 110, and A PSY 101 with a C or better to register for Nursing II.
  • Students must complete Nursing II with a B or better and H NSG/H NSG 211 and E PSY 224 with a C or better to register for Nursing BH and Nursing IV.
  • Students must complete Nursing BH and Nursing IV with a B or better and H NSG 230 with a C or better to register for Nursing V.
  • Students must complete Nursing BH and Nursing IV with a B or better to register for H NSG 301.
  • Students must complete Nursing V with a B or better to register for H NSG 300 and H NSG 322.
  • Students must complete H NSG 300 with a B or better to register for H NSG 485.

Termination Policies

To remain a student in the Nursing B.S. 1+2+1 program, students must receive a grade of C or better in each support course, a grade of B or better in each core course, and a grade of C or better in all other degree requirements including general education courses and electives. If a student fails to meet the required grade in a core course and wishes to remain in the major, they must submit a formal Request to Repeat a Nursing Course to the Nursing Progression Committee, including an explanation of the factors that contributed to the grade, and plans for ensuring success if allowed to repeat the course. The committee will render a final decision that will be communicated in writing to the student. If permitted to repeat, the course must be repeated in its entirety. A failure to meet the required grade during a second attempt of the course will result in termination from the major.

A student who repeats a core course successfully and fails to meet a required grade in any other core course will be terminated from the major.

A student who fails to meet a required grade in any two core courses will be terminated from the major.

Students terminated from the Nursing B.S. 1+2+1 are not eligible for readmission to the major.

Completion Track

The B.S. Nursing Completion program is tailored for Registered Nurses (RNs) seeking to advance their careers and expand their knowledge in the field of nursing. Designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals, this program offers flexible online coursework combined with hands-on clinical experiences. With a curriculum grounded in evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration, students engage in advanced nursing concepts, healthcare leadership, and critical thinking skills necessary for delivering high-quality patient care in diverse healthcare settings. Through a unique partnership between the University at Albany and the New York State Department of Health, the completion program offers RNs expanded preparation for the changing healthcare environment through a robust curriculum that includes a focus on public and population health.

Students completing this program will gain opportunities in the field including preparation to practice in a variety of settings and leadership positions, as well as the opportunity to participate in unique research relating to the field of public health. The curriculum includes core coursework in nursing, nursing leadership and technology; core coursework in population and public health; elective coursework, including faculty-mentored public health research; and general education requirements.

Admission Requirements

The Completion program is restricted to students who hold an associate's degree in nursing from a program accredited by ACEN, CCNE or CNEA with a minimum of 60 semester hours in which the following criteria have been met:

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better
  • Nursing coursework grades of C+ or better
  • Required courses in:
    • Anatomy & Physiology I & II
    • Microbiology
    • Introduction to Psychology
    • English Composition

Students must provide proof of a current, unencumbered license as a registered professional nurse in the State of New York.

Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Completion Program Requirements:  A minimum of 69 credits distributed as follows:

  • Lower level nursing credits transferred from the associate degree in nursing (30)
  • H NSG 311 Health Assessment and Health Promotion (4)
  • H NSG 312 Quality and Safety in Nursing (3)
  • H NSG 314 Informatics and Technology in Nursing (3)
  • H NSG 411 Population Health (4)
  • H NSG 412 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
  • H NSG 414 Management and Leadership in Nursing (4)
  • H NSG 415 Professional Role of Nurses (3)
  • A MAT 108 Statistics (3)
  • H SPH 201 Introduction to Public Health (3)
  • H SPH 231 Concepts of Epidemiology (3)
  • H SPH 342 How U.S. Health Care Works: Myths and Realities (3)
  • One public health elective course (300 level or higher) chosen in consultation with advisor or another relevant upper level elective approved by advisor (3)

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

This degree sequence includes the educational objectives of nurturing critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis of information, and recognizing the historical and societal context of current trends in public health and health care delivery. It also provides an introduction to disease control and health promotion interventions, and determinants of health from a global perspective.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements for the major.

Course Progression Restriction

Students must complete A MAT 108 with a grade of B or better to register for H SPH 332.

Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Public Health

General Program B.S.:  A minimum of 39 credits distributed as follows:

Prerequisite Core (6 credits)

  • A BIO 130 General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
  • A MAT 108 Elementary Statistics

Public Health Core (24 credits)

  • H SPH 201 Introduction to Public Health
  • H SPH 231 Concepts in Epidemiology
  • H SPH 305 Biological Basis of Personal and Public Health
  • H SPH 321 Global Environmental Issues and their Effect on Human Health
  • H SPH 332 Introduction to Biostatistics
  • H SPH 341Z Promoting Healthy People and Communities
  • H SPH 342 How U.S. Health Care Works: Myths and Realities
  • H SPH 460 Capstone: Evidence-Based Public Health

Electives (select 9 credits from the following, at least 6 of which must be 300 level or higher)

  • A AFS 333 The Black Community: Continuity and Change
  • A ANT 119 The City and Human Health
  • A ANT 211 Human Population Biology
  • A ANT 418 Culture, Environment, and Health
  • A COM 340 Health Communication
  • A HIS 277 Culture and History of Food in the United States
  • A PHI 338 Moral Problems in Medicine
  • A PHI 417 Bioethics
  • A PSY 329 Health Psychology
  • A SOC 359 Medical Sociology
  • H BMS 505 Biological Basis of Public Health
  • H BMS 622 Cancer Biology
  • H EHS 590 Introduction to Environmental Health Sciences
  • H EPI 501 Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
  • H EPI 503 Principles of Public Health
  • H EPI 514 Computer Programming for Data Management and Analysis in Public Health
  • H HPM 469 Topics in Health Policy, Management and Behavior
  • H HPM 500 Health Care Organizations, Delivery, and Finance
  • H HPM 525 Social Behavior Aspects of Public Health
  • H HPM 531 Childhood Obesity from a Public Health Perspective
  • H HPM 550/B BUS 681 Financial Management of Health Care Institutions
  • H SPH 202 From Cholera to Cancer: History, Challenges, and Achievements in Public Health
  • H SPH 203 Integrative Care in Public Health
  • H SPH 259 Topics in Public Health
  • H SPH 270 Issues in Global Health
  • H SPH 323 Environmental Lab Perspectives of Public Health
  • H SPH 330 Maternal and Child Health
  • H SPH 343 Mass Media and Health Behavior
  • H SPH/A ECO/H HPM 381 Economics of Health Care
  • H SPH 397 Independent Study in Public Health
  • H SPH 421/H HPM 521 Preventing Disease, Disability, and Death
  • H SPH 430 Health Literacy
  • H SPH 435 Social Determinants of Health: Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Applications
  • H SPH 459 Advanced Topics in Public Health
  • H SPH 469 Topics in Health Policy, Management and Behavior
  • H SPH 475 Universal Health Care in Costa Rica
  • H SPH 490 Public Health Field Placement
  • H SPH 491/H EHS 591 Occupational Health: Achievements, Continuing Challenges and Evolving Issues
  • H SPH 499 Research Placement in Public Health

Combined Public Health Bachelor of Science / Master of Public Health

The 4+1 combined degree program of a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) provides a strong foundation in primary public health fields and advanced public health training in an area of interest chosen from concentrations in biomedical sciences, biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social behavior and community health. This program, accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, allows undergraduate students majoring in Public Health to graduate with both a B.S. and M.P.H. in Public Health in five years.

Students apply to the program at the beginning of their junior year or after successfully completing 56 credits.  An overall GPA of 3.20 is required along with 2 letters of recommendation and a personal statement of interest in public health. Additionally, the following are concentration specific admission requirements:

  • All concentrations: one semester of social sciences, one college level course in mathematics or statistics with B or higher
  • Biomedical Sciences: Calculus I, two semesters of Biology, two semesters of Chemistry
  • Biostatistics: Calculus I, Calculus II, Linear Algebra
  • Epidemiology: Calculus I, one semester of Biology
  • Environmental Health Sciences: Calculus I, two semesters of Biology, two semesters of Chemistry

Accepted students complete 24 credits of graduate coursework during their senior year that count toward both the Public Health B.S. and M.P.H. degrees. The first of two professional internships are completed during the summer after senior year and all remaining program requirements are completed by the end of spring of year five.

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

The objective of the undergraduate B.S in social work major is to prepare students for beginning social work. The program serves the liberal education needs for students interested in the social sciences and human services professions. Part-time study is possible. Upon application to the undergraduate major, students can apply for conditional acceptance into the MSW Advanced Standing program. The B.S. in social work qualifies graduates for advanced standing in some MSW programs. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting body for all U.S. schools of social work.

Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Social Welfare

General Program B.S. for students matriculating Fall 2024: a combined major and minor sequence consisting of a minimum of 65 credits as follows:

Elementary Base (15 credits)

  • Human Biology (one course from): A BIO 117, 130, A ANT 211, 312, 319
  • Introduction to Psychology: A PSY 101
  • Sociology: A SOC 115 or A SOC 180
  • American Politics: R POS 101
  • American Social Welfare System: R SSW 210

Advanced Base (18 credits)

  • Elementary Statistics (one course from): A MAT 108, A PSY 210, A SOC 221, or R CRJ 281
  • Globalization: A GLO 103 or A GLO 225
  • Social Psychology: A PSY 270 or A SOC 260
  • Developmental Psychology: A PSY 203 or A PSY 327
  • Psychopathology: A PSY 238
  • Community Service: R SSW 290

Core Requirements (32 credits)

  • R SSW 301 Human Behavior and The Social Environment
  • R SSW 305 Social Work Practice I
  • R SSW 306 Social Work Practice II
  • R SSW 322 Introduction to Socially Just Research Methods
  • R SSW 400 Field Instruction in Social Welfare I 
  • R SSW 401 Integrative Field Seminar
  • R SSW 405Z Social Work Practice III
  • R SSW 406Y Social Work Practice IV
  • R SSW 408 Organizational and Community Theory
  • R SSW 409 Introduction to Policy Analysis for Social Justice
  • R SSW 410 Field Instruction in Social Welfare II
  • R SSW 411 Integrative Field Seminar II

A grade of C (S) or higher in all core courses is required (see Termination Policies below).

Admission Requirements

Students interested in the social welfare major must complete an application process. Admission to the program is competitive. Applications are accepted in the Spring semester of the student’s sophomore year for entrance into the Fall semester of the junior year. Transfer students who will have completed 56 credits should apply during the spring of the year for which they are seeking Fall admission. Information on the admissions deadline and application process is available on the School of Social Welfare’s website.

It is strongly recommended that those wishing to enter the major complete as much of the required elementary base and advanced base as possible prior to entrance into the program in the junior year. Admissions decisions are based on the following criteria:

  • Adequacy of the liberal arts base
  • Application essay
  • Progress toward completion of elementary and advanced base requirements or their equivalents
  • Grade point average
  • Personal/professional references
  • Social welfare/human service experience

The relative merit of any one criterion is considered in light of all others when admissions decisions are made. The overall quality of the application will provide the basis for admissions.

Termination Policies

In the Social Welfare major requirements, the core courses, R SSW 301, 305, 306, 322, 401, 405Z, 406Y, 408, 409 and 411, are graded A-E. Majors cannot repeat a graded core course more than once and cannot repeat more than a total of two courses within the major.

A student receiving a grade C- or lower for a social work practice course will be asked to retake it to continue their BSW studies. A student who receives a grade of C- or lower in other core courses will be given a warning by the Chair of the Undergraduate Program, School of Social Welfare that a C- or lower in any graded core course in any subsequent semester will result in termination from the major.

Core Field Instruction courses, R SSW 400 and 410, are graded S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). If a student receives a U in Field Instruction courses, the student will be terminated from the major.

Any student who is terminated from the major will receive a letter from the Chair of the Undergraduate Program. The letter will specify the reason for the termination from the major and include information about the School’s procedures for grieving a grade or seeking readmission after termination from the major.

The procedures governing Standards for Social Work Education, scholastic performance, procedures for addressing violations of or failure to meet the Standards for Social Work Education by students at the School of Social Welfare, student grievance procedures, and readmissions procedures are contained in the Baccalaureate Social Welfare Program Student Handbook. All students receive a copy of the handbook at orientation and again when they enter field education. The Handbook is also available online through the BSW Program Wiki site.

Field Instruction

Field instruction – a structured internship in a social services agency – is an integral part of the total educational process. It offers a student the opportunity to develop, apply, and integrate the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes for work in social welfare settings. During the senior year, each student is provided field instruction by a qualified instructor in an agency designated by the School. Placements are selected by the School for the students on the basis of their educational needs and, wherever possible, their area of interest. The field placements represent a variety of settings under public and private auspices and are located throughout the Capital District. Students are responsible for the expenses involved in placement.

Typical Program of Core Courses for Junior and Senior Social Welfare Majors

Junior Year Program
Fall (6 credits) Spring (6 credits)
R SSW 301 R SSW 306
R SSW 305 R SSW 322
Senior Year Program
Fall (10 credits) Spring (10 credits)
R SSW 400/401 R SSW 406Y
R SSW 405Z R SSW 409
R SSW 408 R SSW 410/411

Undergraduate Program Minors

See the minors section of the bulletin for information on undergraduate minors in Social Welfare Studies and Social Justice Studies.