Quality health care is a cornerstone of any thriving society. And while much uncertainty looms in the ever-changing American system, due in large part to legislative action, Liberty University is committed to producing health care professionals ready to meet the demands of local, regional, and national job markets.
With programs in nearly every area of the health field, Liberty is establishing itself as a leader in medical training. While future doctors train in the new Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, thousands more are preparing to serve as nurses, counselors, athletic trainers, researchers, and more.
Liberty’s goal is to produce professionals who reflect Christ’s love by meeting the physical and psychological needs of others. Generations of Liberty graduates are already taking lead roles in the health care industry, impacting policy, and ultimately changing it for the better.
Liberty’s School of Health Sciences offers degree programs in biology and chemistry, nursing, health professions, psychology, and counseling and family studies. Associate, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs prepare students for careers in the natural sciences and health disciplines, focusing on holistic wellness — physical, mental, and spiritual.
Liberty’s Department of Biology & Chemistry prepares students for a variety of graduate and professional schools, including medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and veterinary programs.
In recent years, nearly every graduate of the program who has applied for medical school was accepted, and several have scored extremely high on the MCAT. The department offers 10 undergraduate majors, including new biopsychology and forensic science programs, providing a well-rounded curriculum (read more on Page 36).
This fall, the department launched its new Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, designed to give students a solid foundation in the sciences before they go on to medical or dental school.
Nursing is one of the most popular academic programs at Liberty, with more than 3,750 students.
Last year, over 95 percent of nursing graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination to become registered nurses on their first try. The undergraduate program requires a rigorous 900 hours of hands-on clinical experience.
Liberty’s online RN to BSN program allows working nurses to continue their education and advance their careers. Many registered nurses who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree are now being required to get one due to changes in the health care industry and the introduction of Magnet status (a designation for hospitals that meet stringent quantitative and qualitative standards, defining the highest quality of nursing practice and patient care). The Department of Nursing also offers advanced degrees including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which launched this fall.
The MSN program is offered completely online and is based on guidelines set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Students complete practicum hours wherever they live, making an MSN attainable for working professionals. The program is designed to equip future nurse educators and administrators.
The DNP prepares nurses to become nurse leaders, family nurse practitioners, and clinical specialists. As the health care industry adapts to future government-mandated changes, there will be more demand for these professionals. DNP students learn to put evidence-based research into practice in order to improve patient safety and quality of care. There are two DNP paths available — an online post-MSN and a residential post-BSN — that incorporate additional clinical training to prepare students to take a national certification examination for family nurse practitioners.
Liberty’s Department of Health Professions offers degrees in athletic training, kinesiology, health promotion, exercise science, and medical office assistance (online only).
The athletic training program gives students the opportunity to work alongside clinical instructors who provide care for the more than 450 student-athletes who compete in 20 NCAA Division I sports.
The kinesiology program offers a Virginia-licensure track accredited by the Virginia Department of Education. It is designed for students looking to promote healthy, active lifestyles through education or fitness professions.
Community health education specialists are needed across the professional landscape to service businesses, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and government departments, and Liberty’s health promotion program is meeting this need. Students are prepared for the national Clinical Health Education Specialist examination, which certifies them as a health specialist.
Liberty’s exercise science program not only equips students for careers in the health and fitness industry, but it also prepares them for graduate studies in exercise physiology, physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic medicine, and more.
At the graduate level, Liberty offers a Master of Public Health.
The degree provides a foundation in epidemiology and biostatistics and offers concentrations in health promotion, global health, and nutrition. Students in the on-campus M.P.H. program study in the state-of-the-art Center for Medical and Health Sciences.
Liberty offers undergraduate psychology degrees with concentrations in counseling and human development, and clinical or research counseling.
Graduates can then earn master’s degrees at the Center for Counseling & Family Studies, designed for those pursuing careers in mental health agencies, hospitals, private practice, faith-based counseling centers, and other public and private facilities. The degrees available include an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, an M.A. in Human Services Counseling, and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which is designed to meet the Virginia requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Liberty also offers a Ph.D. in counseling.
