Northern Illinois University
School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions
College of Health and Human Sciences

The objectives of the Health Sciences B.S. program will be to support student abilities to:

• Integrate knowledge of interconnections between health occupations for problem-solving to improve health outcomes
• Demonstrate professional behaviors necessary for health careers including interpersonal skills and collaboration
• Apply critical thinking skills to contemporary health issues
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills necessary for health professionals, patients and populations including use of person-first language and to promote health literacy
• Demonstrate cultural competence by recognizing the cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, traditions, language preferences and health practices of diverse populations to improve health access and outcomes

The objectives of the Health Sciences program will be to support student abilities to:

• Critically appraise research to evaluate the evidence supporting best practices
• Demonstrate preparedness for continued development of research and advocacy skills
• Demonstrate the interdisciplinary communication skills necessary to function effectively in today’s professional and academic environments
• Apply in-depth knowledge of content areas to quality measurement of health and human services
• Become efficient in evaluating new developments and advances in health sciences
• Evaluate legal and ethical considerations for professional practice
• Develop strategies for a diverse, culturally-aware work or learning environment
• Synthesize graduate coursework in aggregate to develop a professional identity

• Communication (e.g., written, verbal, nonverbal) and use of person-first language in rehabilitation and disability services setting as evidenced by written communication, oral communication, and use of counseling skills (i.e., counseling skills course) in courses
• Empathic understanding and consideration for diverse individuals and cultures, particularly related to issues surrounding disability and rehabilitation services as evidenced by performance on case study assignments or internship
• Application of critical thinking skills to hypothetical or real-world scenarios related to rehabilitation and disability services settings (e.g., vocational, independent living) as evidenced by performance on case study assignments or internship
• Discipline specific knowledge about rehabilitation and disability services as evidenced by performance on course assignments and assessments

Graduates of the Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling program will be able to effectively demonstrate:

• Communication (e.g., written, verbal, nonverbal) in rehabilitation counseling settings
• Understanding of rehabilitation counseling concepts
• Clinical skills for successful rehabilitation counseling practice
• Critical thinking skills necessary to solve problems in rehabilitation counseling settings
• Understanding of multicultural competencies necessary for successful rehabilitation counseling practice