About the School of Preventive and Applied Health

Greetings and welcome to the School of Preventive and Applied Health (SPAH)!

Our goal is to help our students realize their full potential, facilitating the attainment of knowledge and skills that will be beneficial as you journey into your pursuits in the healthcare field. We place supporting you as a number one priority, where valuable relationships are nurtured, and an enriching academic experience is offered that will prepare you for future employment in your respective professions.

The School of Preventive and Applied Health has three academic program areas: health sciences, medical laboratory sciences and public health. Through the health sciences curriculum, students will receive a strong science-based foundation and fundamental healthcare skills (e.g. leadership, financial management, medical terminology) that will make them markedly competitive for the global market.

Those who have careers in medical laboratory sciences (MLS) enjoy a creative profession combining the challenges and rewards of both medicine and science. MLS is an ideal career choice if you have an aptitude and interest in science and mathematics and also want to care for others.

Through the public health curriculum, you’ll be ready to excel in a variety of roles in government, education nonprofits and private corporations. You’ll learn from expert faculty who are active in public health research and have opportunities to gain valuable real-world experience.

I invite you to explore our programs on our website and discover the rewarding and vast opportunities that we have to offer. If you would like to find out more about our programs, please do not hesitate to contact me directly (sclay@niu.edu). We are here to help you fulfill your academic and career aspirations.

Go Huskies!

Shondra Clay, Ph.D.
Chair
School of Preventive and Applied Health