Public Health and Healthcare Leadership

Sarah E. (Sallie Beth) Johnson, PhD, MPH, MCHES®

Chair, Associate Professor
sejohnson1@radford.edu
Office: 540-831-1945; Department: 540-831-1808

The Department of Public Health and Healthcare Leadership (PHHL) offers a variety of academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, along with accelerated degree options, to prepare students for employment, career advancement, and lifelong learning in the fields of healthcare administration, health sciences, and public health.

Mission Statement

PHHL prepares a diverse body of students to improve health in their communities through advocacy, leadership, and service.

Vision Statement

PHHL aspires to be recognized in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond for excellence in the fields of healthcare administration, health sciences, and public health through teaching, scholarship, and service.

Core Values

Continuously improve student success through interprofessional collaboration and experiential learning;
Make a difference in our communities through advocacy, service, and partnership;
Commit to maintaining high ethical standards and accountability;
Engage in critical thinking through scholarly activity and research;
Achieve excellence in teaching; and
Demonstrate respect, compassion, and caring for all

Undergraduate Programs

Healthcare Administration, B.S.
- The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Healthcare Administration program provides a broad base of knowledge and skills to prepare students with general analytical, communication, and management competencies to serve as a professional in the field of healthcare administration. This 120 semester hours hybrid program will prepare students to work within the fundamental “business” aspects of healthcare. All major classes are offered in an online format. The Healthcare Administration major includes four specialties areas: long-term care administration, medical practice management, healthcare administration (human resources or finance) or professional seminar.
- Contact Dr. Carey Peerman, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, Program Director, Associate Professor at chpeerman@radford.edu
Healthcare Organizational Management Minor
- Healthcare leaders manage healthcare operations and teams to support excellent patient care and organizational outcomes. The minor in Healthcare Organizational Management consists of 15 semester hours which includes three required courses and options for two elective courses. All courses are delivered in an online format.
- Contact Carey Peerman, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, Program Director, Associate Professor at chpeerman@radford.edu
Health Sciences, B.S.
- The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Sciences program is a broad-based foundational degree This 120 semester hours hybrid program prepares students to enter a non-clinical health profession or a graduate program in a health-related field. All Health Sciences major classes are offered in an online format. The B.S. Health Sciences degree has traditional, 3+1 degree completion, and 4+1 accelerated degree options.
- Contact Thomas S. Castor, Ph.D., M.A., CHES®, Program Director, Associate Professor at tcastor@radford.edu or 540.831.2009
Public Health, B.S.
- The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares students to improve community health and wellness through education, advocacy, and service. In this 120 semester hours hybrid program, students learn to promote healthy lifestyles and tackle community health needs such as chronic disease, substance use addiction, aging populations, mental illness, outbreaks, and disaster preparedness. All Public Health major classes are offered in an online format.
- Contact Thomas S. Castor, Ph.D., M.A., CHES®, Program Director, Associate Professor at tcastor@radford.edu or 540.831.2009
Public Health Minor
- Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. The minor in public health consists of 15 semester hours which include four required courses and a choice of on elective course. All courses are delivered in an on-line format.
- Contact Thomas S. Castor, Ph.D., M.A., CHES®, Program Director, Associate Professor at tcastor@radford.edu or 540.831.2009

Masters’ Programs

Healthcare Administration, M.H.A.
- The Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) program prepares entry and experienced healthcare professionals with the attributes, values and competencies needed to manage and lead a variety of complex healthcare organizations. This 36 semester hours program is offered in an 100% online format.
- Contact Carey Peerman, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, Program Director, Associate Professor at chpeerman@radford.edu
Health Sciences, M.S.
- The Master of Science (M.S.) in Health Sciences program provides an advanced, broad-based graduate field of study which positions students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree to elevate and accelerate their careers in a health-related field. The program is 36-credits, may be completed in 4 years and includes coursework in healthcare administration, healthcare leadership, population health and research. Students also have the option of selecting the Clinical Research Administration (CRA) concentration and/or enrolling in the Dual Degree Track (M.S. to D.H.Sc.)
- Contact Kim Baskette, PhD, CHES®, Program Director and Associate Professor at kgbaskette@radford.edu or 540.831.1699

Doctoral Program

Health Sciences, D.H.Sc.
- The Doctor in Health Sciences program equips seasoned health professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to take their careers to the next level. Offered in a flexible format and convenient environment and designed for health professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, the D.H.Sc. program empowers health professionals with the leadership skills needed to become change agents within the fields of healthcare, community and public health, and higher education. Graduating students may pursue opportunities as health service directors/managers, health educators, public health officers, healthcare delivery administrators, researchers, and/or university faculty.
- Contact Kim Baskette, PhD, CHES®, Program Director and Associate Professor at kgbaskette@radford.edu or 540.831.1699

Certificate

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research
- Radford University’s fully online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research prepares you for a meaningful career at the intersection of science, healthcare, and innovation. Whether you’re new to clinical research or looking to deepen your expertise, this program provides the essential knowledge and skills to succeed. The certificate curriculum is offered as synchronous fully online courses in a 7-weeks format. Courses include flexible Zoom sessions to connect with faculty and other students. Taking two courses each semester, you can complete the certificate in one academic year (9-months).
- Contact Rebecca McIntyre, DHA, MHSA, CCRP, Program Director & Assistant Professor at rmcintyre1@radford.edu

Programs

Degree

*Programs may have different REAL designations based on the concentration(s) selected. Click on the major for more details.

Academic Minor

To graduate with a minor, a student must have a 2.0 or higher GPA in all courses required for the minor, and should be officially registered for the minor at least one semester prior to graduation. Courses used to fulfill major or minor requirements cannot be used to fulfill concentrations or option requirements within Interdisciplinary Studies.

Master’s

A degree represents the academic level of a program and the general category into which it falls. For example: Master of Arts, Master of Science, etc. At Radford University, the term “Arts” in a graduate degree generally implies a language and thesis requirement. The minimum number of semester hours for a Radford University graduate degree is 30.

Doctoral

Health Sciences, D.H.S.c. - Radford University Carilion Campus

Certificate

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is generally a series of 15-18 hours of graduate level coursework related to a focused academic topic or competency area. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate may enhance the education of matriculated (degree seeking) students as well as provide continuing education to non-matriculated (non-degree seeking) students, generally in a specialized or emerging field.

Clinical Research Certificate