Overview
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences is home to the Departments of Urban Public Health and Nutrition, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Nursing. The programs within these departments are flourishing and are well-respected inside and outside of the University. Faculty and staff are committed to students and the work they are doing and students live our mission of caring for vulnerable, underserved, and diverse populations through their clinical and service activities. Our focus is on promoting the health and education of individuals, families, and communities through an interprofessional lens.
Where applicable, our programs are fully accredited which reflects adherence to specific standards for the curricula for the major. As undergraduate students, this is an important consideration since most graduate programs in healthcare disciplines are looking for graduates of accredited programs.
The undergraduate and graduate Nutrition programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®); the undergraduate and graduate programs in Public Health by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the undergraduate and graduate programs in Nursing by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); and the graduate Speech Language and Hearing program by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Mission Statement
Mission
To provide scientifically based nursing curricula to educate clinically competent, caring, nursing professionals with a commitment to excellence in practice, service, life-long learning, scholarship, and self-care.
Vision
The Nursing program educates professionals prepared as leaders in practice, service, scholarship, and education, contributing to the advancement of the health and well-being of diverse communities.
Goals
- To engage students in educational, service, and research programs aimed at caring for people they serve;
- To facilitate student development in critical thinking, effective communication, and knowledge, skill, and values to care and advocate for the health of individuals, families, groups, and communities locally, regionally, and globally.
Opportunities Outside the Classroom
International Education Opportunities: Opportunities to enhance a student’s international exposure are offered through study abroad and travel/study options. La Salle has strong ties with the American University of Rome in Italy, Universidad La Salle in Mexico City, Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, and the National University of Ireland in Galway, where students have the opportunity to have semester-long learning experiences. Students may also gain acceptance to the summer UniLaSalle-Campus de Beauvais program in France. Nutrition students have the opportunity to study in France and participate in an intensive, interdisciplinary program that combines culinary arts and health sciences.
Student Organization
Communication Science Disorders
The National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is a pre-professional membership association for students interested in communication sciences and disorders. La Salle University formed an ASHA-recognized NSSLHA chapter in 2002. Membership in the La Salle NSSLHA chapter is available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in one of the Communication Sciences and Disorders programs. For more information, please visit the NSSLHA Web site: www.nsslha.org.
Nursing
La Salle maintains a chapter within the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) and the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA). This enables La Salle nursing students to interact with nursing students within Pennsylvania and across the nation. SNAP provides nursing students exposure to their first nursing organization. La Salle’s SNAP members participate in university events such as the Wellness Fair, Community Health Fair, and Career Fair as well as speak at Open Houses to potential La Salle Nursing students. Members volunteer at various organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House and provide item donations to organizations such as Cradles to Crayons.
Nutrition
La Salle Explorers Advocating Nutrition (LEAN) seeks to promote awareness of good nutritional health through education and service activities for students, faculty, and staff of La Salle University and its surrounding community.
Public Health
The Public Health Student Organization serves to support the academic and social needs of its members as well as a liaison between students, faculty and administration. The organization encourages and promotes community involvement by public health students and stimulates interest in public health.
Location/Contact Information
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dean’s Office
St. Benilde, Room 4000
crawfordc@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1432
Staff Contact Information
Beth Ann Swan, PhD, RN, CHSE, FAAN, ANEF
Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences
St. Benilde Tower, Room 4400
swanb@lasall.edu
Clarissa Crawford
Administrative Assistant Dean’s Office/ Assistant to the Dean and Associate Dean
St. Benilde, Room 4403
crawfordc@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1431
Schedules appointments with the Dean and Associate Dean; sends letters to students who are on the Dean’s List.
Mary Dorr, MSN, RN
Assistant Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences
St. Benilde, Room 1101
dorr@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1646
Advises students; assists students who want to study abroad; approves courses taken outside of La Salle for transfer credits; approves students seeking CLEP exam approval; meets with students who want to change major into the School of Nursing and Health Sciences; discussed minors offered in School of Nursing and Health Sciences; posts transfer credits for accepted transfer students; conducts graduation audits; reviews validation paperwork for transfer for incoming freshmen; review AP credits for transfer.