The Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies

The Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies

Acting Dean: Shannon Clifford, Ph.D.

The Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies was established in 1998, having served as a Department of Nursing since 1981. The School of Nursing and Health Studies reflects in its philosophy the mission of Monmouth University: to provide a learning process and environment that enables students to realize their full potential and enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, groups, and the community; and to provide high-quality baccalaureate and graduate education programs to a diverse student population for development of potential leaders in nursing and health professions. Graduates are committed to lifelong service to their chosen profession and prepared to enhance the quality of life for diverse populations in a global and increasingly interdependent society.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing prepares a generalist and is the basis for graduate study and continuing education. Professional nursing education focuses on the development of an accountable practitioner and responsible citizen. Professional nurses need knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences in order to understand the interrelating factors that influence the health of individuals and society. This knowledge facilitates their special obligation to promote a healthy environment for all persons and enriches the conceptual base that supports development of critical thinking and ethical decision-making skills.

Nursing is a learned profession with a unique body of knowledge. Nursing is both a science based on scholarly inquiry and an art that reflects specific skilled and complex human interactions. The breadth of professional nursing knowledge and skills can only be attained within higher education. Professional nurses require the capacity to modify their roles and responsibilities as healthcare continues to change. Baccalaureate education provide students with knowledge of nursing science, enabling them to develop their personal philosophy and framework for practice. This framework encompasses an understanding of the past, present, and emerging roles of the professional nurse. Baccalaureate graduates obtain entry-level positions and are eligible for licensure as registered nurses.

The baccalaureate degree in health studies focuses on developing professionals who will promote health and prevent disease across diverse areas in medical, community, nonprofit, corporate, and government settings. The focus on the sciences makes this major a good fit for students pursuing careers pathways and advanced education as healthcare professionals.

The baccalaureate degree in health promotion prepares students for careers in coaching, athletic training, and fitness training, as well as graduate or professional schools for physical therapy, exercise science and other similar professions. The health and physical education baccalaureate dual major K-12 education endorsement offers core health studies and physical education for those students interested in obtaining a K–12 teaching certification. The curriculum content is aligned with both the State of New Jersey certification requirements and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Education for nursing and the health professions is idealistic and future-oriented yet sufficiently realistic to provide students with an opportunity to develop justifiable confidence in their intellectual, clinical, and practical skills. This preparation can occur only within an environment that allows for individual differences and fosters personal integration, healthy self-esteem, vital social awareness, enjoyment of leisure, and a sense of commitment to the attitudes and values of the health professions.

Education is an active, ongoing process involving student-teacher collaboration and experiential activity. The teaching-learning process involves not only the teacher and the student, but also the social system within a framework of dynamic relationships that promotes the change and growth of individuals. It is recognized that students have the ultimate responsibility for their own learning and professional growth. Students are viewed as unique individuals with varying learning styles. Therefore, a variety of experiences and teaching strategies are to enhance the development of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities within the student.

The school offers the following programs:

  • a Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN)
  • a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies program (choose the Exercise Science or Health Science Cluster) for non-nursing majors;
  • a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies/Physical Education program (choose the Fitness and Wellness or Public Health Cluster)
  • a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies/Physical Education program with an Education Endorsement K-12;
  • a Health Studies minor for non-nursing majors; and
  • an undergraduate interdisciplinary certificate in gerontology.

The school offers an accelerated program:

  • an accelerated, direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Health Studies/Occupational Therapy Doctorate program (3+3)

Nursing Student Honor Society: Lambda Delta Chapter - Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honor Society