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.

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 used to enhance the development of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities within the student. Students are educated in the advanced practice roles of educator, researcher, advocate, clinician, consultant, collaborator, entrepreneur, and manager of systems through assessment, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and evaluation of individuals, families, groups, communities, and various healthcare systems and practice settings.