Departments & Organizational Structure 

About DCS

The Department of Clinical Sciences houses three accredited professional practice programs within the College of Health Professions: Anesthesia for Nurses (doctorate), Cardiovascular Perfusion (master’s), and Physician Assistant Studies (master’s). In 2023, a new Genetic Counseling (master's) welcomed its first cohort. The department also includes the Division of Healthcare Studies which offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science degree in order to advance in their current work setting, gain employment in a healthcare setting, or apply to a graduate health care program. The Department of Clinical Sciences includes over 20 faculty members, 450 students, and administrative and clinical support staff for each program. State-of-the-art classrooms and teaching labs are provided, and close working relationships with many health care organizations in South Carolina and beyond are cultivated. The use of simulation is also pervasive in the Department of Clinical Sciences with faculty serving as leaders in simulation within their professions. Department of Clinical Sciences faculty are at the forefront of their profession by engaging in teaching, research, and advocacy and students benefit from the rich opportunities available to them to become well-rounded professionals.

Department Chair: Angela R. Mund, DNP, CRNA

Departmental Directory

Programs:
Anesthesia for Nurses
Cardiovascular Perfusion
Genetic Counseling
Healthcare Studies
Physician Assistant Studies

About DRS

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (DRS) is the home to the three rehabilitation-oriented divisions that have professional practice programs: Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) (master’s), Occupational Therapy (entry-level and post-professional doctorate), and Physical Therapy (doctorate). Our nationally ranked programs have some of the most selective admissions in the country. The department includes nearly 30 faculty members and over 330 students in the department, plus administrative and clinical staff for each program. We also have state-of-the-art classrooms and teaching labs.

Through our outstanding students and faculty, we bring interprofessional education from the classroom into practice such as in the Neurorehabilitation Institute (NRI) with MUSC Health which integrates clinical care, education, and research. The award-winning Community Aid, Relief, Education and Support (CARES) Therapy Clinic provides an opportunity for students from different professions to work together. We also have a seed grant program to help further develop collaboration between the divisions in DRS and other units in the college and university. Ultimately, we aim to fully integrate research, education and clinical practice for our students and faculty to best serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. This evidence-based integration will ultimately impact the quality of clinical practice through the use of education research and implementation science.

Department Chair: Megan Donaldson, PT, Ph.D., FAAOMPT

Departmental Directory

Programs:
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech-Language Pathology

About HS&R

The Department of Health Sciences & Research (HS&R) is the home to the Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Science program. The Ph.D. program positions graduates to lead interdisciplinary research teams toward optimizing the health and rehabilitation outcomes of patients using innovative methods and cutting-edge technology.

The department is also home to a thriving research program. The College of Health Professions Research Building comprises more than 8,200 ft2 of specialized labs supporting cutting-edge research in disciplines such as stroke recovery and rehabilitation, neuromodulation, operant conditioning, telehealth, and device and technology development. Additionally, the research building serves as dedicated joint research space for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center through a formal Memorandum of Understanding. Through our dedicated faculty, staff, and students, HS&R is focused on inter-professional education and research, as well as fostering the next generation of scientists by supporting a range of postdoctoral students. Similarly, HS&R programs aim to translate research discoveries from our successful labs to positively impact clinical practice and to improve the lives of our patients and beyond.

Department Chair: Steven A. Kautz, Ph.D.

Departmental Directory

Programs:
Health & Rehabilitation Science
Research at the College of Health Professions

About DHLM

The Department of Healthcare Leadership & Management (DHLM) is the home of three health administration programs within the College of Health Professions: Doctor of Health Administration (DHA), Master in Health Administration (MHA), and Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI). Our students are career-oriented leaders who want to help shape the direction of healthcare organizations. We have 13 faculty members and over 150 students in the department with a dedicated full-time staff. We also have state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities, and close working relationships with many healthcare organizations in South Carolina and beyond. Through our outstanding students and faculty, we bring inter-professional education from the classroom into practice. For example, the award-winning Community Aid, Relief, Education and Support (CARES) Therapy Clinic provides an opportunity for students from different professions to work together. In addition, many class projects are actual projects from healthcare facilities.

DHLM Vision & Value Statements:
The department strives to achieve national distinction in education, scholarship, and service by offering high-quality education programs including Doctor of Health Administration, Master in Health Administration, and Master of Science in Health Informatics. To fulfill its mission, the department is committed to:

• Treating all individuals with respect and dignity
• Providing an environment in which freedom of inquiry and debate is valued and protected
• Offering high quality educational programs that provide students experiential, integrative and inter-professional learning opportunities
• Fostering a learning environment that values a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds.
• Preparing students to lead and succeed in the workforce
• Advancing scientific evidence on health services through research and scholarship
• Informing policy-makers at local, state, and national levels
• Improving the delivery of healthcare services through the provision of consulting and community service
• Building and maintaining strong alumni and employer relationships
• Engaging with community stakeholders to ensure we are preparing a competitive workforce.

Department Chair: Eric Richardson, Ph.D., MBA, MPH

Departmental Directory

Programs:
Master in Health Administration
Doctor of Health Administration
Health Informatics