Health Care Degrees Online

The Canisius College school psychology minor is helpful to any student who is interested in education, testing, psychology, special education, or working with children. School psychologists, school counselors, and school social workers work together with parents, teachers, and administrators to ensure that a student’s personal, social, academic, and career development is maximized.

The minor has been an important part of the psychology curriculum for more than 25 years. A generation of students has gone on to careers in the schools as psychologists, counselors, and social workers. Many of them returned to Western New York after graduate school. There are several Canisius graduates now working as school psychologists in the area and even more as counselors and social workers. Ten members of the class of 2006 were accepted into school psychology programs as far away as Florida.

The forensic psychology minor was designed for students interested in applying psychology to the criminal justice and legal systems. The program is offered in collaboration with the criminal justice major. The term “forensic” comes from the Latin word “forensis,” which literally means “of the market or forum.” The word derives from the public forums of Ancient Rome where the law courts were commonly held. Today, forensic psychology is a generic term covering the diverse clinical, applied, and research activities which make up the combined area of psychology and law.

The Clinical/counseling psychology minor is for individuals planning careers in psychology, social work, or counseling education and is open to majors and non-majors with the needed prerequisites. Students learn about the therapeutic services provided in counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals or clinics.

Individuals interested in advanced degrees in psychology have the opportunity to learn how to treat a variety of adjustment and mental health problems with various populations at the undergraduate level.

For students interested in applying psychology to athletics, the Psychology Department offers a sports psychology minor in collaboration with the Physical and Sports Education Department.

This minor focuses on how psychological factors affect behavior on sports and athletics and on how participation in these activities affects the athlete. Students study social perception, motivation, group dynamics, development of motor skills, leadership, aggression, and other topics essential to working with teams and individual athletes for careers in coaching, education, research/ teaching, or counseling.

The industrial-organizational psychology (IOP) specialization is for students who are primarily interested in a career as a psychologist, but who would like to practice his/her skills in a business or similar organizational environment.

IOP is an area of study within the field of psychology that is concerned with how industrial and non-industrial organizations work. Individuals who specialize in IOP usually work within business organizations, but also may be employed in government, health care institutions, universities, or research and consulting firms.

The Canisius College Psychology Department offers a strong academic program, personal attention and varied research opportunities in excellent scientific facilities. Students and professors interact frequently and informally both in and outside the classroom, providing many occasions for personal guidance and collaborative research.

Professional psychologists work in laboratories, hospitals, government agencies and community organizations. But not all psychology majors become psychologists. Some Canisius psychology alumni are professors, therapists or case workers. Our extensive internship program enhances classroom learning and also gives students a sense of where their professional interest lie.

BIO 107 Human Anatomy (4 credits)
BIO 108 Human Physiology (4 credits)
HHP 235 Kinesiology (3 credits)
HHP 336 Physiology of Exercise (3 credits)
HHP 337 Research in Physiology of Exercise (3 credits)
ATH 373 Nutritional Issues For Athletic Trainers (3 credits)
HHP 420 Exercise Testing & Prescription (3 credits)

The Health and Human Performance minor provides an option for students interested in applied human physiology, clinical exercise physiology, and health and physical fitness careers, as well as for students interested in graduate school. The minor prepares students for specialty certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine and/or the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Students interested in health and human performance at Canisius College must consult with the department chair and complete an application in the Sports Medicine, Health and Human Performance Department. Health and human performance courses have specific pre-requisites, which are stated in the course descriptions.

Admission is competitive and is based upon skills and knowledge competencies acquired in BIO 107, BIO 107L, BIO 108, BIO 108L, ATH 170 and ATH 132. A minimum of C+ must be obtained in each of the courses as we’ll as an overall QPA of 2.3. Specific admission criteria for the program may be obtained from the program director. Course transfer credit will be evaluated on an individual basis for the required pre-professional courses BIO 107-108. Transfer credit will not be allowed for ATH170, and ATH 132. There are a limited number of student professional openings each year in the program. Transfer student admission is also competitive with a limited number of openings available. A minimum G.P.A. of 2.3 is required. Students must apply for admission by December 1 of the Fall semester in which they are enrolled. Admission is made at the end of the spring semester each year. A two-year (four-semester) minimum time period must be allowed for the completion of the required 875 clinical hours once the student is admitted.

The Department of Sports Medicine, Health and Human Performance offers a bachelor of science degree with a major program for athletic training and a minor in health and human performance. The major program is designed to prepare students to enter the athletic training and allied health fields. Emphasis is placed on the development of cognitive knowledge in addition to psychomotor skills. This includes practicum, laboratory and internship experiences. The program prepares students for the Board of Certification examination. The major is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. The minor is designed to provide students with preparation for the fields of exercise physiology and wellness. In addition, the department offers a collection of courses to assist students in preparation for certification in strength and conditioning.