Eastern Michigan University established the College of Human Services in 1975. The original college included home economics, nursing, medical technology, and occupational therapy. To encompass the various programs. the college was renamed the College of Health and Human Services on April 21, 1982. In 2000 the Marshall Building opened, which is the current home of the College of Health and Human Services. The building is named after Everett L. Marshall, Dean of Records and Teacher Certification. In the late 2000s the school went through a restructuring leading to the creation of many new programs. Eastern Michigan University College of Health and Human Services was the first on the EMU campus to have departments be designated as professional schools.
Facility
The Everett L. Marshall Building is home to the College of Health and Human Services. The building is named after Everett L. Marshall, Dean of Records and Teacher Certification. The College of Health and Human Services is also EMU's first "green" building on campus. The building features extensive use of natural lighting and stair treads, furnishings, and flooring made of recycled materials. As well, tables throughout the building are made of soybeans, newspapers, and wooden pallets. Chairs and fabrics are made from recycled bottles. Flooring throughout the building is made from straw cork, recycled tires, and bamboo. The facility features more than 90 pieces of art work made by EMU students, Faculty, and Michigan artists.
Programs
The Eastern Michigan University College of Health and Human Services is organized by four schools: Health Promotion & Human Performance, Health Sciences, Nursing, and Social Work. The school's most notable programs include nursing, occupational therapy, orthotics & prosthetics, physician assistant, and social work.
Nursing
The undergraduate program in nursing started in 1973. The program is ranked #295 in the nation by U.S. News. In 2008, with a joint program with the College of Education, the CHHS began to offer a Ph.D. in Nursing education. The university declares the program as "the first of its kind in the midwest". The program is aimed to prepare nursing faculty to assist in the nursing shortage.
Occupational Therapy
The CHHS program in Occupational Therapy Program has been around since 1941. In 2011, U.S. News ranked the program #52 in the nation. The OT program is the highest ranked program in the state of Michigan.
According to EMU publications, the prosthetics and Orthotics program at EMU is one of two in the nation to offer a master's degree in prosthetics and Orthotics. According to National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; Eastern's program is now one of five schools to offer a masters in prosthetics and Orthotics in the United States. The program is the only of its kind in the state of Michigan.
In 2013, EMU announced the opening of a Physician Assistant program, set to start its first class in May 2014. "Eastern Michigan University is now poised to provide this vital training and education through a new academic program -- a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. The two-year professional program, which emphasizes basic medicine and clinical methods, will prepare graduates for certification and licensure to practice as extenders to practicing physicians. 'Eastern's PA program is the only one of its kind in the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti area-and one of few in the state,' says Jay Peterson, PA program director." The PA Program is a twenty-four month, full-time, year-round graduate professional program with students starting as a cohort annually in May 2014. The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the EMU Physician Assistant Program. Applicants must complete 500 hours of clinical experience, and take the GRE before applying.
Accreditation
Eastern Michigan University College of Health and Human Services' programs are accredited by the following professional organizations:
