The Boise State Department of Community Environmental Health saw a need to reconfigure the Health Science Studies degree into emphases to make their offerings more relevant for employers and easier for students to navigate. Idaho State University had similar plans to change health program offerings to emphases. Through discussions between institutions, an agreement was reached through a joint letter written by the health deans at both institutions to generate no duplicative health emphases that are needed in Idaho. The letter supports five Boise State health emphases and four Idaho State health emphases. The letter has been forwarded to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and will help facilitate the adoption of the new emphases for both institutions.
The SBOE has approved that Boise State students majoring in Health Science Studies may select an emphasis in Gerontology, Health Informatics and Information Management, Health Policy and Leadership, Prevention and Addiction Studies, or Public Health. Idaho State University Plans to seek approval through the SBOE for emphases in Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Sciences, Pre-Health and Paramedic Sciences.
Bachelors of Science will still be offered in Environmental and Occupational Health, Pre-Dental Studies, Pre-Medical Studies and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. The Pre-Professional Studies program will also continue to offer non-degree programs to assist students in preparing for professional schools in pursuit of their health care careers.
This collaboration is another example of the deepening relationship between the two institutions, who work to address the health related needs of Idaho and beyond.