Data Article

The Health and Human services department at SCSU has been growing in a nearly exponential pattern over the last 8 years. The school of Arts & Sciences still confers the most degrees, but Health and Human Services clocks in at second place. In the 2008–2009 academic year, 285 degrees were conferred in the department. In the 2014–2015 academic year, 418 degrees were conferred. The number peaked in 2012–2013, with 459 degrees conferred.

Has the construction of new science building contributed to this increase? Is there a higher need for health professionals? Nursing has always been a popular program at SCSU, but is there more interest in other majors like Exercise Science? Advertising for vocational nursing programs has become more commonplace in recent years, but the program here at SCSU has remained strong. Are students more interested in a traditional education in health services?

Katie Fox, a junior in Communication Disorders, will be giving me an interview later today to try and answer some of the questions above. I’ve also reached out to a Leisure Studies Professor and the Dean of the school of Health and Human Services.