Addendum

Item

Change Description:

Date of Update:

Newly approved Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration addition to the BSHS Program

Program Goals
The undergraduate Health Sciences Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration at the University of Bridgeport is a four-year Bachelor of Science degree program that prepares students for admission into an Occupational Therapy (MSOT) master’s degree program. The curriculum of the pre-OT concentration focuses on the behavioral, natural, and physical sciences, healthcare, and medical knowledge required to pursue a career as an OT. The pre-occupational therapy concentration aims to provide students with a strong educational foundation and the necessary prerequisites for MSOT programs. The Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration helps students develop the skills and knowledge needed to be an occupational therapist. This includes: 

• Developing relevant skills such as communication, problem-solving, and empathy. 

• Gaining relevant experience through job shadowing, internships, academic or professional clubs, or networking events. 

• Fulfilling prerequisite coursework required by MSOT programs such as human anatomy and physiology, chemistry and psychology. 

• Exposing students to the field of occupational therapy so that they have a clear understanding of what OTs do on a day-to-day basis. 

• Promoting professional development to boost competencies that will promote long-term workplace success.

• Facilitating a smooth transition to MSOT programs by providing students with foundational concepts developed through the pre-occupational program plan of study. 

Program Modalities
• The BSHS Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration will be a hybrid program with most classes (>50%) held on campus in a physical classroom. Other class sessions will be conducted entirely online and online class sessions may be synchronous or asynchronous.

• A combination of visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic learning modalities will be used to maximize individual student learning styles. 

Program Learning Outcomes
• HSCI Learning Outcomes: As a result of completing the B.S. in Health Sciences, graduates will be able to apply principles of health and wellness as a lifelong process of learning grounded in the study of basic sciences and the behavioral arts. The students will:

1. Students will understand the fundamental biological, chemical, and physical properties underlying life systems.

2. Students will understand the basic principles of community health, exercise & fitness, and nutrition as they relate to the health sciences professions.

3. Students will be aware of professional, clinical, ethical, and privacy issues that are pertinent to careers in the health sciences.

4. Students will be knowledgeable about fundamental concepts and practices related to the study of disease distributions in populations.

5. Students will be able to produce research and/or grant proposals utilizing the proper scientific methodology of evidence-based experimental data.

6. Students will be able to read, critically evaluate, construct, and present peer-reviewed scientific publications in an organized and effective manner.

7. Students will understand the relationship between exercise and wellness maintenance and be skilled at developing appropriate fitness programs for diverse populations.

8. Students will understand the principles of human nutrition and its relationship to health and wellness using evidence-based strategies.

9. Students will understand principles to help people assume more responsibility for their health and well-being through educational development, implementation, and evaluation of community health programs.

10. Pre-PA, Pre-OT, & Pre-professional students will be broadly prepared to enter professional schools and to successfully meet school admissions criteria.

Pre-OT Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the program requirements, graduates will be competent in areas of responsibility required for application to graduate occupational therapy programs. The learning outcomes for the pre-occupational therapy program include: 

1. Use theory to support reasoning and ethical decision making in determining the health needs of individuals, organizations, and communities.

2. Summarize published research related to health care.

3. Describe health disparities and the role of occupational therapy within communities. 

4. Compare the influence of social, cultural, political, and occupational factors on participation and health.

5. Analyze the psychological and biological factors that influence health and wellness.

6. Demonstrate the value of OT through interdisciplinary collaboration, service, and commitment to lifelong learning.

Newly approved Nursing Program; ADN

Health Sciences Center, Room 619
Telephone (203) 576-4269

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
Introduction: 
Program Outcomes
1. Apply knowledge from nursing and ways of knowing as well as knowledge from the natural and social sciences, to form the basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice. [Domain 1)

2. Provide holistic, person-centered care within multiple complicated contexts, including the family and/or important others. [Domain 2]

3. Promote health and well-being for vulnerable populations based on leading health indicators and health promotion strategies. [Domain 3, 4]

4. Integrate best evidence into nursing practice. [Domain 1, 4]

5. Apply quality improvement principles in care delivery. [Domain 4, 5]

6. Collaborate across professions and with care team members, patients, and families to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and strengthen outcomes. [Domain 2, 6]

7. Coordinate resources within complex systems to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations. [Domain 3, 7]

8. Use information and patient care technologies and informatics processes to deliver safe nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of settings. [Domain l, 3, 8]

9. Cultivate a sustainable professional identity that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values. [Domain 9,10]

10. Commit to personal health and well-being while developing a capacity for leadership and life­-long learning. [Domain 9,10]

Admission Criteria
Cumulative GPA 2.75
TEAS 7 Test
Math/ Science pre-requisite coursework of C+ or higher: MATH 103, BIO 113, BIO 114, BIO 106, CHEM 113
General Education pre-requisite coursework: ENG 101, SOC 101, PSYC 103, PSYC 205
To be considered for the UBSN ADN program, you must complete the following: 

General Education Courses 
ENGL 101 English Composition (3cr) 
PSYC 103 Intro to Psychology (3cr)
PSYC 205 Developmental Psychology (3cr) 
SOC 101  Intro to Sociology (3cr) 

Math/ Science courses must be completed with a C+ or higher: 
MATH 103  Intermediate Algebra (3cr) 
BIOL 113 Anatomy and Physiology I (3cr)

BIOL 113L  Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (1cr) 
BIOL 114 Anatomy and Physiology II ( 3cr)               

BIOL 114L  Anatomy and Physiology II Lab ( 1cr) 
CHEM 113 Chemistry (4cr) 
CHEM 113L  Chemistry Lab (1cr) 
BIOL 106  Microbiology (3cr)

BIOL 106L Microbiology Lab (1cr) 

ADN Curriculum 
Semester 1 
NURS 104 Foundations of Nursing Practice (Ser 3cr lecture, 2 er lab) 
NURS 204 Health Maintenance I: Health Assessment (3cr) (already approved course) 
Semester 2 
NURS 208 Pharmacology for the Professional Nurse (3cr) (already approved course) 
NURS 104 Nursing Care of Adult Clients I (5 er, 3cr lect, 2 er clinical) 
Semester 3 
NURS 205 Nursing Care of Adult Clients II (Ser, 3cr lect, 2cr clinical) 
NURS 207 Nursing Care of Clients with Mental Health Disorders (3cr, 2cr lect, 1 er clinical) 
Semester 4 
NURS 323 Essentials of Family Nursing (5crm 3cr lect, 2 er clinical) (already approved course) NURS 345 Leadership and Management Roles in Nursing 3cr (already approved course) 
Semester 5 
NURS 309 Nursing Care of Adult Clients Ill (6cr, 3 er lect, 3 er clinical) 
NURS 311 Readiness for Professional Nursing Practice (2cr) 
Total General Education Credits: 31 credits 
Total Nursing Credits: 40 credits 

Newly approved Nursing course for ADN Program: NURS 101 - Foundations of Nursing Practice (5 Credits)
This course will introduce students to nursing concepts, conceptual frameworks, and philosophies that inform professional nursing practice. Students will develop communication, skills, critical thinking, reasoning, clinical judgment, self-reflection, and a person-centered approach to care. The fundamentals of nursing practice, based on the behavioral, social, and nursing sciences, are emphasized. The course will provide students with the opportunity to explore the role of the professional nurse as a provider of care, a member of the interprofessional healthcare team, and champion of quality and safety within the healthcare system. Clinical and laboratory experiences provide opportunities for students to learn and demonstrate therapeutic communication, clinical judgment, and novice psychomotor skills in the delivery of nursing care.

Requisites:
BIOL-113 BIOL-114 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
CHEM-113 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-204 - Must be taken at the same time as this course

Newly approved Nursing course for ADN Prorgram: NURS 104 - Nursing Care of Adult Clients (5 Credits)
This course focuses on the nurse’s role in providing person-centered nursing care to adult patients to promote health and mental well-being, prevent disease, and restore/regenerate health following acute or chronic exacerbations. Nursing care concepts will be addressed within physiologic, pathophysiologic, psychological, and psychosocial context. Opportunities are provided for students to advance their communication skills, critical thinking, reasoning, clinical judgment, self-reflection, and identity as a nurse. Students will demonstrate evidenced-based knowledge and skills related to alterations in elimination, sensory, cardiac, gastrointestinal, cancer, respiratory, immunity, technology, quality, and safety. Clinical, laboratory and simulation experiences provide opportunities for students to learn and demonstrate psychomotor skills including medication administration and implementation of the nursing process in the delivery of nursing care.

Requisites:
NURS-101 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-204 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-208 - Must be taken at the same time as this course.

Newly approved Nursing course for ADN Program: NURS 205 - Nursing Care of Adult Clients II (5 Credits)
This course focuses on the safe provision of person-centered, evidence-based nursing care to diverse populations of adult and geriatric patients. The goal is to maintain optimal health following acute or chronic illness. Students are provided opportunities to develop their roles as patient advocate, manager of care, and member of the interprofessional healthcare team. Emphasis is placed on advancing levels of critical thinking, reasoning, clinical judgment, and self-reflection. Specific health issues to be explored include kidney disease and injury, vascular, diabetes, obesity, liver disease, musculoskeletal, integumentary, pituitary, adrenals, male reproduction, thyroid and parathyroid. Clinical and simulation experiences provide opportunities for students to demonstrate competencies including implementation of the nursing process in the delivery of nursing care.

Requisites:
NURS-104 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-208 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-207 - Must be taken at the same time as this course.

Newly approved Nursing course for ADN Program: NURS 207- Nursing Care of Clients with Mental Health Disorders (4 Credits)
This course provides the opportunity for students to engage within the specialty of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Students will provide care to individuals, groups, and families with the goal to promote, restore and maintain optimal health for those experiencing psychopathology. Traditional pharmacological and complementary, nonpharmacological methods are addressed. Students will apply previously learned knowledge, skills, behavioral and scientific concepts during the assessment and management of clients with mental health challenges. Emphasis will be on awareness of stigmatization surrounding this vulnerable population. Students will also examine the historical, social, and environmental impact upon clients and family’s abilities to meet the challenges of mental illness and refine their nursing care and therapeutic communication appropriately. Students are encouraged to examine their personal values and feelings through self-reflection and assessment in caring for patients in this setting and their interactions within the inter-professional mental health team.

Requisites:
NURS-208 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-205 - Must be taken at the same time as this course.
NURS-204 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Newly approved Nursing course for ADN Program: NURS 309 - Nursing Care of Adult Clients III (6 Credits)
This course focuses on the provision of person-centered, evidence-based, quality nursing care to maintain and restore health for a diverse range of adult patients with complex and/or critical health issues. Concepts of nursing care and management of patients with dysrhythmias, respiratory emergencies, shock, cerebrovascular disorders, neurologic and musculoskeletal emergencies, trauma, hematologic and oncologic disorders, infections, and end of life needs are emphasized. A variety of classroom, clinical, laboratory, and simulation experiences provide students opportunities to develop competence necessary to support their future roles as patient advocates, coordinators and providers of patient-centered care, and members of interprofessional healthcare teams within a variety of healthcare environments.

Requisites:
NURS-323 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-207 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-311 - Must be taken at the same time as this course.

Newly approved Nursing course for ADN Program: NURS 311- Readiness for Prof Nursing Practice (2 Credits)
This course provides students with the opportunity to prepare for transition into professional nursing practice. Focus is placed on exploration of the current trends, analysis of issues for professional nurses, and preparation for the NCLEX licensing exam. Students must demonstrate synthesis of knowledge, attitudes, motivations, self-assessment and skills from all previous nursing and foundational courses Through feedback and a self-reflective/self-assessment process, students will provide evidence that they have met all the program outcomes and competencies for the associate degree in nursing and have a plan for life-long learning. This is inclusive of a commitment to the preparational work required for success on the NCLEX-RN.

Requisites:
NURS-323 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-207 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
NURS-309 - Must be taken at the same time as this course.

Newly Approved Policy: Academic Catalog Changes Policy
POLICY STATEMENT: 

The purpose is to establish a university-wide policy regarding all requested changes to the current and future versions of the University of Bridgeport Academic Catalog. This policy includes procedures related to the Joint Programs of the University of Bridgeport (UB) and Goodwin University (GU). 

PROCEDURE DETAILS: 

The Catalog Committee, maintained by the Registrar’s Office, is responsible for updating current and future versions of the University of Bridgeport Academic Catalog. The University of Bridgeport’s official Academic Catalog is published once a year, prior to the start of the Summer semester. The only immediate changes made to the current, published version of the catalog will be those changes required by accreditation or regulatory bodies to remain in compliance. Occasionally there are updates such as federal or state regulations, university policy, accreditation requirements, program, or course changes or additions that occur post-publication. These updates do not display in the general catalog and are only referenced in the addendum. All other requested changes are made to the next year’s catalog. 

The procedure is as follows:

• All curriculum changes, including (but not limited to) modify, create or eliminate courses, degrees or programs must be sent to the Office of the Provost for consideration by the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) and receive Provost approval, using the Curriculum Modification Approval Form, or successor form(s) as described in the Curriculum Approval Workflow  Document.

• Any minor grammatical changes and/or changes to the course semester offerings is to be sent directly to catalog@bridgeport.edu  from the dean or program director, or designee.

• Any catalog change(s) that needs to be made to immediately satisfy accreditation or regulatory body requirements will be made to the current, published catalog, only if there is an addendum submitted to the Catalog Committee at catalog@bridgeport.edu. The addendum must include documentation from the accreditation/regulatory body specifying the necessary catalog change and is subject to approval.

• Joint Program Procedures:  The University of Bridgeport and Goodwin University Catalog Committees maintained by their respective Registrar/Institutional Effectiveness Offices, are responsible for updating current and future versions of their own Academic Catalog. Joint Programs of the University of Bridgeport and Goodwin University Programs are represented in both academic catalogs respectfully. Catalog content will be duplicated in all areas, as in examples, program description, learning outcomes, courses, requisites, and graduation requirements. While formatting/font may differ based on the school’s catalog design, every intent is to mirror joint programs content to the viewer.  Any catalog change in a joint program is to be collaboratively shared with the other University’s Catalog Committee before implementation of the change. Annual catalog publishing dates are to be communicated between the two committees and are to align, as feasible. Any catalog changes that need to be made to immediately satisfy accreditation or regulatory body requirements are to be deemed a priority of both the UB and GU catalog committees.

• Once the latest version of the catalog is published, the Catalog Committee will inform the University Curriculum Committee of the date of the next year’s catalog publishing date. This information will then be disseminated to the administrative and faculty leads who are responsible for requesting catalog changes. The Catalog Committee will communicate to the UB community the timeline for submissions, and the next year’s catalog publish date. Catalog change requests are accepted throughout the year and will be reflected in next year’s version of the catalog, unless otherwise specified. Deans and Program Directors are encouraged to submit requested curriculum changes to the Office of the Provost throughout the year in order to prepare an accurate publication, reflective of current institutional learning outcomes as well as represent the University and the opportunities available to the students it serves.

Newly approved courses accepted as a General Education Liberal Arts requirement:

• HONR 245 LA -Fundamentals of Leadership (3 Credits)
• HONR 255C LA -Fundamentals of Civic Engagement (3 Credits)
• HONR 265S LA - Fundamentals of Scholarship (3 Credits)

Newly approved courses accepted as a General Education Natural Science requirement:

• CHEM 105 NS -Principles of General Chemistry (4 Credits)