In a celebration joining Sault College, Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and Algoma Public Health, Dr. Ron Common, President of Sault College, Morrie Walworth, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost of LSSU and Dr. Kim Barker, Medical Officer of Health were at Algoma Public Health in Sault Ste. Marie today to sign a unique Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the institutions. The terms of the agreement outline pathways for Sault College students into the International Public and Environmental Health program at LSSU.
“We are pleased to partner with LSSU and Algoma Public Health on this initiative and we congratulate LSSU for their accreditation status,” notes Dr. Ron Common, President of Sault College. “This unique program trains students to be future Public Health Inspectors and Registered Environmental Health Specialists and Sault College is happy to offer a gateway into this field of study.”
The terms of the agreement outline the ways that Sault College students can obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health at Lake Superior State University. Due to LSSU’s status as an accredited program, graduates are eligible to apply for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) credential through National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and Protection Accreditation Council through the taking of qualifying exams immediately upon graduation. Interested students have the option of beginning at Sault College in the 2-year General Arts and Science – Environmental Health program and then transfer to LSSU to complete their degree in 3-years or students may choose to complete the entire program in 4-years at LSSU.
“Public Health Inspectors are in short supply in northern Ontario,” said Dr. Barker, Medical Officer of Health for Algoma Public Health. “Environmental Health is a growing field and this program will give students from the north the opportunity to study, train and work in the north.”
This unique partnership program will allow a co-op work term in a health unit and provides training to work in the United States and Canada. Upon successful completion of the their studies, students will be prepared to work in a dynamic environment as Public Health Inspectors (PHI) and Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS). Students will also be exposed to issues relating to the natural and constructed environment and how this affects the health of the public. Successful graduates will also be prepared to inspect public venues for any health risk including food safety, drinking water safety, spread of infectious diseases, outbreaks of disease, blood borne illnesses, air quality, mould and indoor environments, rabies, land use for septic systems, health hazards and emergency planning, vectorborne diseases (West Nile virus), pest control, beaches and pools, to name a few.
“LSSU has enjoyed a long-time partnership with Sault College and we are excited about this next step with them and Algoma Public Health,” said LSSU President Tom Pleger. “We look forward to strengthening the collaboration, providing career opportunities for Canadian and U.S. students in an area where it is greatly needed, and increasing impact on the economies of both nations.”
The Public and Environmental Health program will begin its first intake in September, 2015. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Student Recruitment at Sault College by phoning 705-759-2554 ext. 2222.
About the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Program
The Bachelor of Science in environmental health is offered in response to strong student, state and local government demand for an academic program to prepare students for careers in public health, environmental health and related fields. Graduates of this program will be prepared to seek employment in jobs with titles like public health officer, environmental technician, and scientist, as well as many others. After working in the field for a period of time, graduates may sit for the Registered Sanitarian (RS) examination and achieve state certification, or for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) examination and achieve national certification. This program includes courses in Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems, Hydrology and Groundwater, Toxicology and Epidemiology, Public Health Care and Public Administration. Students participate in an applied research project in close collaboration with faculty members to address meaningful environmental health problems.
About Sault College
The vision of Sault College is to provide a transformative life experience through empowering those who study with us to think and learn in progressive, innovative ways, including those we have not yet imagined. Ranked #1 in the province with a score of 85% in overall student satisfaction by students themselves, Sault College grants Ontario College certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, and degrees to its graduates. The College is the largest deliverer of apprenticeship training in all of Northern Ontario. Educating over 3,900 students each year, Sault College has a significant economic impact on the community, with spin-offs in excess of $158 million. Over $2 million dollars in scholarships, bursaries and awards are distributed annually to students at the College. Located on the border to the United States and situated in the middle of three of the largest great lakes on the planet, Sault College is one of 24 publicly-funded colleges in the province of Ontario. Visit our website at www.saultcollege.ca to learn more.
About Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is redefining the classroom and preparing students for a world where the only constant is change. Students at LSSU go beyond the traditional classroom with real-world, hands-on, engaged learning experiences. Our students work side-by-side with faculty who are dedicated to teaching, passionate about their fields of study, and genuinely care about the welfare of their students, all of whom they know by name. This new international public and environmental health program dovetails nicely with LSSU’s bachelor of science degree in environmental health, the only accredited undergraduate program in the state of Michigan.
