Introduction
Mission
Pacific University’s College of Health Professions is dedicated to preparing leaders in innovative healthcare for a diverse global community
Vision
The College of Health Professions aspires to excellence and sustainability in interprofessional scholarship, education, and practice to create models of person-centered healthcare
Core Values
We enact, uphold, and advance in all aspects of healthcare education, practice, service, and scholarship:
Diversity of people and ideas
Ethical and professional principles
Health Equity
Professional and Public Advocacy
Community Health and Wellness
History
In 2004, the College of Health Professions was formed by consolidating four health professions Schools: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Graduate Psychology. The Hillsboro, OR Campus opened in 2006 and is now an integral part of the Health and Education District of downtown Hillsboro along with several other partner organizations, including Oregon Health and Science University Hillsboro Medical Center (formerly Tuality Healthcare), the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, and Portland Community College. The College has grown to include eight schools: School of Audiology, School of Dental Hygiene Studies, School of Graduate Psychology, School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership, School of Occupational Therapy, School of Pharmacy, School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, and School of Physician Assistant Studies. These eight schools offer a broad array of academic programs from the undergraduate to doctoral levels, supported by a distinguished faculty that is actively engaged in teaching innovation, contemporary clinical practice, leading edge research, and professional and community advocacy. The College of Health Professions also supports a robust interprofessional education curriculum that benefits students enrolled in all of its individual academic programs, and in which its students gain knowledge and experience in patient- and client-centered, team-based healthcare.
Schools and Programs
The College of Health Professions encompasses the following Pacific University Professional Schools and Programs:
Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
- School of Dental Hygiene Studies
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH)
Bachelor of Science in Dental Health (BS)
- School of Graduate Psychology
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (PhD)
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (open only to students in the PsyD program)
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (open only to students in the PhD program)
Master of Arts in Applied Psychological Science (APS)
- School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
Bachelor of Health Science (BHS)
- School of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS)
- School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (MSAT)
- School of Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BS)
- Colleges of Education and Health Professions
Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Leadership (PhD)
Program in Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research
Purpose and Outcomes
In addition to the outstanding curricula for each of Pacific University’s health professions programs, the College of Health Professions, in collaboration with the Colleges of Optometry and Education, provides a number of interprofessional learning experiences including a course entitled Interprofessional Competence, an Interprofessional Case Conference series, various interprofessional elective courses, an Interprofessional Clinic, and a Psychology and Comprehensive Health Clinic that serves our community. These interprofessional experiences touch all of our students with the intention of preparing them to 1) recognize their own and others healthcare professions, 2) develop interprofessional skills in communications and team dynamics, 3) and appreciate the important role that leadership, professionalism, and diversity play in healthcare environments. The College of Health Professions also offers interprofessional coursework in Spanish specifically for healthcare providers. The College of Health Professions also offers a Concentration in Interprofessional Education. The Concentration may be awarded for a variety of interprofessional experiences that meet national Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice. These experiences may be selected by the student, and so may be tailored to individual student interests.
Concentration in Interprofessional Education is a unique recognition that may be earned by Pacific University students. Some students at Pacific University pursue opportunities for interprofessional education experiences beyond the standards required for graduation. The Concentration in Interprofessional Education is the formal recognition, documented on the student’s transcript as a Specialization, of their knowledge and skills, which will be beneficial in a competitive job market. The Concentration in Interprofessional Education is offered as a 410/510 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Health Care elective course.
The Doctor of Healthcare Science Degree (DHSc) was developed for the allied health professional, advanced practice clinician, or healthcare manager who has the desire to advance their education as a means of advancing their career within diverse healthcare settings.
The Doctor of Medical Science Degree (DMSc) was developed specifically for the Physician Assistant with two options: a 16-month program for the Physician Assistant who is certified and actively practicing; and a 5-month (adding 5 months to their 27 months of PA education= 32 months total) program option for the recently graduated Physician Assistant from the Pacific University School of PA Studies or the OHSU Physician Assistant Program. This program will be available for students who apply within 2 years of their graduation from PA school.
The Hillsboro Campus
The Pacific University College of Health Professions is located on the Hillsboro Campus in the Health and Education District of downtown Hillsboro. Campus facilities are located along the MAX light rail on SE Washington Street, with stops in Portland and Beaverton, between S.E. 7th and 9th Avenues, and extending south from Washington to Oak street. The campus facilities consist of approximately 200,000 square feet of classrooms, teaching laboratories, library, student lounge and study areas, conference rooms, faculty and staff offices, teaching clinics, research laboratories and a Student Life Center, which includes health, counseling and disability and accommodation services. All of our facilities are state of the art for contemporary healthcare education and clinical practice.
