The Health Sciences major at MBU is designed for those students interested in pursuing careers related to human health and healthcare. As the US population ages and increased emphasis is placed on health, healthcare, and disease treatment, fields related to the health sciences will continue to growth and graduates from these programs will continued to be highly valued. The Health Sciences major is a great fit for students interested in:
- Direct employment in health care related fields (e.g., public and environmental health, governmental and community health organizations, pharmaceutical and insurance industries, research, hospitals and health providers, among many others);
- Graduate education in clinical or biomedical fields (e.g., public health, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, nursing, physical/occupation/speech therapy, scientific research among many others);
- Other aspects of health and health care (e.g., administration, business, law, advocacy, non-profit sector)
Importantly, flexibility is included in the coursework so that students have the option to complete any pre-requisites for entry to post-graduate education and/or take courses that will be of benefit to career aspirations. Examples may include:
- A student pursuing admittance to medical school would have the ability to take organic chemistry (CHEM 313, a common prerequisite)
- A student interested in starting or joining a medical or health business would have the ability to take “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” (ENTR 303)
- A student interested in the behavioral health sciences may take a number of advanced psychology courses (e.g. PSYC 313 Human Development or PSSC 303 Social Psychology)
Students graduating from Missouri Baptist University with a BS in Health Sciences will be able to:
1. Understand biological and environmental systems and how these systems impact healthcare, disease, and ethical considerations for the individual and population at large.
2. Identify and understand the influence of societal and cultural factors that shape health and disease in the individual and population at large.
3. Understand the research methodology and statistical implementations used to study human health and disease.
4. Evaluate peer-reviewed scientific literature, critically read and synthesize relevant information, and effectively communicate analysis to peers and superiors in the oral, written, and visual mediums.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in the academic foundations for advancement into post-graduate education or careers in the fields of the health sciences.
The Health Sciences major is a great fit for students interested in direct employment in health care related fields, graduate education in clinical or biomedical fields, or other aspects of health and health care (e.g., administration, business, law, advocacy, non-profit sector).
The Health Sciences major will well-prepare students desiring to pursue employment following graduation for the following careers, to name a few:
- Hospitals and health providers
- Government health organizations
- Community health organizations
- Medical and pharmaceutical sales
- Pharmaceutical and insurance industries
- Public health agencies
- Environmental health agencies
- Non-profit health advocacy agencies
- Patient advocacy
- Health policy and law
- Scientific research
The Health Sciences major will help to prepare students desiring to continue with post-graduate education in pursuit of the following careers, to name a few:
- Medicine (MD)
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Physical or Occupational Therapy (PT or OT)
- Nursing, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist
- Speech Pathology or Therapy
- Health Administration (MHA)
- Dentistry (DMD)
- Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Optometry, Audiology, Podiatry
- Public or environmental health (MPH)
- Epidemiology (MS, PhD)
- Scientific Research (MS, PhD)
Locally and regionally, many potential employers exist for graduates in the health sciences. Although numerous public and private potential employers are present, a few of the large employers could include the following:
- Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Anthony’s Hospital
- Mercy Hospital
- Missouri Baptist Hospital
- Saint Louis Children’s Hospital
- Saint Louis University
- Washington University School of Medicine
- University of Missouri, St. Louis
- Department of Public Health, Saint Louis County
- Department of Public Health, City of Saint Louis
- Sigma-Aldrich
- Pfizer
- Express Scripts
- Nestle-Purina
- State Health Department of Missouri
- Environmental Protection Agency
The Health Sciences major works to prepare students for either post-graduate education or entry into the workforce. Preparation for a career in health sciences fields is achieved with major coursework that is separated into the following ‘focus’ groups:
Degree Requirements
• To complete a BS in Health Sciences, a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 must be maintained.
• Total credit hours must be at least 128, and upper division credits (300-400) must be at least 45.
• A minimum grade of C must be earned in courses required for the major, including any electives used to fulfil hours. Required courses for the Health Sciences major can be found under the ‘major’ section on the second page of the Health Sciences degree sheet.
• BIOL 101/103 is required to fulfill part of the natural sciences general education requirements. CHEM 111/113 is recommended to complete the remaining general education requirements for natural sciences.
• PSYC 133 General Psychology is recommended to fulfill part of the behavioral and social sciences general education requirements .All students pursuing a BS in Health Sciences are required to complete the ‘Practicum in Health Sciences’ (HSCI 223), which requires 200 hours of observational experience. The practicum provides a real world and hands-on immersion into the student’s desired career path. If a student desires, an internship (HSCI 473 or HSCI 476, for credit) can be completed immediately prior to graduation that will provide a deeper immersion.
Greg Comfort, Division Chair
Division Chair & Director of Distance Learning
Contact information:
greg.comfort@mobap.edu
314-392-2282
Bio:
Greg completed his doctoral work at the University of Arkansas in 1992 and has held teaching positions at Liberty University (1988-1999), Wichita State University (1999-2003), and Missouri Baptist University (2003-current). He currently serves as the chair of the Health and Sport Sciences Division and teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in sport management. Greg enjoys singing bass in the Lake Saint Louis Baptist Church choir throughout the year and riding his bike during the summer.
Courses Taught:
SMGT 113 – Introduction to Sport Management
SMGT 333 – Sport Sociology
SMGT 403/503 – Sport Management Project
SMGT 583 – Leadership in Sport
SMGT 533 – Sport Psychology
SMGT 576 – Sport Management Internship
Janet Comfort
Instructor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
janet.comfort@mobap.edu
Bio:
Janet earned her B.S. degree in Accounting at Liberty University in 1991. In 1998 she coached women’s softball at Lynchburg College while earning her Master’s degree in Accounting. After moving to Wichita, Kansas in 2002, Janet completed a graduate degree in Sport Administration at Wichita State University and taught at several area colleges. Janet moved to the Saint Louis area in 2003 and began teaching online classes for Missouri Baptist University (MBU). Continuing to teach online, Janet owned and operated a business in the O’Fallon, Missouri area from 2006-2014. After teaching on campus Accounting classes in 2014, Janet decided to return to the online classroom in 2015 because of her love for online learning.
Courses Taught:
SMGT 463/563 – Sport Finance
SMGT 501 – Sport Management Orientation
SMGT 523 – Sport Law
SMGT 563 – Sport Finance
Guy Danhoff, Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
guy.danhoff@mobap.edu
314-744-5352
Bio:
Guy holds a M.S. degree (1992) in Exercise Science as well as a B.S. degree (1990) magna cum laude in Corporate Fitness from Western Illinois University. He has recently completed the coursework for his Doctorate in Business Administration (ABD) with a specialization in marketing from Northcentral University. Mr. Danhoff began his teaching career at MBU in 2008 after serving 14-years in the fitness industry with positions in sales, sales management, business development, marketing, operations, and his last appointment as the director of fitness entertainment technology. Guy currently serves as the Graduate Fitness Management Program Coordinator and teaches fitness and sport management courses in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Mr. Danhoff also serves as the sideline field reporter for MBU football home games and as is a broadcast color analyst on the Spartan Digital Network.
Courses Taught:
EXSC 453/553 – Fitness Management
EXSC 463 – Senior Seminar
PHED 533 – Sport Entrepreneurship
SMGT 263 – Communication in Sport
SMGT 373 – Sport Marketing
SMGT 423/523 – Sport Law
SMGT 513 – Research Methods
SMGT 543 – Advanced Sport Marketing
SMGt 573 – Sport Public Relations
SMGT 583T – Thesis Proposal
SMGT 583D – Thesis Defense
Andrew Elvington, Assistant Professor of Health
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
andrew.elvington@mobap.edu
314-485-8405
Bio:
Prior to joining the Missouri Baptist University family in the fall of 2015, Dr. Elvington completed a BS in Microbiology at Clemson University, after which he completed his PhD in Biomedical Sciences, awarded with distinction, from the Medical University of South Carolina. Active in scholarly research, Dr. Elvington conducted biomedical research and maintains a research collaboration at Washington University School of Medicine. In addition to the current course load, Dr. Elvington is highly experienced in gross anatomy, immunology and pathology, and public health coursework, among others. Personally, Dr. Elvington is married with two boys, Henry and Samuel, and currently lives in south Saint Louis County
Courses Taught:
EXSC 313 – Exercise Physiology I
EXSC 321 – Exercise Physiology II Lab
EXSC 323 – Exercise Physiology II
HSCI 113 – Introduction to Health Sciences
KACT 101F – Aerobic Theory & Practice
KACT 101G – Golf
KHSC 333 – Health & Wellness
Mark Kimzey, Assistant Professor of Health
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
kimzey@mobap.edu
3143922275
Bio:
Professor Mark A. Kimzey is an alumnus of Missouri Baptist University (90’). He has earned an A.S. in Religion (88’), B.A. in Religion (90’), a M. Div. (94’), and a M.S.E – Kinesiology (06’). Professor Kimzey began his career at Missouri Baptist University in 1992. In 1996 Professor Kimzey began teaching as an adjunct instructor, and moved to full-time teaching in 2006. He served as the Exercise Science Program Coordinator for ten years, leading the team to accreditation under CoAES/CAAHEP in 2009, and again through the five-year accreditation visit in 2014. Professor Kimzey has a great passion to see all students reach their full potential, and to help them see God’s great work in their lives.
Courses Taught:
EXSC 113 – Introduction to Exercise Science
EXSC 343 – Motor Learning and Control
EXSC 363 – Adapted Physical Activity
EXSC 476 – Internship/Practicum in Exercise Science
KHSC 333 – Health and Wellness
Michael Nolan, Assistant Professor of Health
Contact information:
michael.nolan@mobap.edu
Bio:
Michael Nolan holds a B.S. in Athletic Training from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.S.Ed. in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Michael brings clinical experience into the classroom as he has served Missouri Baptist University (MBU) in the Athletics Department since 2011 as an athletic trainer. Previous to MBU, Michael served as an athletic trainer at SIU-Carbondale and AAA minor league baseball. Michael currently serves on the NAIA Athletic Training Executive board and is the Co-Chair for the NAIA Council for Student Athletes.
After serving as an adjunct professor for five years, Michael accepted a full-time faculty position at MBU in 2018. He hopes to encourage every student and help cultivate their God given gifts and talents. Michael is married to his wife, Whitney, and they have two daughters, Madelyn and Katelyn.
Courses taught:
EXSC313 – Exercise Physiology I
EXSC323 – Exercise Physiology II
EXSC321 – Exercise Physiology II Lab
EXSC373 – Lab Assistantship
EXSC433 – Biomechanics
KACT101F – Fitness Theory
David Pierce, Assistant Professor of Health
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
david.pierce@mobap.edu
3146407658
Bio:
Dave Pierce holds a BS degree in Education, a MS degree in Sport Management, and brings a wealth of experience in the field into the classroom. Dave served as an intercollegiate athletic director for almost 30 years, retiring from Maryville University in 2002. Dave is a member of four Sport Hall of Fames and is currently serving on the Lakeland University Board of Trustees.
After serving as an adjunct professor for two years, Dave accepted a fulltime teaching position and the undergraduate sport management coordinator position at MBU in 2006. As the undergraduate sport management coordinator, Dave hopes to continue to use his many contacts on both the local and national front to help undergraduate sport management students at MBU reach their full potential and the undergraduate program reach higher levels of prominence in future years.
Courses Taught:
PHED 413/513 – Sport Facility Management
SMGT 223 – Sport Practicum
SMGT 253 – Tournament and Event Management
SMGT 323 – Governance and Leadership in Sport
SMGT 476 – Sport Internship
SMGT 483 – Senior Seminar
SMGT 486 – Sport Management Apprenticeship
Jessica Stapleton, Assistant Professor of Health
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
jessica.stapleton@mobap.edu
3144858492
Bio:
Dr. “J” Stapleton became a Spartan in 2014 after completing her Ph.D. in Ontario, Canada. She is a Sport and Exercise Psychologist who studies social influence on physical activity among persons with mobility impairment and self-regulation among collegiate athletes. She enjoys teaching sport and exercise psychology and consulting athletes. When not at MBU, Dr J is resistance training, playing basketball, and frequenting local parks with her Newfoundland, Zion.
Courses Taught:
EXSC 113 – Introduction to Exercise Science
EXSC 223 – Practicum in Exercise Science
EXSC 413 – Test & Prescription
EXSC 411 – Test & Prescription Lab
EXSC 443 – Exercise Physiology Lab Experience
EXSC 403/503 – Exercise Psychology
EXSC 373/473 – Lab Assistantship
EXSC 473B – Internship in Exercise Science
KHSC 413/513 – Chronic Diseases & Obesity
SMGT 433 – Sport Psychology
Joy Brueggeman
Contact information:
joy.brueggeman@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
KACT 101L – Stretching for Flexibility
KHSC 333 – Health and Wellness
PHED 263 – Movement and Rhythms
Iris Dixon
Contact information:
iris.dixon@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
KHSC 103 – Substance Abuse
SMGT 373 – Sport Marketing
Mark Sissom
Contact information:
mark.sisson@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
PHED 133 – First Aid and Emergency Care
KACT 101X – Bowling
Tom Smith
Contact information:
tom.smith@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
SMGT 583 – Leadership and Management in Sport
Eddie Uschold
Contact information:
eddie.uschold@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
KHSC 333 – Health and Wellness
EXSC 283 – History and Philosophy of Sport
KACT 101A – Archery
