The new departments are environmental and occupational health, child and adolescent development and physical therapy. Child and adolescent development was originally an interdisciplinary program within the college while environmental and occupational health and physical therapy were programs within the Department of Health Sciences.

"The three programs have become separate departments because they have shown consistent student growth and continue to meet the high academic standards of their accrediting bodies," said Helen Castillo, dean of the College of Health and Human Development. "They are poised to develop even greater strengths as their own departments and to promote standards in excellence in teaching, research, scholarly activities and outreach community service."

Castillo said the creation of the new departments provides a separate identify for students as they enroll and will provide faculty and staff with a different level of professional autonomy within the college "that is essential to their professional identity and that of future graduates."

Castillo said the faculty within each new department are leaders in their fields.

"They now have an opportunity to shine within their own departments and at a regional and national level in their areas of expertise," she said.

The chair of the new Department of Child and Adolescent Development will be Joyce Munsch. The chair of the new Department of Environmental and Occupational Health will be Peter Bellin. The chair of the new Department of Physical Therapy will be Janet Adams.