Dr. Paula Shelby
Department Chair
E-mail: paula.shelby@benedict.edu
Office Phone: 803-705-4775 or 803-705-4496
Ms. Barbara Roeback
Administrative Specialist
E-mail: barbara.roeback@benedict.edu
Office Phone: 803-705-4775 or 803-705-4496
Get your bachelor of science (BS) degree in Public Health or Sports Management. Interested in more than one academic area? Pair your major with a minor in one of these related fields.
The Public Health bachelor degree prepares students for professional health, wellness-related occupations. Learn about issues affecting the African American population, like higher risks for heart disease, stroke, asthma, diabetes, and other challenges.
Common courses:
The Sport Management bachelor degree prepares students to work in service-related marketing and promotions, facilities management, and sports programming.
Common courses:
Wondering what you can do with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health or Sports Management? Take a look at common professional roles for these degree holders.
With your bachelor’s degree in Public Health, you’ll be prepared for professional public health, health related wellness and fitness related occupations. Special attention is given to public health issues that pertain to the African American population. Students who pursue a career in Public Health will be able to work in a variety of professions to include:
With your bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, you’ll prepare for careers across the sports industry. The program will provide students with practical and professional enrichment and commitment to service. The program will offer internships, placement sites, professional development seminars, conferences and workshops. Students will gain knowledge that will enable them to work in diverse settings of sport industry, including:
Senior Project
All our students present a Senior Research and/or a Program Evaluation Paper prior to graduation.
Service Learning
Each student is required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of approved service-learning activities for graduation.
Honors Courses
Honors courses are writing intensified, technologically enhanced, and internationally focused. Interested in Honors? Learn more from the Honors Program Director.
As a former basketball player, one student developed an interest in event and facility management. She appreciates the HPER department because the professors push you and they help you reach for your dreams, even if you’re not sure what they are when you start out. There are so many options at Benedict College and in South Carolina that you can find what you’re excited about.
Benedict College is proud to be part of the rich HBCU legacy as a private historically black, liberal arts college in Columbia, SC. Get a transformative learning experience that’s tailored to support a diverse student body.
Dr. Houston graduated from Benedict with her BSW degree in 2001. She is a woman who wears many hats as she currently works as: a Professional Social Worker; Professor for Kaplan University; Owner of her personal and business development training company, and host of “The Real Women” talk show. In addition to that, Dr. Houston is a published author. Her book,”Women’s Secret: It’s Time to Stop Suffering in Silence” is available now. Wow!
We recently visited with Dr. Houston to ask her about keys to success in the classroom and life. When asked what her key to success was as a student, Dr. Houston said that she “was determined to not live in poverty as an adult.” She mentioned that she grew up in not the best financial situation and wanted to make sure that her life would be different. She also said that she encourages all students to “not waste their time” while in college. During our conversation she recounted how a faculty member while she was an undergraduate student (Dr. Cooper-Lewter) “spoke life” into her future that she didn’t even believe at the time. She shared how, while she was a Senior, Dr. Cooper-Lewter “pulled me aside and said that he saw me earning a PhD and traveling the world speaking.” Sixteen years later, his words appear to be prophetic as Dr. Houston went on to earn her MSW degree from Barry University (2002) and her PhD from Capella University (Minneapolis, MN – 2012).
One final lesson that Dr. Houston would like all current and future students to abide by is to “take your education seriously.” She mentioned that “a lot of times students are so wrapped up in friends, going out, to the mall, etc.” that they may let their educational experience waiver. She warned that a lot of people I started out with either didn’t finish or took 6 or 7 years to complete their degree. We salute you Dr Houston. Congratulations on your success, and we thank you for being a great role model for future social workers.
A few of our December 2018 graduating seniors, Dajae Brown, Precious Gray, and Angel Harrison, planned and led a blood drive sponsored by the American Red. The event was held on Thursday, September 25, 2018 inside of the Benedict College Swinton Center. The students did this event as a part of their Field Practicum at the American Red Cross where they are responsible for 400 hours of internship experience this semester. From creating the proposal, to hosting the event, to making decisions on the entertainment, food, and incentives, these scholars were involved in every step of the process. Their targeted goal was to have at least 50 people in participate in the blood drive. On the day of the event they arrived, bright and early, to set up and sign in participants. Their hard work paid off as well over 100 students, faculty, and staff donated blood to the American Red Cross.
In addition to the blood drive the students also participated in disaster preparedness activities as Hurricane Florence approached the state. Specifically, the interns traveled to Branchville, SC, a small town located in Orangeburg County, to spend three days and two nights at Branchville high school to assist in preparation efforts. In preparation for the storm, they unloaded and set up an emergency shelter for the first time, giving them a hands on learning experience of what it is like to be in a critical situation. They all agree, it was not easy to adapt to an environment with such a lack of resources. It was challenging for them to cope and remain calm throughout the process, but above all, they gained so much knowledge and feel they will be better prepared in the future. Another asset they obtained from this experience is networking, they were able to meet a lot of people who work in DSS, have been social workers for years, in different organizations, and this gave them a great platform to promote the blood drive. All and all they learned the importance of patience, and now they have a better idea of what they will face in the future as professional social workers.
Wherever you are in the process, we’re here to help! Ready to apply? Get started today. Want more information? We’re happy to schedule a visit with you or send you more information.
Benedict College
1600 Harden Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29204
Phone: 803-253-5000 (Campus Operator)
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033- 4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Benedict College.
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy
Benedict College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
