St. Bonaventure University

Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions


Graduate programs in physician assistant studies, occupational therapy and public health as well as undergraduate programs in nursing, health science and public health are designed to help meet the growing demand for skilled and caring health care providers.


Your career launchpad


From hi-tech facilities in our new $18 million home to in-demand graduate and undergraduate degrees, the Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions molds you into a skilled health care provider, and a compassionate one.


Undergraduate programs

  • NURSING PROGRAMS
    • RN to B.S. in Nursing
      A  two-year program, blending face-to-face and online instruction, enabling registered nurses to become baccalaureate prepared.

    • Dual Degree Nursing Program
      A blended campus program between partner schools SBU and Jamestown Community College in which students earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from JCC and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SBU.
  • B.S. IN PUBLIC HEALTH
    A nationally recognized major preparing you for immediate employment in the public health sector or graduate studies. A minor in public health is also available.

  • B.S. IN HEALTH SCIENCE
    Preparation for positions in health promotion or graduate studies


  • Graduate programs

    • M.S. IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES
      A 28-month professional degree program that prepares you for certification and a rewarding career as a PA.

    • MSOT (OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY)
      A 23-month professional degree program that prepares students academically and professionally for responsibilities and services as an occupational therapist.

    • MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MPH)
      A 42-hour program that prepares students with a Bachelor of Science degree for rewarding careers as leaders in the public health sector.

    • MASTER'S ENTRY TO PRACTICE (MEP)
      A 71-credit program that prepare a student with a Bachelor of Science degree to become a registered nurse.

    Consider our early assurance in public health opportunity

    Our Early Assurance in Public Health program enables qualified high school seniors who enroll in an undergraduate Bachelor of Science program to have a reserved seat awaiting them in our Master of Public Health program upon completion of their undergraduate studies. To learn more, click here



      Modern, state-of-the-art facilities


      St. Bonaventure's historic Francis Hall, home of the Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions, underwent a comprehensive $18 million renovation project in 2020-2021.

      Students working on a medical mannequin
      Built in 1951 to house seminarians attending St. Bonaventure, Francis Hall has been retrofitted over the years to serve a number of university needs, from student housing, classrooms and auxiliary dining facilities to offices for various departments.

      Its transformation into a home for the Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions is the biggest, most dramatic transformation to date. The months-long project included major exterior renovations as well as the gutting of interior spaces in order to construct classrooms and labs geared specifically for health-related programs.

      Three floors of the building are now utilized for the school.

      The garden level includes a new physical diagnosis lab — 3.000 square feet of space that includes three exam rooms, 20 clinic exam tables, and inpatient hospital style beds. This level also includes student locker rooms, laundry facilities and a student breakout room.

      The main floor houses academic offices and instruction space including modern, high-tech classrooms with computers, microphone and speaker systems, high-end web cameras, projectors and TV displays, and a number of group study spaces with TVs as well as laptop and wireless connections. There is enhanced WiFi throughout the facility.'

      The renovation project also included improvements to approximately 125 student residence rooms on the building's upper floors.



    • News-Publications-Research- Banner

      SBU announces faculty promotions and tenure appointments

      Apr 18, 2024

      Faculty promotions and tenure appointments at St. Bonaventure University have been announced by Dr. David Hilmey, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.
       
      The following promotions are effective Sept. 1, 2024:

      • Dr. Khaled Amira, associate professor of Finance in the School of Business, granted tenure.
      • Tae Cooke, promoted from lecturer to senior lecturer of Physics in the School of Arts and Sciences.
      • Chris Dalton, promoted from lecturer to senior lecturer of History in the School of Arts and Sciences.
      • Heather Harris, director of the Master of Arts in Communication program in the Jandoli School of Communication, promoted from assistant professor to associate professor.
      • Dr. Kaplan Harris, promoted from associate professor to professor of English in the School of Arts and Sciences.
      • Romy Knittel, promoted from lecturer to senior lecturer of Biology in the School of Arts & Sciences.
      • Dr. Charles “Chad” Luke, promoted from associate professor to professor of Counselor Education in the School of Education.
      • Dr. José Manuel Medrano, granted tenure and promoted from assistant professor to associate professor of World Languages and Cultural Studies in the School of Arts and Sciences.
      • Dr. Connie Perkins, founding director of Nursing at SBU, granted tenure and promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the DePerro School of Health Professions.
      • Dr. Irene Strasser, promoted from assistant professor to associate professor of Psychology in the School of Arts and Sciences.
      • Dr. Elizabeth Tillman, assistant professor of Political Science in the School of Arts and Sciences, granted tenure.
      • Dr. Jinjing Zhu, granted tenure and promoted from assistant professor to associate professor of Management in the School of Business.
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        About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).