St. Bonaventure University

Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions

Graduate programs in Physician Assistant Studies, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Master's Entry to Nursing Practice, 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.


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Your career launchpad

From hi-tech facilities to in-demand graduate and undergraduate degrees, the Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions molds you into a skilled & compassionate health care provider.


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


    • In the Spotlight

    Dr. Erin Lundeen equips nursing students with competency-based education, coaching & simulation to bridge the gap between learning & practice.

    Learn more about Dr. Lundeen

    Graduate programs

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

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

    • PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES (MS)
      A 28-month professional degree program that prepares you for certification and a rewarding career as a PA.

    • SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY (MS)
      A 56-credit program that prepares students to provide client-centered SLP care, particularly in underserved communities.


    2025 Research Symposium

    Each year, the DePerro School of Health Professions hosts its annual Research Symposium, which features student research projects.

    View photos of the event

    Students Without Borders

    Students Without Borders (SWOB) is a graduate student-run organization that brings together students who desire to provide SWOB mission trip to the Dominican Republiclifesaving medical care to global communities that need it most, irrespective of racial and political factors.

    Each year, members of the organization travel to the Dominican Republic on a medical mission trip.  During the course of one week, the students provide free medicine and medical education to hundreds of patients ranging in age from young to old. The team works in shifts, taking vital signs, assessing conditions and then determining a care plan for each patient, which a preceptor then reviews for approval.



    Student Occupational Therapy Association

    Occupational Therapy at St. BonaventureSt. Bonaventure's Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) Club hosts socials and informational sessions throughout the academic year.

    SOTA's goal is to introduce others to the many opportunities of a career in Occupational Therapy and to encourage all to live lives of purpose. 

    Learn more about the MSOT program. 

     

    Faculty & Staff Wellness Initiative

    B.O.N.A.S. Challenge is for faculty and staff membersStudents in our Public Health program proudly help lead St. Bonaventure's Faculty and Staff Wellness Initiative, B.O.N.A.S. Challenge

    From encouraging healthy eating and exercise habits to hosting stress-free activities, the students put their knowledge to work each day. 

    Learn more about the Public Health program.  



    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.

    Learning with the Anatomage Table.
    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
      Article by SBU's Lundeen, Perkins republished for Nurses Week
      May 16, 2025 | An article by Dr. Erin Lundeen, clinical assistant professor of Nursing, and Dr. Connie Perkins, founding director of Nursing, was republished by American Nurse Journal in a special edition celebrating National Nurses Week, May 6-12.

      SBU’s SWOB mission trip nurtures health, hope in DR
      May 02, 2025 | Building on years of service, the latest mission by St. Bonaventure University’s Students Without Borders (SWOB) took the group back to the Dominican Republic, where they left behind not only immediate care but the seeds of sustainable health practices.

      SBU's Kent joins panel to discuss entry-level OT programs
      May 01, 2025 | In collaboration with Cornell University's Health Professions Advising Center, Dr. Darla Kent, assistant professor and director of SBU's Occupational Therapy program, participated in a panel discussion and presentation on entry-level OT graduate programs during an April 4 meeting of the Upstate and Western New York Local Advisor Network (LAN).

    Contact Us
    Dr. Swagata Banik

    Dr. Swagata Banik
    Dean, DePerro School of Health Professions
    Francis Hall 114
    benson-jean-240

    Jean Benson
    Administrative Assistant to the Dean
    DePerro School of Health Professions
    Francis Hall 112
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