May 21, 2026
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At the YSU Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, students do more than study for their future careers. They actively work to be career-ready through hands-on learning experiences, community partnerships, clinical opportunities, and internships.
From healthcare simulation labs to real patient care and interdisciplinary teamwork, BCHHS students graduate with the confidence, skills, and experience employers are looking for.
Inside Youngstown State University’s Cushwa Hall, students gain practical experience in advanced simulation labs designed to replicate real healthcare environments.
Students in Nursing, Respiratory Care, and Radiologic Technology participate in realistic clinical scenarios that help them strengthen technical skills, patient communication, teamwork, and critical thinking before entering the workforce.
These immersive experiences allow students to apply classroom concepts in a safe, supportive environment while preparing for the demands of healthcare careers.
YSU Health and Human Services students also gain valuable experience by serving the community through on-campus clinics.
At the Dental Hygiene Clinic, students work directly with patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist while providing free cleanings and preventative care services. This hands-on experience helps students develop clinical confidence and professional communication skills.
Similarly, Physical Therapy students build similar experience through the Penguin PT Clinic. This pro-bono clinic provides free services to uninsured and underinsured individuals in the community. Students graduate with direct patient-care experience while making a meaningful impact on local residents.
From healthcare simulation labs to real patient care and interdisciplinary teamwork, BCHHS students graduate with the confidence, skills, and experience employers are looking for.
Experiential learning at BCHHS extends far beyond the classroom.
Dietetics students recently partnered with the YSU Women’s Volleyball Team to host a meal prep class focused on nutrition, wellness, and athletic performance. Students worked directly with athletes to share practical strategies for healthy eating and performance fueling.
In another partnership opportunity, Dietetics students Brianna Anderson and Madelyn Welsh collaborated with Mercy Health Dietitian Kim Triveri, RD, to lead a Bariatric Cooking Class for patients preparing for or recovering from bariatric surgery.
Together, they designed and demonstrated recipes tailored to post-operation dietary needs. The class included tofu salads with green goddess dressing, roasted chickpeas, and chickpea chocolate chip cookies. Sixteen patients attended the class, participating in food preparation, sampling recipes, and taking home educational resources.
Experiences like these help students strengthen communication, patient education, and leadership skills while applying classroom knowledge in real healthcare settings.
One of the defining features of BCHHS is its focus on interprofessional education, also known as IPE.
Healthcare professionals work collaboratively every day, and BCHHS students gain experience working across disciplines before graduation.
Students from Athletic Training, Dietetics, Medical Laboratory Science, and Public Health recently participated in a comprehensive healthcare simulation. This paired interdisciplinary student teams with simulated patients. Together, students assessed symptoms, recorded vitals, analyzed lab results, and collaborated with Medical Director Dr. Cochran to determine appropriate next steps for patient care.
BCHHS students also participate in large-scale interdisciplinary experiences like the Mass Casualty Simulation. At this event, 250+ students from multiple programs work together in realistic emergency response scenarios that strengthen communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.
These experiences help students develop the teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills essential for modern healthcare careers.
Strong partnerships throughout the community also help BCHHS students gain career-ready experience through internships and field placements.
Ben Phillips, a Criminal Justice major, gained hands-on experience through his internship with the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office. Through the internship, he built professional connections, explored career pathways, and strengthened his goal of becoming a law enforcement officer.
Social Work students also participate in immersive training opportunities through partnerships like Summit County Children Services. Students recently toured the agency’s simulation lab, where a staged home environment allows future caseworkers to practice conducting home visits, observing living conditions, implementing safety procedures, and making initial contact with families.
These real-world experiences help students enter the workforce feeling confident, prepared, and career-ready.
At YSU, career readiness means more than earning a degree.
Students gain hands-on experience, collaborate across disciplines, serve the community, and apply their skills in real-world settings long before graduation day.
That combination of experiential learning, clinical training, internships, and community engagement is why YSU graduates leave ready to make an immediate impact in their professions.
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