Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences

We imagine a better world through research, education, and clinical practice

Our vision is to engage diverse faculty, students, and staff in community outreach, learning, research, and evidence-based practice. We emphasize an ethical, interdisciplinary approach to understanding health across the lifespan.

  • Students work together on interactive monitor showing brain scan
  • Outside of Crean Hall at Chapman University
  • Student participating in brain research
  • Student lifts dumbbell with monitor hooked up to bicep area
  • Students use breathing aparatuses
Dean Janeen Hill

A Message From The Dean

Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences is known for its extraordinary faculty, undergraduate and graduate programs, and students. Crean College faculty is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring a diverse student body and to pursuing consequential, interdisciplinary research. Crean College undergraduate and graduate programs emphasize learning science by doing science, relating new research findings to patient care, and connecting classroom learning to real-world applications and 21st Century problems. I encourage you to explore the college website and discover what makes Crean College a vibrant community of students, faculty, and staff and how the research conducted and programs offered are relevant to today’s world. - Dr. Janeen Hill

Contact the Dean's Office

Learn About the Parent Advisory Council

Learn About Crean's Leadership Council
Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus

Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus

The Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus was designed to embody our forward-looking, inter-professional approach to educating tomorrow’s advanced healthcare professionals and supporting the interdisciplinary research required to translate scientific inquiry into health improvement.  Crean College graduate health science programs sharing the interdisciplinary space include:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • M.S. Communication Sciences and Disorders 
  • MMS, Physician Assistant Studies

Learn More About the Irvine Rinker Campus
Class of kids

Accelerated, Bridge, and Linkage Programs

Accelerated bridge programs from the BS Health Sciences to the MS in Food Science, MS in Health and Strategic Communications, MMS in Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Physical Therapy reward exceptional students with either a guaranteed seat or a guaranteed interview in our PA program. On top of our accelerated programs, Chapman University and Western University of Health Sciences, College of Podiatric Medicine (WUCPM) have established a joint program known as CHAPMAN/WUCPM Linkage Program. The linkage program is designed for Chapman health science majors who wish to become a Western U-College of Podiatric Medicine student.  Students who follow the prescribed requirements and give an outstanding academic performance will be guaranteed a seat in the WUCPM program.

Read More About Crean's Bridge Programs

Development of the Rinker Campus in Irvine, CA

Watch a one-minute video slideshow featuring renderings of the future campus as it develops over the coming months and years. The Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus was designed to embody our forward-looking, wellness-centered, inter-professional approach to educating tomorrow’s advanced healthcare professionals. It will feature a wellness walk, medicinal gardens, fitness center and so much more.

Take a Virtual Tour of Rinker

COVID-19 National Mental Health Study (Spring 2020)

The Chapman University COVID-19 National Mental Health Study (Spring 2020) examined the experiences of 4149 people living in the United States.  Participants came from all 50 states and Washington, D.C.  The study was led by Dr. David Frederick, an Associate Professor of health psychology at Chapman University, along with 11 members of the Chapman University Center for Excellence in Biopsychosocial Approaches to Health

The study was funded by a COVID-19 Rapid Research grant provided to Chapman University by the Kay Family Foundation.  The authors are currently seeking additional funding to recruit additional participants and follow current participants over time.

View the complete webpage

Heidi Girolamo

In-House Career Services

Crean College is pleased to offer comprehensive personalized career services that prepare students and alumni with the tools to succeed in the professional world.

Services:
• Resume Building
• Internship Support
• Career Training
• Special Workshops

More information about this unique service can be found here.

Dr. Laura Glynn

Maternal & Child Health

Dr. Laura Glynn discusses her ongoing research into maternal/child health and the interplay between biology and psychology. She and her students work with and follow the development of more than 500 mothers and children, exploring the effects of pregnancy on women's brains and the behavioral development of children from fetal period to adolescence.

The Virtual Anatomy Lab

The Human Anatomy Lab is a 2000+ square foot space that contains the latest technology providing students with a virtual human cadaver lab experience.  It is equipped with 3 Anatomage tables (the size of a cadaver table that projects the image of a human cadaver), 1 Anatomage Navigator (to view anatomical organs), 6 large flat screen panels (with access to additional anatomical images via the textbook), and 3 smart TVs.  Students are able to view anatomical images in a variety of ways during the lab as well as access the A.D.A.M. (Advanced Dissection of Anatomy for Medicine) interactive website on their cell phones outside of lab.

Is Free Will An Illusion?

The idea that humans might not have complete autonomy over their lives brings into question what extent we do have control over. If free will is an illusion, and our control is actually limited, then things like criminal law and social status may be drawn into question. To advance our collective understanding of free will, Dr. Uri Maoz is leading a collaborative research project that’s bringing together neuroscientists and philosophers from around the world. Here’s his take on the age-old debate.