Student Health Services

Parents of OSU students, and especially those of incoming freshman, often have questions or concerns about the health care services available on campus.

These are some common questions or topics that arise for parents:

All new students are required to submit a health history form including dates of complete immunizations. If dates of immunization are not available, the student will be required to have a MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination. More information about this requirement can be found at Immunization Requirements.

All students are strongly encouraged to have some form of health insurance. Proof of health insurance is required for international students. SHS offers student health insurance and this information can be found by visiting our Insurance section.

OSU places high priority on preventing the spread of infectious diseases. To promote the health and well-being of the campus community, SHS offers preventive information on these diseases, as well as supplying any immunizations that are available for specific diseases.

Student Health Services clinical staff includes licensed, board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and Registered Nurses. SHS offers laboratory, X-ray, pharmacy, physical therapy, sports medicine, travel medicine, allergy and asthma, nutritional counseling, chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy services.

The health fee paid by students as part of their tuition package provides: Most primary care clinician office visits, including psychiatrist, at no charge; unlimited nutrition and Health Coaching consultations; 24-hour nurse advice line; and all web-based services such as the Self-Care Assessment. Fees for additional services such as lab or X-ray are posted under Most Common Fees. 

Many OSU students are at a point in their lives where they are learning how to access and receive health care on their own without the help of family members. During this learning process, students often communicate less fully with family about illnesses than in the past. Parents should be aware of SHS policies and guidelines concerning patient/student confidentiality and the release of medical information.

The first year of college can often be a time of difficult transition for many students. If you observe signs of depression or anxiety, encourage your student to call Student Health Services to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or psychiatrist or to contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). CAPS services are covered by the OSU Health Fee. There may be separate fees charged for testing services that may be conducted in conjunction with counseling. An online resource for first-year students and their parents to consider is www.transitionyear.org; it addresses the transitional issues that are often faced, with some specific information about mental health issues.

For more general information about your student's experience at OSU, please visit the OSU Parents and Family Web site.