The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies offers undergraduate and graduate courses designed to prepare students to broaden their knowledge of the healthcare landscape, and expand skills related to healthcare administration, research, and gerontology.

Course offerings include content related to health systems, health policies, legal aspects of healthcare, leadership, and aging. For students seeking a future career as a health professional, we offer foundational science courses in anatomy & physiology with cadaver dissection, nutritional sciences, pathophysiology, disability studies, and research. Many of our courses are offered online using a variety of interactive digital technologies allowing flexibility for the working professional or student. Since SHP was one of the first schools in the nation to offer exceptional online programs for health professionals, our advanced educational technology and distance-learning environment allow students to thrive whether they are working professionals or full-time students.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences (BSHS) offers pre-healthcare tracks in physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and clinical nutrition (CN). These tracks thoroughly prepare students to apply to our master’s and doctoral professional programs. Additionally, we offer a customized (degree-completion) track allowing students to select courses which prepare them for high demand, rapidly growing careers in healthcare administration, gerontology and health education. Students who already have an associate’s degree in a health profession are encouraged to apply to this customized track to obtain a bachelor’s degree and move into leadership positions in their practice setting.

If you are interested in aging studies, our department also offers a graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology. Students enrolled in the BSHS customized track may register for the certificate and have these 15 credits count toward completion of the BS degree. Since many of these courses are graduate level, you may be able to use these credits toward fulfilling an advanced degree.

The Department graduates students who enter the fields of healthcare administration, patient advocacy, health education, medical sales, and insurance claims, and who may be found working for government agencies, insurance companies, healthcare facilities or in the pharmaceutical industry. You will also find our graduates continuing their education into professional masters or doctoral programs in rehabilitation and nutrition.

If you wish to advance in your current profession or be considered as a candidate for a graduate health professions program in PT, OT, or Clinical Nutrition you should strongly consider the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies to achieve your career aspirations. As a student in our Interdisciplinary Studies program, you’ll graduate from one of the most highly regarded AAU and Big 10 universities, with Rutgers ranked #1 nationally by College Factual as a best college for educating health professionals.