Health Science
Where patient care begins.
Every clinical decision starts with understanding the science behind it. Health Science at Norwich opens doors into medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, and beyond.
Key Information:
The Field
Employment in health care is projected to grow nearly 20 percent over the next decade, adding more than 2.4 million new jobs. The growth is driving demand for practitioners who can think critically, apply evidence to real populations, and lead inside complex systems.
What is Health Science?
Health Science is the study of how the human body achieves and maintains health. It draws on biology, chemistry, epidemiology, and evidence-based research to understand how health works at the individual and population level.
After graduation, students continue to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and medicine, as well as careers in public health, health promotion, and clinical research.
Why Health Science?
You want to provide patient care — and understand the science well enough to make the call yourself, not just follow a protocol.
Some students arrive knowing exactly where they’re headed — PT school, medical school, occupational therapy. Others know they want to work in healthcare and are still finding their direction. Health Science at Norwich is built for both.
More frequently asked questions
What can I do with a Health Science degree?
Many graduates go on to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, or medicine. Others enter careers in public health, health promotion, and clinical research. The program’s flexible elective structure lets you tailor your coursework toward the path you’re working toward.
How is Health Science different from Exercise Science?
Exercise Science focuses on performance — how the body trains, adapts, and recovers under physical demand. Health Science takes a broader view, building the research literacy and scientific foundation for graduate programs in medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and public health. The two programs share a first year and a faculty.
Do I need to know which graduate program I want before I start?
The Pre-Professional pathway is designed with flexibility — the core gives you the scientific foundation every graduate program expects, and electives let you tailor toward PT, OT, PA, or medicine as your direction becomes clearer. Most students find their path during the program, not before it.
