Department of Health Sciences

Inspire a healthier future

A degree in Health Sciences provides the building blocks you’ll need for a career in health. Whether you’re drawn to public health, nutrition, fitness, or community wellness, you’ll learn how to support people and strengthen the systems that help communities prioritize well-being. Health Science programs blend compassion and thoughtful practice with science, preparing you for careers in health promotion, community health, wellness coaching, clinical support roles, or future graduate study in fields like nursing, occupational therapy, and more.

Why study Health Sciences at NAU

As a Health Sciences major, you’ll explore the science of wellness, behavior, nutrition, and community health through courses and applied learning opportunities designed to prepare you for today’s rapidly evolving health landscape. With small classes, individualized faculty mentorship, and experiential learning that takes you into test kitchens, clinics, and communities, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills for a purposeful career in health.

You can build your own path with options like Nutrition and Foods, Public Health, and Fitness Wellness, or expand your professional experience through the Allied Health emphases. At the graduate level, you might pursue a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, MPH in Nutrition, or a Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Whether you’re entering the field or advancing your career, NAU programs adapt to your goals and support your growth as a lifelong learner.

Learning outcomes

As a Health Services major at NAU, you will:

• understand the history and philosophy of public health and apply its core values, concepts, and functions to promote public health.
• identify risk factors, signs and symptoms, and treatment associated with specific diseases.
• explore the roles and responsibilities of individuals in maintaining personal, family, and communal health.
• explain how social and behavioral factors influence diseases and conditions.
• identify credible, evidence-based sources of health-related information and critically analyze sources of health information related to disease topics.

Meeting you where you are

NAU offers both residential and online options, giving you the flexibility whether you’re an on-campus student, a working professional, or someone living in a rural community. With adaptable programs centered on people and purpose, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to innovate and improve lives, wherever you are!

Experiential learning

At NAU, you won’t just learn about health, you’ll practice it. Depending on your focus, you might develop recipes in a testing kitchen, take part in field experiences, or design community-based projects that tackle real health challenges. Partnerships with health agencies will connect you with internships and capstone experiences, while research opportunities deepen your understanding. You’ll share your work through presentations, poster sessions, and professional conferences, building a network of mentors and collaborators. AmeriCorps placements and peer coaching are also applied learning opportunities that strengthen your skills and your commitment to community well-being.

Dedicated support

You’re never navigating your path alone at NAU. Here, faculty mentors and a focus on career readiness help you grow into the health professional you aspire to be.

Guided by experts

You’ll be mentored by faculty who genuinely care about your success. With small class sizes and a collaborative, inclusive environment, you’ll have space to ask questions, build confidence, and connect learning experiences to your goals, all while having access to experts in the health field.

From classroom to career

Your future career starts here, supported by coursework, applied learning, and certification prep designed to prepare you for every step of your NAU journey. Depending on your program, you may prepare for professional certifications such as the American College of Sports Medicine Physiologist (ACSM-EP) exam in Fitness Wellness or certifications in Nutrition and Public Health. Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Indigenous Health prepare for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam while MPH Nutrition students prepare for the Registered Dietitian (RD) exam.