FDU Health
Fairleigh Dickinson University has long been involved in educating health care professionals to meet the needs of the communities we serve locally, regionally and globally. To build on this longstanding legacy, FDU Health was formed in 2023 to provide a hub for interdisciplinary health care education and training for students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies. This comprehensive division features longstanding programs such as nursing and psychology along with more recently introduced programs such as pharmacy, physician assistant, public health, social work and occupational therapy.
Degrees in FDU Health
“When combining our rich legacy of longstanding programs and our newly created offerings,” President Michael Avaltroni said, “we now have a cadre of programs that span across the primary, behavioral health, acute, rehabilitative and supportive care aspects of the health care delivery system. FDU Health takes pride in creating pipelines for learners and opens doors of opportunity for individuals while addressing the critical needs of our communities and health care systems.”
Collaborative Excellence
Avaltroni added that combining disciplines facilitates education and research providing multiple opportunities for collaborative teaching and learning. This interdisciplinary model enables students to gain real-world training and practical experience essential to provide holistic care and to lead in today’s increasingly integrated and complex health care environment.
For instance, students pursuing degrees in clinical mental health counseling, psychology, social work, nursing, and public health can benefit from cross-disciplinary collaborations in research, internships and clinical training. In one specific example, FDU conducts an Interprofessional Experience (IPE) in which students in each program review a discipline specific client intake assessment and then develop a comprehensive treatment plan addressing the client’s physical and mental health needs.
FDU provides other special opportunities such as those at the Center for Psychological Services, a therapy and assessment clinic that provides mental health counseling services to children, adolescents and adults as well as diagnostic testing for a wide range of academic, behavioral and other mental health difficulties. Services are provided by licensed/doctoral level clinicians as well as doctoral students in both clinical and school psychology under the supervision of senior psychologists.
Program Offerings
FDU Health’s suite of offerings fosters an interdisciplinary environment that encourages innovation, research, leadership and the development of well-rounded professionals who are prepared to navigate the complexities of the health care landscape.
FDU Health features a tremendous range of faculty expertise, with highly qualified individuals spanning multiple disciplines and taking advantage of numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching, research collaborations and mentorships. Faculty members — with licensed expertise in a wide variety of areas including counseling, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physician assistant, psychology, public health and social work — share their knowledge and experience across programs, enriching the learning environment and paving the way for collaborative interdisciplinary research and exploration.
Baccalaureate programs include clinical laboratory sciences, medical technology, psychology and nursing; master’s programs include clinical mental health counseling, school psychology, clinical forensic psychology, clinical psychopharmacology, social work and public health, while doctoral programs include nursing practice, occupational therapy, pharmacy, school psychology and clinical psychology.
Recent Initiatives
Since its formation, FDU Health has launched several key initiatives, including a partnership with Liberty Science ARC HealthSpace2030 — where FDU serves as a gold member of the health innovation hub — as well as a collaboration with Sheba Medical Center. Additionally, FDU has developed community college pipelines to support students in health and health-adjacent academic programs.
The latest exciting project is the development of the BD Connected Care Center for Interdisciplinary Healthcare Education and Innovation at FDU, which will integrate new technologies and help us train future health care professionals in a more holistic, interdisciplinary and patient-centered manner. The center includes a pharmacy lab and Proto Holographic Communications Platforms that can create life-sized holograms and help students develop critical telehealth communication skills.
Associate Programs
- Radiography
focuses on training students in the use of medical imaging technologies, such as X-rays, to diagnose and treat patients. It covers anatomy, radiographic techniques, patient positioning, and radiation safety, preparing graduates for careers as radiologic technologists.
Baccalaureate Programs
- Clinical Laboratory Science
prepares students to work in clinical laboratories, where they perform various diagnostic tests to aid in patient care. It covers subjects such as clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and immunology, providing graduates with the skills to work as medical laboratory scientists or technicians. - Health Information Management
focuses on managing and analyzing health information to support healthcare delivery, quality improvement, and decision-making. Students learn about health data management, coding and classification systems, electronic health records, and healthcare privacy and security regulations, preparing them for careers as health information managers or specialists. - Health Studies (Science, Exercise Science, Global Health, or General concentrations)
focus on the study of areas within health and healthcare. Graduates of these programs earn the BS degree and are generally not pursuing professional licensure immediately after graduation. Many, however, pursue graduate studies and subsequent professional license. Curricula include science and math courses, as well as courses in psychology, professional communication, and population health. Students in these programs have an opportunity to explore among the health professions in their freshman year and sometimes transfer into an undergraduate nursing or allied health program in their sophomore year. - Medical Imaging Science
focuses on advanced training in medical imaging technologies and techniques. Students learn about advanced imaging modalities, such as MRI, CT, and nuclear medicine, as well as specialized areas like interventional radiography or sonography, preparing them for advanced roles in medical imaging and diagnostic procedures. - Medical Technology
educates students in laboratory testing and analysis of patient samples, such as blood, urine, and tissue, to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. It covers areas like clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology, preparing graduates for careers as medical technologists or clinical laboratory scientists. - Psychology
provides a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental processes. It covers areas such as cognitive psychology, social psychology, abnormal psychology, and research methods, preparing graduates for careers in various fields such as counseling, research, human resources, or as a foundation for advanced studies in psychology. - Nursing (BSN)
prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs) who provide direct patient care. It covers subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nursing theory, and clinical practice, preparing graduates to work in various healthcare settings, promote health, and provide holistic care to individuals and communities. - Radiologic Technology
prepares students to carry out diagnostic imaging examinations. Graduates can also pursue additional training to obtain a specialization certificate, such as for computed tomography (CT), mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), medical dosimetry, nuclear medicine, or diagnostic radiography.
Masters Programs
- Advanced Practice Nursing/Nurse Practitioner
is designed for registered nurses who seek to expand their scope of practice and become advanced practice nurses (APNs). It includes specialized coursework and clinical training in areas such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist, preparing graduates to provide advanced nursing care in specialized areas. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
focuses on preparing students to provide counseling and therapeutic services to individuals with mental health issues. It covers topics such as counseling theories, psychopathology, assessment techniques, and ethical practices, preparing graduates for careers as mental health counselors in various settings. - Clinical Psychopharmacology
combines the study of psychology and pharmacology to educate students on the use of medications in the treatment of mental health disorders. It covers psychopharmacology, neuroscience, psychopathology, and ethical considerations, preparing graduates to work as clinical psychopharmacologists or in collaborative mental health settings. - Healthcare Administration (School of Public and Global Affairs)
focuses on developing leadership and management skills for healthcare organizations. It covers areas such as healthcare policy, finance, strategic planning, quality improvement, and healthcare law, preparing graduates for managerial and executive roles in healthcare administration. - Healthcare Administration (School of Nursing and Allied Health)
designed for registered nurses who want to advance their careers in healthcare administration. It combines nursing expertise with management and leadership skills to prepare nurses for managerial and executive roles in healthcare organizations. The curriculum may include specialized courses in healthcare finance, policy, quality improvement, and healthcare leadership, tailored to the unique needs and perspectives of nurses in healthcare management. - Healthcare Education Administration
is designed for registered nurses who want to work in healthcare education and training settings. Taking advantage of the nursing background of its students, it covers curriculum development, instructional design, assessment methods, and healthcare education administration, preparing graduates to design, implement, and manage educational programs in healthcare settings. - Industrial-Organizational Psychology
focuses on the application of psychology principles to improve workplace productivity, employee well-being, and organizational effectiveness. It covers areas such as organizational behavior, employee assessment, training and development, and leadership, preparing graduates for careers in human resources, consulting, or research. - Nursing (MSN-Entry to Practice)
prepares students with a prior degree to become a registered nurse (RN) and clinical leader. It covers subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, leadership theory, and clinical practice, preparing graduates to be leaders in various healthcare settings to promote health for individuals and communities. - Physician Assistant Studies
trains students to work as physician assistants (PAs) who provide healthcare services under the supervision of physicians. It includes coursework in clinical medicine, pharmacology, diagnostic procedures, and patient care skills, preparing graduates for roles in primary care or specialized medical settings. - Psychology
provides advanced education in psychology, allowing students to specialize in a particular area such as clinical psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, or school psychology. It involves coursework, research, and practical training, preparing graduates for various roles in research, counseling, human resources, or as a foundation for further studies. - Public Health
equips students with knowledge and skills to address public health issues at the population level. It covers subjects like epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, and health promotion, preparing graduates for roles in public health organizations, government agencies, or research institutions. - School Psychology
trains students to provide psychological assessment, intervention, and support services in educational settings. It covers areas such as child development, learning disabilities, behavior management, and counseling techniques, preparing graduates to work as school psychologists to promote academic and social-emotional well-being of students. - Social Work
prepares students for careers in social work, where they can help individuals, families, and communities overcome challenges and improve their well-being. It covers areas such as social welfare policy, human behavior, counseling techniques, and community practice, preparing graduates for roles in social service agencies, healthcare organizations, or community advocacy.
Doctoral Programs
- Clinical Psychology
provides advanced education and training in clinical psychology, preparing students to become licensed clinical psychologists. It involves coursework, research, clinical practicum, and a doctoral dissertation, preparing graduates for careers in assessment, therapy, research, or academic settings. - Nursing Practice
is designed for registered nurses who want to advance their practice and assume leadership roles in nursing. It includes coursework, clinical training, and a focus on evidence-based practice, preparing graduates for roles as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse leaders, or nurse educators. - Occupational Therapy
is designed for individuals who want to become occupational therapists and advance the field through research, teaching, or specialized practice. It involves advanced coursework, research, and clinical training, preparing graduates to work as occupational therapy practitioners, educators, or researchers. - Pharmacy
prepares students to become pharmacists and provides advanced training in pharmaceutical sciences and patient care. It covers subjects such as pharmacotherapy, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacy practice, preparing graduates to provide medication therapy management and pharmaceutical care. - School Psychology
focuses on advanced training in the field of school psychology, with an emphasis on research, assessment, and intervention in educational settings. It covers subjects such as child development, learning disabilities, behavioral assessment, and consultation, preparing graduates for roles as school psychologists or academic researchers.