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School of Health Sciences

Physical and Occupational Therapy students provide care to local seniors in AIC's health science lab.
A Nursing student works with a manikin in one of American International College's several cutting edge simulation labs.

Help Everyone Thrive

Commit to improving lives through a collaborative, compassionate, and community-centered approach to care where everyone is represented.

American International College’s School of Health Sciences connects future nursing, rehabilitation, public health, and administrative professionals in state-of-the-art classrooms and labs before they connect with patients, healthcare systems, and policy in Massachusetts and across the world.

Benefiting from our established partnerships, this pathway more than prepares our students to drive outcomes in a fast-paced, always-evolving field. They graduate with an intense understanding of how their decisions impact all populations.

Our Majors and Degrees

Scientific rigor plus training in advanced labs leads to field placements where our students learn to serve patients across the lifespan. Explore our nine undergraduate and six graduate programs by career area.

In one of American International College's cutting-edge simulation labs, a nursing student learn to insert a nasal cannula and IV tubing.

Nursing Programs

As the core of every care team, nurses monitor the delivery and results of prescribed treatments, working with doctors, allied health professionals, and technicians as they do. Here’s how you can start.

Bachelor’s Program (BSN) FNP Graduate Program (MSN)

Rehabilitation and Performance Programs

Leave patients stronger and more resilient in programs that link an applied study of the body’s systems with in-demand preventive and adaptive therapies.

Exercise Science students run tests with an exercise bike in American International College's state-of-the-art Human Performance Lab.

Exercise Science

Propel individual to team performance with an intersectional exploration of physiology, biomechanics, and conditioning.

American International College Occupational Therapy students work with assistive technology tools in a recently renovated lab.

Occupational Therapy

Give people of all ages the tools to thrive in their daily lives, developing your therapeutic skills as you support the Greater Springfield community.

Physical Therapy students provide pro bono care to local seniors in American International College's health science lab.

Physical Therapy

Restore movement and reduce pain as you prepare to develop treatment plans for injury recovery, post-surgical rehabilitation, and movement disorders.

Public Health alums attend American International College's annual Desmond Tutu Public Health Lecture series.

Public Health and Healthcare Management Programs

Connecting people with the treatments they need often starts at the community level. An exploration of data and healthcare delivery gives you this perspective, positioning you to analyze population trends, launch outreach initiatives, or lead medical systems.

Explore All Programs

Other Pathways

Students attend a health sciences job fair on American International College's campus.

Enhance your care delivery skills—and your career prospects—with programs that point toward your next stage.

AIC Hives

Get a sample of several healthcare careers while building the skills and scientific foundation that take you there. We structure these exploratory programs for undecided undergraduates around movement science or health promotion, research, and management.

Transfer and Accelerated Programs

AIC’s entirely online bachelor’s program builds from your existing credits to prepare you for the PK-12 classroom around life’s obligations, taking you one step closer toward a career as a teacher or counselor.

Online Programs

When it’s time to specialize and advance, you’ll find convenient 100% online degree programs that not only fit but also boost your professional standing.

Post-Professional Programs

As lifelong learners, healthcare professionals leverage their acquired knowledge to improve how they and other providers assess patients. Continue developing your practice in programs that help you grow as a leader, researcher, instructor, and clinician.

Hands-On Opportunities

A Nursing student practices using standard medical equipment on a manikin in AIC's modern simulation lab.
Nursing students learn to monitor blood pressure and vital signs in high-tech simulation labs equipped with responsive manikins.
A VO2 Max Testing station in American International College's Center for Sport Physiology and Exercise Testing.
In the Center for Sport Physiology and Exercise Testing, Exercise Science and allied health students take a full picture of patient health with advanced equipment that measures body composition, resting metabolic rate, and aerobic capacity.
In AIC's Assistive Technology II course, MS in Occupational Therapy students practice using assistive technologies for meals and dental care.
MSOT students receive a hands-on introduction to assistive technologies, first in campus labs before supporting the Greater Springfield area’s only rental program.
Health Science majors connect with internship employers at a job fair on American International College's campus
Our students learn to respond to different populations and health concerns in clinical and internship placements. Assignments may include long-term, subacute, pediatric, rehabilitation, behavioral health, or maternity care, as well as schools or public health agencies.
American International DPT students stand in front of a staircase in the Massachusetts Capitol building in Boston.
School of Health Sciences students learn to advocate for patients at all levels: In 2025, DPT candidates promoted the preventive benefits of physical therapy alongside related legislation at PT Day on Capitol Hill, led by Massachusetts APTA.
American International College Occupational Therapy students work with youth at a local community center
Through community outreach initiatives, School of Health Sciences students get experience as mentors and educators, using their knowledge to make a difference in others’ lives.
The simulation facility where students in American International College's School of Health Sciences train

About the School of Health Sciences

Our inclusive, holistic education propels a diverse group of learners to personal growth and professional success. High exam pass rates and alumni achievements support our methods and continue to position us as a regional leader in training for healthcare careers.

Top 50

Nursing schools in New England, according to Nursing Schools Almanac.

100%

Employment rate for our Physical Therapy students.

90+%

Pass rates on NCLEX-RN and NPTE exams.

Our History and Mission

Our Background

In response to local workforce demands, AIC launched the Divisions of Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy in the last few decades of the 20th century. Our offerings continue to adapt to changing licensure requirements and approaches to care: The 21st century witnessed the arrival of our MSOT, DPT, and suite of administrative and performance-oriented programs.

The Colaccino Center for Health Sciences

This premier space opened its doors in 2018. Spanning over 20,000 square feet, the next generation of our educational model brings students together in spacious classrooms and hands-on simulation, rehabilitation, and human performance laboratories, complete with study areas and smart features.

Our Partnerships

Our long-time partnerships with local healthcare systems and industry leaders enable us to provide practical, field-based instruction that equips our students to serve diverse populations through effective evidence-based care. We maintain relationships with Baystate Medical Center, the Department of Public Health, and the Western Massachusetts Nursing Collaborative, as well as with centers and organizations in and beyond our region.

Our Approach

An integrated, immersive setting of small classes, faculty mentorship, and community involvement fosters our continued success and directs students to our region’s largest employers.

Our Methods

Our school simulates the experience of a care team, where healthcare professionals strive and strategize toward a desired outcome. Here, students learn side by side—and from each other—in the classroom before collaborating for campus and community outreach.

Accreditation

The School of Health Sciences actively maintains American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)/Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)/Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accreditations and an Exercise Science curriculum in line with American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations. Learn more about these distinctions.

A health science faculty member instructs two students in American International College's nursing simulation lab.

Meet Our Faculty

As a School of Health Sciences student, you’ll find inspiration among clinicians with decades of patient care experience, public health leaders who have directed notable studies, and researchers who advance rehabilitative and adaptive therapies.

All Faculty Members

Alumni Highlights

AIC School of Health Sciences Alum Meghan Kalbaugh ’23
AIC School of Health Sciences Alum Dr. Janelis Rodriguez ’21, MSOT ’22, OTD ‘25
AIC School of Health Sciences alumni Ariana M. Williams, Aumani Harris, and Michael Bartolo return as panels for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Lecture Series

The professors here are so wonderful and are here to really individualize learning to support our needs. I feel like all of the knowledge they’ve instilled will really set me up for success as a nurse.”

Meghan Kalbaugh ’23
BSN Graduate

For our College Tour segment, Triple Yellow Jacket Dr. Janelis Rodriguez ’21, MSOT ’22, OTD ‘25, discusses how the School of Health Sciences’ hands-on, community-focused approach empowered her career journey.

View Video

In 2025, 2017 Public Health graduates Ariana M. Williams, BSPH, MPH, Aumani Harris, BSPH, MPH, and Michael Bartolo, BSPH, AGACNP-BC, discussed the connection between food insecurity, mental health, and healthcare access as panelists for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Lecture Series.

About the Event

Ready to Take the Next Step?

At the School of Health Sciences, your caring, compassionate nature will lead to all kinds of opportunities.

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