Health Studies

Program at a Glance
Are you passionate about health and making a difference in people’s lives? The Health Studies Major is designed for students who want to explore health and wellness from multiple perspectives, including public health, social science, and healthcare administration.
Rooted in the World Health Organization's holistic definition of health, the program explores physical, mental, and social well-being across diverse contexts. This program lets you dive into topics like global health, medical ethics, epidemiology, and health communication, with the opportunity to specialize in areas such as biotechnology, mental health, or health administration. You'll also complete a hands-on capstone project, where you’ll conduct research or gain real-world experience in the field.
Whether you're interested in public health, hospital administration, health policy, or patient advocacy, this major prepares you for a wide range of careers. Plus, if you’re considering medical, nursing, or allied health programs, you can customize your coursework to meet graduate school prerequisites.
Program Requirements
- HEAL 201: Introduction to Health, Medical, and Wellness Studies
- HEAL 202: Public Health
- HEAL 205: Global Health
- HEAL 490W: Health Studies Capstone
- COMM 360: Health and Medical Communication
- PHIL 384: Medical Ethics
- AMST/LDSP 345: American Epidemics and the Constitution: Lessons in Law, Leadership, and Policy
- BIOL 113: Topics in Medicine and Health
- BIOL 271: Medical Terminology
- BIOL 319: Nutrition and Energy Homeostasis
- BUSN 210: Introduction to Biotechnology Management
- COMM 367: Contemporary Topics in Health Communication
- CRIM 374: Substance Use and Addiction
- HIST 382: Disease and the Rise of Modern Medicine
- HIST 383: Filthy Paris: Sex, Health, and Hygiene in the City of Light
- HIST 397: Medicine and the African American Experience
- LDSP 340: Outdoor Leadership
- LDSP 370: Leading in the Healthcare Industry
- PHIL 344: Yoga: Philosophy and Practice
- PHIL 360: Cultural Values in Health Care
- PSYC 317: Play in Pediatric Health & Development
- PSYC 336: Psychology of Death, Dying & Bereavement
- PSYC 408: Psychopharmacology
- PSYC 409: Behavioral Medicine & Health Psychology
- PSYC 420: Human Sexuality
- RSTD 236: Sacred Communication, Sacred Journeys
- RSTD 338: Pilgrimage on the Appalachian Trail
- SOCL 315: Health and Healing
Career Options
- Healthcare Administrator
- Health Educator
- Public Health Specialist
- Wellness Coach
- Medical Researcher