The Health and Social Change (HSC) program is designed for change-makers who want to pursue a career at the nexus of public health and social justice. This multidisciplinary major equips students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to promote health equity in diverse communities. Courses explore how power, privilege, and oppression influence health and illness and shape health systems and policies. Students learn how to use the tools of public health and social science, including both quantitative and qualitative methods, to promote ethical, anti-racist, and inclusive health change. Through hands-on experiences, students will investigate local and global health inequities to develop health communication, advocacy, education, and persuasion skills needed to implement social change in their communities and around the globe.
The major consists of eight core courses, two science courses, and three electives. Combining HSC electives and Liberal Arts requirements, students are guided to shape a program of study that aligns with their passions and career goals. For example, HSC majors might focus on environmental health, global health, health and media, health communication, or arts in health.
Students may elect to double-major in HSC and Communication Disorders, Communication Studies, Journalism, or Political Communication, for example. The major is also complemented by many minors, like Social Impact Design, Environmental Studies, Nonprofit Communication, Peace and Social Justice, or Pre-Law.
HSC graduates are prepared for diverse careers, including those in public and community health, government, nonprofits, community agencies, international nongovernmental organizations, and graduate studies in public health, health education, social work, or law, among others.
Return to: