Health Communication Minor

Program Description

The study of Health Communication can contribute to health promotion in areas such as patient-family communication, health message and campaigns, health in mass media, public health, and technology and health. This minor is grounded in a curriculum of theory, research, and application, addressing health issues across the spectrum of interpersonal, cultural, organizational, public relations, and mass-mediated contexts. The Health Communication minor is designed to be a program for students from a wide variety of majors who may seek careers within health fields.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are designed to be consistent with existing department requirements. These requirements are as follows:

Students must be an undergraduate and have sophomore status.
Students must have completed 45 hours of coursework.
Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Student Performance:

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Admission Process:

Submit Major/Minor Change Request form online in WINGS Express. (Select the “Registration and Records” menu and then the “Major/Minor Change Request” option.)

Program Learning Outcomes

Specific objects for students in this program include:

To learn theories, research, and practices of health communication
To learn and apply strategies that can develop and improve communication among colleagues, peers, patients, and family members/caregivers in diverse contexts of healthcare
To understand and explain the origins, development, and varied nature of health communication as it relates to interpersonal, familial, community, and public perspectives
To examine a variety of factors that influence health, including technology, culture, education, and public policy

For More Information

Program Requirements:

Required Courses

COM 1040 - Introduction to Human Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 2020 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
COM 2460 - Organizational Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 3250 - Health Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
Classification: Sophomore (completed at least 45 hours), Junior, or Senior
COM 4251 - Race, Gender and Health Credit Hour(s): 3
Prerequisite: COM 4250

Classification: Junior or Senior
COM 4710 - Topics in Communication Credit Hour(s): 3 (Focus on Health)
COM 4710 - Topics in Communication Credit Hour(s): 3 (Social Media)
OR
COM 3450 - Public Relations: Principles and Practice Credit Hour(s): 3