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Concentration in Health, Science, and Society

Why Study Health, Science, and Society?

‘The first wealth is health’

By the time Ralph Waldo Emerson had penned those words, he had suffered bouts of illness himself and had seen the lives of friends and family members cut short by tuberculosis. Health is a precious commodity. The well-being of individuals and communities is dependent not only on decisions we make ourselves, but also on choices made by others, which often require balancing individual rights with the public good.

As a student in the multidisciplinary health, science, and society (HHS) concentration, you’ll examine complex health-related issues from four broad perspectives: biomedical science, social determinants of health, statistics-based data analysis, and ethical considerations. And if you’re specifically interested in the field of public health, the HSS concentration, combined with internship opportunities like those through the Worcester Division of Public Health, offers solid preparation for graduate programs in this field.

While you can combine this concentration with any major, it’s an especially good complement to majors in biology, chemistry, environmental science, global environmental studies, international development and social change, psychology, and sociology.

Minimum number of courses to complete this concentration: 6

Requirements and Courses

Hands-On Learning

As a complement to this concentration, you can engage in a variety of related experiential learning opportunities, including internships, study abroad, and research.

Careers

A foundation in health, science, and society is an asset to those seeking careers in medicine, social work, psychology, public policy, research, and teaching.

Program Director

Professor Ellen Foley     Phone: 1-508-421-3815