Health and Society
BA, BS

On-campus Undergraduate Major Interdisciplinary

Lead the future of health equity and policy

The health and society bachelor's degree program explores multiple perspectives on health, health care, and related systems and policies. You will engage in critical analysis of the factors that impact the health and health behaviors of diverse populations, the provision of health care, and the formulation of health-related policy. 

This program brings together ideas from many fields—like economics, politics, psychology, history, and communication—to help you understand today’s biggest health challenges. You'll learn how to think in creative ways to solve problems in public and global health.

Request info

Learn more about UMassD's academics, admissions, and events. We'll be in touch soon.

Request more info Apply Plan a visit Requirements

Develop real-world skills in healthcare, policy, and research

Understand how systemic inequalities affect health outcomes
Learn how theoretical frameworks and research from multiple disciplines can be used to find innovative solutions to health-related problems
Demonstrate an understanding of the organization and efficacy of health care systems and policies
Develop basic skills in qualitative and quantitative social scientific research methods
Utilize effective oral and written modes of communicating health-related issues to diverse audiences

BS versus BA in health and society

Bachelor of science in health and society

A BS in health and society will serve students interested in pursuing allied health fields and are concurrently completing demanding sets of prerequisites. This option facilitates the smooth incorporation of required science courses into pre-health students’ academic plans and encourages a timely graduation of health and society majors in pre-professional tracks.

Bachelor of arts in health and society

A BA in health and society will prepare students for working in public health, epidemiology, health communication, and advocacy while creating a rigorous course study rooted in an interdisciplinary approach to health. 

Health and society curriculum encourages students to develop collaborative and creative problem-solving skills and contribute to the evidence-based analysis of disparities in patterns of illness, mortality, and quality of life.

To satisfy the requirements for the BS in health and society, students must complete a total of 120 credit hours of instruction. Students will be required to take 46 credits in the major:

Intro to health and society, a foundational course
6 social science and humanities elective courses
3 science and lab elective courses

To satisfy the requirements for the BA in health and society, students must complete a total of 120 credit hours of instruction. Students will be required to take 36 credits in the major:

Intro to Health and Society, a foundational course
6 elective courses
2 general electives

Sample course offerings

Race, Gender, and Biomedicine
Gender Health Disparities
Food, Health, and Nutrition
Public Health and Tobacco Control
Healthy Cities
Having Babies Making Families
Women's Health and Environment
Toxic Bodies

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Student success

Health & Society major Gabriel Johnson pictured in the amphitheater

Gabriel Johnson '24: Making a difference

Health & society major finds passion working towards a future that benefits all.

Career preparation

Our interdisciplinary program prepares students for careers and graduate study in a wide range of health-related fields, including:

Doctor
Nurse
Physician assistant
Pharmacist
Physical therapist
Health educator
Policy analyst
Community health worker
Epidemiologist
Healthcare administration management
Health advocacy

Graduate school placements

Boston University
Simmons University
UMass Amherst
Emory University
Regis College
University of Connecticut

Average starting salary:
$0,0

NACE Data Collection Summer 2024 Survey

Health and Society faculty

Our program offers careful and individualized advising about your health career options, major requirements, and professional development. Our faculty have completed research in environmental health, health communication, and nutrition and food policy. We have published papers in Health Education Research,  Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, Signs: Journal of Women and Culture in Society, International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics, and Energy Research & Social Science. Additionally, there are a variety of internship opportunities available to our students.