Health Communication, Minor

Visit the Public Health page for more information on the program and access to advising.

Program Description

Focuses on the role of communication strategies and media in influencing individual, community, and policy decisions that enhance public health. Offers strategies to create professional public health messages. Includes instruction in the use of health-related theory to create, disseminate, and increase public acceptance of health communication campaigns. Provides instruction in social marketing, social media, intervention planning, and analyzing health communication campaigns. Applies communication strategies to various public health topics such as disease prevention, promoting healthy lifestyles, and disseminating new health innovations.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours		18
Core Courses		12 Credits
COMM 1050	Introduction to Communication	3
HLTH 2510	New Media in Public Health	3
HLTH 3260	Health Behavior Theory and Practice	3
HLTH 3600	Social Marketing	3
Electives		6 Credits
Choose two of the following courses. At least one must be upper-division.		6
HLTH 2050	Public Mental Health (3)
COMM 2115	Introduction to Health Communication (undefined)
HLTH 3200	Principles of Community Health (3)
HLTH 3450	Public Health and the Environment (3)
HLTH 3500G	International Health (3)
HLTH 3800	Epidemiology (3)
HLTH 4400G	Health and Diversity (3)
HLTH 3000	Health Concepts of Death and Dying (3)
HLTH 3300	Health Promotion for Older Adults (3)
HLTH 2840	Womens Health Issues (undefined)
COMM 4115	Advanced Health Communication (3)
COMM 4180	Communication and Social Behavior (3)
COMM 3570	Crisis Communication (3)

Graduation Requirements

Must be completed with a bachelor's degree.

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Semester 1		Credit Hours
COMM 1050	Introduction to Communication	3
Elective		3
	Credit Hours	6
Semester 2
HLTH 2510	New Media in Public Health	3
	Credit Hours	3
Second Year
Semester 3
HLTH 3260	Health Behavior Theory and Practice	3
	Credit Hours	3
Semester 4
HLTH 3600	Social Marketing	3
Elective		3
	Credit Hours	6
	Total Credit Hours	18

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Create theoretically driven health messages.
2. Explore new media applications to public health.
3. Apply social marketing strategies.