Health Studies

Health professionals need more than scientific knowledge—they need a strong understanding of human behavior, relationships, communication, and the social factors that influence health and well-being. The Health Studies area provides Human Development students with an interdisciplinary foundation for understanding health across the lifespan and the ways individuals, families, and communities navigate health-related challenges. 

Students interested in Health Studies often pursue careers in healthcare, public health, health education, patient advocacy, community health, and related helping professions. Many students also use this pathway to prepare for graduate and professional programs in medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health, and other health-related fields. The resources below highlight courses and programs that can strengthen your preparation for these career pathways. 

Courses Tailored to Health Studies

Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ENGL 100B or AFRS 100B or AIS 100B or ASAM 100B or CHLS 104B.

This course explores the intersection of environmental justice, health, and human development. Examining environmental harms to global and local communities, students apply theory to action, analyze climate change impacts, and generate action plans promoting justice using interdisciplinary methods.

Prerequisite: Completion of at least 60 units (upper division standing).

This course covers the definition, prevalence, risk and protective factors, and interventions for health disparities among diverse populations. Using problem-based approaches, students will learn about discipline-specific and interdisciplinary methods to address common biomedical issues in a culturally relevant way.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: GE Foundation requirements, upper division standing.

This course examines key differences between pseudoscience and science, investigates how and why media and sociopolitical institutions support unscientific claims, and addresses the impact of unscientific and scientific data on human development issues (e.g., pandemic control, racial/ethnic inequity, climate change).

Prerequisites: HDEV 307 and HDEV 357 with a “C” or better.

Across the lifespan, similar experiences may be interpreted differently based on biological, social, cultural, or psychological vulnerabilities and protective factors. This class asks when adverse life events are seen as part of everyday life and when are they seen as ruptures.

Prerequisites: HDEV 320 or HDEV 310 or PSY 220 with a “C” or better.

The mind emerges from the structures and substance of the brain and is shaped by interpersonal interactions bound by society. This course provides a framework for understanding how human connections shape neural connections using evidence from Western and non-Western societies.

In addition, there are programs you can look into that would complement your degree.

Related Minors/Certificates

  • Social Work
    • Social Services Case Worker
    • Family Services Specialist
    • Child Welfare Officer
    • Community Support Clinician
    • Family Advocate
  • Community & Nonprofit
    • Community Nonprofit Director*
    • Childcare Program Coordinator
    • Crisis Center Specialist
    • Nonprofit Worker
    • Peace Corps