Health Communications Minor

Study health communications at Elon

Only 1 in 10 Americans can easily understand and manage their health. And healthcare is changing faster than ever. Elon University’s Health Communications minor is for aspiring changemakers, strategists and problem-solvers who crave collaborative work and hands-on challenges.

Students in the minor explore how people and organizations communicate in different ways: person-to-person, through media, and in public health or healthcare settings. You’ll learn how communication affects what people believe and how they behave.

Why study health communication? Because the health and well-being of people and populations depend on it. Communication is critical to the success of our healthcare systems, and health needs are escalating locally, nationally and globally. We need leaders in business, government and media who know how to talk most effectively about health. Additionally, we need healthcare workers and scientists who know how to share health information in a way that people can understand and act on.

Students in the minor learn from interdisciplinary health communication educators, experts and practitioners. Course topics include understanding health information or health literacy, theories of health communication, research, creating health messages, working with media, and current trends.

In their culminating senior seminar, students work on an existing health or healthcare challenge in the community. They present their research and proposed communication solutions to leaders in the field.

Students graduate prepared for a variety of entry-level jobs in business, government, media, health promotion, public health and healthcare settings. Some will go on to graduate study in communications disciplines or public health.

Requirements

Plus, Health Communications minors must complete one Research Methods (4 sh) course, as well as one elective (4 sh) from outside the student’s declared major. To view all requirements and electives, visit the university’s Academic Catalog.

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