Sociomedical Sciences

Examining the Social Determinants of Health

The Sociomedical Sciences major and minor programs offer students the opportunity to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge on topics and issues related to health, disease, illness and medicine, as well as analytical and practical skills that will benefit them in post-graduate education and careers in medicine, public health and other allied health fields. Sociomedical Sciences focus on the social determinants of disease and health and examine the correlation between trends in health and its social causes, including social inequality and structural inequities.

• The sociomedical sciences major prepares students to pursue careers and/or advanced training in numerous clinical and non-clinical health professions, by focusing on the causes, spread, prevention, and treatment of disease and illness.
• The major is a gateway into in-demand entry-level positions in the allied health fields, including but not limited to positions as community health workers, patient navigators, health care administrators, health education specialists, program managers, case workers, health policy analysts, and researchers.
• The sociomedical sciences major is also a gateway into other post-baccalaureate education and graduate-level training in the allied health fields, including—but not limited to--allopathic medical school, osteopathic medical school, physician assistant school, chiropractic school, dental school, post- baccalaureate nursing programs, as well as graduate programs in public health, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

      Photo by Keith Walters (2019)