Medical Humanities and Health Studies

About the medical humanities and health studies major

The medical humanities and health studies major prepares you to understand the broader role and determinants of health and medicine in today’s world. Humanities courses raise questions of how human beings deal with health, medical intervention, illness, and death. You'll gain insight into the social, economic, and cultural contexts of health, illness, and health care. This degree will prepare you for a wide array of career paths.

Skills and abilities this major develops: effective communication, health care knowledge, public speaking, research, and problem solving (IU School of Liberal Arts, 2017).

Engaged learning experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IU Indianapolis’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Service learning

Each year our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. If you want to make a difference, you have a home here.

Study abroad

Study abroad is much more than a trip—it’s an intellectual and cultural adventure that will change the way you see the world, other people, and yourself. You can choose from programs in over 50 countries and nearly 20 languages.

Career services

Talk to our coaches for help in identifying your career goals and interests, as well as discussing strategies in applying for internships, part-time jobs, professional positions, and graduate school.

Quick facts

Sample coursework

  • Anthropology of aging
  • Applied health care ethics
  • Health communication
  • Health economics
  • History of medicine and public health
  • Perspectives on health, disease, and healing
  • Sociology of death and dying

Possible careers

  • Medical scribe
  • Medical sales
  • Nurse*
  • Physician assistant*
  • Public health educator
  • Rehabilitation counselor*
  • Wellness program director

*These careers require additional training or education.

Where could I work?

  • Community health centers
  • Eskenazi Health
  • IU Health
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Nursing and residential care facilities
  • Offices of physicians
Get your interest code

Where to get more information

MHHS Program

HRSA Health Workforce

American Society for Bioethics and Humanities

Arts, Humanities, and Human Services Cluster

This major is part of the Arts, Humanities, and Human Services (AHHS) cluster. The AHHS cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in art and design, education, general studies, journalism, liberal arts, and social work. The AHHS cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools. 

Learn about the AHHS cluster

Learn about other clusters

Meet with an advisor or career consultant

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