

The Health and Medical Humanities Bachelor of Arts program in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of North Carolina provides students with a broad foundation in health sciences, ethics, social context, and humanistic approaches to medicine. The curriculum emphasizes healthcare systems, bioethics, patient communication, and interdisciplinary research, preparing learners to address complex issues at the intersection of health, society, and culture. Students develop critical thinking, analytical skills, research competence, and applied knowledge in health humanities, equipping them to pursue careers in healthcare, policy, and education.
Throughout the program, learners engage in coursework, applied projects, and field experiences that integrate theoretical understanding with practical applications in health and medical contexts. Faculty mentorship guides students in ethical analysis, interdisciplinary research, and community engagement, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge to healthcare, research, and organizational settings. By combining theory with applied practice, students strengthen problem solving abilities, research expertise, communication skills, and applied interdisciplinary competence, ensuring they are prepared for professional, research, and advisory roles in health and medical humanities.
Year 1 Foundations in Health and Medical Humanities
• Introduction to Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies
• Medical Ethics and Bioethics
• Academic Writing and Research
• Fundamentals of Healthcare Systems
Year 2 Core Studies in Health and Humanities
• Human Biology and Physiology
• Health Policy and Social Context
• Research Methods in Health Studies
• Applied Projects in Health and Humanities
Year 3 Advanced Applications
• Patient Communication and Professional Practice
• Global Health and Cultural Perspectives
• Applied Research and Community Engagement
• Elective Modules in Health or Humanities
Year 4 Integration and Capstone
• Advanced Interdisciplinary Research
• Health and Medical Humanities Seminar
• Capstone Project in Health Studies
• Professional Development and Portfolio
Graduates of this program are prepared for professional roles that require expertise in health sciences, ethics, and interdisciplinary analysis. Many pursue careers as health policy analysts, medical educators, patient advocates, and community health coordinators, applying analytical, research, and communication skills to healthcare and organizational contexts. Others work in hospitals, public health organizations, research institutions, or nonprofit agencies, conducting studies, advising on healthcare policy, and engaging with communities. The program’s emphasis on applied interdisciplinary knowledge, research competence, and communication equips graduates to excel in professional, advisory, and leadership roles in health and medical humanities.
This program is ideal for students who want to combine knowledge of health sciences with ethical, social, and humanistic perspectives on medicine. Its curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary analysis, applied research, patient communication, and ethical reasoning, providing learners with the tools to understand and influence healthcare systems effectively. Faculty mentorship supports students in developing analytical skills, ethical competence, communication abilities, and applied research expertise. Through applied projects, field experiences, and capstone research, learners strengthen research competence, critical thinking skills, applied interdisciplinary expertise, and communication abilities, preparing them for impactful careers in healthcare, medical education, policy analysis, and community health advocacy.
Phone: +1 (919) 966-3621
Email: unchelp@admissions.unc.edu
Address: Jackson Hall, 174 Country Club Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA