Health Communication

For more than a decade, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the National Cancer Institute have defined health communication as the study and use of communication strategies to inform and influence individual decisions that enhance health. Health Communication professionals all share a common goal: creating social change by changing people's attitudes, and/or modifying or eliminating certain behaviors for the improvement of health and the benefit of society.

As a Health Communication major, students learn and develop skills that will be needed in their careers understanding, applying, and managing the way people see, process, and share health information. Through coursework, research, community engagement projects, and internships, students will explore a variety of issues and contexts that influence health including:
- Patient-Caregiver Interactions
- Diversity in Health Care
- Social Support and Family Influences on Health
- Public Health and Crisis Communication
- Health Promotion
Health Communication majors are also encouraged to expand their knowledge of the various communication tools by taking courses in broadcasting, journalism, human communication and public relations.
All communication majors must declare a minor, second concentration, or second major. Health Communication majors are encouraged to minor in a health-related field, and have the option of using pre-professional coursework required by nursing, nutrition and dietetics, athletic training, environmental health, one of the sciences, or other health-related programs to satisfy the minor requirement.

To complete the program: A total of 40 hours is required, including a minor, second communication concentration, second major, or other approved program and student selected general electives. At least 30 hours taken at WCU must be at the junior-senior level to meet one of the general university degree requirements.

Total hours required for the degree: 120

For an official listing of the required courses you should consult the official Western Carolina University catalog of courses.