Bachelor of Arts in Health, Medicine, and Society

Explore the human side of health and healthcare through UNC Greensboro’s Bachelor of Arts in Health, Medicine, and Society (HMS). This interdisciplinary program examines how culture, policy, history, ethics, and social systems shape health outcomes, healthcare access, and the experiences of individuals and communities.

Through research, community-engaged learning, and hands-on experiences, you’ll develop strong analytical, research, and communication skills while preparing for careers in healthcare administration, health policy, health communication, advocacy, public service, and related fields. The program also provides a strong foundation for graduate and professional study.

Bachelor of Arts in Health, Medicine, and Society PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS

• The First Degree of Its Kind in the UNC System: UNC Greensboro’s Health, Medicine, and Society major offers a distinctive liberal arts approach to understanding health, illness, medicine, and healthcare, making it the first program of its kind in the UNC System.
• An Interdisciplinary Approach to Healthcare: Drawing on the humanities and social sciences, the program integrates perspectives from fields such as philosophy, history, psychology, sociology, political science, and communication. Students learn to examine health challenges from multiple angles and develop a more holistic understanding of healthcare.
• Focused on the Human Side of Health and Medicine: While many health-related programs focus primarily on biological sciences, HMS explores the social, cultural, ethical, historical, and political factors that shape health outcomes, healthcare systems, and patient experiences.
• Built Around Five Areas of Health Expertise: Coursework is organized around five core themes: ethics, research methods, health policy and law, the social organization of health and medicine, and the human experience of health and medicine. This framework helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of health from both individual and societal perspectives.
• Strong Training in Research and Critical Analysis: Students develop valuable skills in research, analysis, and evidence-based decision-making through coursework grounded in humanities and social science research methodologies. These transferable skills prepare graduates for a wide range of careers and graduate programs.

B.A. in Health, Medicine, and Society Courses

Students in UNCG’s Health, Medicine, and Society program examine health, illness, medicine, and healthcare through courses spanning the humanities and social sciences. Coursework emphasizes research, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary perspectives while exploring topics such as medical ethics, health policy, healthcare systems, and the human experience of health and medicine. Courses include:

• HMS 101 – Introduction to Health, Medicine, and Society
• PHI 225 – Philosophy of Bodies
• PSY 311 – Research Methods in Psychology
• ENG 240 – Health and Wellness in Cultural Context
• BIO 412 – Climate Change and Human Health

Learn More About HMS Course Options

The Health, Medicine, and Society Student Experience

• Connect classroom learning to real-world health challenges. Through discussions, projects, and community-focused coursework, you’ll explore contemporary issues in healthcare and examine how policies, institutions, and social systems shape the well-being of individuals and communities.
• Complete a research experience or internship. Every HMS student gains hands-on experience through a required research or internship opportunity, applying classroom knowledge while building professional skills and networks.
• Work closely with faculty mentors. Faculty from multiple disciplines bring diverse perspectives to the program and support students as they explore academic interests, research opportunities, career paths, and graduate study options.
• Explore health through diverse academic perspectives. Courses across the humanities and social sciences invite students to examine health, illness, medicine, and healthcare through ethical, historical, cultural, political, and social lenses.
• Customize your academic pathway. The program’s flexibility allows students to combine HMS coursework with complementary majors, minors, and electives, creating an educational experience aligned with their individual interests and career goals.

AFTER GRADUATIng with a B.A. in Health, Medicine, and Society

Graduates of UNCG’s Health, Medicine, and Society program develop strong research, analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills. These highly transferable skills are valued across healthcare and many other industries. Students examine health through social, cultural, ethical, historical, and policy perspectives. They learn to understand complex challenges, evaluate evidence, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences. HMS graduates are prepared for careers in healthcare, public service, nonprofit leadership, research, and policy. Many also pursue graduate and professional study in a variety of health-related fields.