• <a href="/live/image/gid/182/width/650/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86537"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg" alt="Our newest minor recognizes the growing interest students have in public health and the value of a liberal arts approach to solving the w..." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3067" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Our newest minor recognizes the growing interest students have in public health and the value of a liberal arts approach to solving the world’s current and future public health challenges. </div>
  • <a href="/live/image/gid/182/width/650/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image87661"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.jpg" alt="Students in discussion at Watzek Library." width="720" height="690" data-max-w="1585" data-max-h="1057" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Students in discussion at Watzek Library.</div>

Why Choose a Minor in Health Studies?

Our program provides the statistical and scientific foundation necessary for students interested in fields such as public health, health care administration, and health care policy, alongside the narrative, psychological, and cultural contexts that supplement the coursework of those interested in medicine, physical therapy, and other clinical careers. With a minor in health studies, you will integrate coursework, internship experiences, and scholarship across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Our Center for Community and Global Health will connect you directly with hands-on learning opportunities in the Portland community, and provides robust pre-health advising opportunities to those interested in exploring pathways to health careers.

What You’ll Study

Our interdisciplinary program combines critical thinking, one of the chief benefits of a liberal arts education, with direct and hands-on links to the worlds of health care and positive social change so that our students are prepared for the transition to work and life. You will take courses in foundational health studies and statistics; wellness/disease electives like Disease Ecology and Medicine, Healing, and Culture; and an internship capstone in Portland or overseas. Leveraging Lewis & Clark’s renowned overseas programs, you may apply up to 12 credits toward the minor from an approved overseas study program focused on public health.

Curriculum

Complement Your Education With One of These Majors

The most popular majors for our health studies minors are biochemistry and molecular biology, psychology, and sociology and anthropology.


What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark

  • I find my health studies minor to be very well-rounded as it focuses on different perspectives in health care such as medicine, spirituality, and patient narratives.

    Arielle Bloom BA ’24
    Biology | Health Studies | Portland, Oregon
    More about Arielle
  • What I love about health studies is that it combines science and social investigation. Studying public health allowed me to find something I was really passionate about that melds the two sides together.

    Jeremy Kregar BA ’24
    Sociology and Anthropology and Hispanic Studies (double) | Health Studies | Westminster, Colorado
    More about Jeremy
  • I have two minors: health studies and art. There is quite a bit of overlap between health studies and my major—both subjects connect, so there’s added depth. My art minor was a surprise—I absolutely fell in love with my classes and wanted to explore that passion.

    Cloe Moreno BA ’24
    Psychology | Health Studies and Art (double) | San Diego, California
    More about Cloe

What Can You Do With a Minor in Health Studies?

Our alumni use their minor in health studies in a wide range of careers within academia, nonprofits, clinics, research centers, administration, and beyond. Others pursue advanced degrees with the goal of becoming practitioners in the health sciences. Some receive competitive fellowships from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Meet the Professors

  • 12:1 

    Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.

  • 1 of 7 

    L&C is one of seven Oregon schools to make the national Colleges of Distinction list in 2023–24.

  • 10% 

    of our students are from countries other than the U.S.

  • Top 

    Lewis & Clark earned a spot on Princeton Review’s 2024 “Best Colleges” list.

  • 54 

    nationalities represented in our undergraduate student body

Invest in Yourself

A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.

Find Your People

The Pre-Health Professions Club fosters community among pre-health students, raises awareness about on- and off-campus resources, and improves the success of pre-health students applying to graduate schools. The club hosts regular events, including a career panel, CPR certification course, suture clinic, volunteer trips, guest speakers, and monthly meetings. In addition, club leaders provide peer advising and mentorship to younger students as they develop four-year plans and search for clinical opportunities in Portland.


Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You

  • I love challenging myself by trying new things, and L&C allowed me the opportunity to explore many different subjects and spheres of interest.

    Hannah Innis-Skinner BA ’22
    Psychology | Health Studies | Santa Cruz, CA
    More about Hannah

Health Studies Events

April 1

Applications are Open: Health + Humanities Summer Internship Funding

Lewis & Clark students who have a Summer ’24 internship in health + humanities are eligible to apply for funding to support their work.

Up to three students will be awarded funding to support internships in health + humanities with organizations that contribute to healing through narrative. We encourage you to think broadly and boldly about this definition!
Applications for Summer ’24 internship funding are open April 1 - May 15, 2024. Details and application materials are at the link below.

Support is made possible by the Center for Community and Global Health and a grant from Mellon Foundation.

H+H Internship Funding Program Page

April 2

Spring Blood Drive

We need your help! The need for blood doesn’t take a vacation. Make a blood donation appointment today. It only takes an hour to make a difference here on campus at Lewis and Clark on April 2nd or 3rd:
April 2

Art for Social Change Meeting

Open to all students, faculty, staff and alumni of L&C, we create events to heal from oppression and discuss where art in relationship transforms lives, builds community, examines social constructs, raises critical consciousness and creates a more just society.

April 3

Senior Creative Nonfiction Contest Deadline April 3rd, 2024

The 2024 Lewis & Clark Creative Nonfiction Award is open to all seniors currently enrolled full-time at Lewis & Clark College who are scheduled to graduate in either spring, summer, or fall of 2024. The winning writer is awarded a cash prize of $100.

More News and Events →