- <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>
Health Studies
Our students recognize the value of a liberal arts approach to solving the world’s current and future public health challenges. You will study health and healing from multiple perspectives, and our Center for Community and Global Health provides an ideal foundation and preparation for health-related careers.
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.
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
- Arielle Bloom BA ’24
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.
Biology | Health Studies | Portland, OregonMore about Arielle - Cloe Moreno BA ’24
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.
Psychology | Health Studies and Art (double) | San Diego, CaliforniaMore about Cloe - Jeremy Kregar BA ’24
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.
Sociology and Anthropology and Hispanic Studies (double) | Health Studies | Westminster, ColoradoMore about Jeremy
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.
- 54
nationalities represented in our undergraduate student body
- 96%
Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Classes of 2018–2022 were already changing the world through employment (76%), continuing studies (19%), and service work (1%), like the Peace Corps.
- Top
For the seventh time in 10 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for 2023–24.
- 125
of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids.
- 2,188
As of fall 2022, there are 2,188 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College.
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
- Hannah Innis-Skinner BA ’22
I love challenging myself by trying new things, and L&C allowed me the opportunity to explore many different subjects and spheres of interest.
Psychology | Health Studies | Santa Cruz, CAMore about Hannah
Health Studies Events
“A Wall is Just a Wall”: Reiko Hillyer in Conversation with Jerry Harp
Please join Associate Professor of History and Department Chair Reiko Hillyer discuss her latest book, A Wall is Just a Wall: The Permeability of the Prison in 20th Century America (Duke University Press, February 16, 2024) in conversation with Jerry Harp. Influenced by her work teaching in the Inside-Out program, Hillyer traces the decline of practices that used to connect incarcerated people more regularly to the free world.
Festival of Scholars & Artists
The Festival of Scholars and Artists is a beloved annual Lewis & Clark tradition, where our community dedicates a full day to celebrate our students and their exceptional work: their research, their creative accomplishments, and their achievements both on and off campus. The campus buzzes with activity as the entire community gathers to listen to students present their research projects, attend poster sessions, view live music and theatre performances, and much more.
Featured News
Hiring: Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Health
The Center for Community and Global Health at Lewis & Clark College invites applications for a full-time, visiting position to begin August 2024. Duties include teaching five semester-long undergraduate courses in public health/epidemiology each academic year (in-person) and contributing to the Center for Community and Global Health’s co-curricular programming.