• <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
  • 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 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

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

  • 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

  • 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

March 19

“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.  

April 12

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.

More News and Events →