<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 media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/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" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/87661_Students_Watzek_PEO-C1b-1015-0019.rev.1615586887.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><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." data-max-w="1585" data-max-h="1057" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a> <div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption">Students in discussion at Watzek Library.</div>
<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 media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/182/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/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" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/182/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86537_Health_Studies_main_image.rev.1607736906.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/jpeg" 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-origin="responsive"/><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..." 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" data-optimized="true"/></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>

/ Health Studies

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.

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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

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
Though it is a relatively new program, the health studies minor offers a great variety of courses to dip your toes into all sorts of health fields.
Sophie Homolka BA ’26
Mathematics | Health Studies | Jacksonville, Illinois
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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 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

2,194
As of fall 2023, there are 2,194 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College.
16%
first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College
Equity
We are the only liberal arts school in Oregon on Colleges of Distinction’s “Best Equity and Inclusion” list for 2023–24.
125
of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids.
12%
of our students are from countries other than the U.S.

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

Health Studies Events

October 14

2024 Native Activism Panel in Support of Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Learn from Native leaders regarding their journey around activism and making change for the community during our panel on “Native Activism in support of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

Featured News

Health + Humanities Community Connections: Faculty Grant

Up to three CAS faculty will be awarded Health + Humanities Community Connections Faculty Grants to support courses that include new community partnerships in health + humanities. Applications are open now!

Read the story

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Majors

Minors