Bachelor of Arts in Health Humanities (BA)

School of Arts and Sciences

Location: Boston
Start Term: Fall

Develop an in-depth understanding of individual and collective experiences of health and illness by combining communication and critical thinking skills with cultural competencies.

An Interdisciplinary Platform for Healthcare Professionals

The four-year BA in Health Humanities is the first and only stand-alone health humanities bachelor of arts in New England. This interdisciplinary program, offered at our Boston campus, encompasses a broad variety of health and humanities topics, including literature, philosophy, the arts, history, anthropology, sociology, biology, chemistry, and public health. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to move on to an advanced degree program or a career in public health, healthcare policy, law, education, journalism, or a wide range of healthcare fields.

Your Four-Year Journey

This unique degree program provides valuable foundational knowledge in communications, cultural expression, and human experience necessary to provide informed, empathetic healthcare.

First-Year Experience

  • study biology and public health
  • strengthen skills in writing, critical thinking, and research
  • learn basic chemistry as well as the relationship between chemistry and society

Second-Year Experience

  • explore American culture, identity, and psychology
  • learn math and statistics
  • continue to hone your skills in research as well as oral and written communication
  • begin exploring the health humanities in required and elective courses

Third- and Fourth-Year Experience

  • take the courses required to complete the program’s humanities components: health humanities; global health; anthropology, sociology, and history of health; narrative health and medicine; and program electives
  • complete the health humanities capstone

The Future of Healthcare is Interdisciplinary

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a way of life at MCPHS.
MCPHS students collaborating in lab

A Program that’s Adaptable to Your Career Goals

Increasingly, employers are looking for candidates with strong critical thinking skills, a high degree of cultural competence, adaptability, empathy, and the ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences. The BA in Health Humanities prepares you to be that professional.

Individual attention

Small classes mean that you get the attention you need and can work with faculty to develop a program that caters to your interests and potential.

Customize it

The BA in Health Humanities is highly flexible and adaptable to your educational and career goals. You can even pair it with tracks for professional or post-graduate study.

The best place to be

MCPHS is located in Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area, a global center for healthcare delivery, research, and education, giving you opportunities to work with top professionals—and a world-class network.

Explore Longwood

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