Health and Human Services
An interdisciplinary program based jointly in the Department of Sociology and the Department of Psychology, Duquesne’s minor and certificate tracks in health & human services are designed to provide you with a basic understanding of the healthcare system and the various social and behavioral factors that impact health.
Through coursework and experiential learning opportunities, you will gain valuable skills and knowledge that will prepare you to explore a variety of healthcare-related careers or further study in related fields. As a student with a minor in the discipline or seeking to attain a certificate, you will take required courses in sociology and psychology as well as elective courses in health sciences, ethics, philosophy or history.
Both the minor and the certificate allow you to choose from one of three distinct tracks: gerontology, human services or medical health. The certificate differs from the minor only in the additional requirement of three credits of fieldwork or obtaining an internship in a health-related placement.
After choosing one of the three offered tracks, both the minor and the certificate path have two required courses plus nine credits of approved electives, including at least one course from the School of Health Sciences.
Program Information
Our Health & Human Services minor/certificate tracks offer a basic understanding of the healthcare system and social/behavioral factors influencing health. Gain insights into the intersection of health and society.
Program Type
Minor
Academic Department
Sociology
Required Credit Hours
15-18
“If you’re looking for a minor to expand your knowledge on the topics of sociology and psychology or if you’re interested in gaining a basic understanding of the healthcare system and the various social-behavioral factors that impact health, then this minor is for you.”
Minor & Certificate Tracks Required Courses
The minor requires 15 credits and the certificate track requires 18 credits (plus three credits in fieldwork or internship). Up to six credits can be shared with your major.
- SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology or PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
- SOCI 203 Sociology of Aging or PSYC 325 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood & Aging
- 9 additional credits of approved electives
- SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology or PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
- SOCI 219 Introduction to Human Services or SOCI 214 Helping Process
- 9 additional credits of approved electives
- SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology or PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
- SOCI 207 Sociology of Health & Illness or PSYC 252 Psychological Disorders
- 9 additional credits of approved electives
Courses for the Minor or Certificate
- PBHL 201 Intro to Public Health, HLTS 200 Disparities in Health Care (only for health sciences students)
- PBHL 205 Intro to International Public Health
- PBHL 318 Healthcare Delivery & Organization
- HADM 101 Intro to Healthcare Administration
- HADM 308 Intro to Health Information Management
- HADM 311W Healthcare Law and Policy
- HADM 402 Quality and Performance Improvement (only for health management systems students)
- HLTS 200 Disparities in Health Care (only for health sciences students)
- OCCT 305 Foundations & Concepts of OT (only for occupational therapy students)
- OCCT 310 Occupational Performance Across the Lifespan (only for OT students)
- OCCT 416 Fundamentals of Practice (only for OT students)
- SLP 245 Disabilities across the World: Search for Dignity
- SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology
- SOCI 203 Sociology of Aging
- SOCI 207 Sociology of Health & Illness
- SOCI 214 The Helping Process
- SOCI 219 Introduction to Human Services
- SOCI 315 Socialization & the Life Course
- SOCI 408 Population
- SOCI 411 Aging and Mental Health
- SOCI 415 Health, Illness & Social Policy
- SOCI 441 Healthcare Ethics & Public Policy
- SOCI 450 Fieldwork (3 credits)
- PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology
- PSYC 225W Developmental Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence (not for gerontology track)
- PSYC 252 Psychological Disorders
- PSYC 324 Perspectives on Disability and Illness
- PSYC 354 Psychology of Social/Cultural Diversity
- PSYC 228 Psychology of Personality
- PSYC 325 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging
- PSYC 390 Internship in Psychology (3 credits)
- HIST 222 Flatlined: History and Politics of U.S. Healthcare
- ENGL 316W Literature in Medicine
- PHIL 314 Philosophy of Aging
Only one of the following ethics courses will count for the minor/certificate.
- HCE 240 Bioethics: African Perspectives
- HCE 330 Global Bioethics
- HCE 412 Who Decides When I’m Ill?
- THEO 253 Health Care Ethics (theology)
- PHIL 254 Health Care Ethics: Philosophy