What you will study
Whether your career aspirations involve working with health data, helping others create
healthy work environments or marketing and selling health products, UCM’s Health minor
will be a valuable addition to your bachelor’s degree.
Our Health minor is yours to customize. This undergraduate program offers nearly 20
electives, covering a broad range of topics to choose from, such as:
- Applied Nutrition
- Drugs: Addiction to Recovery
- Health Behavioral Theory
- Pathophysiology
Excellence in Health Studies
- Top 15%: Most Popular Colleges for Health Professions (College Factual, 2022)
- Best Value: Bachelor’s Degree College for General Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
(College Factual, 2022)
- Most Popular: Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Health Professions (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in health
Because many job options are related to health and health care, we structure our Health
minor in a flexible way, so you can tailor your studies to your passions and professional
pursuits.
No matter which health courses you take, you’ll have hands-on experiences that complement
your undergraduate degree coursework. Take your learning beyond the classroom with:
- Internships: Apply health studies principles and theories in a community, corporate or clinical
internship setting. Upon completion of three required courses, you can take part in
an internship and get experience that employers value. You’ll also gain credit toward
your Health minor.
- Study abroad: Each spring, our Health Studies program sponsors a study abroad experience to help
our undergraduate students gain new perspectives on health in a different culture.
For example, we’ve recently taken students on a 10-day culinary tour in France.
- Student life activities: Join one of UCM’s more than 200 student organizations to gain valuable learning experiences
and connect with your classmates. Health Studies students frequently take part in
the Student Dietetic Association or the Student Athletics Activities Club as well
as University Health Center activities.
- Research initiatives: Assist UCM’s Health Studies program faculty with a research project. For instance,
a Health Studies faculty member has had students help her with research related to
global health and addiction recovery. Students have also gotten involved with research
in UCM’s Honors College and the McNair Scholars program.
What can you do with a minor in Health from UCM?
When you pursue a Health minor from UCM, you’ll be well equipped to pursue administrative
and professional roles within clinics, government agencies, hospitals, insurance companies,
pharmaceutical companies and other health-related employers.
Discover a strong future in health studies
Stand out in a competitive job field with a Health minor. Use our interactive tool
below to explore career options, salary expectations and more.
Financial assistance options for Health Studies students
UCM offers some of the lowest tuition rates in Missouri, which makes pursuing a Health
minor a valuable investment. We also offer several ways to help you finance your college education and make it more affordable.
In addition to university-wide scholarships and funding opportunities from your major
program of study, you may be able to apply for the following awards as a Health minor:
- College of Health Science and Technology Scholarship
- Mike and Sueann Carter Scholarship
Learn more about program-specific scholarships using the .
Meet Dylan D.
BS Nursing, Health Minor ’21
"I chose to minor in Health because I have always been passionate about the human
body and how to maximize it to its fullest potential. I believe this minor has helped
me in my nursing coursework as many of the concepts are related. A minor in Health
has shown me the endless possibilities that working in health care provides.”
Meet Leah Holt
Health Studies ’24
“Specifically, I can speak to the Health Studies department. I would say that the department
itself really kind of latched on, but particularly Dr. Doyle, reaching out to me and
making sure that, you know, it may seem overwhelming at first entering Health Studies
but here’s everything you can do. She took a personal interest in helping me.”
Learn From Industry and Academic Leaders
UCM faculty members have vast health expertise
At UCM, our Health Studies faculty are top-notch educators and researchers who bring
their knowledge and experience to the classroom. Most of our faculty members worked
in the professional environment, from nursing to athletic training, before teaching
in higher education, making them adept at helping aspiring professionals find success
at UCM and beyond.
Your Success Starts in Small Classes
The Health Studies program averages 16 students per class
Our small classes are a point of pride at UCM. In our Health Studies program, you’ll
have plenty of opportunities to meet and connect with classmates and faculty members.
Meet Dr. Karen Doyle
Associate Professor of Health Studies
Dr. Karen Doyle is a UCM alumna who earned her Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology/Gerontology
at the University of Kansas. Her research interests are in workplace health/well-being
and health coaching for addiciton recovery. At UCM, she provides leadership as the
Health Studies coordinator, teaches Community Health courses and supervises interns.
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