Minor in Health Communication

smiling students
Health Communication Minor

Learn about interpersonal, organizational and mass health communication strategies, approaches and campaigns as you discover how health communication professionals think and act, preparing you for a career in various healthcare or communications settings.

16

Hours of Coursework

9

Hours Outside of your Major

About the Minor

The Health Communication minor is open to all undergraduate students following the 2016-2018, 2018-2020, 2020-2022, and 2022-2024 catalogs.

  •  The Health Communication minor requires a total of 16 hours of coursework.
  • Nine hours of coursework must come from outside of major requirements. Only 7 hours of overlap between major and minor courses is allowed for this minor.
  • 6 hours of coursework must be taken at upper division level.
  • 9 hours of coursework must be taken in residence.
  • All courses must be taken for a letter grade, unless the course is only offered on the pass/fail basis. Only courses with a grade of C- or better will be counted towards the minor.

Click on tab for the specific catalog year associated with your major. Only courses listed on your specific catalog will count towards your minor.

NOTE: You can find your catalog in the Profile section at the bottom of the IDA Audit Request page.

For students under the 2022-2024 catalog:

Students pursuing the Health Communication minor under the 2022-2024 catalog are responsible for the following requirements:

One hour of required coursework:
COM 102 Introduction to Health Communication
Three hours of Interpersonal Communication coursework:

CMS 330

Interpersonal Health Communication

CMS 332

Argumentation and Advocacy

CMS 332K

Theories of Persuasion

CMS 344K

Lying and Deception

CMS 358

Communication and Personal Relationships

HDF 337

Personal Relationships

HDF 266C
& HDF 266L

Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships
and Guidance in Adult Child Relationships Lab 1
Three hours of Organizational Communication coursework:

CMS 341

Digital Communications

CMS 353S

Social Media and Organizations

CMS 357

Family Communication

HDF 304

Family Relationships

HDF 313

Child Development

HDF 347

Socioeconomic Problems of Families

HDF 378L

Theories of Child and Family Development

N 310

Communication in Health Care Settings

SOC 308J

Romantic Relationships and Family Formation

S W 360K.4

Current Social Work Topics (Topic 4: Social Work Practice with Abused and Neglected Children and their Families)
Three hours of Population/Mass Media coursework:

ADV 319

Psychology of Advertising

ADV 322

Health Communication: Messages, Campaigns, and the Media

AMS 370.1

Seminar in American Culture (Topic 1: American Cultural History of Alcohol and Drugs)

CMS 372T

Time Matters

ECO 325K

Health Economics

EDP 350G

Adolescent Development

EDP 350L

Human Sexuality

EDP 371

Introduction to Statistics

GOV 370V

The Politics of Health Care

GRG 334E

Children's Environmental Health

H S 301

Introduction to Health and Society

HDF 313

Child Development

HDF 371

Adolescent Development in Context

HDF 378K.6

Advanced Child and Family Development (Topic 6: Introduction to Early Childhood Interventions)

HED 329K

Child and Adolescent Health

HED 335

Theories of Substance Use and Abuse

HED 343

Foundations of Epidemiology

HIS 350R.18

Undergraduate Seminar in United States History (Topic 18: Women in Sickness and Health)

J 349F

Reporting Public Health and Science

KIN 334

Children's Exercise and Physical Activity

N 309

Global Health

NTR 330

Nutrition Education and Counseling

NTR 331

International Nutrition: Social and Environmental Policies

NTR 332

Community Nutrition

NTR 337

Principles of Epidemiology in Nutritional Sciences

NTR 338W

Issues in Nutrition and Health

NTR 365.4

Selected Topics in Nutritional Sciences (Topic 4: Obesity and Metabolic Health)

PBH 317

Introduction to Public Health

PBH 334

Global Health

PBH 338

Environmental Health

PBH 341R

Public Health Research

PBH 356

Health Behavior Theory and Practice

PBH 358D

Health Policy and Health Systems

PBH 361P

Public Health Internship

PHL 325M

Medicine, Ethics, and Society

PSY 319K

Social Psychology

PSY 339

Behavior Problems of Children

PSY 341K.4

Selected Topics in Psychology (Topic 4: Health Psychology)

PSY 352P

Psychopathology

PSY 364M

Mental Illness and the Brain

S W 334

Social Work Practice in Organizations and Communities

S W 360K.9

Current Social Work Topics (Topic 9: Loss and Grief: Individual and Family Perspectives)

SOC 307P

Introduction to the Sociology of Health and Well-Being

SOC 321G

Global Health Issues and Health Systems

SOC 354K

Sociology of Health and Illness

SDS 302F

Foundations of Data Analysis

URB 328S

Human Behavior and Social Environment

WGS 301.20

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 20: Fertility and Reproduction)

WGS 301.21

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 21: Gender, Race, and Class in American Societies)

WGS 322C

Sociology of Gender

WGS 345.35

Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 35: Psychosocial Issues in Women's Health)
Six additional upper-division hours from the three above areas.
1 Courses must be taken concurrently; only three hours of coursework will count towards the minor.

In addition to specific course requirements, students must also fulfill the hour totals for overall, in residence, and upper division coursework as well as meet the grade minimums in each minor course.

Under specific circumstances, the minor faculty committee may consider course substitutions for minor course requirements. Approval of any petition is not a guarantee.

Students must meet with the Moody Minors Advisor to discuss a petition.

For students under the 2020-2022 catalog

Students pursuing the Health Communication minor under the 2020-2022 catalog are responsible for the following requirements:

One hour of required coursework:

COM 102

Introduction to Health Communication

Three hours of Interpersonal Communication coursework:

CMS 330

Interpersonal Health Communication

CMS 332

Argumentation and Advocacy

CMS 332K

Theories of Persuasion

CMS 344K

Lying and Deception

CMS 358

Communication and Personal Relationships

HDF 337

Personal Relationships

HDF 266C

Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships

 & HDF 266L

Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships Lab

Three hours of Organizational Communication coursework:

CMS 341

Digital Communications

CMS 353S

Social Media and Organizations

CMS 357

Family Communication

HDF 313

Child Development

 or WGS 313

Child Development

HDF 347

Socioeconomic Problems of Families

HDF 378L

Theories of Child and Family Development

N 310

Communication in Health Care Settings

S W 360K.4

Current Social Work Topics (Topic 4: Practice with Abused and Neglected Children and their Families)

WGS 301.4

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 4: Family Relationships)

 or HDF 304

Family Relationships

WGS 301.23 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 23: Romantic Relationships and Family Formation)

 or SOC 308J

Romantic Relationships and Family Formation

Three hours of Population/Mass Media coursework:

ADV 319

Psychology of Advertising

ADV 322

Health Communication - Messages, Campaigns, and the Media

ADV 327

Account Planning

AMS 370

Seminar in American Culture (Topic 1: American Cultural History of Alcohol/Drugs)

CMS 372T

Time Matters

ECO 325K

Health Economics

EDP 350G

Adolescent Development

EDP 350L

Human Sexuality

EDP 371

Introduction to Statistics

GOV 370V

The Politics of Healthcare

GRG 334E

Children's Environmental Health

H S 301

Introduction to Health and Society

 or SOC 308S

Introduction to Health and Society

HDF 313

Child Development

 or WGS 313

Child Development

HDF 371

Adolescent Development in Context

HDF 378K.6

Advanced Child and Family Development (Topic 6: Into to Early Childhood Interventions)

HED 329K

Child and Adolescent Health

HED 335

Theories of Substance Use and Abuse

HED 343

Foundations of Epidemiology

HIS 350R

Undergraduate Seminar in United States History (Topic 18: Women in Sickness and Health)

or WGS 345.3 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 3: Women in Sickness and Health)

J 349F

Reporting Public Health and Science

KIN 334

Children's Exercise and Physical Activity

N 309

Global Health

NTR 330

Nutrition Education and Counseling

NTR 331

International Nutrition: Social and Environmental Policies

NTR 332

Community Nutrition

NTR 337

Principles of Epidemiology in Nutritional Sciences

NTR 338W

Issues in Nutrition and Health

NTR 365.4

Selected Topics in Nutritional Sciences (Topic 4: Obesity and Metabolic Health)

PBH 317

Introduction to Public Health

PBH 334

Global Health

PBH 338

Environmental Health

PBH 341R

Public Health Research

PBH 356

Health Behavior Theory and Practice

PBH 358D

Health Policy and Health Systems

PBH 361P

Public Health Internship

PHL 325M

Medicine, Ethics, and Society

PSY 319K

Social Psychology

PSY 339

Behavior Problems of Children

PSY 341K.4

Selected Topics in Psychology (Topic 4: Health Psychology)

PSY 352

Abnormal Psychology

PSY 364M

Mental Illness and the Brain

S W 334

Social Work Practice in Organizations and Communities

S W 360K.9

Current Social Work Topics (Topic 9: Loss and Grief: Individual and Family Perspectives)

SOC 307P

Introduction to the Sociology of Health and Well-Being

SOC 321G

Global Health Issues and Health Systems

SOC 354K

Sociology of Health and Illness

SDS 302

Data Analysis for the Health Sciences

SDS 332

Statistical Models for the Health and Behavioral Sciences

URB 354.10

Topics in Urban Society and Culture (Topic 10: Human Behavior and Social Environment)

 or S W 327

Human Behavior and Social Environment

WGS 301.20

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 20: Fertility and Reproduction)

 or SOC 307K

Fertility and Reproduction

WGS 301.21

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 21: Gender, Race, Class in American Societies)

 or SOC 307L

Gender, Race, and Class in American Society

WGS 322C

Sociology of Gender

 or SOC 333K

Sociology of Gender

WGS 345.35

Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 35: Psychosocial Issues Women's Health)

 or HED 361

Psychosocial Issues in Women’s Health

Six additional upper-division hours from the above areas of which three hours must be from outside the student’s major college.

In addition to specific course requirements, students must also fulfill the hour totals for overall, in residence, and upper division coursework as well as meet the grade minimums in each minor course.

Under specific circumstances, the minor faculty committee may consider course substitutions for minor course requirements. Approval of any petition is not a guarantee.

Students must meet with the Moody Minors Advisor to discuss a petition.

For students under the 2018-2020 catalog

Students pursuing the Health Communication minor under the 2018-2020 catalog are responsible for the following requirements:

One hour of required coursework:

COM 102

Introduction to Health Communication

Three hours of Interpersonal Communication coursework:

CMS 330

Interpersonal Health Communication

CMS 332

Argumentation and Advocacy

CMS 332K

Theories of Persuasion

CMS 344K

Lying and Deception

CMS 358

Communication and Personal Relationships

HDF 337

Personal Relationships

HDF 466

Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships

or WGS 466 Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships

 or HDF 266C & 266L 

Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships (Lecture and Lab)

PHM 390C

Communication Skills for Health Professionals

Three hours of Organizational Communication coursework:

CMS 341

Digital Communications

CMS 353S

Social Media and Organizations

CMS 357

Family Communication

HDF 313

Child Development

 or WGS 313

Child Development

HDF 347

Socioeconomic Problems of Families

HDF 378L

Theories of Child and Family Development

N 310

Communication in Health Care Settings

S W 360K.4

Current Social Work Topics (Topic 4: Practice with Abused and Neglected Children and their Families)

WGS 301.4

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 4: Family Relationships)

 or HDF 304

Family Relationships

WGS 301.19

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 19: Diversity in American Families)

WGS 301.23

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 23: Romantic Relationships and Family Formation)

Three hours of Population/Mass Media coursework:

ADV 319

Psychology of Advertising

ADV 322

Health Communication - Messages, Campaigns, and the Media

ADV 327

Account Planning

AMS 370.1

Seminar in American Culture (Topic 1: American Cultural History of Alcohol/Drugs)

HIS 350R.5 Undergraduate Seminar in United States History (Topic 5: American Cultural History of Alcohol/Drugs)

BIO 361L

Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory

CH 107

Conference Course

CMS 372T

Time Matters

ECO 325K

Health Economics

EDP 350G

Adolescent Development

EDP 350L

Human Sexuality

EDP 371

Introduction to Statistics

GOV 370L.23

Topics in American Government and Politics (Topic 23: Politics of Healthcare)

GRG 356.1

Topics in Environmental Geography (Topic 1: Children's Environmental Health)

H S 301

Introduction to Health and Society

 or SOC 308S

Introduction to Health and Society

HDF 313

Child Development

 or WGS 313

Child Development

HDF 371

Adolescent Development in Context

HDF 378K.6

Advanced Child and Family Development (Topic 6: Into to Early Childhood Interventions)

HED 329K

Child and Adolescent Health

HED 335

Theories of Substance Use and Abuse

HED 343

Foundations of Epidemiology

HED 360

Adolescent Health Risk Behavior

HED 361

Psychosocial Issues in Women's Health

WGS 345.35 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 35: Psychosocial Issues Women's Health)
HED 364 Strategic Health Communication

HED 370K.1

Topical Seminar in Health Promotion (Topic 1: Foundations of Health Promotion I)

HED 371K

Foundations of Health Promotion II

HIS 350R.18

Undergraduate Seminar in United States History (Topic 18: Women in Sickness and Health)

WGS 345.3 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 3: Women in Sickness and Health)

J 349F

Reporting Public Health and Science

KIN 334

Children's Exercise and Physical Activity

KIN 378.3

Fieldwork in Health (Topic: 3: Sexual Health I)

N 275

Public Health Nursing

 or N 287Q

Public Health Nursing

N 307.1

Topics in Nursing (Topic 1: Women's Reproductive Health for Non-science Majors)

or SOC 310S Women's Reproductive Health for Non-science Majors
or WGS 301.7 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 7: Women's Reproductive Health for Non-science Majors)

N 309

Global Health

NTR 330

Nutrition Education and Counseling

NTR 331

International Nutrition: Social and Environmental Policies

NTR 332

Community Nutrition

NTR 337

Principles of Epidemiology in Nutritional Sciences

NTR 338W

Issues in Nutrition and Health

NTR 365.4

Selected Topics in Nutritional Sciences (Topic 4: Obesity and Metabolic Health)

PBH 317

Introduction to Public Health

PBH 334

Global Health

PBH 338

Environmental Health

PBH 341R

Public Health Research

PBH 356

Health Behavior Theory and Practice

PBH 358D

Health Policy and Health Systems

PBH 361P

Public Health Internship

PHL 325M

Medicine, Ethics, and Society

PSY 319K

Social Psychology

PSY 339

Behavior Problems of Children

PSY 341K

Selected Topics in Psychology (Topic 4: Health Psychology)

PSY 346K

Psychology of Sex

PSY 352

Abnormal Psychology

PSY 364M

Mental Illness and the Brain

S W 334

Social Work Practice in Organizations and Communities

S W 360K.5

Current Social Work Topics (Topic 5: Facilitating Dialogues on LGBTQ Oppression)

S W 360K.9

Current Social Work Topics (Topic 9: Loss and Grief: Individual and Family Perspectives)

SOC 307L

Gender, Race, and Class in American Society

or WGS 301.21 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 21: Gender, Race, Class in American Societies)

SOC 307P

Introduction to the Sociology of Health and Well-Being

SOC 321G

Global Health Issues and Health Systems

SOC 354K

Sociology of Health and Illness

SOC 358D

Health Policy and Health Systems

SOC 368D

Social Context of Public Health

SDS 302

Data Analysis for the Health Sciences

SDS 304

Statistics in Health Care

SDS 332

Statistical Models for the Health and Behavioral Sciences

T C 358

Plan II Junior Seminar (Topic: Public Health, Medicine, and Social Policy)

URB 354.10

Topics in Urban Society and Culture (Topic 10: Human Behavior and Social Environment)

 or S W 327

Human Behavior and Social Environment

WGS 301

Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 20: Fertility and Reproduction)

 or SOC 307K

Fertility and Reproduction

WGS 322

Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies in the Social Sciences (Topic 1: Sociology of Gender)

 or SOC 333K

Sociology of Gender

Six additional upper-division hours from the above areas of which three hours must be from outside the student’s major college. 

In addition to specific course requirements, students must also fulfill the hour totals for overall, in residence, and upper division coursework as well as meet the grade minimums for each minor course.

Under specific circumstances, the minor faculty committee may consider course substitutions for minor course requirements. Approval of any petition is not a guarantee.

Students must meet with the Moody Minors Advisor to discuss a petition.

For students under the 2016-2018 catalog:

Students pursuing the Health Communication minor under the 2016-2018 catalog are responsible for the following requirements:

One hour of required coursework:
COM 102 Introduction to Health Communication
Three hours of Interpersonal Communication coursework: 
CMS 330 Interpersonal Health Communication
CMS 332 Argumentation and Advocacy
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
CMS 344K Lying and Deception
CMS 358 Communication and Personal Relationships
HDF 337 Personal Relationships
HDF 466 Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships
or WGS 466 Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships
or HDF 266C & 266L Guidance in Adult-Child Relationships (Lecture & Lab)
PHM 390C Communication Skills for Health Professionals
Three hours of Organizational Communication coursework: 
CMS 341 Digital Communications
CMS 353S Social Media and Organizations
CMS 357 Family Communication
HDF 313 Child Development
or WGS 313 Child Development
HDF 347 Socioeconomic Problems of Families
HDF 378L Theories of Child and Family Development
N 310 Communication in Health Care Settings
SW 360K.4 Current Social Work Topics (Topic 4: Practice with Abused and Neglected Children and their Families)
WGS 301.4 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 4: Family Relationships)
    or HDF 304 Family Relationships
WGS 301.19 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 19: Diversity in American Families)
WGS 301.23 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 23: Romantic Relationships and Family Formation)
Three hours of Population/Mass Media coursework:
ADV 319 Psychology of Advertising
ADV 322

Health Communication - Messages, Campaigns, and the Media

ADV 327 Account Planning
AMS 370.1 Seminar in American Culture (Topic 1: American Cultural History of Alcohol/Drugs)
or HIS 350R.5 Undergraduate Seminar in United States History (Topic 5: American Cultural History of Alcohol/Drugs)
BIO 361L Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory
CH 107 Conference Course
CMS 372T Time Matters
ECO 325K Health Economics
EDP 350G Adolescent Development
EDP 350L Human Sexuality
EDP 371 Introduction to Statistics
GOV 370L.23 Topics in American Government and Politics (Topic 23: Politics of Healthcare)
GRG 356.1 Topics in Environmental Geography (Topic 1: Children's Environmental Health)
HS 301 Introduction to Health and Society
or SOC 308S Introduction to Health and Society
HDF 313 Child Development
or WGS 313 Child Development
HDF 371 Adolescent Development in Context
HDF 378K.6 Advanced Child and Family Development (Topic 6: Into to Early Childhood Interventions)
HED 329K Child and Adolescent Health
HED 335 Theories of Substance Use and Abuse
HED 343 Foundations of Epidemiology
HED 360 Adolescent Health Risk Behavior
HED 361 Psychosocial Issues in Women's Health
or WGS 345.35 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 35: Psychosocial Issues Women's Health)
HED 370K.1 Topical Seminar in Health Promotion (Topic 1: Foundations of Health Promotion I)
HED 371K Foundations of Health Promotion II
HIS 350R.18 Undergraduate Seminar in United States History (Topic 18: Women in Sickness and Health)
 or WGS 345.3 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 3: Women in Sickness and Health)
J 349F Reporting Public Health and Science
KIN 334 Children's Exercise and Physical Activity
KIN 378.3 Fieldwork in Health (Topic 3: Sexual Health I)
N 275/287Q Public Health Nursing
N 307.1 Topics in Nursing (Topic 1: Women's Reproductive Health for Non-science Majors)
or SOC 310S Women's Reproductive Health for Non-science Majors
or WGS 301.7 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 7: Women's Reproductive Health for Non-science Majors)
N 309 Global Health
NTR 330 Nutrition Education and Counseling
NTR 331 International Nutrition: Social and Environmental Policies
NTR 332 Community Nutrition
NTR 337 Principles of Epidemiology in Nutritional Sciences
NTR 338W Issues in Nutrition and Health
NTR 365.4 Selected Topics in Nutritional Sciences (Topic 4: Obesity and Metabolic Health
PBH 317 Introduction to Public Health
PBH 334 Global Health
PBH 338 Environmental Health
PBH 341R Public Health Research
PBH 356 Health Behavior Theory and Practice
PBH 358D Health Policy and Health Systems
PBH 361P Public Health Internship
PHL 325M Medicine, Ethics, and Society
PSY 319K Social Psychology
PSY 339 Behavior Problems of Children
PSY 341K.4 Selected Topics in Psychology (Topic 4: Health Psychology)
PSY 346K Psychology of Sex
PSY 352 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 364M Mental Illness and the Brain
S W 334 Social Work Practice in Organizations and Communities
S W 360K.5 Current Social Work Topics (Topic 5: Facilitating Dialogues on LGBTQ Oppression)
S W 360K.9 Current Social Work Topics (Topic 9: Loss and Grief: Individual and Family Perspectives)
SOC 307L Gender, Race, and Class in American Society
or WGS 301.21 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 21: Gender, Race, Class in American Societies)
SOC 307P Introduction to the Sociology of Health and Well-Being
SOC 321G Global Health Issues and Health Systems
SOC 354K Sociology of Health and Illness
SOC 358D Health Policy and Health Systems
SOC 368D Social Context of Public Health
SDS 302 Data Analysis for the Health Sciences
SDS 304 Statistics in Health Care
SDS 332 Statistical Models for the Health and Behavioral Sciences
T C 358 Plan II Junior Seminar (Topic: Public Health, Medicine, and Social Policy)
URB 354.10 Topics in Urban Society and Culture (Topic 10: Human Behavior and Social Environment)
or SW 327 Human Behavior and Social Environment
WGS 301 Introductory Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Topic 20: Fertility and Reproduction)
or SOC 307K Fertility and Reproduction
WGS 322 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies in the Social Sciences (Topic 1: Sociology of Gender)
or SOC 333K Sociology of Gender
Six additional upper-division hours from the above areas of which three hours must be from outside the student’s major college.

In addition to specific course requirements, students must also fulfill the hour totals for overall, in residence, and upper division coursework as well as meet the grade minimums in each minor course

Under specific circumstances, the minor faculty committee may consider course substitutions for minor course requirements. Approval of any petition is not a guarantee.

Students must meet with the Moody Minors Advisor to discuss a petition.

General Minor Eligibility

Undergraduate students under the 2016-2018, 2018-2020, 2020-2022 and 2022-2024 catalogs are eligible to apply for the Health Communication minor.

A student's major college may have additional criteria that they must meet in order to pursue a minor. Prior to applying, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor in their own major to discuss how the minor fits into their degree plan.

Moody Student Eligibility

Moody students have additional criteria for pursuing a minor credential.

  • Moody students may only pursue one minor/certificate credential.
  • Moody students following the 2020-2022 and earlier catalogs must apply for their minor before they have completed 65% of their degree requirements.
  • Moody students following the 2022-2024 catalog must apply for their minor before they have completed 75% of their degree requirements.

Moody students should contact their advisor if they have questions about these policies.

  1. Visit this site
  2. Select "COM Communication" for Field of Study
  3. Click "Continue"
  4. Select "HEALTH COMMUNICATION (MNCCOM02)"
  5. Click "Continue"