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Health
Communication Concentration
Note: The new Health Communication Concentration website is currently
under construction and will be available soon. The curriculum guide
will also be available shortly.
What is the field of Health Communication?
Health communication is the study of generation, creation and dissemination
of health-related information and its effects on different publics
including individuals, community groups, institutions and public
policy. It includes both strategic communication of evidence-based
health information on primary and secondary prevention, detection,
diagnosis and treatment to professional and non-professional audiences,
and the study of secular communication on public’s health.
What is the Health Communication Concentration?
The Health Communication Concentration (HCC) is an interdisciplinary
degree concentration housed within the Department of Society, Human
Development and Health. HCC prepares the student interested in health
communications to apply rigorous, theory-based methods to health
and risk communication and to apply and evaluate health communication
technologies. Through coursework and practical experience, HCC provides
the student with a rich mix of conceptual, analytical and applied
competencies to understand the role of mass media institutions in
public health, be a critical consumer of health communication literature,
and obtain skills in using communication to promote public health
policy and practice.
Why study Health Communications?
Everyday we receive communications at home, work or school. They
come to us through various channels, from friend, family, co-workers,
the Internet and the mass media, and carry a variety of messages.
We pay selective attention to the numerous communications we receive
and we only seek out information that is relevant to our needs.
In such a crowded environment, health communications face serious
competition. Whether designing health communications programs for
vulnerable populations, framing a health policy issue for legislators,
or educating a patient on her medication, public health professionals
need to be able to identify the contexts, channels, messages and
reasons that will motivate individuals to pay attention to and use
health information.
As a student, what will I gain from the Health Communication
Concentration?
HCC will provide the student with the following:
- The theoretical, methodological, and practical background to
communicate effectively with the public, the press, and policymakers
on classic and emerging public health issues.
- An understanding of how knowledge, cultural norms, beliefs and
attitudes learned from communications influence health behaviors.
- An understanding of the role of communication in health policies,
advocacy and community mobilization in addressing health conditions
and what can be done to influence them.
How could I apply my health communications background
in a public health career?
Students may apply health communications skills in a variety of
careers, such as:
- Independent researchers and scholars contributing to the advancement
of health communication science.
- Practitioners designing effective behavior change communication
strategies.
- Public health communicators at the state and federal agencies
designing, executing and evaluating public health communication
campaigns and providing communication in times of public health
crises.
- Strategic communications managers in nonprofit health agencies.
- Communication professionals in advertising, public relations
and health marketing agencies.
- Public health leaders able to communicate with diverse audiences
about public health matters as well as to use media advocacy to
influence policy.
- Health and science journalists writing for lay publications.
Who is eligible?
Prospective students can apply to any degree program in any of
the academic departments at HSPH, and should indicate their interest
in the HCC concentration. They may also decide to apply once they
have arrived at HSPH. HCC is restricted to doctoral and two-year
master’s students.
What are student responsibilities and requirements?
Students are responsible for fulfilling degree requirements of
their respective departments, in addition to the requirements of
HCC. The students in HCC are required to take at least 10 credits
(excluding research methods and biostatistics requirements) from
a listing of courses provided by the course administrators with
one required foundational class and, at least, one course each from
applied settings and advanced topics groups.
| Health
Communications Concentration Distribution Requirements |
Students eligible |
Two year master’s
students
Doctoral students |
| Required Courses |
Group 1: Conceptual
Foundations Course (2.5 credits)
Group 2: Health Communications in Applied Settings (5
credits)
Group 3: Advanced Topics in Applied Settings (2.5 credits)
For detailed descriptions of these and other courses please
consult the forthcoming HCC curriculum guide |
What recognition does the student receive upon completion
of the concentration?
Upon graduation, the degree will be issued from the home department
and the student receives a letter from the HCC steering committee
attesting to completion of the HCC concentration requirements.
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