Medical Humanities

Designed for students majoring in any of the humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, health professions or nursing, the Certificate in Medical Humanities aims to promote dialogue and mutual appreciation for various approaches to health related issues.

The primary goal of the program is to provide students with an interdisciplinary framework for systematically studying the multiple dimensions of illness healing, and mortality from both personal and cultural perspectives. This format allows students to explore the limitations of exclusively scientific, quantitative approaches to illness and healing.

The choice of courses within designated disciplines fosters the kind of focused variety useful in developing a rich perspective on the connections among humanities, health sciences and society in understanding conceptions of the body and caregiving. A one-credit seminar (HUM 315) specifically designed for students in this program (to be taken once during each academic year for a total of three credits) further provides intellectual cohesiveness and a sense of community leading up to the capstone seminar in Medical Humanities. Advisors to the program will help students choose courses best suited for their personal and professional interests. Applicable courses may change as new courses are offered by various departments.

Future Opportunities

Those students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate in Medical Humanities. This certificate highlights the student's proficiency in an interdisciplinary approach to health-related issues not easily visible through a list of courses on a transcript.

This distinction should enhance students' professional opportunities, whether in employment, graduate studies—including medical school—or research. The training acquired through the requirements for the certificate will also deepen students' experiences in these arenas, once they embark on the next stage of their careers.

Resources

Certificate Requirements: Medical Humanities: 18.0 credits

Additional information

For additional information, contact the program co-directors:

Stacey Ake, Ph.D.
sea29@drexel.edu

Emilie S. Passow, Ph.D.
ep43@drexel.edu