About the Health and Social Change Major
What can you do with a major in Health & Social Change?
- Plan and implement health campaigns designed to reduce mental health stigma
- Conduct community assessments to identify green energy solutions
- Advocate for statewide legislation aimed at increasing access to healthy foods
- Use comedy, theater, and the arts to educate communities about sexual health
- Create social media campaign to raise awareness about human rights organizations
You will learn how to effect social change by creating meaningful partnerships with diverse communities to promote health equity and eradicate health disparities. You will learn about the root causes of health inequities and develop skills to interpret and communicate public health data; engage, educate, and persuade audiences; evaluate healthcare systems and policies; and advocate for changes that impact local, state, national, and global health outcomes.
Our dynamic, interdisciplinary faculty work closely with you to customize your plan of study to align with your specific health interests, skills, and career goals. Housed in the School of Communication, the interdisciplinary Health & Social Change (BA) major will teach you to create real, lasting change to improve the physical and mental health of individuals and communities.
Real World-Experience as a Health and Social Change Maker
Health & Social Change majors have ample opportunities to gain real-world learning experiences. Here are a few examples:
- Students work with real clients to develop solutions that address complex public health problems through collaborative coursework and a capstone project.
- Students take elective courses in Emerson’s Engagement Lab in partnership with local organizations to address gun violence prevention, sustainability, and mental health.
- There are many internship and volunteer opportunities at the diverse nonprofit organizations and health agencies that make Boston a global leader in the healthcare and life sciences industries.
Careers for Health and Social Change Majors
Health & Social Change graduates are prepared to work in public and global health, bio-tech, local community advocacy organizations, state government, healthcare settings, and national nonprofit organizations.
Students who graduate with a degree in Health & Social Change can become a professional:
- Digital Health Strategist
- Health Campaign Planner
- Health Communication Specialist
- Public Health Educator
- Employee Wellness Program Coordinator
Students who graduate with a Health & Social Change degree also may choose to attend graduate school in disciplines like:
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Health Communication
- Political Science or Law
- Expressive Arts Therapies
The Health & Social Change major complements other Emerson majors and minors and can prepare students for a variety of professions. For example:
- Health & Social Change + Journalism = Health and Wellness Reporter
- Health & Social Change + Marketing Communication = Behavior Change Marketing Specialist
- Health & Social Change + Political Communication = Health Policy Maker
- Health & Social Change + Communication Disorders = Accessibility/Inclusion Specialist
