The interdisciplinary undergraduate Certificate in Medical Humanities prepares students to explore the social, religious, cultural, and ethical dimensions of health and medicine in a global framework, while showcasing the unique contributions that studies in the College of Arts and Humanities provide to this field. With the manageable 12-hour (4 course) requirement for completion, it is designed to be compatible with pre-clinical and professional majors.
Traditionally, medicine and medical interventions have been designed to diagnose and treat illness. However, current trends in the field indicate that a more comprehensive approach to health care goes well beyond the specific scope of acute illness and patient/caregiver parameters, instead seeking to care for the whole person and the larger ecosystem in which we find ourselves. Including studies in medical ethics, religious and cultural identities, mental health, among other areas, this more comprehensive model of health serves as the foundation of many of the larger frameworks regarding medicine and medical treatments.
Students enrolled in the Medical Humanities Certificate work at the intersection of these different frameworks, examining the many factors that influence health and shape our perceptions of various dimensions of health and well-being. Through cross-disciplinary work in fields as diverse as religion, philosophy, cultural studies, neuroscience, and comparative literature, they develop their ability to think critically about the reciprocal relationship between health and culture. The program’s unique focus on the cultural, religious, and societal dimensions of health and illness promotes an awareness that crosses disciplinary boundaries.
In addition to drawing from current CAH students in the Philosophy Department (REL, PHI, or HUM students), History, English, and Writing and Rhetoric Departments who wish to add this focus to their studies, this Certificate is also an excellent asset for students who are majoring in Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, Biology, or other pre-medical or clinical tracks, who wish to expand their studies order to be congruent with current trends in health and medicine.
12 credit hours (4 courses) are required to complete the certificate. It also includes options for experiential learning components and internship opportunities.
Requirements
Consult the UCF catalog for a complete list of required courses.
