Why Study Health, Medicine, and Society?
Interdisciplinary by Design
The Bachelor of Arts in Health, Medicine, and Society prepares students to understand healthcare beyond the clinic.
Health challenges rarely fit within a single discipline. That’s why HMS brings together expertise from across the College of Arts & Sciences. You’ll learn from faculty in fields such as history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, communication studies, political science, English, geography, and more while developing a broad understanding of health and healthcare.
By graduation, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to understand health challenges from multiple perspectives and contribute to the future of healthcare, policy, research, and community well-being.
What careers can I pursue with a Health, Medicine, and Society degree?
The program prepares students for a wide range of non-clinical healthcare and health-adjacent careers. Graduates may pursue opportunities in:
- Healthcare administration
- Health policy and advocacy
- Healthcare consulting
- Health communications and media
- Community and nonprofit organizations
- Health-focused research organizations
- Public sector agencies
- Program evaluation and public service
Career Outlook
Because healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, professionals who understand healthcare systems, policy, communication, and social factors affecting health are increasingly in demand.
2025 Career Outlook Data
| Occupation | Early | Mid | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $79,595 | $114,410 | $188,645 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists Including Health | $55,570 | $74,130 | $109,960 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers All Other | $69,530 | $81,420 | $114,680 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists All Other | $42,410 | $54,820 | $69,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Health, Medicine, and Society a pre-med major?
Health, Medicine, and Society is not a traditional pre-med program. Instead, it examines health, medicine, and healthcare through humanities and social science perspectives, helping students understand topics such as medical ethics, health policy, healthcare systems, and the social factors that influence health outcomes. Students interested in medical school may choose HMS as a major while completing the prerequisite science courses required by their intended professional programs.
Is Health, Medicine, and Society the same as Public Health?
No. Public Health programs typically focus on scientific and technical areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, disease prevention, and population health. Health, Medicine, and Society focuses on the human, social, cultural, ethical, and policy dimensions of healthcare. Students learn how healthcare systems function, how policies shape care, and how individuals and communities experience health and illness.
Can Health, Medicine, and Society prepare me for graduate or professional school?
Yes! The program provides strong preparation for a variety of graduate and professional pathways by developing research, analytical, writing, and communication skills. Depending on your interests, HMS can provide a foundation for graduate study in public health, health policy, law, social work, healthcare administration, medical humanities, and other health-related fields. Students interested in medical or other clinical professions can work with advisors to incorporate the necessary science prerequisites into their academic plans.
Do I need a strong science background to major in Health, Medicine, and Society?
No. Health, Medicine, and Society is a Bachelor of Arts program grounded in the humanities and social sciences. Students explore health-related issues through disciplines such as philosophy, history, psychology, sociology, political science, communication, and related fields. While some courses may incorporate scientific concepts, the program is designed for students interested in understanding the broader human and societal dimensions of health and healthcare.
What makes Health, Medicine, and Society unique at UNCG?
UNCG’s Health, Medicine, and Society degree is the first bachelor’s program of its kind in the UNC System. The program combines perspectives from multiple disciplines and includes hands-on research and internship opportunities, giving students both academic knowledge and practical experience. The curriculum is designed to help students understand health challenges from ethical, social, cultural, political, and human-centered perspectives while preparing them for meaningful careers in a rapidly growing field.
Graduate School Pathways
- Public Health
- Health Policy
- Law
- Social Work
- Healthcare Administration
- Medical Humanities
- Other professional programs
Why UNCG Created the Program
UNCG has long been recognized as a health-focused campus through programs in nursing, public health education, human health sciences, and the natural sciences. The Health, Medicine, and Society major adds a new dimension to that strength by providing a humanities and social science approach to health and healthcare.
As the first bachelor’s degree in Health, Medicine, and Society in the UNC System, the program was created to meet growing student interest in health-related careers while providing a strong liberal arts foundation. The curriculum combines interdisciplinary coursework, research training, and experiential learning opportunities to help students understand healthcare challenges and prepare for meaningful careers in healthcare administration, research, policy, communications, advocacy, and related fields.
By bringing together multiple disciplines and perspectives, the program reflects UNCG’s commitment to solving real-world problems, supporting healthy communities, and preparing students to lead in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.