{"id":1729,"date":"2026-08-10T12:25:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T16:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/study\/?post_type=areas&#038;p=1729"},"modified":"2026-08-10T12:25:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T16:25:13","slug":"medical-humanities","status":"publish","type":"areas","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/study\/areas\/medical-humanities\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical Humanities"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><section class=\"wp-block-umw-hero alignfull umw-custom-block umw-hero umw-hero--dark-text umw-hero--media-float-right umw-hero--white umw-hero--with-media umw-hero--with-no-content\"><div class=\"umw-hero__inner\"><div class=\"umw-hero__media\"><picture class=\"umw-hero__media__picture\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"umw-hero__media__image\" src=\"\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/231025_umw_fall_branded-0205.jpg\" alt=\"Student and patient smiling in an exam room.\"><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"umw-hero__title\"><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"umw-hero__title__wrapper\"><div class=\"umw-hero__eyebrow\">majors, minors &amp; Areas of study<\/div><h1 class=\"umw-hero__title__header\">Medical Humanities<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><h2 id=\"h-medical-humanities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medical Humanities<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-columns umw-aos-callout is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column umw-aos-callout-col1 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 id=\"h-the-human-experience-at-the-center-of-healthcare\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Human Experience at the Center of Healthcare<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UMW prepares students to value the human experience at the center of all healthcare. Medical humanities brings a holistic perspective to the study of health and launches careers in healthcare, social work, counseling, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column umw-aos-callout-col2 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h3 id=\"h-paths-of-study\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paths of Study<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-explore\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Explore:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.umw.edu\/undergraduate\/minors\/medical-humanities\/#requirementstext\">Minor Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.umw.edu\/undergraduate\/minors\/medical-humanities\/#text\">Learning Outcomes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.umw.edu\/undergraduate\/minors\/medical-humanities\/#requirementstext\">Plans of Study<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<i class=\"wp-block-umw-icon umw-icon-blurb-icon iconoir-bookmark-book\" style=\"color:#b8c11c;font-size:48px\"><\/i>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-you-ll-study\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">What You&rsquo;ll Study<\/h3>\n<\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our medical humanities minor gives students the opportunity to explore the complex interplay of cultural, ethical, historical, political, and social forces that shape medical knowledge, clinical practice, and the lived experience of illness.<\/p><h5 id=\"h-sample-course-topics-include\" class=\"wp-block-heading umw-aos-sample-courses\">Sample course topics include:<\/h5><ul class=\"wp-block-list umw-aos-course-list\">\n<li><strong>PHIL 226<\/strong> Medical Ethics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>COMM 378<\/strong> Health Communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ANTH 225<\/strong> Medical Anthropology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ENGL 308<\/strong> Writing Studies and Healing<\/li>\n<\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a full list of courses in acting, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.umw.edu\/undergraduate\/\">Academic Catalog<\/a>.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-why-medical-humanities-matters-at-umw\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Medical Humanities Matters at UMW<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This minor addresses a complementary and vital need to understand the human experience at the center of all healthcare. Drawing upon the analytical tools of the humanities and social sciences, students examine how factors like race, class, and gender shape health outcomes, and graduate prepared for engaged, compassionate citizenship, regardless of their major or career path.<\/p><h4 id=\"h-program-highlights\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program Highlights<\/h4><div class=\"wp-block-columns umw-aos-highlights is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-an-interdisciplinary-foundation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Interdisciplinary Foundation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The minor moves beyond a purely biological framework to consider the patient as a whole person, providing an interdisciplinary understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of health and illness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-a-curriculum-that-builds-on-itself\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Curriculum That Builds on Itself<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Introductory courses build fluency in the human experience at the center of healthcare, while upper-level seminars dive deep into such topics as the doctor-patient relationship, the authority of the physician, changing conceptions of disease, and healthcare policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-real-world-experience\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real-World Experience<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many students pursue internships to apply classroom skills in professional settings and explore career interests across medical, nursing, pharmacy, and public health sectors. Students may also elect individual studies or choose to study abroad, building an education that extends beyond the classroom and into the communities they aim to serve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<i class=\"wp-block-umw-icon umw-icon-blurb-icon iconoir-graph-up\" style=\"color:#b8c11c;font-size:48px\"><\/i>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-career-outcomes\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Career Outcomes<\/h3>\n<\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medical humanities is of particular value to students planning to attend medical, nursing, or pharmacy school. Many also plan careers in social work, counseling, law, journalism, public policy, and healthcare administration.<\/p><div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<i class=\"wp-block-umw-icon umw-icon-blurb-icon iconoir-journal-page\" style=\"color:#b8c11c;font-size:48px\"><\/i>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-umw-medical-humanities-in-the-news\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">UMW Medical Humanities &ndash; In the News<\/h3>\n<\/div><!-- wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller --><div class=\"wp-block-umw-horizontal-scroller umw-horizontal-scroller umw-custom-block\" data-module=\"horizontal-scroller\">\r\n  <div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__inner\">\r\n    <div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__wrapper\">\r\n      <div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__grid umw-horizontal-scroller__grid--columns-3\">\r\n                  <!-- wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-umw-horizontal-scroller-column umw-horizontal-scroller__column umw-custom-block\"><div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__column__inner\">\r\n  <!-- wp:umw\/news-card {\"link\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/28\/umws-summer-science-institute-showcases-student-discovery-from-lab-to-lectern\/\",\"media\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/NewRelease_SSI_2026jpg.jpg\",\"id\": 0},\"eyebrow\":\"July 28, 2026\",\"title\":\"UMW&rsquo;s Summer Science Institute Showcases Student Discovery From Lab to Lectern\"} -->\r\n<div class=\"umw-news-cards__article-wrapper\">\r\n    <news-card data-title=\"UMW&rsquo;s Summer Science Institute Showcases Student Discovery From Lab to Lectern\" data-date=\"July 28, 2026\" data-picture=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/NewRelease_SSI_2026jpg.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/28\/umws-summer-science-institute-showcases-student-discovery-from-lab-to-lectern\/\"><\/news-card>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/news-card -->\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n                  <!-- wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-umw-horizontal-scroller-column umw-horizontal-scroller__column umw-custom-block\"><div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__column__inner\">\r\n  <!-- wp:umw\/news-card {\"link\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/22\/scholarships-power-students-journey-from-cancer-research-to-celtic-culture\/\",\"media\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/NewRelease_MalloryThompson2.jpg\",\"id\": 0},\"eyebrow\":\"January 22, 2026\",\"title\":\"Scholarships Power Student&rsquo;s Journey, From Cancer Research to Celtic Culture\"} -->\r\n<div class=\"umw-news-cards__article-wrapper\">\r\n    <news-card data-title=\"Scholarships Power Student&rsquo;s Journey, From Cancer Research to Celtic Culture\" data-date=\"January 22, 2026\" data-picture=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/NewRelease_MalloryThompson2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/22\/scholarships-power-students-journey-from-cancer-research-to-celtic-culture\/\"><\/news-card>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/news-card -->\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n                  <!-- wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-umw-horizontal-scroller-column umw-horizontal-scroller__column umw-custom-block\"><div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__column__inner\">\r\n  <!-- wp:umw\/news-card {\"link\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/03\/umw-students-spend-winter-break-week-delivering-health-care-in-panama\/\",\"media\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/01\/NewRelease_GlobalMedicalBrigades.jpg\",\"id\": 0},\"eyebrow\":\"February 3, 2025\",\"title\":\"UMW Students Spend Winter Break Week Delivering Health Care in Panama\"} -->\r\n<div class=\"umw-news-cards__article-wrapper\">\r\n    <news-card data-title=\"UMW Students Spend Winter Break Week Delivering Health Care in Panama\" data-date=\"February 3, 2025\" data-picture=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/01\/NewRelease_GlobalMedicalBrigades.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/03\/umw-students-spend-winter-break-week-delivering-health-care-in-panama\/\"><\/news-card>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/news-card -->\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n        \r\n        <div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__spacer\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div><!-- \/wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller -->\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"umw_cb_additional_links":[[]],"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_advisory_expires_time":"","_advisory_meta_include":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"creator":[3],"class_list":["post-1729","areas","type-areas","status-publish","department-bio","key-minor","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Medical Humanities - Majors, Minors, and Areas of Study<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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