Introduction
The Health Studies Certificate provides opportunities for students and faculty from across the college to explore their interests in health-related issues. Health studies faculty offer a range of perspectives on health so students can examine its complexity and connect it with the arts, the economy, ethics, politics, psychology and society. This is essential background for students with career interests in aid organizations, business and government, as well as medicine, mental health and public health.
Students should contact the chair of the Health Studies Program with any questions.
Recommended Courses and Requirements for Minors and Programs
SUGGESTED ORDER OF HEST COURSES
All Years
Take four HEST designated courses (HEST electives) in at least two academic departments outside your major(s). Every semester you should use Banner to find HEST designated classes. HEST designated courses might also be available while studying abroad (see the HEST webpage for HEST pre-approved courses). We recommend that you take HEST designated courses as soon as possible.
The Field Experience can be fulfilled at any time however most students complete it by taking a health-related internship (REXP) the summer between their junior and senior year. See the HEST webpage for how to fulfil the HEST Field Experience requirement.
Sophomore and Junior Years
Take HEST 201: Introduction to Health Studies. This course is normally taught every Spring semester. Priority is given to HEST declared students who have completed HEST electives.
Senior Year
Take HEST 400: Health Studies Senior Seminar. This course is normally taught every Fall semester. You must take HEST201 before taking HEST400.
Additional Remarks
ADVICE ABOUT WHEN TO DECLARE HEST
Students should declare HEST as soon as possible. HEST-declared students have priority into HEST 201 and HEST 400. Students should look at the HEST website for information about how to declare HEST.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDY
A number of study abroad programs offer courses related to health.See the HEST webpage for study abroad programs with pre-approved HEST elective courses. Students can also ask the HEST chair to evaluate other health-related courses taken away from Dickinson as possibe HEST designated courses. Finally, the HEST Field Experience can possibly be taken while abroad.
Certification
Students should declare their intent to pursue the health studies certificate by emailing the chair of the health studies program. Students should declare as soon as possible. Students who successfully complete all of the requirements will be issued a certificate in health studies, which will be awarded upon graduation from the college and will be recorded on their transcript.
The certificate in health studies requires:
- Successful completion of HEST 201: Introduction to Health Studies. This course is normally offered every spring semester.
- Successful completion of four other health studies designated courses taken in at least three academic departments. Up to two can be in the student's major(s). HEST designated courses can also be taken abroad (see Study Abroad for preapproved HEST electives).
- Successful completion of a HEST field experience. The field experience must be related to the HEST program goals and must be registered via the internship notation program, the research experience notation program, a study abroad program or as an independent study/independent research course. Students must submit a post-experience HEST questionnaire to the HEST chair within four weeks of the completion of the field experience.
- Successful completion of HEST 400: Health Studies Senior Seminar. The prerequisites for this course are HEST 201 and at least two HEST electives. This course is normally offered every fall semester.
Independent study and independent research
Students must complete a health-related field experience.