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AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Medical Social Sciences & Health Humanities Certificate

Main Content

Health is shaped by culture, communities, policy, communication and the lived experiences of individuals.

Students observing exhibits in a museum, including a sculpture and a DNA model. The setting features informational displays and glass cases.

Overview

Open to undergraduate students from any major, the Medical Social Sciences & Health Humanities Certificate helps you explore the social and cultural dimensions of health, illness and medicine. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, you'll examine how behavioral, organizational and societal factors influence health outcomes while developing the critical thinking, communication and ethical reasoning skills valued across healthcare professions.

Whether you're preparing for medical or professional school, pursuing a career related to health, equity, and well-bring in social groups and communities, this certificate provides a strong liberal arts foundation that complements your major.

Certificate Details

Credit Hours: 12

Open To: Undergraduate students from any major

Ideal For: Students interested in healthcare, medicine, public health, mental health, wellness & nutrition, medical anthropology, sociology of health, public health, and related fields.

    1. Log in to your TCU Student Homepage: my.tcu.edu → Student Center → Academic Records tile → Sidebar choose "Request Change of Major"
      1. Note: This takes you to the Request Change of Major page, where you also add minors and certificates.
    2.  At the top of the Request Change of Major page, you will:
      1. Step 1:   "Student Comments (required)", please add clear and concise information about the change you wish to make here. For example, you can write “I am adding the 12 hour Medical Social Sciences and Health Humanities Certificate (on Stellic referred to as Medical Social Health Hum Certificate).
      2. Step 2: Lower on this page you can declare the certificate by going to → First Minor and under the "Action" drop-down menu click "Add" to create an area for a Second Minor.
      3. Note:  If you do not have a minor yet or do not need one with your major, you will declare the certificate in the section of the First Minor. If you already have a second minor, you may have to select “Add” under the Second Minor to create a 3rd minor category under which to declare the certificate.
      4. Step 3: Under First or Second Minor, you will now be able to  declare the certificate from the dropdown menu by choosing the acronym "MDSH" -  MedHumCert.  The acronym for the Medical Social Sciences & Health Humanities certificate at Texas Christian University is MDSH, also labeled Medical Social Sci and Health Hum on Class Search.
    3. Now to finalize the declaration of the certificate:
      1. "Submit Changes." Make sure you have filled in the necessary details clearly and concisely in order to declare the certificate. By confirming you are declaring the 12-credit hour certificate, housed within the AddRan College of Liberal Arts, which focuses on the human aspects of health, illness and medicine. MedHumCert  click "Submit Changes”.

 

How to change your major or minor

Why Earn This Certificate?

You'll gain knowledge and skills that prepare you to make a meaningful impact in health-related fields, including:

  • Understand the social and cultural factors that shape health and healthcare.
  • Build empathy, ethical reasoning and effective communication skills.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills through humanities and social science perspectives.
  • Understand illness, healing, and patient care through global and cross-cultural lenses. 
  • Strengthen your preparation for graduate and professional programs in healthcare.
  • Create a distinctive credential that complements majors across the university.

Sample Courses

Students complete 12 credit hours, including foundation and elective courses. Popular courses include:

  • Health, Illness and Medicine
  • Introduction to Disability Studies
  • Happiness: Culture, Economics, and Being
  • Sociology of Mental Health
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Aging & the Life Course

View the complete list of certificate requirements and approved courses in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Certificate Required Courses

Career Opportunities

The Medical Social Sciences & Health Humanities Certificate strengthens your preparation for careers that require cultural awareness, strong communication skills and a deeper understanding of healthcare systems.

Graduates pursuing this certificate often prepare for careers such as:

  • Physician
  • Nurse/Nurse Practioner
  • Public Health Director
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Health Educator
  • Professor
  • Psychologist
  • Medical Researcher
  • Grant Writer
  • Nonprofit Director
  • Health Philanthropy/Development Professional

What Sets This Certificate Apart

Healthcare professionals are increasingly expected to understand not only disease, but also the social, cultural and ethical contexts that shape patient care. 

This certificate combines perspectives from social sciences and the humanities to help you better understand patients' lived experiences while developing skills in empathy, critical reflection and cross-cultural communication. These competencies prepare you to contribute to more compassionate, equitable and effective healthcare in any professional setting.