The minor in health and social policy introduces students to the context and process for public policymaking in health care and social services. Students will examine the current environment for health and social policy, learn the basic elements of the public policymaking process, and apply this knowledge in a practical research endeavor. This minor is a joint program offered by the Department of Health Administration and Policy and the Department of Social Work. This minor is not intended to be for students with a major in health administration as many of the required courses overlap with the required minor coursework.

Policies

Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students should complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Students should be familiar with university-wide requirements for minors described in AP.5.3.4 Minors.

Banner Code: HSP

Minor Requirements

Total credits: 18

Students will take five (5) core courses and one (1) elective course in an area of health and social policy interest.

Required Courses

HAP 301Health Care Delivery in the United States3
HAP 312Healthcare Law3
or SOCW 400 Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Services
HAP 442Introduction to Health Care Politics and Policy3
GCH/SOCW 445Social Determinants of Health3
HAP 445Introduction to Health Services Research3
or SOCW 471 Research in Social Work (Mason Core)
Total Credits15

Elective

Select one from the following:3
Lifestyle Management
Healthcare Ethics
Healthcare Finance
Substance Use, Misuse, and Disorder: Programs and Policies
Child and Family Welfare
Introduction to Gerontology
Global Health Interventions: History and Systems 1
Total Credits3
1

GCH 405 requires a prerequisite course: GCH 205 Global Health (Mason Core)