Health and Society, B.A.

The health and society major is intended to promote a broad understanding of health and its determinants for students planning careers in the health professions. The program offers B.A. and B.S. scholars with knowledge spanning the sciences, social sciences, humanities and behavioral sciences through intensive collaboration and cross-disciplinary communication among students and faculty involved in the major.

Two tracks are offered. The Physiological Emphasis Track (available in the B.S. degree only as Track 1), is a bench science track oriented to students pursuing graduate study in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and other clinical fields. The Socio-Cultural Emphasis Track (available in either the B.A. or B.S. degree as Track 2), is a behavioral and social science track oriented to students pursuing allied health-related careers, research and graduate study in the allied health professions, including public health, health care administration, psychology, and medical anthropology or sociology.

Students pursuing a major in anthropology may not also pursue a minor in anthropology. Students pursuing a major in health and society may pursue either a major or minor in anthropology, but only six credit hours may be double-counted.

Admission to this program is by competitive application to the department. Applications are accepted electronically twice annually in September and February. Applicants must have completed at least 24 credit hours at SMU and the laboratory science courses required for their specific program track. Applicants may only apply twice to the program. Additional information is available on the department’s website.

Note: This program of study does not satisfy requirements for the Medical College Admission Test or medical school applications. Students preparing for admission to health-related graduate schools must consult with the pre-health professions adviser for further information and course requirements.

SMU Degree Requirements

An SMU undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and must include completion of the University’s Common Curriculum , one major and a combination of electives and/or other majors or minors. Completion of certain majors requires more than 120 hours to finish the degree. The credit hours within this curriculum are distributed as follows: