With an increasingly complex and dynamic health care system in the United States and an aging population, the need is growing for an informed group of health advocates who are qualified to advise patients and their families about health care issues, learn about the health insurance industry as well as the key provisions of healthcare legislation.
Health Advocates, also referred to as Patient Navigators, are very much in demand. The minor in Health Advocacy educates students to serve as patient advocates to improve health and health care and help patients access an increasingly complex medical system. Advocacy careers span the spectrum from patient advocacy in direct service to individuals, to community advocacy initiatives on behalf of geographic or disease-specific populations, to system-level policy-based advocacy activities. The minor in Health Advocacy lays a foundation for pursuing a career in this field or furthering graduate educational opportunities and is a brilliant complement to any undergraduate major.
The health advocacy minor is preparing me to help guide patients through the healthcare system. It is teaching me to be a kinder, more open and understanding person and professional.
Junior, Health Advocacy Minor
Required Coursework
• HHS 101 Survey of Health Professions (1)
• HHS 102 Survey of Health Professions – Shadowing Experiences (1)
• HHS 241 Health & Medical Care Delivery Systems (3)
• HHS 350 Health Policy and Politics (3)
• HHS 353 Ethics in Health Practice (2)
• HHS 453 Cultural Competence in Health Care (3)
• HHS 354 Health Law (3)
• HHS 362 Interdisciplinary Health Advocacy (2)
• CNU/PAS/HS/CLS/CSD 500 Integrative Care for Health Sciences (1)
Minimum of one elective course from following courses:
• HHS 356 Seminar in International Healthcare (2)
• HHS 361 Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety (3)
• CNU 503 Nutrition for the Health Professions (1)
• HHS 405 Epidemiology & Biostatistics (3)
• CLM 452 Community & Institutional Planning for Health Services Delivery (3)
TOTAL: 18-20 HOURS
Minor informationThe mission of the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences (CHS) is to help the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond attain the highest level of health possible. We fulfill our mission through creative leadership and productivity in education, research, and service.
Many university students will change their major or career goals at least once during their college years. To assist students in finding a health profession that meets personal interests and professional ambitions, College of Health Sciences has developed an Undecided/Exploratory Studies option for students who have yet to decide the specific program of study that most closely aligns both their interests and goals for becoming a professional in health care. The Health Sciences Undecided/Exploratory Studies option provides students with an educational environment that includes coursework and co-curricular programs to introduce students to a variety of health professionals, health care settings, and the unique opportunity to explore multiple working areas found on the medical campus during their first year in college. For more information or to inquire further, please contact chs-admissions@uky.edu.
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
900 South Limestone Street
111 CT Wethington Building
859-323-6743
