Health Communication Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact

Rebecca A. Kuehl, Associate Director
Erica Quam, Professional Academic Advisor
School of Communication and Journalism
Yeager Hall 211
605-688-4171

Program Information

The Health Communication minor emphasizes knowledge and skills in areas such as patient provider communication, telemedicine, and persuasive health messaging. Students gain familiarity with contemporary health issues and perspectives outside of the communication discipline. The minor provides students with a firm foundation to pursue a career in a variety of health-related fields, building on the central role of communication in the delivery, management, and promotion of health care.

Student Learning Outcomes

Health Communication students will:

• Articulate the role of communication in the promotion and delivery of health care on individual and community levels.
• Develop communication skills necessary for appropriately and effectively conveying health information across a variety of contexts.
• Understand the impact of community, cultural, psychological, and other forces on health behaviors and decision-making.
• Work closely with a community client to develop, implement, and evaluate a Health Communication project designed to improve community health.

Course Delivery Format

Faculty deliver program coursework on the main campus in Brookings, South Dakota. This minor requires coursework covering the breadth of Health Communication theories and contexts as well as methods for conducting Health Communication research in the academy and community.