Minors

At George Mason University, students who are interested in public health but majoring in another field have several public-health–related undergraduate minors available through the College of Public Health. These minors are open to students from most majors and are designed to complement a wide range of academic paths.

The minor in aging studies combines theoretical and applied coursework in aging with the student's undergraduate curriculum in any department of the university. Because aging studies is by definition multidisciplinary, students are required to take coursework outside their major field.

The minor in food systems is designed to provide students from a range of disciplines with the knowledge and skills to understand how factors of the food system affect the health of a community (e.g., nutrition, food security, inequity, agriculture, food safety). Using a systems approach, students will study the interrelating components, drivers, and outcomes in the national and global food systems, including the obesity epidemic, food security, and the environmental impact of agriculture.

The 18-credit Global Health minor is designed to increase students’ awareness of the major health problems and issues that transcend national boundaries.  Students develop an understanding of the critical global health concerns that affect health equity and health care for all people worldwide. Through this minor, students examine the public health implications of globalization and learn to think critically about how specific global health challenges may be solved in culturally appropriate ways. The minor will enhance the education of students who are planning to work in a variety of settings with a global health focus, including health care, government, education, and non-governmental organizations.  

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.

The minor in health information technology introduces students, in a non-technical context, to the utilization of health information management in the professional arena of health care management and policy. Students will examine the current and projected role of health information management in the delivery of health care and development of health policy and apply this information in a practical research endeavor.

The minor in health systems management introduces students to the context and foundational knowledge required for managerial or administrative work within a healthcare system, physician practice, advocacy organizations, professional organizations, community health, and health care consulting. Students will examine the current state of health care in the United States with emphasis on leadership, performance improvement, and health care politics and policy. This minor is not intended for students with a major in Health Administration with a concentration in Health Systems Management as many of the required classes will overlap with the minor course work.

The minor in nutrition is intended to increase knowledge of nutrition issues for students from all disciplines. Students pursuing degrees related to nutrition, health, and education may be interested in completing this minor.

Note: This minor is not equivalent to the registered dietitian license and does not provide a license to practice therapeutic nutrition.

Numerous chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression, can be prevented, delayed, or managed with proper physical activity. Students completing the minor in Physical Activity in Public Health gain knowledge regarding the impact of physical activity on health. In addition, students learn to advocate for policy and systems changes at the population level, improving public health and enabling equitable opportunities to enjoy physically active lives.

The minor in public health offers students the opportunity to study concepts and principles related to health promotion, and disease and injury prevention. Students will gain a basic understanding of each of the foundational areas of public health, introduces students to career opportunities in the fields of global and community health, and prepares students for admission to graduate programs in public health.

The minor in senior housing administration introduces students to the context and foundational knowledge required for administrative or managerial work within residential communities for older adults - including independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer's/memory care, and continuing care retirement communities. Students will examine the current U.S. health care and senior housing environment, best practices in day-to-day management and marketing of senior housing communities, and have the opportunity to gain additional understanding of ethical, legal, and gerontological issues applicable to aging populations. Health Administration majors may pursue either the concentration in senior housing administration or complete senior housing coursework to fulfill elective requirements for other concentrations in the degree.

The 15-credit minor in social work provides students with conceptual, theoretical, and practical knowledge related to the field of social work at the individual, family, group, community, and societal levels.

Note: Social work practice courses and internship experiences are only open to social work majors.