Health and Social Policy, Minor

This 18-credit hour minor program is the department's only undergraduate program in health policy. This minor program introduces students to the context and process for public policy making in health care and social services. Students will examine the current environment for health and social policy and learn the basic elements of the public policy making process. The minor is not intended for students majoring in health administration and policy.

Curriculum Information

The program curriculum, including short descriptions of the required courses, is available in George Mason's University Catalog. Of the 18 credits in the minor program, at least eight of them must be applied only to the minor and may not be used to fulfill requirements of the student's major, concentration, an undergraduate certificate, or another minor.  

Declaring a Minor

To declare a minor in health and social policy, fill out the minor declaration form found on the Registrar's web site and then make an appointment with the advisor for this program.

The minor is offered jointly through the Department of Health Administration and Policy and the Department of Social Work. 

The minor provides students majoring in other disciplines (e.g., government, psychology) a comprehensive introduction to health and/or social policy.  The knowledge students gain upon completion of the minor may effectively be applied to further post-graduate studies in health or social policy as well as prepare them to pursue entry-level positions with government agencies and advocacy organizations in the field.