B.A. in Health Communication

Do you like to solve problems? Enjoy strategizing the best ways to combat health issues? Do you have skills that include problem-solving, seeing the “big-picture” and setting strategies to devise campaigns?  Are you interested in current social issues or health challenges, but do not see yourself providing direct patient care?

The answers to these questions might lead you to major or minor in health communication at Otterbein. From identifying health communication problems and solving them, to creating strategic plans and executing them, you will learn and practice the elements of planning and problem-solving in non-profits, hospitals, and other health care settings.

In Health Communication classes you might:

  • Master the language and processes of health communication in personal and public contexts
  • Understand health care communication within various social contexts
  • Affect health issues and how policy is made in regulatory and legislative arenas
  • Write clearly and strategically for multiple/targeted audiences
  • Speak as informer, advocate, or persuader
  • Problem-solve real health communication issues

Degree Course Topics Include:

  • Introduction to Health Communication
  • Special Topics in Health Communication
  • Health Communication Case Studies

Student Learning Outcomes & University Learning Goals (KMERI)

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Knowledgeable

Goals for Core Communication Courses

1. Describe the communication discipline and its central questions.
1a. Articulate the importance of communication expertise in civic engagement
1b. Evaluate contemporary topics within the field.
2. Employ communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
2a. Explain and synthesize communication theories, perspectives, principles and concepts.
2b. Apply communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Multi-literate

Goals for Core Communication Courses

4. Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
4a. Research, compose and present a speech to a specific audience.
4b. Critically reflect on one’s own messages.

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Engaged

Health Communication Major Goals

5. Critically analyze messages.
5a. Describe and apply different theoretical frameworks to a variety of messages.

Goals for Core Communication Courses

7. Influence public discourse.

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Responsible

Goals for Core Communication Courses

6. Apply ethical communication principles and practices.
6a. Identify the ethical responsibilities of the audience and the speaker.

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Inquisitive

Health Communication Major Goals

3a. Identify and describe questions and approaches for communication scholarship.
3b. Evaluate and critique communication scholarship from a variety of perspectives.
3c. Critique communication theories, perspectives, principles and concepts.

*NOTE: KMERI refers to Otterbein's learning goals. It stands for Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Engaged, Responsible, and Inquisitive. To learn more about KMERI, visit our University Learning Goals page.

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