This page is pending addition to the School of Health Professions website. If you have arrived here through a web search or other means, please note that the information below is not yet meant for public distribution. This page is expected to be fully published in October 2026. Thank you.
Complex challenges in human health often require interdisciplinary perspectives to effectively address. This minor prepares students to meet those challenges by providing a structured way to connect health-related challenges with design methods, applied research, and innovation.
The minor in Applied Design for Health introduces students from any discipline to human-centered design and applied research as tools for addressing complex challenges that influence human health and well-being. This interdisciplinary program combines coursework in health, design, and health + design integration, preparing students to explore the complex, real-world contexts that shape well-being. In this 18-unit program, students learn to translate creative ideas into actionable solutions through a combination of lecture-based and applied learning.
The 18-unit curriculum includes core coursework in design thinking and a variety of electives across health, design, and integration themes. All students build a foundation in design thinking and prototyping and gain exposure to AI and emerging technologies, while elective pathways allow them to deepen specific design competencies and examine health topics aligned with their personal or professional interests. Through participation in a Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) team, students gain hands-on experience with faculty-led research, and in the culminating capstone, they apply design principles to address real-world challenges. Graduates of the minor are equipped to bring a human-centered, problem-solving mindset to any field, using design to create thoughtful, evidence-informed solutions that enhance human well-being and quality of life.
Coursework
Required Courses
- HSD 401: Design for Health Workshop: Addressing Human Health Challenges with Design Thinking (3)
- HSD 498: Health Sciences Design Capstone (3)
- At least 3 additional units from HSD-prefixed courses in the electives listed below
Elective Courses
Elective courses are organized into Health Foundations and Design Foundations. Within those two Foundation areas, thematic clusters are used to support advising and help students identify pathways aligned with their interests and academic backgrounds. Courses may align with multiple clusters, and students are encouraged to work with an advisor to select electives that best support their goals.
HSD-prefixed courses are listed in bold to help students identify courses that fulfill the HSD unit requirement.
Health Foundations Electives
Clusters are advising tools used to help students browse the official elective lists. They are not additional requirements.
Population Health, Equity, and Social ContextCourses that examine how social, cultural, structural, and equity-related factors shape health and well-being.
| Environmental, Occupational, and Climate-Related HealthCourses focused on how environments, workplaces, climate, exposure, food systems, and ecosystems influence health and safety.
|
Health Systems, Policy, and Public Health PracticeCourses that explore health systems, policy, ethics, management, promotion, and public health practice.
| Human Biology, Development, and BehaviorCourses that provide biological, developmental, behavioral, mental health, aging, nutrition, or disease-related foundations.
|
Design Foundations Electives
Clusters are advising tools used to help students browse the official elective lists. They are not additional requirements.
Design Methods, Prototyping, and MakingHands-on or technical design practices for making, testing, modeling, fabricating, or improving ideas.
| Human-Centered Design, User Experience, and Human FactorsDesign approaches that prioritize usability, accessibility, human needs, interaction, and real-world experience.
|
Visual Communication, Media, and StorytellingVisual, narrative, media, audio, and communication strategies for making complex ideas understandable.
| Data, Research, and Emerging TechnologiesCourses involving data, research methods, evaluation, digital systems, emerging technologies, instrumentation, or applied evidence.
|
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Systems ChangeCourses focused on moving ideas into practice through innovation, entrepreneurship, strategy, organizations, or systems change.
| Built Environment, Sustainability, and PlacemakingCourses focused on spatial design, sustainable systems, climate resilience, urban form, environmental justice, and designed environments.
|
Health Communication, Education, and Applied PracticeCourses that develop applied skills for health communication, education, coaching, promotion, evidence translation, or care-related practice.
| Creative Inquiry and Humanities-Based DesignCourses that use arts, humanities, speculative futures, creative practice, or meaning-making as design-adjacent approaches.
|
Advisor-Guided HSD ExperiencesVariable-credit or variable-topic HSD courses that may count when approved and aligned with minor requirements.
| |
Additional Requirements
VIP Research
Complete at least 3 units of health-related directed research through a course with the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Course Attribute or an approved equivalent.
Eligibility
How to Declare the Minor
STEP ONE
Take time to review the minor options and requirements to ensure you choose the minor best suited for your career goals and interest. Note: All minors have a GPA requirement in order to declare.
STEP TWO
Complete the online Public Health Minor Declaration Form. Note: Admission into the minor does not guarantee entry into public health courses, as course registration depends on meeting course pre-requisites and course availability.
STEP THREE
See the academic advising page to determine your academic advisor (determined by the student's campus and last name). Once the minor has been added to your program in UAccess, you will have access to meet with your assigned minor advisor.