Department of Health Studies

Offering programs in health promotion, nutrition education, and public health.

Health grads celebrating at Washington Monument.

Francis Scott Key Bridge crossing Rock Creek Park

Contact Us

202-885-3971

healthstudies@american.edu

McCabe, Room 215

Health Studies 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

Department of Health Studies

The mission of the Department of Health Studies is to educate and empower future leaders in the field to improve the health status and wellbeing of individuals, communities, organizations, and societies. This mission is achieved through innovative education, transformational research, creative partnerships, and policy-change advocacy. Health issues are of universal interest and relevance, transcending the boundaries of race, religion, culture and national origin.

Degree Programs & Careers

Health Promotion students in front of the Capitol building

Our graduates put their expertise to work promoting health outcomes, policy, and research locally, nationally, and globally. Here are just a few recent examples of alums' career paths:

Research Associate at National Institute of Health
Nutrition Educator at Maryland Snap-Ed
Program Associate at Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Wellness Coordinator at NFL Players Association
Assistant Fitness Director at Sport & Health
Health Communications Specialist at USAID
Senior Director, Customer Engagement at Cigna
Research Associate at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Lifestyle Educator at Kaiser Permanente
Education Specialist at the Capitol Area Food Bank

Chair of health studies, Stacey Snelling talks about how her department has transitioned to active and engaging online learning, while engaging with students and serving many communities in Washington, DC, from teachers to healthcare workers.

Bulletins

Department News

Professor Liz Cotter has recieved funding for the K23 award which grants patient oriented research funding for 5 years.

Professor Melissa Hawkins was featured in a new article in The Conversation about what the huge undercount in COVID-19 testing means for the US.

Faculty In the Field

Professor Jessica Owens-Young spoke with American Public Media to help the reporter understand racial disparities and the coronavirus pandemic and DC’s response.
Professor Melissa Hawkins was featured in an article by the DCist on the region’s rise in Covid-19 cases.
Professor Melissa Hawkins was featured in a CNN piece, among others, as part of Sanjay Gupta’s Reopening project on accessing routine health care during Covid-19.
See more Health Studies News.