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Graduation Plan
Health Communication Specialization

The HHS degree requires students to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, including 40 credits of upper-division coursework, and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. This plan assumes the student is prepared to take the courses listed. If prerequisites are required, additional semesters may be required to complete this degree. Student-specific plans may differ & students should meet with an academic advisor to create a specific plan.

Students interested in the Health Communication Certificate must fill out the certificate declaration form. General questions about the certificate may be sent to the Program Coordinator, Dr. Andy King, at andy.king@utah.edu. Specific questions about the certificate enrollment process can be sent to comm-advisor@utah.edu

Year 1

Semester 1

Complete Utah Bound Orientation | Participate in Welcome Activities

Course Credits Fulfills Requirement
MATH QL 3 GE - QL
WRTG 1010 3 GE - WR1
Humanities Gen Ed (QUEST 1130 recommended) 3 GE - HF
ED PS 2000 Concepts and Principles of Behavior 3 Major Core, ABA license
General Elective 3 To reach 120 credits

Semester Total: 15 credits

Semester 2

Meet with a Student Success Coach | Meet with your Academic Advisor

Course Credits Fulfills Requirement
WRTG 2010 3 GE - WR2
American Institutions Gen Ed 3 GE - AI
Life Science Gen Ed 3 GE - LS
HHS 2100 Human Behavior & Social Environment 3 Major Core
General Elective 3 To reach 120 credits

Semester Total: 15 credits

Year 2

Semester 3

Declare your HHS Emphasis by the end of this semester | Meet with your Academic Advisor

Course Credits Fulfills Requirement
Social Sciences Gen Ed 3 GE - BF
Fine Arts Gen Ed 3 GE - FF
SW 2715 Dynamics of Addiction 3 Major Core
HHS 2700 Social Determinants of Health 3 Major Core
General Elective 3 To reach 120 credits

Semester Total: 15 credits

Semester 4

Meet with your Student Success Coach | Get involved with a Student Organization

Course Credits Fulfills Requirement
Physical Science Gen Ed 3 GE - PS
International Requirement (H EDU 5060) 3 BD - IR; Health COMM Specialization Tier 3
DISAB 3000 Introduction to Disability Studies 3 Major Core; BD - DV
HHS 3000 Stats 4 Major Core; BD - DVQI
General Elective 3 To reach 120 credits

Semester Total: 16 credits

Year 3

Semester 5

Meet with your Academic Advisor | Check your degree audit

Course Credits Fulfills Requirement
Upper Div. Writing/Communication (H EDU 4210) or General Elective 3 BD - CW; to reach 120 credits
Upper Div. Writing/Communication (H EDU 5300) 3 BD - IR; Health COMM Specialization Tier 3
HHS 3050 Crisis Intervention 3 Major Core, Crisis Intervention Certification
HHS 3550 Social Diversity and Cultural Understanding 3 Major Core
COMM 3115 Comm. Science, Health, Environment 3 Major Core
General Elective 3 To reach 120 credits

Semester Total: 15 credits

Semester 6

Connect with U Career Success | Learn about HHS Internship Opportunities

Course Credits Fulfills Requirement
COMM 3150 Tackling Taboo Topics or HHS 3110 Practice I 3 Major Core
HHS 3110 Practice I or COMM 3150 Tackling Taboo Topics 3 Major Core
HHS 3710 Case Management 3 Major Core
HHS 4430 Practice II or ED PS 4050 Group Dynamics 3 Major Core
COMM 5115 Health Communication 3 Health COMM Specialization
Complete 2 of these Tier 2 Courses: (COMM 3590, 5116, 5117, 5118, 5140, 5150, 5200, 5365, 5370, 5490, 5640, 5815, 5820) 3 Health COMM Specialization

Semester Total: 15 credits

Year 4

Semester 7

Prepare for your HHS Internship | Check your degree audit

Course Credits Fulfills Requirement
HHS 4401 Research (prereq HHS 3000) 3 Major Core
GERON 5001 Introduction to Aging 3 Major Core
Complete 1 of these Tier 2 Courses: (COMM 5117, 5118, 5815) 3 Health COMM Specialization
Complete 2 of these Tier 2 Courses: (COMM 3590, 5116, 5117, 5118, 5140, 5150, 5200, 5365, 5370, 5490, 5640, 5815, 5820) 3 Health COMM Specialization
Complete 2 Approved Tier 3 Courses: (ECON 5190; FCS 5180, 5390, 5430, 5630;  FPMD 4500, 5005, 5520, 5530, 5540; GERON 5220, 5370; H EDU 5060, 5100, 5300;  PHIL 5520; POLS 5321;  SOC 4674, 5720) 3 Health COMM Specialization

Semester Total: 15 credits

Semester 8

Apply for graduation | Meet with a Career Coach

Course Credits Fulfills Requirement
HHS XXXX Internship 5 Major Core
HHS 4680 Suicide Prevention 3 Major Core
Complete 2 Approved Tier 3 Courses: (ECON 5190; FCS 5180, 5390, 5430, 5630;  FPMD 4500, 5005, 5520, 5530, 5540; GERON 5220, 5370; H EDU 5060, 5100, 5300;  PHIL 5520; POLS 5321;  SOC 4674, 5720) 3 Health COMM Specialization
General Elective 3 To reach 120 credits

Semester Total: 14 credits

Total Credits: 120

Degree Requirements Summary

Category Notes Credits
General Education Requirement   33
Major Core   51
Specialization Course   18
General Elective   18
Total Credits   120
Last Updated: 8/31/26