Arts in Healthcare Minor

The Arts in Healthcare minor provides practical, hands-on training for 亚洲情色 students interested in pursuing careers as artists in healthcare settings or as healthcare professionals intending to incorporate the arts into their practice.

Arts in Healthcare (AIH) is a rapidly emerging field that is gaining recognition in community spaces and healthcare settings worldwide. 

Aligned with the mission of the National Organization for Arts in Healthcare, the minor 鈥渂uilds community to amplify, educate about and advocate for the power of the arts to improve health and well-being for all people.鈥

Our values

  • Education: We foster interdisciplinary service learning, professional development and advocacy. 
  • Creativity: We cultivate curiosity and the holistic well-being of students, faculty, staff and the larger community.
  • Practice: We partner with on- and off-campus organizations and community members to provide thoughtful AIH services. 

Our goals

  • Introduce students to this emerging and important field
  • Provide students with hands-on service-learning opportunities
  • Build a practical knowledge base, positioning students to be competitive in AIH and other related fields upon graduation

Who should take this minor

The Arts in Healthcare minor is open to all 亚洲情色 undergraduate students and will augment many bachelor鈥檚 degree programs.

Students pursuing careers in the arts or healthcare are especially encouraged to apply. 

Requirements/courses

The minor requires 24 credits and consists of two core and four elective courses.

Most students can complete the minor in 2鈥3 semesters.

Only courses passed with a grade of C- or better may be counted toward fulfilling the requirements for the minor. A minimum of 12 credits in the minor must be taken in residence at 亚洲情色.

Core courses (students must take both) Semester offered Credits
HSCI 320: Intro to Arts in Healthcare  fall 4
HSCI 321: Arts in Healthcare Practicum fall  4
Elective courses (students choose 4) tbd 4
HSCI 322: Art and Wellness tbd 4
HSCI 323: Creative Aging in the Community  tbd 4
HSCI 324: Accessible Aesthetics tbd 4
HSCI 325: Alternative Healing Methods tbd 4
HSCI 326: Teaching and Learning about the Arts in Healthcare tbd 4
HSCI 327: Professional Aspects of the Arts in Healthcare tbd 4
Total required for minor completion   24

Course descriptions 

  • HSCI 320: Intro to Arts in Healthcare

    This course introduces students to the field of Arts in Healthcare (AIH). It explores the history of the field, current trends and how to integrate the arts in clinical and public health settings. Coursework includes lectures and discussions (in person and online), readings, reflective assignments, presentations, a midterm and a final project.

  • HSCI 321: Arts in Healthcare Practicum 

    This is the capstone for the Arts in Healthcare minor. Students will work closely with populations in connection with their career goals at local organizations, where they will observe existing AIH initiatives and create and facilitate original AIH programming. Coursework includes observation and assistance at the host site, program development and facilitation, presentations, Zoom discussions and a final portfolio.

  • HSCI 322: Art and Wellness  

    This hands-on course examines how the arts impact mental health in healthcare settings, public settings and in students鈥 lives. It encourages students鈥 unbridled self-expression as they explore various creative materials, projects and themes to reduce stress, embrace their identity and build community. Coursework includes creative projects (in and out of class), journaling, discussions and a final presentation. No art experience is necessary.

  • HSCI 323: Creative Aging in the Community

    This service-learning course explores how the arts impact the health outcomes and well-being of our aging population, especially those living with memory loss in Broome County. Students will begin the semester with lectures and discussions about creative aging. They will then apply this knowledge by developing a creative aging program plan as a class, which they will facilitate at a local care community. Coursework includes online lectures, readings, videos, reflective assignments, creative aging program development and facilitation in a local care community, a creative celebration honoring the work completed by the participants and a final reflection.

  • HSCI 324: Accessible Aesthetics

    This studio course integrates the theory and practice of visually communicating ideas in an accessible way for special populations. We will explore barriers and accessible adaptations that prevent/enable special populations to aesthetically experience the world. Students will apply accessible aesthetic theory to create a body of work that is approachable for a special population of their choosing. Coursework includes discussions, 2-D art making, activities, critiques and a final project portfolio.

  • HSCI 325: Alternative Healing Methods   

    This course explores the history of alternative medical practices and the past/ongoing controversies surrounding many of these practices. We examine the strengths/weaknesses of contemporary allopathic medicine and explore the growing interest in alternative health practices and remedies. Discussions will go beyond Western alternative practices to include medicine and healing as it has been and still is practiced by various cultures worldwide.

  • HSCI 326: Teaching and Learning about the Arts in Healthcare

    Clear educational frameworks and goals are at the core of successful Arts in Healthcare (AIH) initiatives. This course familiarizes students with the educational theories, philosophies, practices and ideas essential to creating successful AIH programming. Coursework will include lectures, discussions, readings, reflective assignments, AIH initiative analyses and a final portfolio. 

  • HSCI 327: Professional Aspects of the Arts in Healthcare   

    This course lays a practical foundation for students interested in pursuing careers as artists in healthcare settings or as healthcare professionals who intend to incorporate the arts in their practice. Students will develop and refine skills in networking, portfolio building, proposal and grant writing, branding, asset mapping and more. Coursework includes online lectures and discussions, readings, reflective assignments, four professional development activities and a final project. 

Application criteria

  • Completion of the online application (see below) including a 300鈥500 word personal statement that details your interest in the Arts in Healthcare minor and how it can contribute to your academic or career goals 
  • Note: There are no prerequisites or a required GPA.

Application procedure

  •  

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

The committee will email you a decision within 14 (business) days of receiving your application and personal statement.

Arts in healthcare program coordinator

More Decker College minors

The following minors are open to all 亚洲情色 undergraduate students: