Minor Spotlight: Ethnic Studies for Science, Chemistry, and Pre-Health Students
If you are passionate about science and people, the Ethnic Studies minor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a powerful way to expand your impact as a future researcher or healthcare professional. Offered through the Department of Ethnic Studies, this minor helps science and pre-health students build the cultural knowledge, communication skills, and social awareness that today’s scientific and healthcare fields demand.
Why Ethnic Studies for Pre-Health and Science Students?
Science and healthcare do not exist in a vacuum. Patient care, public health outcomes, research ethics, and access to treatment are all shaped by culture, identity, and historical context. An Ethnic Studies minor helps you:
- Understand health disparities and social determinants of health
- Build cultural humility and patient-centered communication skills
- Strengthen critical thinking and ethical decision-making
- Become a more competitive and compassionate applicant for medical, dental, PA, pharmacy, and graduate programs
- Prepare for research and careers that serve diverse communities
- For future healthcare professionals and researchers, cultural awareness is not just valuable — it is essential.
The Ethnic Studies minor requires 18 credit hours (~6 classes) of ETHN coursework, allowing flexibility to choose topics that align with your interests and career goals!
Courses That Complement Science and Pre-Health Pathways
Many Ethnic Studies courses directly connect to healthcare, research, and community impact:
Foundational Courses May Include:
- Introduction to Ethnic Studies – Explore interdisciplinary perspectives on race, ethnicity, and culture in the United States
- ETHN 101: How to Be Antiracist – Examine racism, antiracism, and community action
- ETHN 217: Sociology of Race and Ethnicity – Understand structural inequalities and social systems impacting communities
Health, Psychology, and Communication Courses May Include:
- ETHN 310: Psychology of Immigration – Explore identity, development, and family dynamics
- ETHN 316: Latinx and Immigrant Mental Health – Examine mental health systems and cultural influences
- ETHN 311: Intercultural and Intergroup Communication – Build skills for professional and clinical settings
- ETHN 454: Physical Health Disparities – Investigate inequities in health outcomes and care access
Global and Cultural Context Courses May Include:
- Introduction to Indigenous Studies
- Introduction to African American Studies
- Introduction to Latinx Studies
- Colonization, Decolonization and Globalization
- History of Latin America, Africa, and Asia-related courses
Experiential and Research Opportunities
- Special topics courses connected to current issues and community engagement
Career and Professional Advantages
These courses deepen your understanding of the populations you will serve as a clinician, researcher, or public health professional. Adding an Ethnic Studies minor can help you stand out by demonstrating:
- Commitment to equity and inclusion in healthcare and research
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Awareness of global and community health issues
- Interdisciplinary thinking valued by graduate and professional schools
- Medical, dental, PA, and graduate programs increasingly seek applicants who understand the human context of science and can work effectively with diverse populations.
- Flexible and Impactful
With just 18 credits required, the Ethnic Studies minor is a manageable addition to many science, chemistry, and pre-health degree plans. Many courses also fulfill ACE or diversity requirements, helping you make efficient progress toward graduation while expanding your perspective.
Interested in Adding the Minor?
If you are considering careers in healthcare, research, public health, or community-based science, the Ethnic Studies minor can enrich your academic journey and professional preparation. Talk with your academic advisor to explore how this minor can fit into your degree plan and support your future goals!
More details at: https://catalog.unl.edu/undergraduate/arts-sciences/ethnic-studies/#minortext