Bachelor of Arts in Health, Aging and Society

McMaster University

Our Health, Aging & Society programs allow students to explore a variety of courses on topics including the social determinants of health, healthy aging, mental health and addiction, and social gerontology, among others. Our undergraduate Health, Aging & Society programs equip students to approach issues such as health care access, positive cultures of aging, and mental health and addictions through the critical and constructive social sciences lens. Students completing a degree with the Health, Aging & Society Department can expect to gain skills in critical analysis, writing, oral discussion and presentations, and, more specifically, critical analysis and understanding of health and aging from a social sciences perspective. This knowledge includes theories that explain health inequalities, how health systems are organized and how they impact health, social systems and how they affect our aging populations, and the social aspects of aging. The Department of Health, Aging & Society also offers field experience opportunities where students work closely with professionals in an area of interest during their third year of study. The Aging and Society or Health and Society degrees may be combined with another subject within Social Sciences or Humanities. The Department of Health, Aging & Society also offers a specialization in Mental Health and Addiction with either degree. These degrees may be complemented with a minor in one of many different subjects or with a certificate from Mohawk College. Enrolment in Health, Aging & Society programs is limited and possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Students can apply directly to Health & Society I from high school or apply at the end of their first year to major in Aging and Society and/or Health and Society starting in Level II.