B.S. in Language & International Health (L&IH)
The Bachelor of Science program in Language and International Health is jointly administered by the Department of Languages and the Department of Public Health Sciences in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. This program pairs a modern language concentration (Chinese, French, or Spanish) with coursework in public health theory and practice.
Curriculum
About L&IH
The language component emphasizes linguistic and cultural proficiency in the target language by studying specific peoples, cultures, literatures, technical language, health environments, and multicultural issues. The public health component includes the history and philosophy of public health and medicine; the organization, management, and financing of health services; the social and behavioral aspects of health, epidemiology, health evaluation methods, and health communications. Students also choose an emphasis area in either Health Administration or Community Development.
Graduates will be qualified to assume positions in a variety of settings, including integrated hospital systems, consulting firms, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, as well as multicultural community centers. They can also pursue graduate degrees in community health, epidemiology/biostatistics, health administration, health systems, and research.
Study abroad of at least one semester in the target language setting is mandatory. Students in the Language and International Health program must complete an internship of at least 135 contact hours in a health-care setting, also in the target language. Internships are subject to approval by the Language and International Health Director.
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Why Study LIH?
Do you have a passion for language and a desire to serve? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others and broaden your understanding of the nuances of bilingual and cross-cultural communication? With a B.S. in Language and International Health (LIH), you will be qualified to assume positions in a variety of health-related settings, including hospital systems, consulting firms, NGOs, managed care organizations, and pharmaceutical companies. You'll be prepared to pursue a graduate degree in community health or community development, global public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health administration, or medical research. LIH is also a path to professional education in a variety of health professions, including medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, and physical or occupational therapy.
An interdisciplinary health humanities program, the LIH major allows you to pursue your wide-ranging interests in the humanities (in your target language of Chinese, French, or Spanish), health science, and laboratory science. In fact, according to guidelines of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), "the integration of the arts and humanities into medicine and medical education may be essential" for professional success in today's world (Howley, Gaufberg, and King, The Fundamental Role of the Arts and Humanities in Medical Education, 2020). But in this time of growing attention to healthcare reform, healthcare disparities, and cultural and ethnic diversity, health humanities education is relevant to all students, not only aspiring physicians (Berry, Jones, and Lamb, "Health Humanities: The Future of Pre-Health Education is Here," Journal of Medical Humanities, 2017).
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Change of Major Information
Due to limited space, an application is required to change majors into Language & International Health. To learn more about the application process, please reach out to LIHMail@clemson.edu or set up an “Explore Language & International Health” appointment in CU Navigate.
Admission is competitive and acceptance is not guaranteed. The web-based application form is available in the fall semester, opening on the first day of classes and closing on the last day of classes in December.
Students with less than 50 hours earned may apply to change their major into Language & International Health with a minimum cumulative GPR of 2.5. Students with 50 or more credit hours may apply based on space availability, with a minimum cumulative GPR of 2.75.
Click the change of major application below to apply.
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LIH Study Abroad Application Portal
Language and International Health majors are required to complete a general study abroad application one year prior to your study abroad term. This will allow you ample time to make plans for housing, academics, and finances prior to going abroad. Click the link below to check the upcoming application cycle.
Language and International Health Application Portal
Contact Information
Director: Ellory Schmucker, eschmuc@clemson.edu
To find your advisor, check your CU Navigate or contact
Chinese:
Yanhua Zhang, yhzhang@clemson.edu
French:
Kelly Peebles, kpeeble@clemson.edu
Elloy Schmucker, eschmuc@clemson.edu
Spanish:
Anna Grace Araiza, agheise@clemson.edu
Affiliated Staff in Public Heath:
Julia Sherry, Internship Coordinator, jsherry@clemson.edu
Director of the LIH Program
Ellory feels equally at home in a Chemistry lab as she does exploring Spain. She has experience working as an interpreter, translator and transcriber in settings as diverse as hospitals, social services call centers, art galleries and public libraries. This, combined with her dedication to cultural humility and the nuances of Spanish language learning, makes her an enthusiastic advocate for studying abroad and encouraging students to pursue ideas that pique their interests.
Contact Prof. Ellory Schmucker
