Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
	University of Maryland, Baltimore County Proposal	Upper Division Certificate (U.D.C.)	Social Dimensions of Health	8/17/2019	Approved	10/25/2019
Social Dimensions of Health Program Description
The Social Dimensions of Health (SDH) upper division certificate provides undergraduate students with a structured curriculum that addresses the social forces impacting health and wellbeing across populations. Conceptualized in terms of health disparities, health inequities, and the social determinants of health, having a trained SDH workforce is of critical local, regional, and national importance. We anticipate the SDH certificate will appeal to current UMBC students from across a wide variety of disciplines, including those in pre-professional allied health programs, Social Work, and the social sciences, including Sociology , Anthropology, Health Administration and Policy, and Psychology. The certificate is designed as a supplemental credential to a primary major for existing UMBC students. It is not anticipated to result in new student enrollments for UMBC. The educational objective of the SDH upper division certificate is to build students&#39; competency in conceptualizing and analyzing health with relevant sociocultural perspectives and theories. Students who obtain this certificate will gain greater insight into how age, race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and geographic region, among other variables, critically impact health behaviors, health status, and disease vulnerability over the life course. Currently, UMBC does not offer a structured undergraduate curriculum in this area and there is no formal system of advising students who are interested in the topic. In addition, students who take the initiative to complete the relevant set of courses do not receive any formal recognition for their competence. Thus, the certificate will provide a mechanism for students to complete a formal curriculum, obtain advising on the process and subject area, and document their competence.