Minors

Communication Sciences

The Communication Sciences minor introduces students to the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. Concepts covered include the anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing; applied phonetics, phonology, and processes of language acquisition; and speech or hearing science. 

This minor is open to all students at WVU except for those enrolled in the Communication Sciences and Disorders major. Students who wish to take these courses as a prerequisite for application to graduate school in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology should consult our advising team via email to determine which pathway (major or minor) will better prepare them to be a competitive applicant. Other questions? Contact Dr. Jayne Brandel, Associate Professor and Chair, via email.

Disability Studies

The minor in Disability Studies focuses on disability and its intersections with family and social life. Courses also focus on concepts related to policy, special education, and resources available for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. Students complete two key experiences as part of the minor: a service-learning component in the community, working with persons who have a disability and a culminating capstone experience. 

This minor is open to all students at WVU. Questions? Contact Dr. Lesley Cottrell, Director of the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities, via email. 

Healthcare Data Analytics

The Heathcare Data Analytics minor allows students to explore topics related to data design, governance, and analytics in healthcare. It also covers key related concepts including revenue cycle management and data privacy, confidentiality, and security. 

This minor is open to all students at WVU except for those enrolled in the Health Informatics and Information Management major. Additionally, listed prerequisite courses are required for students in the major but are waived for students enrolled in the Healthcare Data Analytics minor. Questions? Contact Prof. Megan McDougal, Associate Professor, via email. 

Molecular Medicine

The minor in Molecular Medicine introduces students to "big picture" concepts in molecular medicine, and how to apply these concepts to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease, as well as to aging and disease processes interrelated with human aging.

Students will have opportunities to engage in real bench research in active laboratories, giving them foundational skills that make them competitive for postgraduate study in the biomedical or health sciences. Ultimately, students will graduate well-prepared for entry-level biomedical research positions, and with post-graduate study for more advanced careers in biomedical research, medicine, academics, industry, or consulting. 

This minor is open to all students at WVU. Questions? Contact Caitlin Cather, Program Coordinator, via email.

Performing Arts Medicine

The minor in Performing Arts Medicine (PAM) prepares students to work directly with performance artists, including dancers, musicians, actors, and more. Students learn and engage in the application of principles of movement, mechanics, conditioning, training, and prevent of injury in these special populations. They also gain insight into the unique cultural considerations, specific performance enhancement goals, and genre-specific injury patterns found across the performing arts. 

This minor is open to all students at WVU. Questions? Contact Dr. Jill Descoteaux, Assistant Professor, via email.