Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Behavioral Science
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
This certificate is ideal for undergraduate students planning to pursue careers in medicine, public health, or healthcare policy who want to understand the human and systemic factors that shape health outcomes. It’s especially valuable for students seeking to strengthen their medical school applications with interdisciplinary training in behavioral science and real-world clinical exposure.
Program Overview
Explore the intersection of psychology, sociology, and medicine with the Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Behavioral Science at the University of Kentucky. Designed for pre-med and health-focused students, this interdisciplinary program offers a deep dive into how behavioral and social factors influence health outcomes, healthcare delivery, and patient experiences. Through small, writing-intensive courses in medical psychology, medical sociology, and health humanities, students gain critical insights into topics like health disparities, the impact of stress, and the cultural dimensions of care. The curriculum also includes experiential learning opportunities, such as clinical shadowing, reflective writing, and MCAT-style assessments, preparing students for the intellectual and interpersonal demands of medical training. This certificate not only enhances your academic profile but also equips you to drive meaningful change in healthcare systems and patient advocacy.
How to Add this Certificate
Prospective students: Certificates are declared once you are a current University of Kentucky student.
Current students: You can add this certificate in myUK GPS. Under "My Program of Study" on the right side of the screen, click the link "Request a major/minor/certificate change". If you need help, contact your academic advisor.
You should talk with your academic advisor about how adding a program to your plan of study will impact graduation time and any graduation requirements of your major.
FIND OUT EXACTLY
What You'll Learn
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
"As a first-generation college student with no roadmap to medicine, the Medical Behavioral Science certificate gave me early access to mentors, shadowing opportunities, and support that helped me discover the kind of leader in medicine I wanted to become. Its emphasis on the behavioral, social, and systemic factors that shape health deeply aligned with my values and sparked my long-term interest in health equity.
The skills and exposure I gained through this certificate strengthened my medical school application and opened doors to meaningful opportunities, like health disparities research training, that continue to shape my path today. Now, as the first in my family to become a doctor and as I apply to residency programs, I’m grateful for the foundation this program gave me to turn what once felt out of reach into reality!"
Get Involved!
Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
