Sarah Lawrence College—a pioneer in the field of health advocacy—is launching new online opportunities through its long-established Health Advocacy Program.
In 1980, Sarah Lawrence College launched the nation’s first master’s degree program in the field of health advocacy. Building on this legacy, the Health Advocacy Program (HAP) will now offer both a Master of Arts degree and advanced certificates in a completely online and asynchronous fashion, allowing individuals to tailor their education to their needs and interests.
The online format of Sarah Lawrence's Health Advocacy Program gives students access to the College's expert, multidisciplinary faculty without having to relocate to the New York City metro area. An asynchronous schedule is designed to allow students to maintain their professional and personal responsibilities while pursuing their education at their own pace.
The Health Advocacy Program is currently accepting applications for fall 2023! Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. Please see Application Process for more details.
Why Pursue an Education in Health Advocacy?
The healthcare system in the United States is increasingly complex and difficult to navigate. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the fragility and inequity of healthcare for patients and providers alike. Differences in medical literacy, access to care, the quality of care available, and the ability to pay for care due to and compounded by racism and other systems of oppression lead to disproportionately poorer health outcomes for marginalized communities.
Health advocates work toward health equity at individual, community, and legislative levels. They help people navigate fractured systems, work to improve these systems, and build power in communities often excluded from existing systems of care. Alumni of Sarah Lawrence’s Health Advocacy program have gone on to a diverse range of careers in equally diverse settings, including:
- Patient advocacy
- Policy advocacy
- Research
- Healthcare settings
- Non-profit or social service organizations
Is the Sarah Lawrence Health Advocacy Program Right for You?
Students interested in a career in health advocacy can build a solid foundation in Sarah Lawrence's Master of Arts degree program, gaining skills that will prepare them for a wide range of career paths. These skills include program design and evaluation, research methods, statistics, and building advocacy campaigns. Through studying multidisciplinary subjects, students will gain a thorough understanding of the issues that shape and give context to health care systems.
The program's certificate offerings allow students currently working in healthcare or related fields to build specific skill sets within the field of health advocacy. These professionals may be interestedin advancing their career or in moving into a different role. The certificates also offer students the benefit of Sarah Lawrence courses without making the full commitment to a complete Master of Arts degree.
Whether enrolled in the master's program or pursuing a certificate, all students benefit from studying at an institution renowned for its pioneering work in the field of health advocacy.