Health, wellness, and human sciences programs

Studying at UT

Hands-on experiences

At UT, our priority is to set students up for success in their future careers. One way we do this is through hands-on learning. Nursing students have a chance to volunteer at multiple organizations in Knoxville through the nursing Academic Service Learning Program. They may volunteer at Vine School Health Center, a joint cooperative between the College of Nursing and the Knox County Schools Health Services Department, which provides care to children and their families who don’t have access to health care. Our retail, hospitality, and tourism management students have designed merchandise for the UT Creamery through the Rocky Top Institute of Retail. Through the Grief Outreach Initiative, UT students training to become counselors help local children navigate grief.

Research opportunities 

As a premier research institution, UT places high value on student research. In the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory, nutrition students research factors related to eating and physical activity to inform lifestyle interventions that promote better health. Our kinesiology, recreation, and sport studies students have access to several labs where they assist in research ranging from cycling and walking biomechanics in children with cerebral palsy to the development of algorithms that detect strength training. Students enrolled in the nursing program have access to information technology labs that build mobile health apps and a state-of-the-art lab that examines gut genetics and bacteria. They may also work with mentors and researchers from different disciplines to collect health data which they’ll examine using artificial intelligence. No matter what program you’re in, there are plenty of ways to get involved in or create your own research project.

Study around the globe

We believe that the experience of immersing oneself in new places and cultures is important for our students. Public health students have traveled to Switzerland to study global health and development policy with the chance to meet experts from the World Health Organization and International Committee of the Red Cross. Audiology and speech pathology students are eligible to spend a semester in Australia where they can take courses toward graduation while exploring Sydney’s beaches. With over 500 study abroad programs, you might say Volunteers have the world at their fingertips.