UTSA College for Health, Community and Policy Roadpiece

UTSA College for Health, Community and Policy

The College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) at The University of Texas at San Antonio is a diverse college that provides real-world experiences and engages directly with our community.

Our college is home to eight different academic fields that work together. These fields are linked in ways that help you see the bigger picture - and will help you become a problem-solver for our community.

When you join UTSA’s College for Health, Community and Policy, you will choose a degree program that complements your interests, conduct research and study with faculty who are experts in their field and engage with peers who will become lifelong friends.

Endowed Professor, College for Health, Community and Policy

“Our students engage with the city from the first moment they walk through our doors, gaining the preparation and knowledge they need to make a real difference in the community by the time they earn their degrees.”

HCAP by the Numbers

168

5,600 Undergraduate Students

Internship Hours 11 Degree Programs

173k+

About San Antonio

As the nation’s seventh largest city, San Antonio offers the benefits of a major metropolitan city with the feel of a small-town community with rich culture. The UTSA campus is nestled along the Texas Hill Country and is in close proximity to major shops, restaurants and entertainment.

About UTSA

The University of Texas at San Antonio is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution that specializes in cyber security, health, fundamental futures, and social-economic transformation. With an enrollment of 36,000 students, UTSA is the largest university in the San Antonio metropolitan region. Students and faculty at UTSA advance knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. The university embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property—for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA CAMPUS TOURS are available through the Welcome Center. Schedule a tour today by visiting future.utsa.edu/visit

Chart Your Path

AREAS OF STUDY

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Our programs emphasize research and policy, ensuring that you will be wellprepared to tackle the complex issues facing our criminal justice system today. Whether you’re interested in law enforcement, corrections or working in governmental agencies, our curriculum covers it all, and our faculty have decades of experience in the field.

Health, Aging and Society

Featuring four core areas of study, this unique program is designed to prepare you for jobs in the growing professions of medical and health services managers, social and community service managers and human resources managers, as well as graduate training in the field of health and aging.

Pick a program that complements your interests and major in one of our 11 undergraduate degree programs, or earn a minor in one of 9 areas.

Health Administration

COLLEGE FOR HEALTH, COMMUNITY AND POLICY MAJORS

» Criminology and Criminal Justice

» Health Administration

» Health, Aging and Society

» Kinesiology

» Nutrition and Dietetics

» Nutrition and Health

» Psychology

» Public Administration and Policy

» Public Health

» Social Work

» Sociology

LEARN MORE ABOUT

HCAP PROGRAMS

Visit future.utsa.edu/hcap

This program prepares you to be an effective, ethical leader in diverse healthcare roles. Our tailored curriculum addresses regional challenges like border community health in San Antonio and SouthCentral Texas. Graduates pursue careers as healthcare analysts, consultants, IT specialists, public health managers, hospital administrators

Kinesiology

Kinesiology students choose from five concentrations: athletic training, exercise science, rehabilitation science, physical education and strength and conditioning. You’ll have the opportunity to work in our state-of-the-art labs, gaining hands-on experience that is critical for your professional development.

“I really appreciate the focus UTSA has on firstgeneration students. Without their programs and support, I definitely would not be here.”

plans

Nutrition and Health

Nutrition and Dietetics

UTSA’s Nutrition and Dietetics degree serves as the foundation for the Master of Dietetics Studies (M.D.S.) and is the first step to becoming a registered dietitian. As you work toward earning your Bachelor’s degree, you’ll attend classes and acquire off-site practicum hours. You’ll find employment in a number of healthcare facilities, like hospitals, wellness and fitness centers and food service operations.

“My degree is so flexible. I was able to specialize in a lot of areas and get to do things in the classroom that I otherwise might have had to wait for medical school to do.”

Joseph works as an Ergonomics Supervisor with Premise Health, evaluating ways to lessen risk of injury on manufacturing lines.

Nutrition and Dietetics students complete handson training in tandem with their classroom learning.

This bachelor’s degree offers advanced study in public health nutrition, programming, promotion and disease prevention. This in-demand field prepares you for a position in health departments, schools, community organizations, non-profits, the food industry or for entry into an advanced graduate program. You can also pursue courses and programs to become certified in lactation consultation or dietary management.

Public Administration and Policy

By pursuing this degree, you’ll help contribute to the efficient and effective functioning of public institutions. Our program collaborates closely with the city of San Antonio, providing you with real-world experience and the opportunity to work on impactful projects that shape our community.

Psychology

Cultivate a strong scientific understanding of behavior and mental processes with a psychology degree. You’ll learn how to apply scientific principles to a broad range of topics, like memory, sensation, motivation, emotion, personality, abnormal behavior and more. Career areas include mental health worker, human resources, education, research and organizational management.

Public Health

Majoring in public health will prepare you to make a difference in South Texas and beyond. It’s more than just a field of study; it’s a commitment to improving the well-being of communities. You’ll contribute to research that has realworld applications to help improve the health and quality of life for people across all stages of life. This handson approach ensures you are wellequipped to make a difference in your communities as soon as you graduate.

Sociology

In this program, you’ll explore social institutions, cultural dynamics and the processes of social interaction. The program offers a diverse set of electives, including studies on social inequality, the Latino/a experience, healthcare inequalities and the role of religion and culture in shaping human societies. Careers include social worker, human services manager, social science researcher and correctional treatment specialist.

Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work program prepares you to become a social worker who specializes in culturally competent, transformative practice. The BSW promotes equity, social justice and well-being within a local-global context. You’ll learn from dedicated faculty who are committed to creating the next generation of change-makers. When you graduate, you’ll be careerready and able to step into a variety of social service positions with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Experiential LEARNING

Career Preparedness

Ensuring our HCAP students are ready for the world of work is a top priority. HCAP courses offer career-engaged learning experiences, such as opportunities in undergraduate research, internships and field experiences.

The HCAP Student Success Center provides additional outside classroom support in professional development and leadership. All HCAP students are encouraged to participate in workshops, networking events and career expos tailored to the professional development of our students.

City-Wide Community Events

UTSA students are very involved in the City of San Antonio. Departments and student clubs participate in UTSA Day of Service, the largest service event of the year, with 600-800 volunteers and 20-25 community partners. In addition, every HCAP department has opportunities for students to serve the community. Events include volunteering at the Bexar county re-entry fair and mentoring at-risk youth with My Brother’s Keeper San Antonio.

Research Opportunities

As early as your freshman year at UTSA, you are involved in conducting research studies that will let you act upon your curiosity, learn experientially and make a difference in people’s lives.

Some examples of research that Roadrunners are involved in through HCAP include improving vaccine access, preventing substance abuse, violence prevention, understanding demographic trends and health impacts, diabetes prevention and improving resources for underserved populations.

You can also conduct research through a variety of programs, including the HCAP Undergraduate Research Experience, McNair Scholars or Research Initiative for Science Enhancement (RISE), which you can participate in during the academic year or over the summer. The possibilities are endless!

Student

SUCCESS

173K+

Internship hours completed by HCAP students

Employers who have hired our students:

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

US Customs & Border Protection

US Bureau of Prisons

Allied Universal

Fit Therapy of Texas LLC

Wounded Warrior Project

Exos

Lifetime Club Management

Austin Fitness

Hospital Corporation of America

UT Health Science Center

Baptist Hospital

Aramark

Idea Public Schools

City of San Antonio

United Health Group

Catholic Charities

The Mentor Network

Bexar County

San Antonio Housing Authority

Texas Health & Human Services

University Health System

Humana

Tenet Health

Endeavors

HCAP Student Success Center

The HCAP Student Success Center serves all undergraduates majoring in disciplines of the College for Health, Community and Policy. Joining the campus community in Fall 2021, the center serves as a centralized location for students, faculty and staff interested in fostering a warm and accepting environment where we work together to help students reach their educational and professional goals.

Internships

Internships allow students to obtain work experience, explore a chosen career path and increase their marketability to employers. Students can access Handshake, UTSA’s job portal, to source jobs and internships as well as recruiting and event information. A dedicated internship director in the College for Health, Community and Policy coordinates with employers to provide internship opportunities and advice for students across all majors.

HCAP Engaged Scholars

HCAP students have the opportunity to enroll in courses that allow them to graduate with HCAP Honors. By becoming a member of HCAP Engaged Scholars, students have a built-in community of like-minded scholars and support through our Student Success Center. The Honors distinction also makes students stand out to employers.

Get Involved

The College for Health, Community and Policy offers a variety of student organizations, including general interest organizations as well as major-specific ones. HCAP students are encouraged to participate in leadership roles within student organizations.

Organizations include:

» Active Minds

» Alpha Epsilon Delta (National Pre-Health Honor Society)

» Alpha Kappa Delta (Sociology Honor Society)

» Alpha Phi Sigma (National Criminal Justice Honor Society)

» American Medical Student Association

» Blueprints for Pangaea

» Dietetic and Nutrition Student Association

» Global Bridges – Public Health

» Health Honors Society

» HOSA – Future Health Professionals

» Model United Nations Society

» Pre-Athletic Training Society

» Pre-Physical Therapy Society

» Public Administration Student Organization

» Public Health Society

» Student Psychology Association

» The Association of Black Psychologists

Visit Campus

Check out UTSA for yourself! Our Welcome Center hosts daily tours and special events so you can explore campus, talk to staff and students and learn more about life as a roadrunner.

WELCOME CENTER (210) 458-5145 future.utsa.edu/visit

Apply to UTSA

UTSA provides a streamlined application process, and our admissions counselors are ready to provide you with a wide range of services and materials.

ADMISSIONS (210) 458-8000 future.utsa.edu/apply

FINANCIAL AID

future.utsa.edu/hcap