Month/Year of Graduation

5-2025

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

First Advisor

Dr. Marcia Adler

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to investigate how arts and humanities coursework may enhance the development of internal and external identities for premedical students beyond their traditional scientific coursework. A literature review shows positive findings on identity development and the influence of arts and humanities coursework on medical education. This investigation will take place through a mixed-method survey distributed to UNO premedical students and will explore themes of self-reflection, personal and professional growth, and understanding of external perspectives. An optional question prompts respondents to reflect further on their work within arts and humanities courses and their impact on these themes.

Through surveying UNO premed students, it is clear that there is a positive influence of arts and humanities coursework on premedical students in the development and understanding of internal and external identity. There is still a distinct lack of empirical research on the long-term effects of arts and humanities coursework in the development of internal and external identities for medical education starting at the premedical stage, but this project helps to show that there is some merit to the benefits of humanities courses in tandem with traditional STEM and biomedical prerequisites for a premedical educational track.

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