Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health

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Enhance Your Current Professional or Clinical Skills with a Public Health Graduate Certificate

Become a public health leader who can integrate the health-promoting qualities of physical activity into public health practice in order to prevent disease and improve the health of communities. The skills you attain in our Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health** program can assist you with your current role or broaden your understanding of public health, supplement another degree, enhance your current professional or clinical skills, or prepare for further graduate study.

Why Choose a Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health?

  • The foundational public health courses required for the Certificate program align with Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited MPH programs
  • Because the certificate program is comprised of core foundational public health graduate courses, courses can be easily transferred into the NCWU MPH program and should transfer into most MPH programs
  • Expand your current professional skills, or specialize in a public health-related area
  • Enhance your current graduate program and increase your post-graduate marketability
health professional teaching class, Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health
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About the Program

Learning Outcomes

  • Understanding of the basic tenets, applications, and foci of public health, in addition to measures of population health and illness (risk factors, epidemiological data, and access to healthcare).
  • Application of epidemiological methods to a breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
  • Understanding of the major social determinants of health, and the influence of major social determinants of health on public health programs and policies.
  • Understanding and application of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
  • Understanding of the role of public health programs and policies in creating health equity and reducing health disparities.
Download MPH Graduate Certificate InfoSheet

By the Numbers

Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health By the Numbers

  • Public health careers are expected to grow 11% between 2024-2034* (much faster than the average for all occupations)
  • 100% online
  • 14 credit hours
  • 2 semesters

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor (2024)

Career Fields

Who Is This Certificate For?

This public health graduate certificate is designed for professionals who want to deepen their understanding of population health while strengthening their impact in current or future roles. It is a strong fit for individuals working in healthcare, wellness, or community settings who want to integrate public health principles into daily practice.

This program is especially relevant for:

  • Healthcare personnel, including nurses, physicians, therapists, and technicians, who want to better understand prevention, epidemiology, and community health trends.
  • Healthcare administration professionals seeking a broader public health perspective to inform policy, planning, and program evaluation.
  • Exercise science and health promotion specialists who wish to connect physical activity, behavior change, and population-level outcomes.
  • Health education specialists, psychologists, and nutritionists who serve individuals and communities and want to expand their public health toolkits.
  • Community advocates and community health workers who work on the front lines of health equity and want structured training in public health concepts, data, and program design.

Because this is a 100% online public health certificate, it is well-suited for working professionals who need flexibility and are exploring public health certificate programs online before committing to a full MPH. The Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health can stand alone as a focused credential or serve as an entry point into NCWU’s Master of Public Health and other programs.

Admission Criteria

Requirements for Public Health Certificate:

  • An undergraduate degree
    There is no pre-requisite undergraduate degree to apply for this program, however, a strong interest in, or background/education in public health or a related field (exercise science, health promotion, healthcare administration, biomedical sciences, health psychology, nursing, others) is encouraged.
  • Must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended, demonstrating successful or pending completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum undergraduate 2.7 overall GPA
  • Complete our FREE application

Note: Certificate programs are separate from Master’s programs, however, certificate credits can be applied to a Master’s program.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: August

Required Courses

View Requirements & Courses for Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health

Students can begin the Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health in the Fall, and can complete the Certificate program in two semesters (Fall and Spring). The projected schedule of course offerings for the Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health program is detailed below:

Fall Semester

Spring Semester
PBH 500: Foundations in Public Health (3 SH)[Fall A] PBH 510: Quantitative & Qualitative Methods in Public Health (3 SH)
[Spring A]
PBH 525: Public Health Policy, Management, & Leadership (3 SH)
[Fall A]
Pre-req or co-req: PBH 500		 PBH 540: Healthcare Systems (2 SH)
[Spring A]
Pre-req: PBH 500
PBH 520: Epidemiology
(3 SH)
[Spring B]
Pre-req: PBH 500; PBH 510
 
Total:  6 SH Total:  8 SH

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*Stand-alone, credit-based courses that lead to a certificate that improves competency in areas specific to a student’s career choice. Students can use financial aid for these certificate programs, and these certificate credits can be applied to formal degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Learning outcomes may qualify students to apply/test for specific certifications not administered by NC Wesleyan University.