May 18, 2021 | Holland Webb
New and experienced professionals can advance their careers by earning a graduate certificate in public health. Many certificates take around one year to complete and often cost less than a master's degree. Certificate programs can help prepare learners for career advancement or a graduate degree in the field.
What is a Graduate Certificate in Public Health?
Certificate programs allow students to gain advanced public health knowledge without the time commitment of a graduate degree.
Certificate and certification are not interchangeable. Schools award certificates to students for academic accomplishments. Professional associations award certifications to candidates who meet certain educational and experience requirements.
While a certificate is an academic qualification, it does not confer a degree. Many students who complete a graduate certificate, however, can often transfer their credits into a master's program in public health.
How to Get a Graduate Certificate in Public Health
Aspiring public health leaders can earn a graduate certificate in less time than a master's degree. Public health graduate certificate programs usually take around one year to complete.
Students generally need 12-18 credits to earn a graduate certificate. Many schools allow degree-seekers with a graduate certificate to transfer those credits directly into a master's program. However, transfer credit limits may apply.
Although tuition rates vary by institution, a graduate certificate typically costs less than a master's degree because less credits are required.
Admission to a certificate program typically requires a bachelor's degree in any field and professional or academic references. Unlike master's programs, graduate certificate programs rarely require GRE scores for admission.
Generally, graduate credits cost more than undergraduate credits. Although tuition rates vary by institution, a graduate certificate typically costs less than a master's degree because less credits are required. While financial aid may be limited for students in certificate programs, they should still submit a Federal Application for Federal Aid.
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Career and Salary Outlook in Public Health
Graduates of public health certificate programs can pursue a variety of career paths. Public health professionals conduct research, manage health programs, or oversee healthcare facilities. Most professions in this field require at least a bachelor's degree, and many employers prefer applicants with graduate coursework.
A few public health professions require certification. For instance, some health educators need to hold a certified health education specialist (CHES) or a master certified health education specialist (MCHES) credential from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Accreditation
An accredited school has undergone voluntary third-party review from a federally recognized accrediting organization. Accreditation can be national, regional, or programmatic. The Council on Education for Public Health approves public health programs.
Six different associations confer regional accreditation, the most widely recognized form of accreditation. Regional accreditation is important because it ensures that students are receiving a quality education, are eligible for financial aid, and can transfer credits between institutions.
Coursework
A graduate certificate in public health usually requires students to complete 3-6 courses, but the curriculum varies among schools. Programs generally cover the following core public health components: epidemiology, environmental health, population health, and data analysis and collection. The courses outlined below are a representative sample of a public health curriculum.