Public Health Graduate Certificate Programs

Updated: Mar 29, 2024

Professionals with graduate certificates in public health often receive the first choice of advanced positions in a variety of specialized public health career pathways. This certification can open the door to leadership roles in government agencies, clinics, and laboratories. Credits earned in an online post-graduate degree in public health can be used toward higher levels of education (such as a Ph.D.) or to obtain employment in the field.

What Are the Online Public Health Graduate Certificate Requirements?

An online graduate certificate in public health gives students a chance to develop a specialization in a variety of niches, as follows:

Community Health Management
Food Safety
HIV/AIDs
Environmental Public Health
Public Health Foundations

The University of Florida offers a Certificate in Public Health with typical admissions requirements, including the following:

Transcripts: Applicants must provide a list of courses and grades from undergraduate and master's programs (most programs require that you already hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a related field). Grades play an important role in students chosen to attend the program.
Resume: Resumes capture an individual's professional accomplishments. Work and volunteer experience both and hands a student's opportunity to get a public health graduate certificate.
Test Scores: Not all public health grad certificate programs require GRE scores. However, many students take the exam to broaden their opportunities of getting accepted into a well-respected program.
Statement of Purpose: This essay gives students a chance to stand out by describing their reasons for wanting a public health graduate certificate. Unique, comprehensive essays can greatly improve your chances of acceptance.
Letters of Recommendation: Many programs ask for letters of recommendation from supervisors, professors, and other respected figures in public health or education.

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online Public Health Graduate Certificate Curriculum?

Online graduate certificate programs in public health (sometimes referred to as “post-master’s” or “post-grad” certificates) generally require three to six courses on fundamentals and advanced subjects in the field. Courses may include health education, epidemiology, environmental health, health education and healthcare management.

Gillings School of Global Public Health offers a public health graduate certificate that requires 15 credits. Coursework includes the following or similar classes:

Biostatistics: This course introduces students to statistics and statistical concepts such as experimentation, sampling, relationships, inference, and probability.
Environmental Health: This course examines the link between human and public health and environmental quality. Topics cover human exposure and mitigation of contamination in the water, air, and soil. Those who received their certificate learn to manage environmental programs.
Epidemiology: Students learn to apply epidemiology to public health practice. The course includes how to use vital statistics and use the scientific method to solve public health issues.
Health Behavior: This course focuses on behavioral sciences, research, and intervention to teach students how to safeguard the interests of individuals and communities from a public health perspective.
Health Policy and Management: Students learn about the inner workings of the U.S. health system. Topics include finance, resources, and management of various aspects of health systems.

What Type of Career Can I Pursue with an Online Public Health Graduate Certificate?

Earning a graduate certificate can pave the way to niche careers within the public health field. Some examples include:

Medical and Health Services Manager: These leaders oversee government departments, hospitals, clinics, and nonprofit agencies. This position typically requires a master's degree and/or certification and public health.
Healthcare Social Worker: Students who wish to pursue counseling may choose this career path. Healthcare social workers conduct interventions, manage cases and work with clients.
Epidemiologist: These public health officials look for patterns when it comes to the spread of diseases. They often pinpoint outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics at the local, national and international levels.