Graduate Academic Programs
Graduate Certificates
Public Health Certificate
Description of Program
The online Graduate Certificate in Public Health will provide graduate students and working professionals a solid foundation in the core disciplines of public health. The Graduate Certificate program at IU is accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH). Students are trained in 22 core competencies through coursework in epidemiology, population health determinants, assessment, and health policy. All courses count toward an MPH for students who choose to continue their graduate studies. Certificate students work closely with faculty to jumpstart their public health career through community-based practicum experiences. Graduates are qualified for leadership positions in clinics, local and state public health departments, nonprofit organizations, and laboratories.
Admission
The Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington exclusively accepts applications for admission to this certificate program through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) at http://www.sophas.org. Graduate certificate program admission is through a streamlined version of the SOPHAS application, called SOPHAS Express. The application for fall 2022 admission will be available through the SOPHAS on August 15, 2021. Be sure to read all directions in the SOPHAS Express application thoroughly. Please contact SOPHAS at: sophasinfo@sophas.com, if you have questions regarding their online application.
In addition to completion and submission of the SOPHAS application, all applicants must also complete and submit the Indiana University Bloomington Online Graduate and Professional Admissions Application at https://graduate.indiana.edu/admissions/apply.shtml. This supplemental application is brief and will not cost applicants any additional fees. However, this duplication of application information is required for admission. The Indiana University Bloomington Online Graduate and Professional Admissions Application requires completion of an "Application Information" section. In the drop-down box for "Academic Program," select Public Health-Bloomington Nondegree for certificate program admission. In the drop-down box for academic plan, select Online Graduate Certificate in Public Health.
For answers to questions about our degree and certificate programs, our Indiana University Bloomington Online Graduate and Professional Admissions Application, or your complete SOPHAS Express application, please contact our Director of Admissions, Nelda Montemayor, at nmontema@indiana.edu. Students will be notified of the admission decision by SPH Office of Graduate Admissions. For more information about this Certificate program: please visit the Website for the online graduate Certificate in Public Health https://mypublichealthdirect.indiana.edu/programs/grad-cert-ph.html
Certificate Requirements (15 cr.)
Students in the Certificate program must be admitted to or currently enrolled at Indiana University. The certificate requires 15 credit hours of graduate course work with a minimum cumulative GPA in certificate courses of 3.0.
Complete the following courses (15 cr.):
- SPH-X 650 Evidence-Based Approaches to Public Health (3cr.)
- SPH-X 660 Population Health Determinants (3 cr.)
- SPH-X 685 Public Health Policy & Politics (3 cr.)
- SPH-X 601 Assessment & Public Health (3 cr.)
- SPH-B 675 Practicum (3 cr.)
Special Opportunities
The certificate is 15 credit hours; 12 credits of course work and a 3-credit practicum. All courses count toward an MPH for students who choose to continue their graduate study. Certificate students work closely with faculty to jumpstart their public health careers through community-based practicum experiences. Students do not need to be in residence in Bloomington to complete any part of the Certificate. All coursework is available online and the practicum may be completed at a distance.
Careers
The pandemic has created a global awareness of the importance of public health. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 14% increase in public health-related jobs from 2018 – 2028. Careers in public health can be found in local, state, and federal government; nonprofit organizations; businesses and corporations; hospitals; county health departments; universities; and health foundations and health-based grant projects. A Graduate Certificate in Public Health can lead or enhance careers in positions including:
- Community Health Educator
- Disease Prevention Manager
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Intervention Designer
- Maternal and Child Health Specialist
- Obesity Prevention Coordinator
- Public Health Educator
- Public Health Program Manager
- Public Health Researcher
- Sexual Health Educator
- Technical Advisor for HIV/AIDS Programs
- Vaccine Advisor and Program Manager
- Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator