Degree Programs
Certificate-MS
Graduate Certificate in Public Health - MS in Kinesiology
Preventive practices are gaining favor over the traditional treatment approach to health care in the United States. Preventive practices not only improve overall health and quality of life but are much more cost effective than the treatment required for diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. With the growing awareness of the role that exercise plays in promoting wellness and preventing disease, the role of the exercise specialist with knowledge of public of health will rise in prominence as a career of choice.
The master’s degree in kinesiology combined with a graduate certificate in public health is designed to provide students with an in-depth science-based understanding of how exercise/physical activity interventions can decrease risk of diseases related to sedentary living and prevent health problems from happening or recurring through surveillance, educational programs, sound public health policies, and research.
Master of Kinesiology curriculum
Master of Kinesiology required courses
Take all six courses for 18 credits.
- HPER-K535 Physiological Basis of Human Performance (3 credits)
- HPER-K560 Corporate Fitness & Wellness (3 credits)
- HPER-K500 Exercise Leadership and Counseling (3 credits)
- HPER-T590 Introduction to Research in Human Performance (3 credits)
- HPER-K553 Physical Activity & Disease (3 credits)
- HPER-K562 Exercise Prescription in Health and Disease (3 credits)
Directed Kinesiology electives
Take three credits of electives.
- HPER K533 Advanced Theories of High-Level Performance (3 credits)
- HPER K552 Problems in Adapted Physical Education (3 credits)
- HPER K525 Psychological Foundations of Exercise & Sport (3 credits)
- HPER K576 Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education (3 credits)
- HPER P561 Health & Fitness Assessment Lab (3 credits)
- HPER K563 Cardiac Assessment & Exercise Testing (3 credits)
- HPER K500 Special Topics-Cardiac Rehab Practicum (3 credits)
Graduate Certificate in Public Health
The Graduate Certificate in Public Health is a 15-credit-hour program of study. Courses for the certificate program are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. Courses are available in-person or online. In order to receive the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, students must complete 15 credit hours of approved public health coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Transfer credit or course waivers are not allowed as substitution for any courses in the certificate program.
NOTE: Students who have been awarded a Graduate Certificate in Public Health have two years to apply their credits toward the MPH or MS in Kinesiology degree. Graduates of the certificate program who do not apply to the MPH or MS in Kinesiology program within two years after completion of the certificate will not be allowed to apply the 15 credits from the certificate program toward the MPH or MS in Kinesiology programs on the IU Indianapolis campus.
For example, a student who uses some or all of the certificate credits toward the Master’s in Public Health (MPH) cannot use the same credits toward the MS in Kinesiology degree. Admission to or successful completion of the Certificate in Public Health does not guarantee subsequent admission into the MPH program or MS in Kinesiology graduate programs.
Graduate Certificate in Public Health curriculum
Take any five of the course selections below for 15 hours.
- PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health
- PBHL-P 501 Social and Behavioral Science in Public Health
- PBHL-P 504 U.S. Healthcare Systems & Health Policy
- PBHL-P 517 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- PBHL-P 519 Environmental Science in Public Health
- PBHL-P 551 Biostatistics for Public Health
Curriculum prior to fall 2023
Take all five course for 15 hours.
- PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-P 511 Comprehensive Methods and Applications in Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3 credits)
- PBHL-P 512 Communication & Leadership (3 credits)
- PBHL-P 513 Planning, Evaluation & Management (3 credits)
- One public health elective (3 credits)
Competencies
By completing the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, you will learn how to:
- Use biostatistical methods to analyze and report public health data
- Specify approaches to assess, prevent, and control environmental and occupational hazards to human health and safety
- Use epidemiologic methods to collect, study, analyze and report the patterns of disease in human populations for diverse audiences
- Apply policy process, development, and analysis methods to address current national, state, and local public health issues
- Identify social and behavioral science factors, theories and models and develop, implement, and evaluate interventions designed to positively affect health behaviors in populations
- Exhibit high standards of personal and organizational integrity, compassion, honesty, and respect for all people
- Identify the impact of diversity and culture on public health across discipline areas
- Identify the basic ethical and legal principles pertaining to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of public health data
Certificate requirements
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, students must complete coursework in the five core areas of public health and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (“B” grade on a 4.0 scale). All public health courses require authorization before registering. Please call (317) 278-0337 to obtain authorization.
Updated: April 2024
