Undergraduate Certificate in Community Health

Eligibility

  1. To earn the certificate, you must complete a minimum of 27 credits in accordance with the specified curriculum, and a "C" or higher is required in each course.
  2. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the certificate will have this credential added to their official transcript. A printed certificate resembling a diploma will be awarded upon graduation.
  3. Public health students majoring in community health are not eligible for the Community Health Certificate.
  4. Students must declare their intention to graduate with the certificate by completing the Application for Certificate form.

Curriculum

Required courses (12 credits)  

  • PBHL-S 120 Introduction to Community Health 
  • PBHL-S 315 Community Organizing for Health Promotion 
  • PBHL-S 349 Research Methods in Community Health
  • PBHL-S 415 Applied Health Promotion Methods 

Elective courses (6 credits)  

  • PBHL-S 305 Careers in Public Health 
  • PBHL-S 337 Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health 
  • PBHL-S 422 Coaching for Health Behavior Change Promotion

The coursework below will prepare students to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. The certificate in Community Health curriculum consists of nine 3-credit hour courses:

  • PBHL-S 120 Introduction to Community Health
  • PBHL-S 305 Careers in Public Health
  • PBHL-S 315 Community Organizing for Health Promotion
  • PBHL-S 330 Theoretical Foundations of Community Health
  • PBHL-S 349 Research Methods in Community Health
  • PBHL-S 360 Assessment and Planning for Community Health Promotion
  • PBHL-S 361 Implementation and Evaluation for Community Health Promotion

PLUS - pick any two of the following courses:

  • PBHL-S 340 Cultural Considerations in the Promotion of Health
  • PBHL-S 416 Health Promotion Application
  • PBHL-S 422 Coaching for Health Behavior Change
  • PBHL-S 460 Biosocial Approach to Global Health
  • PBHL-S 469 Practicum in Community Health

  1. Recognize the structural and social determinants of health that affect individuals and communities. 
  2. Demonstrate an appreciation of social justice as the ethical framework for advancing community health. 
  3. Explain and apply the public health domains of epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health policy and management to the social and behavioral sciences domain. 
  4. Describe the historical role of public health nationally and globally, and identify and understand current and future public health challenges faced by the U.S. and the world. 
  5. Obtain, analyze, synthesize, and apply quality data for assessment and planning in community health programs. 
  6. Engage community stakeholders and organize communities to determine health priorities and plan effective community health interventions and programs. 
  7. Coordinate and monitor the delivery of community health interventions and programs. 
  8. Implement appropriate and equitized data collection and analysis procedures for evaluation and research related to community health promotion. 
  9. Develop appropriate and effective health promotion communication materials and messaging. 
  10. Communicate effectively with diverse individuals, communities, and stakeholders. 
  11. Advocate for evidence-based practices, programming, and policies that affect the health of individuals and communities. 
  12. Demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to apply ethical decision making and professionalism.