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Health, Science, and Society Online Certificate Program
The Health, Science, and Society certificate is designed for individuals interested in life science, medicine, public health, health policy, or allied health who seek to explore the intersections of health, science, and society. Through for-credit courses in multiple disciplines including biology, philosophy, and public health, students examine the social and cultural aspects of health and illness, delineate essential characteristics of health and disease, scrutinize ethical considerations in medicine, and recognize societal determinants of health that can foster favorable health outcomes.
The certificate is ideal for professionals working in or seeking to work in health-aligned fields, education, or research, or for interdisciplinary preparation for graduate or professional study in medical- and health-related areas.
Learn from a faculty of industry leaders in this fully online certificate. Enhance your professional skillset and advance your career.
Or, apply credit earned to one of five SPS online bachelor's degrees.
Format
Online, asynchronous classes
Time to Completion
Four quarters (one year), one course per quarter
Quarter of Entry
Begin in any quarter
Number of Credits
Four courses to complete the certificate
Tuition
Estimated cost $2,300 per course
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About the Health, Science, and Society Certificate Program
- Health, Science, and Society Goals and Courses
- Admission for the Health, Science, and Society Certificate
- Health, Science, and Society Tuition
- Health, Science, and Society Registration Information
- Applying Credit to an Online Bachelor of Science Program
- Find out more about the Health, Science, and Society Certificate
Health, Science, and Society Goals and Courses
Program Goals
Health, Science, and Society certificate students will:
- Summarize the social and cultural contexts of health and illness
- Describe key features of human anatomy, health, and disease
- Analyze the ethical and political issues that arise in medicine
- Identify social factors affecting health broadly and approaches for addressing negative health outcomes
Curriculum
Four courses are required:
- BIOL SCI 312-CN The Evolutionary Biology of Human Anatomy, Health and Disease
- PHIL 269-DL Bioethics
- PUB HLTH 343-DL Healthcare Disparities, Inequities, and Social Determinants of Health
- HLTH SCI 317-DL Culturally Responsive Healthcare
VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS
Admission for the Health, Science, and Society Certificate
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found at the Admission page.
Health, Science, and Society Tuition
Certificate students in the School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about tuition and financial obligations, see the Tuition page.
Health, Science, and Society Registration Information
Registration for courses opens 8 to 10 weeks before each quarter and is accessed CAESAR, Northwestern's online student records system. View course registration timelines and instructions on the Registration Information page.
Applying Credit to an Online Bachelor of Science Program
Students interested in the option of applying credit earned in an online undergraduate certificate to an SPS online bachelor's degree program should submit an online application and all required application materials. Students who elect to apply to a bachelor’s degree program before completing the certificate will be able to count completed courses toward the applicable bachelor’s degree, but a certificate will not be conferred.
If you are interested in exploring this option, contact an admission adviser for details.