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Public Health Online Certificate Program
The Public Health certificate is designed for individuals interested in developing essential skills to address complex problems and improve outcomes in public health. Students engage in theoretical and practical learning about core public health functions and concepts, epidemiology and biostatistics for application to the field, critical debates in current healthcare policy and research, and methods to evaluate and develop effective public health programs.
The certificate is ideal for anyone preparing for graduate study, seeking to work in the public health field, or looking to augment their current roles in healthcare, government, or nonprofit sectors.
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 Public Health Certificate Program
Public Health Goals and Courses
Program Goals
Public Health certificate students will:
- Articulate core public health functions and identify various roles and practice settings
- Describe data-driven ways to assess and monitor at-risk populations
- Identify social determinants of health problems and priorities
- Explain the components of health program development and describe ways to evaluate programs for effectiveness
Curriculum
Four courses are required:
- PUB HLTH 341-DL Public Health Principles and Practice
- PUB HLTH 342-DL Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- PUB HLTH 343-DL Healthcare Disparities, Inequities, and Social Determinants of Health
- PUB HLTH 344-DL Health Program Development and Evaluation
VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS
Admission for the Public Health 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.
Public Health Tuition
Certificate students in the School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about tuition and financial obligations, see the Tuition page.
Public Health 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.