Public Health, GCRT
for the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (online)
Public health is an interdisciplinary field rooted in science and social justice that focuses on promoting health and wellness, and preventing disease and injury. Public health practitioners identify needs, craft interdisciplinary solutions to problems, and implement meaningful change to impact populations and make a real impact in the lives of others.
The Graduate Certificate in Public Health is designed to introduce students to the field of public health. Courses include Public Health Practice, Health Policy, and Cultural Humility in Health. After completing this Certificate, students will be prepared for careers as public health professionals at multiple levels of the health system, and as administrators and policymakers in public health and healthcare organizations. Students will be equipped to carry out these professional roles in a way that allows them to understand the role of cultural factors in improving population health. Given the rapidly evolving needs within the health system such as demographic shifts and rising prevalence of chronic conditions, this Certificate will provide students with a strong foundation to respond to challenges in the U.S. health system.
The Certificate can be utilized toward the Master of Public Health degrees.
Admission
Prospective applicants must apply for admission to this Graduate Certificate through the Graduate College admissions process. We will utilize a holistic admissions process, with the admissions review including academic history, resume, and personal statement. Admission requires a Bachelor’s degree.
Financial Aid
Please contact University of Illinois Student Financial Aid directly at (217) 333-0100 or finaid@illinois.edu for any questions you may have related to financial aid.
Faculty Interests/Research
For information about specific faculty research interests, current grants, and publications, please visit our Faculty page.
for the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (online)
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0
Minimum hours required for certificate completion: 12 hours
Students who have successfully completed this certificate may use the certificate courses to satisfy the following degree requirements, provided they apply and are admitted to the degree program:
- 8 hours of coursework requirements of the Epidemiology, MPH degree program.
- 12 hours of coursework requirements of the Public Health, MPH degree program with the Physical Activity & Health Concentration.
- 12 hours of core coursework requirements of the Public Health, MPH degree program with the Health Behavior and Promotion Concentration.
The required courses for this certificate are listed below.
Coursework Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HK 410 | Public Health Practice | 4 |
| HK 530 | Health Policy: United States | 4 |
| HK 532 | Cultural Humility in Health | 4 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
for the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (online)
- Describe how policies and public health programs are implemented, barriers to successful implementation, and assess the impact of policies and public health programs.
- Apply the principles of cultural humility at various levels of the U.S. health system.
- Apply various health education theoretical models and concepts in health policy development to design effective public health programs and policies.