A graduate certificate or diploma (the terms are used interchangeably in North America) in public health denotes specialization in a sub-field or discipline of public health gained through intensive graduate-level study. As such, it supplements an already established area of expertise (in public health or not related to the field) and adds value to a previously earned Bachelor's or graduate degree. Delivered in various formats from residential to online, graduate certificates in public health comprise 4 - 6 courses (typically 12 - 18 credit hours) taken in a prescribed sequence at the graduate level.
The concurrent graduate certificate or diploma in public health allows students currently enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral degree program in the field to pursue an in-depth exploration of one aspect of their field. For example, a student working towards a Master's in Public Health with a specialization in Environmental and Occupational Health may take the Graduate Certificate in Social Marketing and Public Health to augment their expertise.
The stand-alone, direct-entry graduate certificate/diploma program in public health provides an opportunity for graduate-level study of theory and research to students who are not interested in pursuing a full graduate degree. This could include professionals with a Bachelor's degree working in the field or anyone who does not have the time or interest in a traditional graduate program in public health. Then too, some students who take the stand-alone certificate already have a graduate degree and use their certificate to augment a particular area of interest.
A selection, but not inclusive list, of graduate certificates/diplomas in public health includes
Graduate Certificate in Biostatics
Graduate Certificate in Disaster Management
Graduate Certificate Epidemiology
Graduate Certificate Environmental Health
Graduate Certificate Health Management and Leadership
Graduate Certificate Humanitarian Assistance
Graduate Certificate Maternal & Child Health
Graduate Certificate Infection Control
Graduate Certificate in Public Health (General)
Graduate Certificate in Public Health Policy & Programs
Graduate Certificate in Safety Management
Graduate Certificate in Social Marketing & Public Health
Graduate Certificate in Violence and Injury: Prevention and Intervention
Graduate Certificate Women's Health
