Public Health Graduate Certificate

The public health needs of rural Northern Arizona are immense. Residents of rural communities may be well suited to the online and hybrid course options within the Graduate Certificate Program in Public Health. Individuals from these rural communities aspire to serve the health needs of their communities, but they are often unable to move or gain access to graduate-level public health education. This Graduate Certificate in Public Health prepares students for careers in public health and can support career advancement for individuals who are already employed in the public health field. The certificate prepares students for professional practice in public health, providing specific skill development in health policy and management, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, and the consideration of social and structural determinants of health when planning public health interventions. The four required courses are:

• HS 511 Introduction to Health Policy and Management
• HS 572 Environmental and Occupational Health
• HS 612 Public Health Epidemiology
• HS 584 Social and Structural Determinants of Health

This 12-credit certificate offers courses in the late afternoon and evening for working professionals. Courses are offered fall, spring, and summer. Students can complete the certificate in as little as seven months (June – December) or in 1-2 academic years.  Courses are completed both online and in a hybrid fashion, allowing for virtual and in-person engagement with faculty and peers. Courses include innovative uses of service-learning activities, simulation, and case studies, so that students don’t just learn about public health, they learn how to apply these concepts into real world settings. The curriculum includes opportunities to work with classmates on projects that give students the opportunity to learn through applying concepts to public health scenarios.  The Graduate Certificate in Public Health also offers a stepping-stone to the NAU Master of Public Health program. Students can test the waters of graduate school. Students can apply into the MPH program while completing the certificate program, and, if accepted, will have completed several of the required courses.

NAU Graduate College Admission Requirements:

• NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
• Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent. Those with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.00 who have gained substantial work experience since graduation are encouraged to apply.
• Transcripts
• International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy 

Additional Program Admission Requirements for the Public Health Graduate Certificate:

• PSY 230 or STA 270 with a Grade of "C" or better, or relevant experience
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• A personal statement that includes the applicant's career goals and reason for applying to the certificate program.

For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy

The following four courses can be taken any semester and in any order:

• HS 511 Introduction to Health Policy and Management
• HS 572 Environmental and Occupational Health
• HS 612 Public Health Epidemiology
• HS 584 Social and Structural Determinants of Health 

Courses available in the summer

• HS 511 Introduction to Health Policy and Management (online)
• HS 572 Environmental and Occupational Health (online)

Courses available in the fall

• HS 612 Public Health Epidemiology (Tuesdays 4-6:30)
• HS 584 Social and Structural Determinants of Health (Wednesdays 4-6:30)

Courses available in the spring

• HS 511 Introduction to Health Policy and Management (online)
• HS 572 Environmental and Occupational Health (online)

To apply visit the NAU Graduate College website. 

• Application deadline. Applications are reviewed twice a year according to the following calendar:
  • Summer and Fall Admit: Application opens March 1st and closes April 15th
  • Spring Admit: Application opens April 16th and closes November 30th 
• Application. Visit the NAU Graduate College website to complete the application prior to the deadline. From the application portal, you will be able to upload required documents and pay the application fee.
  • Application fee. The Graduate College requires a $65 application processing fee (non-refundable), which is paid online when you submit your application.
  • Resume or Vita. Upload a current resume or curriculum vita to your application.
  • Personal Statement. Upload a 1-2 page personal statement that includes your career goals and reason for applying to the certificate program.
  • Transcripts. Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended that contributed to the baccalaureate degree as well as transcripts documenting completion of the pre-requisite course (statistics). If you have not taken a college-level statistics course, please describe your relevant statistical experience in your personal statement. If you are enrolled in a pre-requisite course the same semester you apply, please include evidence of enrollment in the pre-requisite course.

Tuition, fees and the application fee for students who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation can be paid for through the Navajo Native American Research Centers for Health Partnership (NARCH) grant.  These funds are limited. Interested students should contact askMPH@nau.edu before applying.  

Resident:

Resident tuition and fees for 6 credits of online courses

Resident tuition and fees for 6 credits of hybrid courses

Non-resident:

Non-resident tuition and fees for 6 credits of online courses

Non-resident tuition and fees for 6 credits of hybrid courses

(Tuition and fees are for the Spring/Summer 2020 terms and therefore do not reflect future semesters.  https://in.nau.edu/sdas/summer-tuition/)

Q: Could a student who completes the Graduate Certificate in Public Health be automatically enrolled in the MPH program? A:  No, students who are interested in moving on to the MPH program are still required to apply to the MPH program. Q: Which terms will the Navajo NARCH funding cover? A: NARCH will fund students starting Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take 1 course per semester. Q: Can I apply for funding until December 2020 for the Spring 2021 semester? A: There is no guarantee there will still be funding for those that apply after Fall 2020. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to secure funding. Q: Can I apply for funding until December 2020 for the Spring 2021 semester? A: There is no guarantee there will still be funding for those that apply after Fall 2020. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to secure funding.

To learn more about our amazing Health Sciences faculty and their research interests, click here.

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