Public Health, Graduate Certificate

The public health needs of rural Northern Arizona are immense. Tribal and non-tribal communities in Northern Arizona experience severe health disparities that are linked to chronic illness. Individuals from these rural communities aspire to serve the health needs of their communities, but may find relocation a barrier to attending higher education opportunities.  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.

Requirements Accordion Open
    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.

  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

Overview Accordion Closed

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion12
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Some online/blended courseworkRequired

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in Public Health is to prepare 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. This graduate certificate program prepares students for careers in public health and can support career advancement for individuals who are already employed in the public health field. Residents of Native American reservations and other rural communities are best suited for the Graduate Certificate Program in Public Health.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
  • Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
  • Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels.
  • Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities' health.
  • Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.
  • Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention.
  • Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
  • Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
  • Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.
  • Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.
  • Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
  • Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making.
  • Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
  • Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.

Details Accordion Closed
Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • Resume or curriculum vitae
    • A personal statement that includes the applicant's career goals and reason for applying to the certificate program.
Certificate Requirements

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

Availability Accordion Closed

Additional information

About Accordion Closed
The Graduate Certificate Program in Public Health is designed for working professionals who want to build a foundation in public Health and advance their careers at a flexible, part-time pace. This 12-credit program offers courses in a mix of online and hybrid formats, allowing for virtual and in-person engagement with faculty and peers. Students can take courses during the fall, spring, and summer and complete the program in as little as eight months (May– December) or in 1-2 academic years. This program prepares students for careers in public health and can support career advancement for individuals who are already employed in the public health field. Students gain skills in health policy and management, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, and social and structural determinants of health. Courses include regionally relevant literature and innovative case studies, so students learn to apply these concepts into real world settings. The Graduate Certificate in Public Health offers a stepping-stone to the NAU Master of Public Health program. If a student applies and is accepted into the NAU MPH program, all course credit earned in the certificate program will be transferred into the program. To learn more, email askMPH@nau.edu with specific questions about the program.

Careers in Public Health Accordion Closed
A Graduate Certificate in Public Health provides graduates with the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of communities. Public health professionals explore the factors creating public health challenges and propose solutions that are relevant and sustainable in the community. They conduct community needs assessments, develop and implement public health programs and evaluate the programs to determine effectiveness. A Graduate Certificate in Public Health strengthens depth of knowledge and builds competence in the skills necessary to be effective in the public health field. Additional experience and training can lead to higher salaries within the public health field. Employees with a Graduate Certificate in Public Health are qualified for advanced positions including, program coordinators and lead health specialists.

Admission Requirements Accordion Closed
Baccalaureate degree: Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university, or its international equivalent with a 3.0 GPA or better. The baccalaureate degree can be in any subject. Prior to applying please complete the following pre-requisite course: 1 semester of an intro or basic statistics course Students who have not completed the pre-requisite course prior to submitting their application will still be considered for the program as long as the applicant can demonstrate proof of enrollment in the course. (Upload a screenshot demonstrating course enrollment to the application.) Students with outstanding pre-requisite courses must demonstrate that they completed the course with a C or better prior to the start of the program. Students will be dropped from the program if the pre-requisite course is not complete, or if a C or better was not earned, prior to the start of the program. A pre-requisite course completed more than 10 years prior to the application deadline may need to be retaken. 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.

Course Plan Accordion Closed
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)

Application Accordion Closed
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 1st
    • 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 and Fees Accordion Closed
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/)

FAQs Accordion Closed
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: If I complete the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, will I 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 Partnership funding cover? A: Navajo NARCH invites Navajo students to apply for scholarship funds. Pending approval and availability of funds, students may receive scholarships for only one course (3 credits) per semester. Q: Can I apply for funding in 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.

Faculty Research Interests Accordion Closed
To learn more about our amazing Health Sciences faculty and their research interests, click here.

Meet Recent Students Accordion Closed
(Coming soon)
Department of Health Sciences
Location
Room 435 Building 60
Student and Academic Services
1100 S. Beaver St.
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Mailing Address
PO Box: 15095
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Contact Form