Health Sciences
Virtual Visit Request info Apply
MENUMENU
  • Undergraduate degrees and programs
    • Undergraduate degrees
      • Allied Health
      • Fitness Wellness
      • Nutrition and Foods
      • Physical Education
      • Public Health
      • Minors
    • Undergraduate certificates
      • Physical Education Pathway to Standard AZ Certification
      • Undergraduate programs
        • FIT program
  • Graduate degrees and programs
    • Graduate degrees
      • Master of Public Health – Health Promotion (Online)
      • Master of Public Health – Health Promotion (Flagstaff)
      • Master of Public Health – Health Promotion, Indigenous Health (Flagstaff)
      • Master of Public Health – Nutrition (Flagstaff)
    • Graduate certificates
      • Graduate certificate in Public Health
  • About
    • Values and mission
    • Faculty and staff
    • Contact information
  • NAU
  • Health Sciences
  • Graduate Certificate in Public Health

Contact information

Travis Pinn, Program Coordinator
    • travis.pinn@nau.edu
    • 928-523-3829


Public Health, Graduate Certificate

The public health needs of rural Northern Arizona are immense. 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. The 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.

  • Degree Info Tab Open

  • Faculty Tab Closed

  • Requirements Tab Open

  • Overview Tab Closed

  • Details Tab Closed

  • Availability Tab Closed

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 Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
  • 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.

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 the policy-making process,2 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 leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue.
  • Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
  • Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than a standard narrative.

Competencies

  • "Resource management" refers to stewardship (planning, monitoring, etc.) of resources throughout a project, not simply preparing a budget statement that projects what resources will be required.
  • This competency refers to technical aspects of how public policies are created and adopted, including legislative and/or regulatory roles and processes, ethics in public policymaking, and the role of evidence in creating policy.
  • This competency refers to the ability to influence policy and/or decision-making, such as through stakeholder mobilization, educating policymakers, etc. The ability to argue in support of (or in opposition to) a position, as in a standard debate, is not sufficient. Students must produce a product that would be part of an advocacy campaign or effort (e.g., legislative testimony, fact sheets, advocacy strategy outline, etc.).
  • Such principles may include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision-making.
  • "Negotiation and mediation," in this competency, refers to the set of skills needed when a common solution is required among parties with conflicting interests and/or different desired outcomes. Such skills extend beyond the level of negotiation required in a successful intra-group process; effective communication within a work group or team is more closely related to competency 12.
  • Systems thinking tools depict or map complex relationships, demonstrating, for example, how component parts of a system interact with and influence one another. Examples include causal loop diagrams, systems archetypes, network analyses, and concept maps. Logic models and evidence tables are not sufficient to address this competency.

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 Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

    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
  • Take the following 12 units:

    • HS 511, HS 572, HS 584, HS 612 (12 units)
  • 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
  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

Availability Accordion Closed

  • Online

directory photo
Michael P Anastario
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Michael.Anastario@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2576
directory photo
Dierdra Kay Bycura
Chair, Health Sciences; Associate Professor, Health Sciences
Department of Health Sciences
Dierdra.Bycura@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5018
Student and Academic Services , room 433
directory photo
Dawn Elizabeth Clifford
Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Dawn.Clifford@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2566
Student Academic Services , room 431
directory photo
Hendrik De Heer
Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Dirk.deHeer@nau.edu
+1 928 523-1499
directory photo
Kristan Elwell
Assistant Clinical Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Kristan.Elwell@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3812
directory photo
Stacey M Hitesman
Part-Time Temp Employees
Department of Health Sciences
Stacey.Hitesman@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2167
directory photo
Olivia Lindly
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Olivia.Lindly@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5155
Student Academic Services , room 488
directory photo
Nanette Virginia Lopez
Associate Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Nanette.Lopez@nau.edu
+1 928 523-7913
directory photo
Chris Patrick Moreno
Academic Program Coordinator, Intermediate
Department of Health Sciences
Christopher.Moreno@nau.edu
+1 928 523-8471
directory photo
Brettania O'Connor
Associate Clinical Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Brettania.OConnor@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2577
directory photo
Travis Alexander Pinn
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Travis.Pinn@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3829
directory photo
Amanda M Pollitt
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Amanda.Pollitt@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5885
directory photo
Samantha Sabo
Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Samantha.Sabo@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2045
Applied Research & Development , room 123
directory photo
Priscilla R Sanderson
Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Priscilla.Sanderson@nau.edu
+1 928 523-6741
directory photo
Jessica Rose Szczepanski
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Jessica.Szczepanski@nau.edu
+1 928 523-7512
directory photo
Nicolette I Teufel-Shone
Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Nicky.Teufel@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2058
directory photo
Kerrie A Zigler
Lecturer
Department of Health Sciences
Kerrie.Zigler@nau.edu
+1 928 523-0375

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 can be completed fully online or a combination of online and in-person. 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.
This graduate certificate can be completed by individuals pursuing a graduate degree at NAU or as a standalone certificate. 
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 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.

Application Accordion Closed

To apply visit the NAU Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (OGPS) 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 OGPS 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 OGPS 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

Learn more about up-to-date tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses for all NAU graduate programs. 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.  

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 for the Spring semester? A: There is no guarantee there will still be funding for those that apply after Fall. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to secure funding.
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
Email
HSgeneral@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-8262