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Graduate Certificate in Visual & Digital Health Communication

The Graduate Certificate in Visual & Digital Health Communication at Boston University examines the impact of the communication technology revolution on the field of health marketing and communication. This program prepares graduates for a career in this rapidly changing field. In the required courses, students learn the fundamental principles of design and how to apply them to the creation of powerful health education and delivery application tools, such as infographics, data visualization graphics, videos, websites, mobile apps, and branded content. Additionally, students examine how social media is used in healthcare and why using it effectively and efficiently has become a necessary skill for many healthcare professionals.

Program Duration

This program requires an average of 8–12 months to complete. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer term.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the value and significance of traditional, social, and emerging digital media practice in the health communication field.
• The ability to design communication strategies and methods that employ digital and visual information to influence audiences or effect change on health-related topics and issues.
• Expertise in the role that communication—including digital and visual content—plays in the healthcare industry.
• The capacity to analyze, synthesize, interpret, and present health and scientific information for public consumption using clear and concise messaging.
• Proficiency in creating digital images and visual tools—including infographics, branded content, video, data visualization graphics, webpage, and mobile page design—that purposefully and ethically help bridge digital divides in health education and comprehension.

Certificate Requirements

A total of four courses (16 units) is required, as follows:

• MET HC 762 Visual Communication in the Digital Health Age
• MET HC 763 Social Media Strategies and Tactics for Healthcare
• Two selected from the following:
  • MET HC 550 US Healthcare System
  • MET HC 559 Health Communication Principles and Strategies
  • MET HC 560 Research Methods for Health Communication
  • MET HC 561 Writing for Health
  • MET HC 651 Epidemiology for Health Communication
  • MET HC 652 Biology of Disease
  • MET HC 655 Healthcare Marketing Strategies
  • MET HC 656 Healthcare Public Relations
  • MET HC 657 Digital Marketing for Healthcare
  • MET HC 658 Media Relations for Healthcare

Students who complete a graduate certificate and earn a B or better in each of the four certificate courses can be automatically admitted into the Master of Science in Health Communication degree program. To receive the degree, students must successfully complete 32 units as indicated on the Health Communication page.

Accreditation

Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).