Program Overview
Population Health Certificate
Introduction
The health care service delivery landscape is rapidly transforming, and new competencies are required for clinicians to effectively navigate and succeed in this ever-changing health delivery environment. At Shenandoah University, the online program format allows students the flexibility to earn this certificate from any location, and engage with students and faculty who have a shared drive and passion for making a difference.
Program Description
The online Population Health Certificate prepares individuals with the skills to examine and respond to the challenges and opportunities to improve health within and across populations. It is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in the essentials of delivering effective population health across the continuum of care. This program is structured to guide health care professionals, or health professions students seeking to transform or create sustainable models of care from a population health perspective.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of the online Population Health Certificate, students will acquire skills necessary to:
- Examine the complex healthcare landscape from a population health perspective.
- Articulate and apply frameworks for collecting, analyzing, and using data to inform decisions, facilitate care coordination, and improve health outcomes of targeted populations within and outside the health system.
- Investigate new priorities in disease and injury prevention in population health.
- Evaluate evidence-based practices and comparative effectiveness of interventions.
- Interpret public health policy established by the population health framework.
- Identify key socio-economic and cultural determinants of population health outcomes.
- Analyze the structure and economics of the U.S. healthcare system and their impact on population health outcomes.
- Advocate effectively to constituencies both within and outside of the health system about the population health perspective.
What Is Public Health?
Public health, commonly referred to as population health, promotes and protects the health of communities and improves the quality of life for all people. The goal of public health is to promote disease and injury prevention through research, community interventions, and education. A further defining goal of public health is its work towards addressing and eradicating health disparities and promoting healthcare equity, quality, and accessibility.
Career Possibilities
Population health is a dynamic, diverse, and growing field where practitioners work from a myriad of disciplines and approaches to improve the health and lives of people. Practitioners work together to address the root causes of complex and multi-faceted health problems in order to develop practical, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions. The current employment outlook for health professionals is strong and growing annually.
Classes
Shenandoah University's Population Health Certificate program is delivered entirely online. Students will attend classes and learn in an online environment that will be engaging and interactive. The online learning model requires students to be highly motivated, active, independent, and self-directed learners. Students are expected to think critically and act professionally in the application of course materials to real-world health problems.
Population Health Certificate Required Courses
- PH 502- Population Health for the Health Professions (3 credits)
- PH 505- Sociocultural Aspects of Public Health (3 credits)
- PH 515- Epidemiology (3 credits)
- PH 520- Health Policy and Management (3 credits) Total: 12 Credits
Meet the Faculty
Shenandoah University's Public Health professors bring a breadth and depth of public health experience to the program from research, private companies, other health fields, international work, and academia.
- Michelle Gamber, Director of Graduate Public Health Programs & Adjunct Faculty PA Studies
- Sarah Parnapy Jawaid, Adjunct Associate Professor
Related Programs
- Master of Public Health
- Public Health Certificate
- Doctor of Pharmacy & Masters of Public Health Dual Degree
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies & Master of Public Health Dual Degree
- Public Health (3 + 2) Fast Track Program
- Bachelors of Science in Public Health
Application Information
The population health certificate is uniquely designed for current and/or aspiring health care professionals to attain training in key areas of population health. It is designed to meet the needs of current clinicians, while being accessible, affordable, and attainable through the online learning environment.
International Learning Opportunities
Public Health students have participated in a variety of international opportunities such as attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland. Global Experiential Learning (GEL) classes are also offered each year for students to work on community health education. Recent Public Health GEL trip destinations include Haiti, Uganda, and Nepal.