Program Overview

Health Communication Certificate Program

Overview

The Health Communication Certificate Program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of health communication. The program is sponsored by the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Educational Objectives

Students completing the certificate program will gain a basic understanding of the following competencies:

• Awareness of behavior change and communication theories
• Knowledge of media effects and audiences' uses of media/communication modes
• Recognition of quantitative and qualitative methods used in the study of Health Communication
• Design and evaluation (formative, process, and summative) of communication messages, campaigns, and programs

Sponsoring Department

The Health Communication Certificate Program is sponsored by the Department of Health, Behavior and Society.

Admission

Information about admissions to the certificate program can be found on the Bloomberg School of Public Health certificate program page.

Requirements for Successful Completion

The certificate program requires a minimum of 18 term credits. All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grade, with a minimum grade of C required in all certificate coursework. Students must maintain a 2.75 or better overall GPA for all certificate coursework. Any request to substitute a course must be given serious consideration, but in no case will more than one substitution be permitted.

Program Length

The certificate program length is flexible and varies from student to student. However, the certificate must be completed within three years.

Course of Study

Students should check the Bloomberg School of Public Health course directory to confirm when courses are offered. Students should also check for prerequisites and whether instructor consent is required.

Required Courses

• PH.410.653: Contemporary Issues in Health Communication (1 credit)

Elective Courses

Students must complete 17 credits of elective courses, including at least 12 credits of Health, Behavior and Society (HBS) courses. Elective courses include:

• PH.180.634: Public Health Emergencies: Risk Communication and Decision Science (3 credits)
• PH.301.645: Health Advocacy (3 credits)
• PH.312.660: Marketing in Health Care Organizations (3 credits)
• PH.317.610: Risk Policy, Management and Communication (3 credits)
• PH.330.643: The Science of Narrative: Intersectionality of Storytelling and Public Health (2 credits)
• PH.380.611: Fundamentals of Program Evaluation (4 credits)
• PH.410.622: Strategic Leadership Principles and Tools for Health System Transformation in Developing Countries (4 credits)
• PH.410.650: Introduction to Persuasive Communications: Theories and Practice (4 credits)
• PH.410.651: Health Literacy: Challenges and Strategies for Effective Communication (3 credits)
• PH.410.652: Interpersonal Influence in Medical Care (2 credits)
• PH.410.654: Health Communication Programs I: Planning and Strategic Design (4 credits)
• PH.410.655: Health Communication Programs II: Implementation and Evaluation (4 credits)
• PH.410.656: Entertainment Education for Behavior Change and Development (4 credits)
• PH.410.663: Media Advocacy and Public Health: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• PH.410.679: Decoloniality and Global Health Communication (3 credits)
• PH.410.733: Communication Network Analysis in Public Health Programs (4 credits)
• PH.410.752: Media Impacts on Child and Adolescent Health (3 credits)
• PH.410.755: Designing Health Communication Programs for Social and Behavior Change (4 credits)