College of Science and Health

Public Health Certificate Programs

Certificates are offered to persons who are interested in acquiring a specialized set of skills and may or may not choose to continue in a degree program. MPH degree-seeking students can “add on” a certificate by selecting specific elective courses.

Certificates are offered in Health Management and Policy, Health Education and Promotion, and Epidemiology. Courses are designed to appeal to mid-career professionals and to students new to the field of public health. For students initially seeking a certificate only, hours earned in certificate courses are transferable to the MPH degree program if the student meets degree admission requirements.

Health Management and Policy Certificate (12 credit hours)

The Certificate in Health Management and Policy is designed for those who are currently working in management positions or at the policy level or to those who would like to move into administrative positions. The certificate program requires a total of 12 semester credit hours in the areas of management, finance, accounting, regulation and law, policy and marketing. Courses may be taken in any order.

Courses required for this certificate:

• Introduction to Public Health (3)
• Health Systems, Law & Policy (3)
• Leadership & Management (3)
• Choice of 1 of the following:
  • Health Communication & Marketing (3) OR
  • Organizational Resource Management (3) OR,
  • Public Health Grant Writing* (3)
    *applicable to ONE certificate only

Health Education and Promotion Certificate (12 credit hours)

The Certificate in Health Education and Promotion provides or strengthens the skill sets of persons interested in improving the health of communities through a population-based approach. The program requires 12 credit hours in the areas of health research methods,  program evaluation methods, health and risk communication, and health behavior. Courses may be taken in any order.

Courses required for this certificate:

• Health Behavior (3)
• Cultural Context of Health (3)
• Public Health Education Methods (3)
• Choice of 1 of the following:
  • Public Health Education Programs and Skills (3) OR
  • Pbulic Health Grant Writing* (3)
    *applicable to ONE certificate only

Epidemiology Certificate (12 credit hours)

The Certificate in Epidemiology allows students to gain exposure to the skills and competencies needed for successful work in the field of epidemiology. Successful completion of the certificate will involve attainment of professional skills in biostatistics, epidemiology, methods of research, and applied epidemiology. Upon completion of the certificate, practitioners will understand how to conduct and analyze research studies from the initial development of a research hypothesis, through literature review, full data analyses, and reporting of findings. Students will also acquire the competencies necessary to perform original data collection and study design, and how to respond in the field in applied epidemiology. 

Courses required for this certificate:

• Data Analytics (3)
• Introduction to Epidemiology (3)
• Quantitative & Qualitative Research in Public Health (3)
• Choice of 1 of the following:
  • Applied Epidemiology (3) OR
  • Advanced Epidemiology (3) OR
  • Advanced Research Methods (3)

The Master of Public Health program at Benedictine University is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

The final accreditation report is available upon request. To obtain a copy of the report please contact Susan Cheng, PhD at scheng@ben.edu or 630-829-6217.