What is a Graduate Certificate in Public Health?

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health is an exciting way to build a foundation in public health, expand your job opportunities, or enhance your current degree programs.

Overview


A Graduate Certificate in Public Health is perfect for professionals continuing their education, for those refocusing or advancing their current profession, and/or for recent graduates who want explore different career options before applying to a graduate program.

The Graduate Certificate program is ideal for:

  • Health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, nutritionists and veterinarians, who work in public health and would like to increase their expertise and develop confidence in their knowledge of these issues
  • Health professionals who wish to move into career positions in public health
  • Graduate or professional students who would like to explore the opportunities and challenges of applying their developing professional skills in a public health setting

Non-degree Certificate students who complete the certificate program courses with a grade of “B” or better can transfer these credits to the Master of Public Health program, if subsequently admitted less than 7 years after the certificate courses are taken. Application of non-degree coursework to a degree program is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Curriculum


The Graduate Certificate in Public Health offers students the ability to tailor the curriculum to meet their professional and educational needs. Focus options include:

Specific Plan of Study

The Specific Plan of Study is for individuals who work in Public Health or a related field and wish to obtain a greater depth of knowledge in a specific concentration area. This program is available to select students. In the specific plan of study, students take the core course in their chosen area (3 credits), 9 credits of intermediate and advanced course work in that concentration, and an additional 3 credits selected from another core course or within the chosen concentration area. Applicants who wish to pursue a specific plan of study will be contacted before an admission decision is made to discuss the appropriateness of a specific program for them and to identify the courses they would take to complete the certificate requirements.

Campus or Online Format


The Graduate Certificate in Public Health is offered in TWO formats:

Campus Program


  • The content of the campus Graduate Certificate in Public Health is a program
    comprised of five (5) Public Health graduate-level courses from the campus MPH program.
  • The schedule for completing the Graduate Certificate in Public Health is flexible.
    You can complete the program (e.g. Foundations emphasis) in only two semesters if desired, or you can plan a schedule for completing the five courses over a two-year period.
  • The schedule depends on course availability and student status (e.g., graduate student or non-degree certificate-seeking student).
  • Non-degree Certificate students who complete the certificate program courses with a grade of “B” or better can transfer these credits to the appropriate MPH degree program if subsequently admitted to the MPH program. Courses must be less than 7 years old to be transferred.
    Application of non-degree coursework to a degree program is handled on a case-by-case basis.
  • International students cannot complete a campus-based Certificate in Public Health as a standalone program.

Online Program


  • The content of the online Graduate Certificate in Public Health is a program comprised of five (5) Public Health graduate-level courses from the online MPH program. The program is conducted completely online via the UF e-Learning course management system, Canvas. There are no campus visits required.
  • For most certificate emphases, all five courses are offered within one calendar year so that participants can complete their coursework in a fairly short period of time, or take up to 3 years to complete. This online certificate program is specifically designed for the working professional that wants to increase their knowledge of public health, but cannot come to a university campus for courses.
  • Completion in one calendar year may depend on first semester of enrollment and course availability for certain emphases.  Please contact the Academic Assistant for the program to inquire about specifics.
  • Non-degree Certificate students who complete the certificate program courses with a grade of “B” or better can transfer these credits to the appropriate MPH degree program if subsequently admitted to the MPH program. Courses must be less than 7 years old to be transferred. Application of non-degree coursework to a degree program is handled on a case-by-case basis.
  • Material Requirements: Every online course requires that students own a headset-style microphone/speaker.-Every online course requires that students own a webcam.-Other requirements for hardware and software will be posted in the course syllabus.
  • International students can complete an online Certificate in Public Health from their home country.

Costs and Financial Aid: For a comparison of the tuition, fees, eligibility for tuition waivers, and financial aid options for both programs, refer to the Costs and Financial Aid page.


Questions?

For information about certificate eligibility, admission, or the application process, please contact Brittany Gibson.

For information about registration, courses, designing a plan of study, or transitioning from the Certificate in Public Health to the UF MPH program, please contact Telisha Martin.