Certificate in Community Health

Discover the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Health

The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Health provides students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience that prepares them to tackle real-world health problems. The coursework for this certificate prepares students to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

The Certificate in Community Health is available to degree-seeking students or is eligible to those who currently have a bachelor’s degree.

Eligibility

  1. To earn the certificate, students must complete a minimum of 27 credits in accordance with the specified curriculum, and will require a C or higher in all required coursework
  2. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the certificate will have this credential added to their official transcript. A printed certificate resembling a diploma will be awarded upon graduation.
  3. Public Health students majoring in Community Health are not eligible for the Community Health Certificate.
  4. Students must declare their intention to graduate with the certificate by completing the Application For Certificate form.

Curriculum

Required courses (12 credits)

  • PBHL-S120 Introduction to Community Health
  • PBHL-S315 Community Organizing for Health Promotion
  • PBHL-S349 Research Methods in Community Health
  • PBHL-S415 Applied Health Promotion Methods

Elective courses (6 credits)

  • PBHL-S305 Careers in Public Health
  • PBHL-S337 Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health
  • PBHL-S422 Coaching for Health Behavior Change Promotion

The coursework below will prepare students to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. The certificate in Community Health curriculum consists of nine 3-credit hour courses:

  • PBHL S120 Introduction to Community Health
  • PBHL S305 Careers in Public Health
  • PBHL S315 Community Organizing for Health Promotion
  • PBHL S330 Theoretical Foundations of Community Health
  • PBHL S349 Research Methods in Community Health
  • PBHL S360 Assessment and Planning for Community Health Promotion
  • PBHL S361 Implementation and Evaluation for Community Health Promotion

PLUS - pick any two of the following courses:

  • PBHL S340 Cultural Considerations in the Promotion of Health
  • PBHL S416 Health Promotion Application
  • PBHL S422 Coaching for Health Behavior Change
  • PBHL S460 Biosocial Approach to Global Health
  • PBHL S469 Practicum in Community Health

  1. Recognize the structural and social determinants of health that affect individuals and communities.
  2. Demonstrate an appreciation of social justice as the ethical framework for advancing community health.
  3. Explain and apply the public health domains of epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health policy and management to the social and behavioral sciences domain.
  4. Describe the historical role of public health nationally and globally, and identify and understand current and future public health challenges faced by the U.S. and the world.
  5. Obtain, analyze, synthesize, and apply quality data for assessment and planning in community health programs.
  6. Engage community stakeholders and organize communities to determine health priorities and plan effective community health interventions and programs.
  7. Coordinate and monitor the delivery of community health interventions and programs.
  8. Implement appropriate and equitized data collection and analysis procedures for evaluation and research related to community health promotion.
  9. Develop appropriate and effective health promotion communication materials and messaging.
  10. Communicate effectively with diverse individuals, communities, and stakeholders.
  11. Advocate for evidence-based practices, programming, and policies that affect the health of individuals and communities.
  12. Demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to apply ethical decision making and professionalism.

Declare your minor

Are you ready to take your degree to the next level with an undergraduate minor from the Fairbanks School of Public Health?

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