Core Disciplines of Public Health Graduate Certificate

Gain competence in public health for a fraction of the cost and time commitment. If you decide to pursue an MPH, credits from the graduate certificates do apply.

Michigan State University offers an online graduate certificate in the Core Disciplines of Public Health. The courses that make up this certificate serve as foundational and core courses for students who are pursuing a Master of Public Health degree. This certificate is designed to provide students with a basis for understanding the breadth and scope of the public health field. The core public health disciplines include biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences, and environmental health sciences.

Certificate competencies:

1. Apply epidemiological methods to settings and situations in public health practice
2. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate
3. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice
4. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings
5. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health
6. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention
7. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management
8. Select methods to evaluate public health programs
9. Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence 
10. Propose strategies to identify relevant communities and individuals and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
11. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
12. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation to a non-academic, non-peer audience with attention to factors such as literacy and health literacy
13. Describe the importance of cultural humility in communicating public health content
14. Investigate the relationship between environmental agents and adverse health outcomes with consideration of the social determinants of health)
15. Analyze the ethical assumptions and implications underlying decisions in public health practice

Application Requirements*  

Apply Now

*Graduate certificate applicants are subject to the same application requirements, process, and deadlines as MPH applicants.

Core Disciplines of Public Health Graduate Certificate Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Core Disciplines of Public Health is available only online. Students must complete eighteen (18) credits as specified below. No course waivers or transfer credits allowed.

MSU Course Descriptions