Rural Public Health Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Rural Public Health is designed to provide students with skills and knowledge to effectively work as public health leaders and practitioners in rural communities, both globally and domestically. Students completing this concentration will develop an understanding of how unique social, cultural, political, and environmental characteristics of rural communities, as well as structural, systemic, and historical influences, affect everything from rural health and well-being to public health and health care delivery, policy development, collaborative opportunities, and advocacy strategies.

Learning competencies:

1. Research conditions of rural life (social, cultural, political factors) that affect health, health systems, and healthcare delivery in a selected rural community.
2. Evaluate how the shared environment (the interconnection between people, animals, and plants) impacts population health in rural communities.
3. Analyze root causes of morbidity or mortality in rural communities.
4. Explain the influence of key stakeholders (formal or informal leaders, resident voice, or others) on rural health delivery and outcomes.
5. Propose a policy that impacts issues related to rural health and well-being and is informed by community-level data (community needs assessments, census data, vital statistics, etc.).

Application Requirements*  

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

Rural Public Health Graduate Certificate Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Rural Public Health is available only online. Students must complete nine (9) credits as specified below. No transfer credits allowed.

MSU Course Descriptions