The 15-Credit Health Education Certificate can help you advance your knowledge and skills to design, implement, and evaluate health promotion activities, initiatives, and programs for communities, private companies, schools, and other settings.

Health Education Certificate

Courses explore health behavior theory; program planning and management; and evaluation and assessment. The Health Education Certificate will satisfy 15-credits of the 25-credits needed to be eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES ) exam administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Visit www.nchec.org for more information on the CHES exam.

The Health Education Certificate is intended for:

  • Public health students in disciplines other than social and behavioral health sciences
  • Those who are interested in taking the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam
  • Those who working in the public health workforce who wish to have a stronger foundation in health behavior change and program planning

“Through this certificate, students can gain the expertise needed to promote wellness and prevent disease across various settings and moreover are able to satisfy 15 credits toward eligibility for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. this certificate can broaden career opportunities in the field of health education.”

Dr. Laura E. Liang
Associate Professor, Department of Health, Behavior, Society & Policy

Program Design

You can complete the Health Education Certificate in two to three semesters, or you can plan a schedule for completing the courses over a two-year period (maximum timeframe). The late afternoon/evening schedule makes it convenient to continue working or gain experience while earning your Health Education Certificate.

Students sitting together on a bench
Image Credit | Raymond Clinkscale

Depending on the degree program and concentration, certificate courses may also be applied toward a degree at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Certificate holders must apply and be admitted to the degree program.

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Curriculum Requirements (15 credits)

Courses are available in-person, remote and/or online, varying by semester and course.

  • PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health (3 cr.)
  • HBSP 0652 - Program Planning and Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • HBSP 0653 - Modifying Health Behaviors: Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
  • HBSP 0655 - Social Marketing (3 cr.)
  • Elective - Select an elective with permission from the Program Coordinator (3 cr.)

Graduates of CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health may transfer up to six (6) credits towards a certificate program if earned within the past seven years with a grade of B or better and are deemed appropriate by the respective Certificate Program Coordinator.

Cost

Tuition is governed by Rutgers University and is subject to change without notice. Please visit the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Tuition & Fees webpage to confirm tuition rates and fees.

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Admission Requirements

Applicants must have:

  • Completed an accredited undergraduate program in the U.S. or its equivalent
  • Demonstrated academic achievement in an appropriate discipline

Applicants must submit:

  • Application for Admission
  • Official transcripts of all prior work
  • Letter of intent, including statement of purpose for application to the program
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation
  • Application fee

International applicants must submit:

  • TOEFL scores and WES evaluations

Download the Health Education Certificate Info. Sheet