The 15-Credit Health Policy Certificate can help you better understand the structure and financing of the United States health system and the social and economic factors underlying population health.

Health Policy Certificate

The certificate also will provide information on recent health care reforms, the policy and economic issues likely to affect the practice of medicine, and ongoing concerns related to access, cost and quality of care.

The Health Policy Certificate is intended for:

  • Medical and other health professional students
  • Those working in the pharmaceutical industry
  • Those working in local and state departments of health
  • Those working health care settings

“The health policy certificate allows for a deeper understanding of the complexities of regulatory agencies which affect the healthcare system and opportunities to gain insight as to how to make a difference in the scope of public health through policy strategy.”

Seaham Musa, MPH '24
Health Policy Certificate Graduate

Program Design

You can complete the Health Policy 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 Policy Certificate.

Students sitting and speaking to each other
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 0501 - Health Systems and Policy (3 cr.)
  • HBSP 0621 - Health Economics (3 cr.)
  • HBSP 0625 - Issues in Private and Public Health Insurance (3 cr.)

      --AND--

     Choose two of the following:

  • HBSP 0622 - Health Politics and Policy (3 cr.)
  • HBSP 0624 - Population Health and Public Policy* (3 cr.)
  • HBSP 0630 - Topics in Health Systems and Health Care Policy (3 cr.)

*Students selecting this course should have taken a statistics course at the undergraduate level.

With permission from the Certificate Program Coordinator, students may choose to participate in one 3-credit independent study or health policy/practice course as one of the five courses.

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 Policy Certificate Info. Sheet