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School of Public Health

The 15-Credit Population Health Certificate can help you build a foundation in public health, expand your job or fellowship opportunities, or serve as a stepping stone to the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.

MD + Population Health Certificate

Only students accepted into or enrolled in the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School are eligible to apply for the MD+Population Health Certificate program. (Other medical schools may be added upon review of population health-based coursework.)

Why Earn a Population Health Certificate as an MD Student?

  • Training in population health provides a broad, contemporary perspective for future health care leaders who must deal with such problems as medical care for the poor and uninsured, global epidemics, and assessing health outcomes.
  • Specialized training in the core areas of public health can increase the impact of physicians’ work with individuals and communities.
  • Completion of this certificate will provide students with a clear understanding of the role of public health in society.

The MD+Population Health Certificate Program provided me with an opportunity to delve into the various different aspects of public health.

Population Health Certificate Graduate

Program Design

You can complete the Population Health 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 and online course offerings in fall, spring, and summer semesters make it convenient to continue your MD education while earning your Population Health Certificate.

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Curriculum Requirements (15 credits)

  • PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy (3 cr.) 
  • PHCO 0503 - Introduction to Environmental Health (3 cr.)
  • PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health (3 cr.)
  • Plus up to six (6) elective credit hours transferred from the population health- based Medical School Curriculum.

MD+Population Health Certificate students who are interested in pursuing an MPH at the Rutgers School of Public Health may apply the three PHCO courses toward the MPH if a B or better is earned. In addition, the six (6) transfer credits of population health-based MD curriculum may also be applied to the MPH. (Population Health Certificate holders must still apply and be admitted to the MPH program.)

Cost

Tuition is governed by Rutgers University and is subject to change without notice. Confirm current Rutgers School of Public Health’s Tuition & Fees

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Admission Requirements

Applicants must have:

  • Completed an accredited undergraduate program in the U.S. or its equivalent;
  • Demonstrated superior academic achievement in an appropriate discipline; and
  • Be enrolled in the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Applicants must submit:

  • Application for admission;
  • Letter of intent, including statement of purpose for application to the program;
  • Application fee; and
  • Written requests to the NJMS Admissions/ Registrar offices to send the following documents: MCAT Score report / Letters of recommendation / All grade transcripts, including New Jersey Medical School.

International applicants must submit:

  • TOEFL scores and WES evaluations.