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

Population Health Certificate

The Certificate program consists of five courses - all of which may be applied toward an MPH at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Certificate holders must apply and be admitted to the MPH program.

The Population Health Certificate is for: 

  • Those who work in public health, but who have never had any formal public health training
  • Those interested in a career in public health and expecting to use these credits towards an MPH degree
  • Those with or pursuing advanced degrees in related areas (such as medicine, biomedical sciences, nursing, and psychology) who wish to enhance their professional knowledge of core public health concepts

The Population Health Certificate Program provided me with an opportunity to delve into the different aspects of Public Health before deciding what to concentrate in.

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 make it convenient to continue working or gain experience while earning your Population Health Certificate. 

Students sitting together outside
Image Credit | Nick Romanenko

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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.) 
  • PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology (3 cr.) 
  • PHCO 0503 - Introduction to Environmental Health (3 cr.) 
  • PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics* (3 cr.) 
  • PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health (3 cr.) 

*Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment

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 Population Health Certificate Info. Sheet