Undergraduate Certificate in Public Health

Kent State University's undergraduate Certificate in Public Health integrates key aspects of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, communities and individuals.  Students completing the Certificate in Public Health will have an understanding of emerging issues in public health, the social and behavioral aspects of preventing disease, environmental health concepts, the changing health care system in the U.S., and how to monitor diseases in the community through applied public health research.

The Certificate in Public Health is intended for non-public health majors and anyone interested in obtaining knowledge about public health concepts to enhance their ability to succeed in their chosen field.  Nursing students will learn to apply their clinical skills in a health department or community health center.  Biology and chemistry students will be better equipped to work as environmental health specialists.  Health education students will gain the background to better prepare them to work in health departments and community-based organizations. 

Browse through the course descriptions below to see what you’ll be learning as you pursue your Certificate in Public Health. Learn more about the College of Public Health and discover what kinds of careers are possible with this dynamic certification.

Required Courses (12 credits):

• PH 10001 Introduction to Public Health (3)
  An overview of the historical evolution and practices in the field of public health in the United States and globally. Students are introduced to the structure and functions of public health organizations and public health practice.  Prerequisite:  None.
  
• PH 30005 Social and Behavioral Science Theories in Public Health (3)
  An overview of the contributions of the social and behavioral sciences to human health behavior, including application of students in the areas of health promotion, health protection and disease prevention in public health.  Prerequisite: none.
  
• PH 30006 Environmental Health Science (3)
  A survey of issues involving water quality, waste management, including hazardous waste; air quality and management; food protection; and other environmental topics.  Prerequisite: none.
  
• PH 20001 Essentials of Epidemiology (3)
  Students are introduced to the strategies adopted by public health professionals to study distribution and identification of important biologic, social and environmental determinants of diseases and health-related states in specific populations.  Prerequisite:  none.
  

One of the following research courses must also be selected (3 credits):

• PH 30004 Public Health Research (3)
  Approaches involved in defining health problems and steps involved in conducting research about these problems.  Students are introduced to how to evaluate published health research.  Prerequisite: none.
  
• PH 30002 Introductory Biostatistics (3)
  An introduction to statistical methodology in the field of public health.  Students learn the statistical skills to read scientific articles, understand the statistical methods used and interpret the results on their own.  Prerequisite: none.
  

The remaining courses are electives (take one elective = 3 credits). Suggested electives include:

• PH 10002 Introduction to Global Health (3)
  An overview of the biological, social and environmental contributions to health and diseases in populations around the world, including studies of selected infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies and health effect of environmental change.  Prerequisite: none.
  
• PH 30033 Public Health Policy and Decision-Making (3)
  An introductory course of the formulation to implementation of public health policies of various public health issues, and the use of practical tools such as strategic planning, use of economic evaluation tools, and decision analysis.  Prerequisite: none.
  
• PH 30007 Prevention and Control of Diseases (3)
  Provides an overview of concepts involved in biological mechanisms at cell, individual and community levels; provides insight into strategies used in preventing and controlling diseases at the population and/or community level within this framework.  Prerequisite: none.
  
• PH 20012 Sanitation and Hazardous Materials Management (3)
  Safety and sanitation practices and regulations pertinent to hazardous materials in the environment. Emphasis is on management of hazardous materials released to the environment and their use to control public health problems. Prerequisite: none.
  
• PH 44000 Health Disparities (3)
  Understanding the factors involved in health disparities at the national and global level, and the impact of health disparities on public health. Prerequisite: none. This course will be cross-listed with sociology.
  

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS:  18