Advanced Certificate in Public Health (2024)

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About the Program

SDSU’s Advanced Public Health Certificate is a five-course graduate-level program that’s designed for professionals currently working in the field of public health. If you’re interested in taking on more responsibilities at work, or you’re in line for a promotion, this program will give you an opportunity to understand core public health principles at a higher level.

The program can also prepare you for admission to graduate-level public health programs, including SDSU’s MPH in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science or MPH in Epidemiology. The online courses cover a range of topics that are essential to any master’s program in public health, including epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and healthcare administration.

Want to try the program before applying? Take one 3-unit course before you’re accepted to the program! Click here to learn more.

If you’re interested in applying to one of SDSU’s MPH programs, you can transfer fifteen (15) units earned in the Advanced Certificate into the master’s program, giving you a unique opportunity to earn your Master’s in Public Health more quickly so that you can get back to doing what you do best — improving the health of your community.

Is This Program Right for Me?

SDSU’s Advanced Public Health Certificate program is for people who are passionate about keeping their communities healthy and want to take their professional careers to the next level. This program provides you with a unique opportunity to get a feel for the academic rigors of a graduate-level curriculum without committing to an entire MPH program.

If you complete the program and you’re still interested in continuing your education, you can apply all of your coursework towards earning an MPH from SDSU. If not, you’ve still earned a valuable Advanced Certificate that can help you attain higher-level employment opportunities.

While SDSU’s School of Public Health accepts students from a wide range of backgrounds, most students entering the Advanced Certificate Program hold bachelor’s degrees in biology, chemistry, health science, nursing, social work, or other health-related fields of study.

This intensive certificate program is also held entirely online, which makes it ideal for working professionals and potential students who don’t have the time or the means to attend in-person courses on a college campus.

What Can I Learn

Your curriculum is designed by SDSU’s School of Public Health, a global leader in health-related research and academics. Your courses are delivered by the same expert faculty who teach courses in SDSU’s on-campus program. Through their professional experience and academic expertise, you’ll be able to participate in a graduate-level program that matches the intensity of any in-person public health certificate program.

If you’re interested in earning a Master’s in Public Health from San Diego State University, you’ll be able to transfer up to nine (9) units into SDSU’s MPH program. You can also petition for the other 6 units to transfer, which the School of Public Health can approve.

Time Commitments for Online Courses at Global Campus

Career Outcomes

Many students who have earned their bachelor’s degree in public health are interested in continuing their education in a graduate-level MPH program, but they may be hesitant to make an investment that’s both time-consuming and costly.

While employment numbers and salary figures for graduates with bachelor’s in public health are favorable, those numbers look even better for students who earn their MPH. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nationwide number of people employed with an MPH is expected to grow by nearly 15% over the decade, compared to just 10.6% growth for individuals with a bachelor’s degree. Currently, the average salary for those with an MPH is more than $77,000, compared to an average salary of $69,000 for those with a bachelor’s degree.

With SDSU’s Advanced Certificate in Public Health, you can make an informed decision on whether you’d like to enroll in an MPH while building knowledge that you can apply to your current job.

Why Should You Choose Us?

Reputation

SDSU’s School of Public Health (SPH) is one of four CEPH-accredited schools of public health in California. Through partnerships with the UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, and other health organizations, the SPH has a reputation as a leader in public health research. The SPH also provides assistance to healthcare organizations, governmental agencies, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, multinational organizations, and our own academic community on matters of public health.

Opportunity

With SDSU’s Advanced Certificate in Public Health Program, you’ll have a chance to prepare for a master’s program by taking five graduate-level courses. These five courses are part of SDSU’s MPH programs. If you’re interested in enrolling in SDSU’s graduate program, you’ll be able to apply nine (9) advanced certificate course units toward one of our public health master’s programs.

Practicality

If you’re not enrolling in a graduate program, you’ll still be able to use the Advanced Certificate in Public Health to help you take your current career to the next level. You’ll acquire the advanced public health knowledge you need to take on leadership roles in your organization — whether those entail taking on administrative roles, creating healthcare policies with lasting community effects, or implementing large-scale public health strategies.

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Click here for information about our drop policy.

In order to earn your Advanced Certificate in Public Health, you’ll need to complete the following five courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better and a GPA of 3.0 or better:

PH 601: Epidemiology (3 Units)

Distribution and determinants of diseases; role of epidemiology in public health. Descriptive, analytic, and experimental epidemiology.

PH 602: Biostatistics (3 Units)

Statistical reasoning applied to public health; probability, hypothesis testing, regression and correlation, analysis of variance, measurement theory and modeling.

PH 603: Behavioral and Social Science in Public Health (3 Units)

Role of psychological, social and environmental variables in health and illness. Multifactorial psychosocial model of disease susceptibility.

PH 604: Environmental Determinants of Human Health (3 Units)

Environmental determinants and their influence on human health. Biological, physical, and chemical factors which affect the health of a community.

PH 605: Health Services Administration (3 Units)

Characteristics of utilization of health care, financing and system structure, types of providers, non-financial resources, and assessment and regulation.

Open Courses

You can take one 3-unit course before you’re accepted into the program. Click the Enroll button to begin the registration process for open courses. View the Academic Calendar for course dates and registration deadlines

View the courses below by clicking on the course titles. Please check back for registration instructions.

2024 Term Dates

Spring Block 1: Jan. 17-March 13, 2024
Spring Block 2: March 14-May. 9, 2024

Enroll

Please note that courses taken before acceptance count as special session credit and are not eligible for financial aid. Only courses taken after you are accepted and matriculated are financial aid eligible.

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How to Register for Open Courses

How to Apply

Out-of-State Applicants
While we welcome out-of-state students, SDSU Global Campus currently cannot accept applications from students residing in the specific states listed below. Please check back often, as this list of approved states does change. View the list of authorized states here.

International Applicants
Pleaseclick here for detailed guidance on how to submit your transcripts.

Admission Requirements

Below is a list of general admission requirements for the Advanced Certificate in Public Health program.

We understand that every student's academic journey is unique, and we encourage you to contact one of our Student Service Representatives to find out what you'll need to successfully apply to the program.

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, health science, nursing, social work, or other health-related fields. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, your admission should be approved by the Director of the School of Public Health.
• Have earned a GPA of 2.85+ in your bachelor’s program.
• If you’re an international applicant, you’ll need to submit one of the following as proof of English proficiency:
  • TOEFL with a minimum score of 80 iBT/ 550 PBT: Score should be sent electronically from Educational Testing Service (ETS) using the SDSU institution code: 4682. Test score should be from within the past two years.
  • IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 or higher: Score report should be sent directly to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Test score should be from within the past two years.
  • Official transcripts indicating English as the principle language of instruction.

You may submit your application prior to entering the program, or before you complete nine semester units of coursework towards your Advanced Certificate in Public Health.

Application Instructions

To join SDSU’s Advanced Public Health Certificate, please complete the following steps:

1. Submit an SDSU Application via Cal State Apply.
2. Official Transcripts: Send one official transcript (in sealed envelopes) from all post-secondary institutions attended to:

   Graduate Admissions
   San Diego State University
   5500 Campanile Drive
   San Diego, CA 92182-8225

   Note: Please do not send transcripts before submitting the Cal State Apply application, as this may result in processing delays. Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since their last attendance.

3. Additional Steps for International Applicants
   • Please review additional requirements for international transcripts and diploma/degree certificates.
   • Proof of English Proficiency
     • If you’re an international applicant, you’ll need to demonstrate English proficiency in one of three ways.

After submitting the online Cal State Apply application, you will receive an email from San Diego State University that includes your SDSUid, which is needed to log into my.SDSU. You can use my.SDSUto check your application status, update your contact information, access your financial aid, and more. Please check back frequently to make sure all of the required materials have been received — you’re responsible for ensuring that all supporting materials are submitted by the deadline.

Financial Aid

Important Note: Courses taken before acceptance are not eligible for financial aid. Once you are accepted or matriculated, the courses are financial aid eligible.

This program is approved for financial aid. To begin the financial aid process, visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website. There, you'll be able to access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If you have any questions regarding the financial aid process, please call the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships on weekdays from 10 am–3 pm at (619) 594-6323.

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid as soon as possible.