Program:
Community Health

Degree Awarded:
Certificate in Public Health

Length of Program:
Students with associate’s degree: 3 semesters
First-time college students: 3–4 semesters

Application Deadlines:
Accepted year-round
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Degree Overview

Clarkson College offers an online Public Health certificate program that aims to increase the knowledge of effective practices and disease prevention tactics that protect the public from harm and promote health throughout the state, the nation and the world.

The 21-credit hour Public Health certificate is ideal for individuals interested in obtaining knowledge about public policy, research and population health sciences to enhance their career goals.

Coursework will cover epidemiology (the science concerned with the spread and control of disease), preventative medicine, health program planning and evaluation, and the implementation of community health initiatives. In your final semester of the program, students will complete either a fieldwork experience or an EA (ethics, empathy and advocacy) core course. Those who already have work experience in the field will have the option to take an EA core course; students who do not yet have work experience in the field will be required to take the fieldwork course. This flexibility prevents experienced students from having to take time off work to fulfill fieldwork requirements, and instead provides instruction in an area specific to their career interests and life experience. It also provides a valuable, hands-on learning opportunity for students new to the field. This hands-on experience provides you with opportunities for observation and participation that are not available in traditional classroom work. 

Courses are offered year-round and on a part- or full-time basis. Students entering the program with little or no college experience may complete their prerequisite courses at Clarkson College.

After successful completion of the Public Health certificate program, you will be knowledgeable in the areas of disease prevention, health promotion, social and behavioral aspects of disease prevention, emerging issues impacting public health, and how changes in our health care systems impact these areas.

Required Courses for Certificate in Public Health

General Education courses

These courses are available at Clarkson College or qualifying courses may transfer. Students with an associates degree or higher in a health care-related field may have the prerequisites waived after review by the admitting program director.

Courses Semester Hours
EN 101 (ENG 101) - English Composition I 3
EN 102 (ENG 102) - English Composition II 3
MA 130 (MAT 130) - College Algebra 3
ST 310 (MAT 310) - Statistics 3
HM 224 (HIM 224) - Anatomy and Physiology OR
BI 211 (BIO 211) - Human Anatomy - Lecture and Lab AND
BI 213 (BIO 213) - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab
4
4
4
Total Semester Hours 16
Required courses
Courses Semester Hours
BU 470 (BUS 470) - Issues and Policies in Public Health 3
CHL 250 - Epidemiology 3
CHL 251 - Environmental Risk Factors and Disease 3
◊ CHL 353 - Community Engagement and Social Change 3
ST 410 (MAT 410) - Advanced Statistics for Public Healthcare 3
CHL 355 - Health Program Planning and Evaluation 3
◊ CHL 400 - Community Health Fieldwork (concentration related) OR
EA Core (EEA Core) - Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy OR
CHL 244 - Vulnerable Populations
2
3
3

Total Semester Hours: 20-21

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Find out more information about costs, tuition, and fees.

Scholarships

Learn which scholarships you are eligible for as an in-coming or current student.
Learn More

Financial Aid

Explore the various loan and grant opportunities available to help fund your education.
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Undergraduate Tuition

Cost per Credit Hour
$651


Cost per Semester
$7,962 - Full-time (12 hrs)
$3,981 - Part-time (6 hrs)

Tuition
Undergraduate Tuition$651 / credit-hour
Fees - Included in cost per semester
Enrollment Fee for first time students $150/ each
Degree Specific Fees - Not included in cost per semester
Lab Fee - General Education $40/ class

Career Overview

Median Salary

$47,000
Payscale.com, 2019

Job Outlook

Employment of community health workers is growing at a rapid rate of 21%, thus creating 10,200 new jobs before 2022 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Career Options

  • Administration
  • Educational settings
  • Environmental health agencies
  • Grant writing
  • Health departments
  • Health & wellness centers
  • Hospitals
  • Insurance companies
  • Medical clinics
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Public policy & government
  • Public safety & disaster relief organizations
  • Research
  • Shelters
  • Social service agencies
  • Health Education and Promotion
  • Public Health Worker
  • Promotora
  • Occupational Health & Safety Specialist
  • Wellness Coordinator

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.