WHY GET A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC HEALTH?
Public health is a fast-growing field that works toward keeping our communities healthier and safer. A Public Health Certificate (PHC) is an excellent opportunity to advance your career in healthcare or public health without having to commit to an entire degree program. The required courses can be completed in two semesters, or you have up to three years to complete the certificate. Earning your certificate will advance your knowledge of public health within communities, and populations, as a whole. If you are working in public or community health but lack formal training, or because you are completing a master’s degree in another field that intersects with public health, earning a public health certificate will enhance your credentials and be a perfect addition to your resume.
WHY CHOOSE UNH’S PUBLIC HEALTH GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM?
The Public Health Certificate (PHC) at UNH is offered on the UNH Manchester campus. Courses are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, catering to the working professional. With small classes, you will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty from a range of public health practice settings, while also establishing a great network with your peers in the classroom. The UNH program provides a flexible curriculum which can be applied toward the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree as well. Content areas of the certificate include public healthcare systems and epidemiology, with the flexibility to select course electives that meet individual interests and needs.
POTENTIAL CAREER AREAS
- Community health organizations
- Consumer advocacy
- Healthcare policy
- Health data analysis
- Health education
- Hospitals
- Government agencies
- Managed care
From the CHHS Blog
Curriculum & Requirements
Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, the Public Health Graduate Certificate is pausing admissions to the program. Current students will continue to have access to the same high-quality education and resources until they graduate.
As part of the Master of Public Health Program's continuing education program, a Public Health Certificate (PHC) is offered. The Public Health Certificate can be completed in one semester in the Fall, on a part-time basis over two semesters, or up to three years. The Public Health Certificate Program provides a vehicle for individuals working in public or community health positions with the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in public health.
To enter the certificate program, an applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Upon completion of the certificate program, students may apply to the MPH. program. If admitted into the MPH program, the certificate credits will be applied to the MPH degree program.
Certificate Requirements
The public health certificate is a 12 credit program that can be completed as quickly one semester in the Fall, or up to three years. All courses must be taken at UNH. To earn the Public Health Certificate, a student must successfully complete the following curriculum consisting of two required courses and two elective courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PHP 900 | Public Health Care Systems | 3 |
| PHP 901 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| Select two elective courses 1 | 6 | |
PHP 902 | Environmental Health | |
PHP 903 | Biostatistics | |
PHP 904 | Social and Behavioral Health | |
PHP 905 | Public Health Administration | |
PHP 906 | Public Health Finance and Budgeting | |
PHP 907 | Public Health Policy | |
PHP 908 | Public Health Ethics | |
PHP 912 | Public Health Law and Negotiation | |
PHP 922 | Public Health Economics | |
PHP 926 | Evaluation in Public Health | |
PHP 995 | Independent Study | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Students can take any listed PHP course as long as prerequisites have been met.
Grading Policy: For the purposes of determining academic standing, grades below the “B-” level in graded courses are considered failing grades. The MPH program director will recommend dismissal of a student to the Graduate School when a failing grade occurs in six or more credits, either in two courses or in one course taken twice. Repeating a course does not remove the original failing grade from the record. Students must earn a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 (B), or higher, in order to graduate. Students admitted on a conditional or provisional basis must meet the conditions or provisions as stated in the letter of admission in order to remain in the Graduate School.
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: July 1
- Spring: December 15
- Summer: N/A
- Special: N/A
Application fee: $25
Campus: Manchester
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement
Applicants are required to submit a narrative which addresses five questions. Please submit an answer to each question separately in 250 words or less: Download Special Essay Questions.
Statements must be included with your submitted application.
Resume
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
Additional Department Requirements:
In addition, interviews with the Public Health Certificate administrator are encouraged.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
Please note that this graduate program is not available to international applicants who are currently living outside of the U.S. as it does not meet the F-1 or J-1 visa requirements for a full-time program.
