2015-2016

Interdisciplinary Health Policy, Graduate Certificate

Department of Health Sciences

College of Health and Human Services

*This program is not currently accepting applications.*

This interdisciplinary graduate certificate in health policy will provide you with a basic understanding of the societal and personal factors that form the foundation for health policy and skills in policy analysis, policy development and advocacy for policy adoption. This certificate plan includes information about the social determinants of health that policy makers must consider in making fair and equitable policy and the policy development process. If you are currently employed in the health field you become better equipped to work with health policy makers at the local, state and federal government levels and with tribal nation government.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2017

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.
  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 15
Major GPA 3.0
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Some online/blended coursework Required

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
    • Transcripts.
    For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Certificate Requirements
  • Take the following 15 units with a minimum GPA of 3.0:

    Required Courses (9 units)

    • PSY 636, POS 671 (6 units)
    • HPI 698 Taken after courses above and after 3 units of Foundation or Policy Process courses. (3 units)
    Elective Courses (6 units)
    Interdisciplinary Foundation Courses, select from the following (3 units):
    Interdisciplinary Policy Process Courses, select from the following (3 units):
  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.