2022-2023

Public Health, Graduate Certificate

Department of Health Sciences

College of Health and Human Services

The public health needs of rural Northern Arizona are immense. Tribal and non-tribal communities in Northern Arizona experience severe health disparities that are linked to chronic illness. Individuals from these rural communities aspire to serve the health needs of their communities, but may find relocation a barrier to attending higher education opportunities.  This Graduate Certificate in Public Health prepares students for careers in public health and can support career advancement for individuals who are already employed in the public health field. The certificate prepares students for professional practice in public health, providing specific skill development in health policy and management, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, and the consideration of social and structural determinants of health when planning public health interventions.

    • 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 12
Additional Admission Requirements Additional admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are recommended.
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in Public Health is to prepare students for professional practice in public health, providing specific skill development in health policy and management, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, and the consideration of social and structural determinants of health when planning public health interventions. This graduate certificate program prepares students for careers in public health and can support career advancement for individuals who are already employed in the public health field. Residents of Native American reservations and other rural communities are best suited for the Graduate Certificate Program in Public Health.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
  2. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings
  3. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels
  4. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities' health
  5. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs
  6. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention
  7. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management
  8. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
  9. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
  10. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
  11. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity
  12. Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making
  13. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
  14. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue

Additional Admission Requirements

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

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
    • A personal statement that includes the applicant's career goals and reason for applying to the certificate program.
Certificate Requirements

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone 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.