Graduate Certificate Options

Graduate Certificate Programs allow a student to take courses in a specific topical area without being admitted to a degree program. Certificates range from 12 to 18 credits to complete, depending on the one selected. By comparison, the MPH requires a minimum of 42 credits.

Open to students who have completed a Bachelor degree, Graduate Certificate Programs are designed to meet your continuing professional education needs. Credits taken can apply, if appropriate, to a Masters or PhD degree in Public Health or related disciplines should the student later be admitted to a graduate degree program. For more information on certificates, see the Office of Graduate Studies website.

Certificate Application: To apply to a certificate, visit the Graduate Certificate Application page.

Following is a list of all of the current graduate certificates offered by the College of Public Health which outlines the requirements for admission to the graduate certificate and the required coursework. Please note that clicking on a graduate certificate title will connect you to the current catalog page for that certificate. To view terminated certificates, please visit the USF Graduate Catalog Archives.

Applied Biostatistics (14 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
This graduate certificate is a good choice for students who want to acquire data-analysis skills and a greater knowledge of biostatistics. Such gains of skill are useful in fields such as public health, medicine, nursing, business, education, engineering and other related areas.

Assessing Chemical Toxicity and Public Health Risk (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
Designed to introduce fundamental concepts in the discipline of chemical toxicity and public health risks as they are applied in related professions. This certificate program will advance the knowledge of current professionals in fields related to occupational health and environmental health, and will prepare students with the intention of pursuing a graduate level degree in these fields.

Concepts & Tools of Epidemiology (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
Designed to combine basic training in epidemiologic concepts and methods with specialized training in epidemiologic disease areas and analytic/data skills….The goal of the certificate is to provide students with an understanding of concepts and tools of epidemiology and in-depth knowledge of selected disease areas of public health importance.

Disaster Management (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
The purpose of this graduate certificate is to enhance the knowledge base of public health professionals, as well as other disaster management personnel, in the management, preparedness, response, and recovery from natural and man-made disasters. The design of the certificate engages the student in critical thinking skills that enable them to reduce the health complexities of disasters.

Epidemiology of Infectious Disease (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
This graduate certificate provides an in-depth training in epidemiologic methods and their application to the study, control and prevention of infectious diseases as well as basic training in biostatistical concepts, to help students understand and interpret the statistical methods used by epidemiologist.

Global Health Practice (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Traditional
This certificate engages students interested in the field of international public health, such as with international, bilateral, governmental and non-governmental agencies. The curriculum focuses on assessment and intervention strategies useful in resolving health problems of primarily undeveloped countries.

Health and Wellness Coaching (9 credit hours)
Delivery: Traditional
This Certificate program is intended to train graduate students and healthcare providers to meet the requirements for certification as a Health & Wellness Coach. Certification will enable the student to provide Health & Wellness Coaching in a number of various healthcare organizations. The required courses will present the frameworks, methods, and skills necessary to met required competencies for credentialing.

Health Management and Leadership (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Traditional
This certificate is designed to serve persons who want to enhance their knowledge and potential to pursue management and leadership positions in health services. It furthers an understanding of health system organization and financing, health policy, managed care and insurance, and management decision-making.

Health, Safety and Environment (15 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
This Certificate program is intended to appeal to experienced working professionals anywhere in the world who seek to broaden their understanding of the interrelatedness of the areas of health, safety and environment. The certificate addresses topics that include the persistent issues of air and water quality, solid and hazardous wastes, worker safety, legal requirements, and effective management for developed and less developed countries.

Homeland Security (15 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
The Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security has been developed to provide credentialing for the Homeland Security profession. The intent is to prepare local, state and federal Homeland Security leaders to develop strategies, plans and programs, develop organizational arrangements including civil-military, local/state/federal and interagency cooperation, and make sound leadership decisions regarding Homeland Security related policy, priority, scientific advancements and resources.

Humanitarian Assistance (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
This certificate is designed to supplement the work of public health professionals and other humanitarian aid providers serving those effected by humanitarian emergencies either in the United States or abroad and provides a foundation for persons who wish to pursue such a career.

Infection Control (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
This Graduate Certificate enhances the knowledge base of post-baccalaureate nurses, medical technologists, microbiologists, or other health professionals employed as infection control practitioners. The courses in the certificate program provide a comprehensive knowledge base to prepare students for the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) examination. (Note: specific infection control practical experience requirements must be met to sit for the CBIC exam.)

Maternal and Child Health (15 credit hours)
Delivery: Traditional
The certificate is designed to provide specialized training in public health problems affecting infants, children, adolescents, and women of all ages. Required coursework is designed to overview the major health issues affecting MCH populations, develop methodological skills selected areas, such as data analysis, program planning and evaluation and research.

Pharmacoepidemiology (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Traditional*
*Note: this certificate will be delivered online-only beginning Fall 2024
The USF College of Public Health certificate in Pharmacoepidemiology is designed to enable students to acquire the necessary skills to provide evidence based solutions. Students will be required to take requisite courses with an applied/hands on approach that will culminate with an introductory course in Pharmacoepidemiology.

Public Health Generalist (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
This certificate program aims to serve students who are undecided about a specific concentration area in the College of Public Health or are only interested in completing a few courses and not a full degree as well as physicians or nurses who want to explore public health or who want additional graduate-level credentials. This certificate program helps students gain an overview of the core disciplines and allows them to explore and discover some exciting career paths.

Public Health Policy and Programs (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
This certificate is designed to serve persons who want to enhance knowledge and skills in public policies, use of public health data, and program management that advance the health of communities and populations.

Social Marketing and Social Change (12 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
This certificate is offered to graduate students and professionals who wish to develop the skills needed to develop, implement, and evaluate social marketing programs. The certificate coursework meets the training needs of graduate students and professionals from multiple disciplines including public health, healthcare, mass communications, environmental studies, anthropology, social work, engineering, and business.

Toxicology (14 credit hours)
Delivery: Online
Designed to introduce post-baccalaureate students to fundamental concepts in the discipline of toxicology, this certificate program will advance the knowledge of current professionals in fields related to occupational health and environmental health, and will prepare students with the intention of pursuing a graduate level degree in these fields. Students will apply concepts in the science of toxicology to issues of occupational and environmental health regulations, hazardous materials safety, chemical related illness, and exposure assessment.

Water, Health, and Sustainability (16 credit hours)
Delivery: Traditional
This certificate is intended for public health professionals, humanitarian aid providers, engineers, and other planners, or anyone with an interest in addressing critical shortages and health problems associated with inadequate and unsanitary water throughout the world.

For questions about the course content for the required classes or how a particular graduate certificate can support your goals, please contact the Graduate Certificate Program Director.