Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Promotion
- Fall August 1st
- Spring December 1st
- Summer April 15th
- Global Campus: Yes
- 600 TOEFL Paper-based score
- 250 TOEFL Computer-based score
- 93 TOEFL Internet-based score
Degree Description:
Health communication specialists work to ensure select audiences and the general public understands information about medical treatment options, healthy lifestyle choices, disease prevention and public health risk. Health communication specialists analyze information, design communication strategies, programs and initiatives, and evaluate promotion efforts. They create awareness campaigns, social media engagement strategies and create marketing materials in earned, owned and paid channels.
A strong health communication professional is effective, confident, organized, and informed (Careers in Public Health, n.d.). Design of the new online professional certificate was informed by industry growth potential and expressed interest by relevant WSU units (i.e. College of Nursing, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy) and health organizations within the state (i.e. Washington State Department of Health).
Admission Requirements:
Application Materials
- Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate institutions
- International students submit TOEFL
- Current professional resume that includes at least three professional references name and contact information
- Statement of Purpose articulating your perspectives, contributions, qualifications, and talents
Experience
The program is designed for individuals who are at least three years outside their undergraduate program and/or have at least three applied work experience. The coursework is bench-marked at a level best suited to those with solid work and life experience. Student engagement is built into each course and with it students benefit greatly from knowledge share and mutual exchange. We find that those with limited applied work experience are not fully equipped to contribute to those discussions in a meaningful way – nor are they as successful in completing the more complex course work. The decision to admit involves a full assessment of the applicant’s academic profile, the mix of experience they bring to the program and overall readiness for graduate-level work – not just undergraduate GPA or quality of their statement of purpose.
Student Opportunities:
All graduates will:
- Develop strong health communication professional prepared to ensure select audiences and the general public understands information about medical treatment options, healthy lifestyle choices, disease prevention and public health risks.
- Use advanced media tools, create data-based communication plans, and design and deliver integrated promotional campaigns across multiple channels.
- Acquire the skills for information analysis and the development and execution of communication strategy and health promotion evaluation.
Faculty Members:
Cooney, Rebecca Lynn, M.S.
Serves as: chair or member of graduate committee
Research Interests
Media convergence, new communication technologies, social media persuasion, virtual world communication
Hust, Stacey Jolene, Ph.D.
Serves as: member only of graduate committee
Research Interests
Use of Media to Reduce Sexual Assault and Promote Healthy Sexual Relationships
Parent-Child Communication About Media and Health
Media Effects and Strategies to Prevent Alcohol Abuse
Gender and the Mass Media
Pinkleton, Bruce E, Ph.D.
Serves as: member only of graduate committee
Research Interests
Associate Director of the Murrow College Center for Media and Health Promotion. Communication campaigns, individuals’ use of the media, and media effects primarily in health and public affairs contexts.