Graduate Certificate in Public Health

Degree Description:

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health, administered by the College of Nursing, provides advanced education in skills and topics relevant to the growing field of public health. Trained public health professionals, including nurses, are needed to serve diverse populations in our state and region, particularly in rural and resource poor areas. The Certificate in Public Health addresses this growing demand and will provide a timely response to the emerging societal need for specialized, interprofessional education in public health. There is also a critical need for continuing education in public health for health professionals (1-3). The College of Nursing is in a unique position to offer the Graduate Certificate in Public Health and address these important needs using existing and developing coursework from the College of Nursing.

The Certificate in Public Health is designed to prepare students and practitioners to practice in and lead population based health care in the U.S. and internationally. The certificate will use distance delivery and a flexible curriculum to meet the needs of interdisciplinary and interprofessional students, and it will include coursework that can be applied to future graduate studies at WSU. The certificate will prepare graduates to:

• Understand the core functions and essential services of public health
• Apply public health concepts, tools, and methods to address public health challenges.