Graduate Certificate in Public Health

The graduate certificate in public health is designed to provide health professionals with additional preparation in public health principles to support them in their roles in the areas of health programming and evaluation, health education, engineering, policy analysis, administration, research, and other areas related to the field of public health. It is a 15-credit program with courses in each of the five recognized core disciplines of public health: epidemiology, biostatistics, health administration and policy, social and behavioral health, and environmental health.

This program is open to post-baccalaureate students, to those simultaneously enrolled in a UWM graduate health-related degree program, as well as to health professionals who have completed a baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degree. The certificate program is a collaborative program between the College of Health Sciences and College of Nursing, and is coordinated through the College of Nursing. Courses are offered from a variety of disciplines campus-wide, including social welfare, psychology, nursing, and health sciences.

Admission

Applicants are admitted to the certificate program in one of three categories:

• Post-baccalaureate student who has completed a bachelor's degree in a health profession discipline or related discipline with a grade point average of 2.75 or above (4.0 scale) and is not currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at UWM.
• Current student in a UWM graduate health profession program. Admission requirements are consistent with those specified in the UWM Graduate School and the graduate health profession program.
• Post-graduate student who has completed a graduate degree in a health profession or related discipline with a grade point average of 3.0 or above (4.0 scale).

Those not already admitted to a UWM graduate degree program must complete a UW System online admission application and have an official undergraduate transcript sent to the Graduate School.

Credits and Courses

The completion of 15 credit hours is required for the certificate program. All students are required to complete three core courses: Biometry BIOSCI 465 (3 credits), Epidemiology NURS 727 (3 credits), and Environmental Health CLS 590 (3 credits). In addition, students will complete courses in Social/Behavioral Health, and in Health Administration & Policy. A current listing of courses that meet these requirements can be obtained from the College of Nursing or the office of Public Health Planning (see www.publichealth.uwm.edu). Students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA and meet all other standard requirements for UWM graduate students for continuation in the program. Other courses may be included upon approval of the Program Director.

Time Limit

The student must complete all certificate course work within three years of initial enrollment in the certificate program.