Community Public Health, Certificate

Degree: Certificate
HEGIS Code: 5201
Curriculum Code:  2900.CPH
Health Sciences Division

• Program Description
• Program Competencies
• Curriculum

Program Description

The Community Public Health certificate program exposes students to a variety of theoretical, as well as practical public health service skills and concepts in order to meet the increasing demands for entry-level public health professionals. Students completing the one-year certificate program will be familiar with the basic organization of health care, public health systems and the contributions of health professionals. The curricular content includes understanding risk factors contributing to disease, options for disease interventions,  health care policies to improve the health of a community, and cross-cultural communication. The program structure builds upon an understanding of public health, social & behavioral influences on community health care needs and global health care approaches for serving diverse populations. Medical ethical issues relating to the study of incidence and distribution of disease control are also covered.

Students who successfully complete the certificate program may continue their studies at SUNY Erie in Health Science associate in applied science degree programs. Graduates of the certificate program may also consider further academic advancement by completing a Public Health Bachelor of Science degree program at SUNY at Buffalo or a Health Promotion-Community Health bachelor of science degree at Daemen College.

Program Competencies

Upon graduation with a certificate in Community Public Health, the graduate will be able to:

1. Illustrate the interdisciplinary components of public health and the contributions of a range of disciplines and professions to improving health.
2. Discuss how public health assesses the options for intervention to improve the health of a population.
3. Describe the basic organization of health care and public health systems and the contributions of health professionals.
4. Classify criteria for evaluating health systems including issues of access, quality, and cost.
5. Apply ethical principles relevant to the practice of public health.

Curriculum

Total Degree Credits: 32