Public Health Certificate

Location(s): Online

Program Coordinator/Contact

Sharrel Pinto, Department Head
Department of Allied and Population Health
Avera Health and Science Center 133, Box 2202C
605-274-9548

Program Information

The Public Health Certificate is a collaborative degree offering of South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. This certificate covers the five core areas of public health:

Biostatistics
Epidemiology
Health Services Administration
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Environmental Health

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing this certificate program will be able to:

Describe public health and its core functions.
Explain how various factors, including environmental factors, biological factors, psychological factors, and social determinants of health, contribute to population health and health disparities.
Apply epidemiological principles to collect and analyze public health data.
Develop public health programs or interventions based on population-needs and select appropriate methods to evaluate such programs.

Course Delivery Format

Coursework is provided through distance delivery (online, DDN, etc.) using lecture formats and asynchronous presentations.

Student Engagement and Support Opportunities

The program offers student engagement through research and practice opportunities. Ongoing partnerships exist with entities such as the South Dakota Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Indian Health Services, and the South Dakota Department of Health.

Certificate Requirements

PUBH 701 - Biostatistics for Public Health Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 702 - Public Health Theory and Practice (COM) Credits: 3
PUBH 710 - Epidemiology Credits: 3 (USD)

Select from the following

Select two courses (six credits) from the following list. Credits: 6

PUBH 733 - Environmental Health Credits: 3
PUBH 740 - Introduction to US Health Systems and Policy Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 750 - Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 755 - Program Planning and Evaluation Credits: 3
PUBH 760 - Public Health and Native American Communities Credits: 3 (USD)

Total Required Credits: 15

Additional Admission Requirements

TOEFL: 71 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

Please refer to the following for additional information: Graduate School Admissions

Additional Information

Students enrolled in SDSU certificate programs are not eligible for federal student financial aid. The non-federal alternative loan programs may be used for students meeting the lender criteria as found at www.sdstate.edu (search alternative loans). For further information, please contact the SDSU financial aid office at 605-688-4695 or finaid@sdstate.edu.