Graduate Certificate in Health Communication (Online)

As a sub-discipline of Communication Studies, Health Communication uses a multi-disciplinary approach to identify and understand barriers and challenges to effective communication in healthcare settings. Drawing on communication theory, practice and creativity, Health Communication researchers and practitioners develop and implement communication interventions with the over-arching goal of enhancing the health and well-being of individuals, health systems, and populations. 

This graduate certificate program is designed for professionals in any of the healthcare professions or graduate students in communication studies, rhetoric, healthcare, or related disciplines. These could include, but are not limited to, public health, healthcare administration, psychology, education, sociology, English, or any of the fine or performing arts. The health communication certificate program equips students with the foundational concepts and theories associated with communication in a wide variety of healthcare contexts, including patient/provider interactions, public health, health systems, and health advocacy. This series of courses will provide students with the knowledge and skills to navigate communication in a challenging healthcare environment, as well as prepare them for further graduate work if they desire.  

The certificate requires 12 hours of course work, drawn from one required course and three additional courses chosen with the advice of a health communication faculty advisor.

Requirements

One of the following:

• COMM 7012/8012 - Seminar in Health Communication
• COMM 7014/8015 - Public Health Communication
• COMM 7345/8345 - Health Literacy         

Three from the following:

• COMM 6015 - Health Literacy
• COMM 6016 - Public Health Campaigns
• COMM 6322 - Persuasion and Influence
• COMM 6341 - Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 6375 - Intercultural Communication
• COMM 7354/8354 - Topics in Rhetoric of Health, Medicine, and Science
• COMM 7369/8369 - Organizational Communication          

Requirements for Completion