Arnold School of Public Health Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health Certificate Description
The Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health (CGSPH) is an 18-hour certificate designed for those interested in pursuing studies in public health who are currently not interested in obtaining a master of public health degree. The CGSPH will consist of courses offered by the Arnold School of Public Health. Program Requirements
Earning the certificate involves a focused learning experience in the fundamentals of public health in which candidates must complete 1) three of the five public health core courses and 2) three elective public health courses consistent with the student’s background and interests.
Public Health Core Courses (3 courses, 9 hours):
- Biostatistics (BIOS 700)
- Epidemiology (EPID 700)
- Environmental Health Sciences (ENHS 660)
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior (HPEB 700)
- Health Services Policy and Management (HSPM 700)
Electives (3 courses, 9 hours):
Each candidate will work with the CPH advisor to plan a program of study to match their individual interests (e.g., general public health, nutrition, disparities) and/or needs (e.g., evaluation, financial management, statistical analysis, program planning). All electives must be courses offered by the Arnold School of Public Health or approved by the candidate’s advisor.
Sample Program of Study for CGSPH with a student interested in working with a local community organization:
Courses |
Hours |
| A. Three of the public health core courses: | |
| 1. EPID 700 –Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| 2. HPEB 700 –Concepts and Methods of Health Education & Promotion | 3 |
| 3. HSPM 700 –Approaches and Concepts for Health Administration | 3 |
Total Core |
9 |
| B. Electives | |
| 1. BIOS 700 –Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| 2. HPEB 702 –Planning Health Promotion Programs | 3 |
| 3. HSPM 715 –Community Assessment and the Delivery of Health Care Services | 3 |
Total Electives |
9 |
Total for Certificate |
18 |
Sample Program of Study for CGSPH with a student interested in general public health:
Courses |
Hours |
| A. Three of the public health core courses: | |
| 1. EPID 700 –Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| 2. BIOS 700 –Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| 3. ENHS 660 --Concepts of Environmental Health Science | 3 |
Total Core |
9 |
| B. Electives | |
| 1. HPEB 700 –Concepts and Methods of Health Education & Promotion | 3 |
| 2. HSPM 700 –Approaches and Concepts for Health Administration | 3 |
| 3. EXSC 700 --Exercise and Public Health | 3 |
Total Electives |
9 |
Total for Certificate |
18 |
Admission Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Baccalaureate degree transcripts required
- Completed USC Application Form and fee
- Brief letter of intent
- Curriculum Vitae
- Two letters of recommendation
Applications will be submitted through the Graduate School through the degree-seeking application process and reviewed three times annually. All fees for the Graduate School and the Arnold School of Public Health apply. Admissions will be assessed based on four criteria: GPA, letter of intent, letters of support, and experience.
Change of Program: If students admitted to the Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health wish to apply to a masters program, they will be required to adhere to the admission criteria for the degree of interest and will not be given preferential status based on admission into the Certificate program. If accepted into a degree program, the student and transfer of credit hours into the new program are subject to the rules and regulations of The Graduate School and the department of the new program.
Transfer of Hours from other universities: Students wishing to apply credits from other schools of public health will be eligible to apply for transferring hours in accordance with rules and regulations of the Graduate School and the course department within the Arnold School of Public Health.
Limitation
Students will not be able to earn the certificate while concurrently working on a master degree in public health which requires taking five of the public health core as part of its curriculum.
For more information, contact:
the SC Public Health Consortium,
803-777-0988
ophp@mailbox.sc.edu.