COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Learn more about the graduate certificate in Interdisciplinary Health Communication.

About the Certificate

Addressing many public health priority problems requires a solid foundation of training in public health-related program planning, evaluation and research methods as well as effective and responsible communication strategies. Health communication strategies can facilitate dissemination of information about health risks, improve underserved populations’ access to services and navigation of healthcare systems, enhance the quality of patient care, improve healthcare decision-making, and influence adoption of healthier lifestyles in populations with elevated risk of chronic disease.

The graduate certificate in Interdisciplinary Health Communication (IHComm) is a 12-credit certificate program administered by the College of Public Health's Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) in collaboration with the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication to create opportunities for interdisciplinary training of their graduate students. The certificate program's name emphasizes the interdisciplinary structure of the curriculum and its instructors drawn from the College of Public Health and the Klein College of Media and Communication. The curriculum is designed to facilitate advanced knowledge and training in critical evaluation of public health problems and how to address them using health communication methods, applying key concepts and theories germane to public health and health communication interventions, and accessing research as guided by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). Faculty within the certificate program have training and expertise across a dozen public health- and media-related disciplines, including advertising; communication; ecology; health communication; health psychology; health education and health promotion research; health systems research; media studies; public health program planning and evaluation; public relations; research methods in social, behavioral and communication sciences; and theories of communication and health behavior change.

The IHComm certificate is structured to enable its completion by existing graduate students enrolled in MPH and public health-related doctoral programs as well as Klein College’s Media and Communication PhD and Communication for Development and Social Change MS programs. In addition to MPH and Klein graduate students, the certificate is open for enrollment by graduate students in other programs throughout Temple University as well as non-matriculated, non-degree-seeking students as a continuing education certificate.

Time Limit for Certificate Completion: 2 years

Campus Location: Main and Online

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The graduate certificate may be completed on a part-time basis. NOTE: International students may not be eligible to apply for a student visa based on admission to the certificate program. Please contact the CPH Office of Admissions for more information.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: The certificate program is open to non-matriculated graduate students.

CPH Minor – Double Counting Policy 

^{as of 2.6.2024}
In the College of Public Health not more than 2 courses may count toward major and minor/certificate requirements.

This policy relates to each CPH major-minor or CPH minor-minor pair individually, so if a student has a major and two minors in CPH:

• A max of two courses can double count between the major and the first minor.
• A max of two courses can double count between the major and the second minor, but they can be different from the above two courses.
• A max of two courses can double count between the first minor and the second minor, but they can be different from the above four courses.

Application Deadline:
Fall admissions are on a rolling basis. 

Letters of Reference:
Number Required Only of Non-Matriculating Applicants: 2

From Whom: At least one letter of recommendation should be obtained from a college/university instructor, preferably at the graduate level.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree and provide transcripts as indicated:

• Applicants currently enrolled in a Temple graduate program must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in completed coursework.
• Non-matriculating applicants must present a transcript demonstrating successful completion of the baccalaureate degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 OR a transcript demonstrating successful completion of a graduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Statement of Goals: State your career goals and describe how the certificate is relevant to those goals.

Resume: Current resume or CV required.

Laptop: Laptops are integrated into the College of Public Health curricula, and all students are required to have a laptop for full participation in class activities; online class sessions; online exam proctoring; and the use of special software, which is used to reinforce the learning objectives and program student learning competencies in certain classes. A laptop that meets the minimum device specifications defined below IS REQUIRED for all undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Public Health. 

Certificate Requirements

Number of Credits Required to Complete the Certificate: 12

Required Courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
GDC 8002	Communication for Social Change Project Design	3
or CMGT 5002	Leadership in Crises and Conflict Management
SBS 8105	Health Communication	3
Communication Elective
Select one from the following:		3
ADV 5503	Persuasion and the Marketplace
CMGT 8106	Communication Theory for Professionals
GDC 8003	Research Approaches in Communication, Development and Social Change
MSP 8254	Public Information Media Campaigns
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective
Select one from the following:		3
SBS 5001	Fundamentals of Public Health
SBS 5009	Risk Communication and Public Health
SBS 8005	Health Promotion in Vulnerable Populations
SBS 8009	Health Psychology
Total Credit Hours		12

GPA Required to be Awarded the Certificate: 3.0 minimum

Contacts

Department Contacts: