Health Communications Certificate
HEALTH COMMUNICATION
Health communication involves the study and use of communication strategies to inform and influence individual and community decisions that affect health. Health communication can take many forms, ranging from the use of modern mass and multi-media to traditional and culture-specific forms of communication such as storytelling, puppet shows and songs. With increased dominance of mass and digital media in a growingly connected world, the need for effective health communication strategy grows increasingly relevant. The scope of health communication includes research and practice to reach vulnerable and underserved populations, engaging communities or the general public on specific health conditions, framing health issues to advocate for policy change, increasing capacity for effective communication in clinical settings, and more.
The Certificate in Health Communication enables students to design, implement, and evaluate health communication interventions; use and integrate various health communication methods and strategies (e.g., interpersonal communication, mass media, community mobilization, citizen engagement, policy communication, clinical communication, etc.); and acquire critical skills in health literacy, new media, risk communication, cultural competency, as well as a grounding in other contemporary issues and innovation in health communication. Students in this Certificate are required to complete 7 courses, including 1 seminar and 1 elective, amounting to 17.5 credits.
What does a Health Communication practicum look like? Read the experiences of past students here(link is external and opens in a new window).
Graduates may take jobs in marketing and communication firms; nonprofit organizations; foundations; government agencies; research institutions; hospitals; healthcare companies, and more. Job titles may include Communications Associate; Digital Media Manager; Social Media Officer; Marketing Associate; Program Coordinator; Consultant; Research Associate. Recent job placements for Health Communication graduates include: McCann Global Health(link is external and opens in a new window), Corkery Group, PRIME Education, Florida Hospital and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
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