The field of public health promises exciting careers for men and women committed to making a difference in the health and well-being of people and their environments. Increasingly, today's complex health issues require public health education that applies behavioral, social and environmental sciences as well as policy and measurement to improve population health at local, national and international levels. 

An estimated 23 percent of the nation's public health workforce is eligible to retire within the next five years, increasing the demand for health professionals trained in public health. Grounded in core public health disciplines, our Graduate Certificate in Public Health helps students develop an interdisciplinary and systems-oriented approach to solving public health challenges locally and in communities around the world. The certificate satisfies the education requirement for local public health administrators in Oregon.

This graduate certificate provides professional knowledge and skills for employees within:

• State and county health departments
• Health insurance companies
• Domestic and international nonprofit organizations
• Human service agencies
• Hospitals
• Military

The graduate courses are also a good stepping stone toward a master's degree in public health (MPH). Credits earned from courses in the graduate certificate may be applied toward a master's degree in public health.  Students interested in enrolling in the on-campus MPH degree program must apply and be admitted to the program through the OSU Graduate School. For details regarding the on-campus MPH degree program application, contact Eileen Kaspar. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Public Health or program courses does not guarantee admission to the MPH program. 

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