Advanced Graduate Certificate in Health Communication

The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Health Communication, a collaboration between the University's Graduate Program in Public Health and School of Journalism, teaches members of the public health workforce, healthcare professionals, professionals in media (journalism, marketing, public relations and communication) and masters/doctoral candidates how to be effective health communicators, bridging the gap between medicine and public health and the world-at-large.  With a focus on advanced graduate training, it is designed to provide the necessary skills to communicate health related issues to the public directly or through the press.

This 18 credit certificate will be coordinated by Evonne Kaplan-Liss, MD, MPH, a physician and journalist with joint appointments in the School of Medicine and School of Journalism. Graduates of Advanced Certificate in Health Communication program will enhance their health communication knowledge, experiences, and skills and positively impact their chosen career pathway in journalism, communications, public health, medicine, or other health related profession. Graduates will be able to look for employment in academic settings, research facilities, public health organizations, or health care institutions. Graduates also may serve as health communication experts in media, consulting and public relations settings. Working professionals will gain communication skills that will enhance their skills and help them advance within their respective public health, healthcare or media professions.

Required Courses (18 credits)

Each student is required to take the following course:
HPH 585      Introduction to Biostatistics & Epidemiology (4 credits)
HPH 500      Contemporary Issues in Public Health (2 credits)
HPH 508      Health Systems Performance (3 credits)
JRN 500       Introduction to News Media Concepts and Institutions (3 credits)

Each student is required to complete 6 credits from the following list:
JRN 501       Distilling Your Message: Communicating Science (1 credit)
JRN 502       Writing to be Understood: Communicating Science (1 credit)
JRN 503       Improvisation for Scientists: Communicating Science (1 credit)                 
JRN 504       Using Digital Media: Communicating Science (1 credit)
JRN 505       Connecting with the Community: Communicating Science (1 credit)
JRN 506       Advanced Writing: Communicating Science (1 credit)
HPH 551      Intro to Health Communication (3 credits)

For more information about the offering schedule of these courses, click here.

Admissions

Students can apply to the program throughout the academic year and will be able to matriculate in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. The application deadlines will vary from year to year but the general timeline is below:

Early November deadline for Spring admission
Early April deadline for Summer admission
Early July deadline for Fall admission

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information- Health Communication

Admission Requirements

• Bachelors degree with a 3.0 GPA or better from an accredited college or university.

• Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools.All international transcripts must be evaluated by an agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. See section on International Students for more information about this process.

• Two references that can address the applicant's capacity to succeed in the field of health communications or related fields and complete a course of graduate level certificate study.If the applicant is a student or has graduated within the last two years, at least one letter must be from a college or university faculty member with whom the applicant has studied. If the applicant has been working, at least one letter must be from a supervisor who is familiar with the applicant’s work.

• Complete application with writing sample.

• Personal interview, if requested by the Admissions Committee.

• Application Fee: $100.00 (Checks Payable to: SUNY STONYBROOK)

 For international students:

• International students who trained in non-English speaking schools and do not reside in an English speaking country are required to take the TOEFL exam. The expected minimum score is 213 for the Computer-Based Test, 90 for the Internet-Based Test, and 550 for the Paper-Based Test.

• International students are required to have a course-by-course educational credential evaluation completed by an agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org/). We require using World Education Services (http://www.wes.org). This evaluation provides a U.S. course equivalent including semester hours earned, course content, and corresponding letter grade for all courses listed on the international applicant's transcript.  This evaluation must be completed before the application can be considered.

• For more information about the requirements for international students, see: http://www.stonybrook.edu/iaps/international/index.shtml