Interdisciplinary Health Communication Graduate Certificate

Learn to critically evaluate public health problems with the Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Health Communication in Temple’s College of Public Health and Klein College of Media and Communication. Students in this 12-credit program form a deep understanding of issues that impact public health and study how to address them using health communication methods, concepts and theories. 

This graduate certificate is tailored to current clinicians, public health practitioners, and researchers. It also benefits communication and media professionals interested in expanding their skills in health communication to address public health priority problems, as well as social change and development practitioners involved in community-centered public health initiatives.

Addressing public health priority issues requires a solid foundation in program planning, evaluation, research methods, and effective and responsible communication strategies. With these skills, graduates can

  • enhance the quality of patient care and improve healthcare decision-making; 
  • facilitate the spread of information about health risks; 
  • improve underserved populations’ access to services and navigation of healthcare systems; 
  • influence adoption of healthier lifestyles in populations with elevated risk of chronic disease; and
  • use knowledge of media and the intended effects on audiences to effectively communicate health information.

You’ll gain knowledge about the breadth of issues health communication practitioners and researchers often encounter—from medical breakthroughs and the development of new products to government policies and public health challenges. Through the certificate program, you’ll also learn to

  • communicate the results of lessons learned in public health interventions; 
  • describe the scope of public health problems and degree of risk in a target population;
  • design and evaluate public health or health communication interventions; and
  • identify key determinants of public health problems. 

What sets apart our Interdisciplinary Health Communication Graduate Certificate?

  • A transdisciplinary training program. This certificate provides an innovative curriculum for students and professionals interested in more comprehensive training in health communication. It includes courses from several Temple degree programs and combines theory and practice to provide a well-rounded and unique learning experience.
  • A diverse and experienced faculty. Our faculty 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, media studies, public health program planning and evaluation, and public relations.
  • A springboard for multiple graduate degrees. The certificate is ideal for existing graduate students enrolled in public health-related graduate and doctoral programs, as well as Klein’s Media and Communication Sciences PhD and Communication for Development and Social Change MS programs. 

Program Format & Curriculum

The admissions process you'll follow depends on if you are applying as a matriculated or non-matriculated graduate student. Please be sure to carefully review the admissions information for this certificate program.

All classes are held on Temple’s Main Campus, and the 12-credit certificate can be completed in two to four semesters. Students may enter the certificate program in any semester and can complete the courses in any order, depending on course availability and prerequisites. Some of the courses in the certificate program include the following.

  • Communication for Social Change Project Design
  • Health Communication 
  • Public Information Campaigns

See the full list of program courses.

Careers in Health Communication

There is a rapidly growing demand for public health professionals who have completed advanced coursework and can demonstrate working knowledge of health communication technologies and methods. Career fields that are well suited for graduates who have advanced training in health communication include

  • healthcare administration;
  • healthcare continuing education and training;
  • health education in advertising, clinics, commercial marketing, hospice care, hospitals, rehabilitation and public relations; and
  • local, state, federal and international public health agencies and community health organizations.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Graduate Certificate offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2023–2024 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,109.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,521.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

HP-IHC-GRAD

Additional Program Information