Expand your knowledge of public health!
Completion of the public health graduate certificate will allow you to expand your knowledge of public health and understand the application of public health concepts to clinical and related practices. The courses will explore fundamental concepts in public health theory, epidemiology and application of public health concepts through programming. The certificate is a collaborative program between South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, allowing you to learn from public health experts at both universities.
This graduate certificate is ideal for students in health professions majors and related programs. Adding the public health graduate certificate to your pharmacy, nursing, dietetics or other health professions major will augment the public health knowledge that you learn in your major courses and prepare you to apply public health concepts in your professional career. The certificate is also a great option for practicing health care professionals to expand your knowledge of public health. All courses in the certificate are offered online.
Application Deadline: Four weeks before the start of the fall, spring or summer semesters.
About the Public Health Certificate
Requirements for Admission to the Program
- Completed Graduate Application.
- $35 application fee.
- Official transcripts verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree.
- Two letters of recommendation. Please submit letters of recommendation via email to Dr. James Amell.
- Statement of purpose for studying Public Health (include career plans relative to public health). Please submit statement of purpose via email to Dr. James Amell.
- A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework. The admission committee conducts a full review of all applications and a 3.0 GPA is the preferred minimum. However, the committee will consider other aspects and strong applications not meeting the minimum GPA will be considered. Each institution may admit students on conditional or provisional status per university policy.
International applicants should contact the Graduate School for additional admissions information.
Admissions Deadlines
Students can be admitted in the fall, spring or summer terms. Applications must be submitted four weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.
Public Health Certificate Cost Estimates for 2024-2025
Cost per credit:
- Online Tuition: $470.45
- *Fees: 145.40
| Program | Total Credits | Tuition | Fees | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health Certificate | 15 | $7,056.75 | $2,181.00 | $9,237.75 |
*Fees include Deliver Fees. Fees are calculated per credit.
Apply for the BREATHE-SD Public Health Certificate Scholarship
Students admitted to the public health graduate certificate program have the opportunity to receive the BREATHE-SD Public Health Certificate Scholarship, which covers half-tuition through the BREATHE-SD project. If you would like to be considered for this scholarship, please learn more about the BREATHE-SD project and submit your responses to the following questions:
- How will the public health graduate certificate help you in your current or future position?
- Describe ways in which you plan to use the knowledge gained from this certificate to better serve individuals from rural and underserved communities.
Responses are limited to a total of two pages.
To apply, please send your responses to Dr. Jim Amell with the subject line "Application for the BREATHE-SD Public Health Certificate Scholarship."
James Amell
Julie Stevens & Dale Evenson Endowed Associate Professor/Interim Dept. Head
Department of Allied and Population Health