Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this certificate program, certificate candidates will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and modify the personal and environmental factors that influence health-related behaviors, and by doing so, impact the overall health of individuals and communities. Upon completion of the core courses of the certificate, students will gain a broad understanding of health education principles, theories, and strategies, and will achieve the competencies considered central to effective health education. After completing core and elective courses, students will be able to:
1. Assess individual and community needs for health education;
2. Plan effective health education programs;
3. Implement health education programs;
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs;
5. Coordinate provisions of health education services;
6. Act as a resource person; and
7. Communicate health and health education needs, concerns and resources.

Intended Audience
Current Johns Hopkins University students with an interest in health education.

Admissions Criteria
This certificate is open to any student in a graduate degree-granting program within the Johns Hopkins University. Students pursuing the certificate should fill out a completion form before the last day of the add/drop period in the term in which they are completing the final course for the certificate. The student should submit the completion form to the HBS Academic Office. No retroactive certificates will be allowed. Students in good academic standing who have met all certificate requirements will have their transcript marked to indicate successful completion.

Course of Study
This certificate consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours in health education classes; 9 required credits and a minimum of 7 elective credits. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and courses must be completed with a grade of "B" or better. Electives are chosen from among the courses listed below.

Required Courses
410.620 Program Planning for Health Behavior Change
410.630 Implementation and Sustainability of Community-based Health Programs
410.651 Health Literacy: Challenges and Strategies for Effective Communication

Elective Options
410.613 Psychosocial Factors in Health and Illness
410.616 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health
410.618 Integrating Social and Behavioral Theory into Public Health Part I: Foundations
410.619 Integrating Social and Behavioral Theory into Public Health Part II: Applications
410.610 Health and Homelessness
410.650 Introduction to Persuasive Communications: Theories and Practice
410.615 Research Design in the Social and Behavioral Sciences
380.611 Fundamentals of Program Evaluation
410.652 Interpersonal Influence in Medical Care

Requirements for Successful Completion
Students interested in the certificate must complete a minimum of 16 credit hours from the list of required and elective courses. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and must be completed within 3 years. All certificate courses must be passed with a grade of B or better. Candidates must complete the Certificate in Health Education application form and submit it to the HBS Academic Office no later than the drop/add deadline in the term in which the final course leading to the certificate is taken.

Faculty Sponsor
Eileen McDonald

(410) 614-0225

emcdonal@jhsph.edu

Faculty Co-Sponsor
Andrea Gielen

(410) 955-2397

agielen@jhsph.edu

Administrative Contact
Barbara Diehl

(410) 502-4415

bdiehl@jhsph.edu