Interprofessional Public & Population Health Certificate
The certificate in interprofessional public and population health is designed for students and working professionals involved in program planning and implementation, evaluation, education policy, health policy, engineering administration, research, and other areas related to public and population health.
It recognizes that an interdisciplinary, systems approach is essential for communities to solve complicated social and economic problems. No one perspective or set of strategies can address the many dimensions of current societal problems. Prevention and population health are important cornerstones of the solutions to these problems, requiring linkages and new models of interaction among primary care, hospitals, communities and public health.
Program Type
Graduate Certificate
Program Format
On Campus
This graduate certificate is a 16-credit program with courses in four core disciplines: epidemiology, health policy, social and behavioral health, and environmental health. The fifth course grounds students in public health principles and practice. The sixth course provides students the opportunity to engage in interprofessional workshops and other learning forums to foster competencies in interprofessional values, communication and teamwork. Three of the courses, in health behavior, epidemiology and health policy, are offered online, which will provide added flexibility for students.
This program is open to post-baccalaureate students, to those currently enrolled in a UWM graduate degree program, as well as to health professionals who have completed a baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degree. The certificate program is a collaborative program between the College of Health Professions and Sciences and the Zilber College of Public Health, and is coordinated through the Zilber College of Public Health with administrative support from the School of Nursing.
Credits and Courses
The completion of 16 credit hours is required for the certificate program. All students are required to complete six courses:
- PH 700: Structures of Inequality and Population Health (3 credits)
- PH 703: Environmental Health Sciences (3 credits)
- NURS 728: Epidemiological Principles for Population Health (3 credits)
- NURS 803: Health Policy (3 credits)
- KIN 556: Multilevel Approaches to Changing Physical Activity and Eating Behaviors (3 credits)
- ATRAIN 703: Foundations of Interprofessional Practice (1 credit)
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and meet all other standard requirements for UWM graduate students for continuation in the program.
Time Limit
The student must complete all certificate course work within three years of initial enrollment in the certificate program.
Please certificate students should apply through UWM’s graduate application system, Panthera.
Applicants are admitted to the interprofessional public and population health certificate program in one of three categories:
- Postbaccalaureate student who has completed a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 2.75 or above (4.0 scale) and is not currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at UWM.
- Current UWM graduate student: Admission requirements are consistent with those specified in the UWM Graduate School and the graduate health profession program. A separate application for the interprofessional certificate is required for enrollment.
- Post-graduate student who has completed a graduate degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or above (4.0 scale).
Those not already admitted to a UWM graduate degree program must complete a UW System online admission application and have an official undergraduate transcript sent to the Graduate School.
Students who are considering the MPH degree, or a specific degree in the College of Health Professions and Sciences, are encouraged to talk with graduate program managers in those respective units to learn more about the specific degree program and how the certificate can fit into a long-range plan for a graduate degree. Please note that not all courses may be transferable to a specific degree.