Certificate Programs

Health and Human Rights

Overview

Educational Objectives
After completion of this certificate program, students will: 1. Increase understanding and foster positive attitudes among health professionals regarding the key linkages between human rights ideals, legal guarantees of human rights, and the promotion and protection of public health and medical care, using the tools of public health and the legal structures that make a culture of human rights and respect for law in general, possible. 2. Enhance advocacy for and build familiarity with, international human rights standards, instruments, and the numerous state-based and international laws related to human rights, especially those that impact upon the health of populations and individuals. 3. Elaborate and explain details regarding the vital roles of health professionals in promoting human rights, especially the right to health, and in building a “culture” supportive of human rights within all global communities. 4. Introduce some skills needed to investigate, analyze, and document abuses of human rights as they relate both to health practice (patient care) and public health practice.


Eligibility

The certificate is open to masters and doctoral students currently enrolled in any division of The Johns Hopkins University.

Admissions Process

Bloomberg School of Public Health masters and doctoral students are not required to submit a formal application through the Admissions Office.  They are, however, encouraged to contact one of the certificate faculty sponsors by email in order to receive advice on selecting courses.

All other Johns Hopkins University masters and doctoral students must apply to the program using the school's online application.  Applications must be submitted before October 1 of the year in which they will begin taking certificate courses..  The certificate application includes official transcripts from all post-secondary schools, a CV, a statement of purpose vis-à-vis the certificate, one letter of recommendation, and written approval from the student's academic advisor to pursue the certificate.  Transcripts from non-US institutions must be approved by a credentialing agency.  The application does not require scores from the GRE, TOEF, or ILETS. The certificate program will review the applications and notify each applicant of its admissions decision.  Only those approved by the certificate admissions committee may earn the certificate.

Course of Study

The certificate requires a minimum of 19 term credits, including five required courses.  The certificate courses are listed in the table below.

Students should check the course catalog to confirm when the course is offered.  The term and time may change from what is listed in the table below and some courses are only offered every other year.  Students should also check for pre-requisites and if instructor consent is required.

The free, non-credit Introduction to Online Learning course must be completed before enrolling in online courses.  It is offered five times each year.

Requirements for Successful Completion

A minimum of 19 credits is required for the certificate.  Students must take the required courses for a letter grade and earn at least a B in each required course. Electives may be taken for a grade or pass/fail.  Students must earn at least a C or pass in each elective.  They must attain a minimum GPA of 2.75 for the certificate courses.  All courses must be taken within a three-year period.

The student must submit a Notification of Completion to the certificate's administrative contact after completing all of the certificate requirements.  The student's transcript will not indicate that the certificate was earned until the Notification of Completion has been submitted, verified by the certificate program and processed by the Registrar.

1. Prior admission to a Johns Hopkins University graduate degree program.

2. A letter to one (or both) of the faculty sponsors requesting admission, outlining planned coursesas projected - subject to modification as needed and providing an estimated completion term and year. (All choices may be modified as needs or schedules change for the student or for the School or Department.) The letter should note the degree program enrolled in and expected date for degree completion.

3. Prior written approval of student’s faculty advisor by e-mail or signature.

Bloomberg School of Public Health masters and doctoral students are not required to submit a formal application through the Admissions Office.  They are, however, encouraged to contact one of the certificate faculty sponsors by email in order to receive advice on selecting courses.

All other Johns Hopkins University masters and doctoral students must apply to the program using the school's online application.  Applications must be submitted before October 1 of the year in which they will begin taking certificate courses..  The certificate application includes official transcripts from all post-secondary schools, a CV, a statement of purpose vis-à-vis the certificate, one letter of recommendation, and written approval from the student's academic advisor to pursue the certificate.  Transcripts from non-US institutions must be approved by a credentialing agency.  The application does not require scores from the GRE, TOEF, or ILETS. The certificate program will review the applications and notify each applicant of its admissions decision.  Only those approved by the certificate admissions committee may earn the certificate.

Course of Study

The certificate requires a minimum of 18 credits.  Students must complete the three required courses and at least three elective courses (9 term credit units minimum).  It is highly recommended, but not required, that one course be selected from each elective group.  The certificate courses are listed in the table below.

The non-credit Introduction to Online Learning course must be completed before enrolling in online courses.  It is offered five times each year.

Requirements for Successful Completion

All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grade and a 3.0 or better overall GPA for all Certificate courses is required.  Requirements must be completed within a three-year period.

The student must submit a Notification of Completion to the certificate's administrative contact after completing all of the certificate requirements.  The student's transcript will not indicate that the certificate was earned until the Notification of Completion has been submitted, verified by the certificate program and processed by the Registrar.

1. Prior admission to a Johns Hopkins University graduate degree program.

2. A letter to one (or both) of the faculty sponsors requesting admission, outlining planned coursesas projected - subject to modification as needed and providing an estimated completion term and year. (All choices may be modified as needs or schedules change for the student or for the School or Department.) The letter should note the degree program enrolled in and expected date for degree completion.

3. Prior written approval of student’s faculty advisor by e-mail or signature.

Course of Study

Requirements for Successful Completion

Program Requirements:

Total course credits required for the Certificate are 18 and must include successful completion of all course work and active participation in the Term II Seminar on Health and Human Rights or the Winter Institute course, “Special Topics in Health and Human Rights.”

• A total of 18 units must be successfully completed by choosing a selection of courses as listed in the course curriculum.

• All required courses must be taken for a letter grade; exceptions apply to required courses that are only offered pass/fail

• At least a “B” in each required course (or Pass if required courses is offered only pass/fail)

• At least a “C” or Pass in the elective courses; elective courses may be taken for a letter grade or pass/fail

• A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 for the certificate courses

• All certificate coursework must be completed within three years of commencing the first certificate course

• Energetic reading and active participation in the 2nd Term Health and Human Rights Seminar, which is the core course for understanding the field, is absolutely required.

Sponsoring department
Environmental Health Sciences

Contact Information

Faculty Sponsor
Name Robert Lawrence
Email rlawrenc@jhsph.edu

Faculty Co-Sponsor
Name David Stein
Email ds5@jhmi.edu

Faculty Co-Sponsor
Name Nina Kulacki
Phone 410-955-2212
Email nkulacki@jhsph.edu

Administrative Contact
Name Darlene Jackson
Phone 410.614.4590
Email dmjackso@jhsph.edu

Gainful Employment Program Information

1. The certificate is offered to Johns Hopkins University graduate and post-doctoral students (including physicians completing residency or fellowship programs) who are interested in adolescent health.
2. The certificate program length is flexible; it varies from student to student, however, the certificate must be completed within three years.  Students do not need to be enrolled in a certificate course during consecutive terms.  The number of certificate course credits taken may range from zero to 22 per term.  Degree students earn the certificate simultaneously with their degree program and determine the number of credits taken each term with advisor approval.  Full-time degree students are able to complete the certificate within one academic year.
3. Tuition, application fee, and book costs are subject to change from one academic year to another academic year.
4. Completion rates will be tracked beginning in academic year 2012-2013.
5. The Council of Public Health Education which accredits schools of public health does not require schools to track job placement rates for certificate programs.