Health Education
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 program, 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:
- Assess individual and community needs for health education;
- Plan effective health education programs;
- Implement health education programs;
- Evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs;
- Coordinate provisions of health education services;
- Act as a resource person; and
- Communicate health and health education needs, concerns and resources.
Eligibility
Johns Hopkins University graduate students, with the exception of JHSPH MAS students, who are not eligible to apply until they have completed their primary degree program. Individuals not currently enrolled in Johns Hopkins University with an interest in health education are eligible to apply.
Admissions Criteria
Applicants should review the How to Apply page for information about eligibility and special instructions.
Requirements for Successful Completion
Students interested in the certificate program must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours from the list of required and elective courses (9 required credits and a minimum of 9 elective credits). All courses must be taken for a letter grade and must be completed within 3 years. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 is required for certificate coursework.
The student should review the section of the website that addresses completion before completing certificate program requirements. The student's transcript will not indicate that the certificate was earned until the Notification of Completion has been submitted and verified by the certificate program and processed by the Registrar.
Course of Study
Students should check the course catalog to confirm when courses are 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 prerequisites and whether instructor consent is required.
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
| Course No. | Course title | No. Credits | Online Term | Campus Term |
| Introduction to Online Learning All Students are required to complete this free course before taking other online courses. | 0 | 1,2,3,4,Summer | - | |
| 550.860 | Academic & Research Ethics All Students are required to complete this free course before taking other online courses. | 0 | 1,2,3,4,Summer | - |
| Required Courses (9 credits required) | ||||
| 410.620 | Program Planning for Health Behavior Change | 3 | 4 | 1,W |
| 410.630 | Implementation and Sustainability of Community-based Health Programs | 3 | - | 4 |
| 410.651 | Health Literacy: Challenges and Strategies for Effective Communication | 3 | - | 3 |
| Elective Courses (9 credits required) | ||||
| 380.611 | Fundamentals of Program Evaluation | 4 | - | 3 |
| 410.600 | Fundamentals of Health, Behavior and Society | 4 | - | 1 |
| 410.610 | Health and Homelessness | 3 | - | 3 |
| 410.613 | Psychosocial Factors in Health and Illness | 3 | - | 3 |
| 410.615 | Research Design in the Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | - | 2 |
| 410.650 | Introduction to Persuasive Communication | 4 | - | 2,W |
W = Course is offered in the Winter Institute held in January in Baltimore/Washington DC
SI = Course is offered in the Summer Institute in Baltimore
Contact Information
Sponsoring Department
Health, Behavior and Society
Certificate Program Contact
Name: Shenay Johnson
Phone: (410) 502-4415
Email: shejohns@jhu.edu
Faculty Sponsor
Name: Eileen McDonald
Faculty Co-Sponsor
Name: Andrea Gielen