Public Health Advocacy
OVERVIEW
Advocacy—working for policy change and better implementation of existing policies—is crucial to public health. As research and discovery are translated into policies and programs, the accurate interpretation and use of evidence are essential to political leaders, health care providers, potential clients, and the public at large.
Certificate program coursework will allow students to engage deeply with core theories and skills in public health advocacy, and to augment these with an understanding of how to apply these in a variety of policy and geographic settings. The certificate program will complement students’ options for training in public health policy making with theoretical and practical insights into the role of advocacy in this process.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of the certificate is to develop students’ abilities to translate research into practice, use evidence to inform public health policy, shift social norms and attitudes, and improve public health. The curriculum enables students to understand advocacy methods and apply evidence. Additionally, the program offers practical experience in public health advocacy.
Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the role of political actors inside and outside governments in developing and implementing health policy
2. Identify other actors in the policy making process and how actors such as the media help shape policy
3. Improve policies and laws and their development, adoption, and implementation
4. Increase and influence better use of resources for interventions and scientific inquiry
5. Set agendas in policy circles and the media environment through higher visibility and understanding of issues
6. Shift public attitudes, behaviors, and social norms toward better public health.
ELIGIBILITY
The certificate program is open to currently enrolled masters and doctoral students at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, with the exception of MAS students who are not eligible to apply until they have completed their primary degree program. It is open to students in graduate programs at Johns Hopkins University, as well as to individuals who are not currently enrolled in the university but who have completed an undergraduate degree program and who have an interest in Public Health Advocacy.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Applicants should review the How to Apply page for information about eligibility and special instructions. The certificate program's review committee will review the applications and notify each applicant of their admissions decision.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
The certificate requires a minimum of 18 term credits. All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grade and a 2.75 or better overall GPA for all Certificate coursework. The certificate program length is flexible; it varies from student to student, however, the certificate must be completed within three years.
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, 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.
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 at JHSPH All students are required to complete this free online course during their first term of study. | 0 | 1,2,3,4, S, SI, WI | - |
Required Core Courses (Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits)Students must complete 301.645 AND 410.663; students must also complete EITHER 410.672 OR BOTH 410.677 AND 410.678 | ||||
| 301.645 | Health Advocacy | 3 | - | 4 |
| 410.663 | Media Advocacy and Public Health: Theory and Practice | 3 | - | 4 |
| 410.672 | Introduction to Campaigning and Organizing for Public Health | 3 | S,3 | - |
| 410.677 & 410.678 | Theory and Practice in Campaigning and Organizing for Public Health I and II | 8 | - | 3 & 4 (both) |
Elective courses. Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits, UNLESS they opted to take 410.677 and 410.678 as required courses, in which case only 4 elective credits are required. | ||||
| 221.631 | Evaluation of Safety Interventions in Low and Middle Income Countries | 3 | 3 | - |
| 221.650 | Health Policy Analysis in Low and Middle Income Countries | 3 | - | 3 |
| 300.610 | Public Health Policy | 4 | - | S |
| 300.650 | Crisis and Response in Public Health Policy and Practice | 3 | - | 2 |
| 300.652 | Politics of Health Policy | 4 | - | 4 |
| 300.712 | Formulating Policy: Strategies and Systems of Policy Making in the 21st century | 3 | - | 2 |
| 301.627 | Understanding and Preventing Violence | 3 | - | 2 |
| 306.650 | Public Health and the Law | 3 | - | 3 |
| 308.602 | Role of Government in Health Policy | 3 | - | 2 |
| 308.604 | Effective Writing for Public Health Change | 3 | - | SI |
| 312.693 | Introduction to Comparative Effectiveness and Outcomes Research | 3 | 1 | - |
| 317.610 | Risk Policy, Management and Communication | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 318.640 | Practical Politics, Policy and Public Health | 3 | - | 2 |
| 330.667 | Mental Health and the Law | 3 | - | 3 |
| 380.681 | Strategic Leadership Principles and Tools for Health System transformation in Developing Countries | 4 | - | 2 |
| 380.771 | Understanding and Changing International Reproductive Health Policy | 3 | - | 4 |
| 380.880, 380.881, 380.882 & 380.883 | Lessons in Leadership: Application for Population, Family and Reproductive Health I, II, III & IV | 4 total | - | 1,2,3, &4 |
| 410.642 | Tobacco Control Leadership | 2 | - | 1 |
| 410.668 | Policy Interventions for Health Behavior Change | 3 | - | 2 |
| 410.721 | Translating Research into Public Health Programs I & II | 3 | - | 3 |
| 550.608 | Problem Solving in Public Health | 4 | - | SI, FI, WI |
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sponsoring Departments
Health, Behavior and Society
Population, Family and Reproductive Health
Certificate Program Contact
Diane Coraggio
diane.coraggio@jhu.edu
410-614-3749
Faculty Sponsor
David Jernigan, PhD
Faculty Co-Sponsor
Robert Blum, MD, MPH, PhD
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM INFORMATION
At this time, non-degree students enrolling in this certificate program are not eligible for financial aid. You may, however, pursue private education loans to assist you in meeting your program costs. Contact our Financial Aid Office with any questions.