Available entirely online!
The Graduate Certificate in Population Health and Behavioral Sciences gives you the knowledge and tools to make a difference in the health and well-being of communities. Whether you're already working in health care, education, social work or a related field—or you're looking to pivot into a rewarding role in public health—this flexible, four-course program equips you to address the behavioral and social drivers of health outcomes.
If you're interested in continuing your education and securing senior leadership roles, you may apply credits earned toward UMass Lowell's Master of Public Health (MPH).
Behavioral science is increasingly used across sectors to design better services, improve outcomes and promote lasting behavior change.
With U.S. health care expenditures topping $4.5 trillion and chronic diseases on the rise, there's an urgent need for professionals who can address root causes. Your behavioral health expertise will be in demand in:
As health care costs soar and health disparities persist, the need for skilled professionals who understand the social determinants of health has never been greater. This program helps you:
Whether you're seeking a career boost, transitioning into public health, or want to take a step toward earning a master's degree, this certificate delivers practical skills you can apply immediately.
-Total Courses Required: 4 (12 Credits)
This course introduces core concepts of social and behavioral determinants of health and provides a foundation for the analysis of social, political and economic influences on health and their role in contributing to health inequities. The core functions of public health and essential services are discussed as well as the history of public health, its philosophy and values. Upstream and downstream reforms to addressing fundamental determinants are evaluated. The influence of behavioral and psychological factors on health and disease are analyzed.
This course presents methods, concepts and techniques required for the identification of resources and needs, and planning of public programs and advocacy efforts to meet those a community, state, national, and global levels. Students will engage in community assessment and planning activities based on ethical and professional principles. This course will enhance skills needed for a health education specialist.
The focus of this course is to provide students with advanced skills necessary to collect quantitative and qualitative data for public health research and practice. Students will learn quantitative methods including questionnaire development, survey planning, data collection, data coding and data management. The course will prepare students to design, conduct, analyze and interpret qualitative research. Strategies for mixed methods research in social and behavioral sciences will be discussed.
This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to systematically develop and implement public health programs. Models for program planning are utilized to inform program design. In addition to didactic work, students are guided through the creation of a program and implementation strategies to accelerate the translation of evidence into practice.
Students will explore the theories and practice of communication in public health, with a particular emphasis on the role of technology in sharing public health information. The impact of social and environmental factors on the success of health messages, and the relevance of social media and other technology to positively impact issues in population health will be analyzed. The strategic and ethical use of media in developing and implementing effective public health communications is a focus of the course. The targeting of health communication campaigns to populations for the purpose of influencing behaviors and health policy will be examined.
The focus of this course is the development of skills needed to plan, conduct, and critique evaluations. Students will learn the major principles and methods associated with systematic evaluation of public health initiatives.
Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs through UMass Lowell must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace by registering for and successfully completing one or more courses each semester, depending upon his/her personal time constraints. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.000 with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.
Online courses meet throughout the year during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see Calendar for details). Online students generally log into their online course website one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. Online students should expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week engaged in course-related activities for each course. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page .
Graduate certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.000 grade point average and no more than one course with a grade below B. Once all courses for a graduate certificate have been completed, students must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form. Students must submit their clearance form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.
Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator
You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
You may apply to more than one certificate program but can only take 12 credits maximum before enrolling in an advanced degree.
Certificates must be completed within 5 years.
Official transcripts can be sent to us directly from your previous institution either electronically or mailed to:
We cannot accept previously opened transcripts, photocopies, PDF email attachments or faxed transcripts.
Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).
For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!