Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Health Communication

The online Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Health Communication provides the essential knowledge, insights, and training to prepare students for work in the growing health and wellness industries, where business-to-consumer and business-to-business communication is vital. The curriculum provides students with a baseline understanding of health communication, including awareness of health systems and stakeholders, population-based research, campaign planning, and practice using health literacy strategies and plain language for diverse populations.

The certificate program develops the foundational and transferrable knowledge necessary for understanding and communicating with myriad audiences within the healthcare sector. For those whose work intersects with healthcare or wellness, the certificate provides an understanding of the systems, populations, policies, tactics, and practices necessary to implement effective communication within the bounds of regulatory, privacy, and ethical considerations. Marketing communication professionals, brand specialists, consultants, journalists, analysts, clinicians, and business development professionals working in a health or wellness context have the opportunity to fill gaps in their existing knowledge, whereas those just beginning careers in these and related fields will gain the foundation to employ dynamic communication skills, understand the systems and complexities of the healthcare industry, and develop effective strategies and high-quality materials for stakeholder groups.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrated awareness and understanding of the basic foundations, systems, framework, and complexities within healthcare, and the regulatory, privacy, ethical, and legal considerations inherent to health and wellness communication.
• The ability to interpret and apply basic communication research fundamentals to the field of health communication.
• Understanding of the methods, techniques, and best practices for developing high-quality, audience-specific health communication materials that are strategic, clear, and concise.

Admissions Information

For current admissions information, please visit the Metropolitan College website.

Required Curriculum

(four courses/16 units)

• MET HC 550 US Healthcare System
• MET HC 559 Health Communication Principles and Strategies
• MET HC 560 Research Methods for Health Communication
• MET HC 561 Writing for Health