Undergraduate Certificate in Health Communication
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
An undergraduate certificate in Health Communication is ideal for students interested in shaping public health messages, promoting wellness, and addressing healthcare challenges through effective communication strategies. It prepares students for careers in health promotion, public relations, healthcare marketing, nonprofit organizations, and roles in government agencies, hospitals, or media outlets focused on public health and patient advocacy.
Program Overview
Created in conjunction with the Department of Communication, the School of Public Health and the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion for undergraduate students, the health communication certificate is designed to give students an enhanced education in communication skills critical to health-related professions, beyond what would normally be received from the UK Core. Upon completion of the certificate students will be able to determine how communication impacts the major contributors for disease prevention and control as well as how to identify and analyze communication strategies that are most effective for health promotion and wellness. Students also gain advanced knowledge and insight into how communication can affect patient and client outcomes and the ability to apply these skills toward the betterment of their careers in the health professions.
FIND OUT EXACTLY
What You'll Learn
The Undergraduate Certificate in Health Communication explores the role and importance of effective communication strategies to promote individual and public health. Students enrich their pre-professional health, business or communication-related major with courses that focus on building health communication and leadership skills.
As part of certificate coursework, students will study health communication across disciplines, including:
Communication
Courses in patient-provider communication and health communication prepare students to examine issues of health and illness, social support and health campaigns. Students also build skills to improve communication among physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals.
Public Health
Courses in public health and health behavior prepare students with functional knowledge about HIV prevention, maternal and child health, and reducing tobacco addiction, along with skills to evaluate health behavior intervention programs and translate research findings into public health practice.
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Get a Head Start with an
Accelerated Pathway
This program is part of the Accelerated Master's Pathways program. If you plan to obtain a related master's degree, this program can save you time and money with dual credit hours when you sign up.
How to Add this Certificate
Prospective students: Certificates are declared once you are a current University of Kentucky student.
Current students: You can add this certificate in myUK GPS. Under "My Program of Study" on the right side of the screen, click the link "Request a major/minor/certificate change". If you need help, contact your academic advisor.
You should talk with your academic advisor about how adding a program to your plan of study will impact graduation time and any graduation requirements of your major.
Get Involved!
Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
