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Public Health
Graduate Certificate in Health Sciences
Leverage your passion for building stronger communities while you earn a credential that can help you stand out from the crowd. The online Graduate Certificate in Public Health helps you build foundational knowledge and skills in key areas of the field including epidemiology, biostatistics and environmental health. If you want to continue your educational journey in public health, you can apply your certificate credits toward a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, or toward the admission requirement for a DrPH at Capella.
At a glance
- 100% Online
- 5 Core courses
Explore public health courses
- This certificate requires a total of 20 program credits
- You’ll need to complete five courses
*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.
What you’ll learn
- Explore public health concepts like health administration, environmental health, biostatistics and behavioral health
- Evaluate effectiveness of public health initiatives on population outcomes
- Apply evidence to change public health practice and policy
- Gain the skills and knowledge to design, manage and evaluate public health programs
- Expand your ability to assess and lead in executing solutions to public health problems
- Manage health information to improve community and population health outcomes
Turn your certification into credits
Get a head start on your MPH
By earning your graduate certificate in public health from Capella University, you will have already completed a third of the work toward earning a Capella master’s in public health.
How much does a graduate certificate in public health cost?
The total cost of your certificate will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, tuition discounts and other factors. See cost information below.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
- $530 per credit
- $125 resource kit
- 20 total quarter credits
- 8 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Get the details
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Are there scholarships available for certificates?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.
See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the graduate certificate in public health admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Health Sciences, Public Health program must provide the following information for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Admission application – no application fee required
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
The role of public health in keeping communities healthy
Learn about how public health services are leveraged to help prevent and respond to infectious diseases and promote health in communities.
Healthcare Guide
You deserve an education that fits the way you live today. Take your career and personal goals to the next level with a degree from Capella.