Advanced Graduate Certificate in Health Communication

Earn your health communication graduate certificate 

This 18-credit advanced graduate certificate is offered by the SBU Program in Public Health and the Alda Center for Communicating Science through the School of Communication and Journalism.

The Health Communication program compliments ongoing graduate-degree work, or can be completed as a stand-alone credential. It can be completed in as little as one year.

Explore Program Offerings

Admissions Information

Students are admitted to the program on a rolling basis. You may apply to the program throughout the academic year and enroll in the fall, spring or summer terms. 

We encourage you to apply at least a month before the beginning of the term you'd like to start taking classes.

• Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA from an accredited college or university.
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools. All international transcripts must be evaluated by an agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (see below for more).
  • Two references that can address the applicant's capacity to succeed in the field of health communication or a related field and ability to complete a course of graduate-level certificate study.

  Recent Graduates If the applicant graduated within two years, at least one letter must be from a college or university faculty member with whom the applicant has studied.

  Working Professionals If the applicant has been working, at least one letter must be from a supervisor who is familiar with the applicant's work.

  • Complete application with writing sample.
  • One essay of 500 words or fewer must be submitted with the application in SOPHAS Express, uploaded in the Attachments section.
• Info for International Students
  • International applicants who trained in non-English speaking schools and do not reside in an English speaking country must take the TOEFL exam.

  Computer-Based Test Minimum Score: 213

  Internet-Based Test Minimum Score: 90

  Paper-Based Test Minimum Score: 550

  • International students are required to have a course-by-course educational credential evaluation completed by an agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES). We require using World Evaluation Services ( WES). This evaluation provides a U.S. course equivalent including semester hours earned, course content and corresponding letter grade for all courses listed on the applicant's transcript. This evaluation must be completed before the application can be considered.
  • Learn more about requirements for international students.

Get in Touch

To learn more about the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Health Communication, please contact   Dr. Brenda MacArthur, program director.

Graduate Bulletin

Stony Brook Graduate School