Certificate in Health Communication
The graduate certificate in health communication provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze, evaluate, and apply effective communication in health contexts. The courses in the certificate program examine research, theory and practices of communication.
This certificate is open to students enrolled in graduate degree programs as well as nondegree applicants holding a baccalaureate degree. Students currently enrolled in the MA in communication are not eligible to earn the certificate in health communication.
The program requires 12 s.h. of health communication course work with a minimum grade of B from courses related to these topics:
- Media and Health Communication
- Interpersonal Health Communication
- Intercultural Communication in Health Contexts
- Communication and Health Organizations
- Communication Approaches to Health Advocacy
- Introduction to Health Communication
- Special Topics in Health Communication
For graduate course listings and descriptions, view our graduate course list in the online ECU Graduate Catalog.
Educational objectives of the program
Our certificate program addresses the dynamics of communication from perspectives such as the influence of interpersonal communication (e.g., physician-patient communication and its relationship to health outcomes); organizational communication (e.g., the effects of organizational structures and cultures on health communication processes); media (e.g., how people use media to learn about health issues and how media influence decision-making regarding health); and culture (e.g., how intercultural communication influences health outcomes). With a background in health communication, professionals may pursue a variety of opportunities within the healthcare arena.
Students will develop knowledge and skills designed to address at least two of the following areas:
- Evaluate the role of communication in health-related decision-making.
- Address communication issues that exist between and among patients, providers, and family members.
- Explain the dynamics of social support through health communication.
- Create and disseminate health information.
- Evaluate communication within health care organizations.
- Interpret the multiple influences of culture on health communication.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, contact:
Dr. Laura C. Prividera
Associate Director, School of Communication
East Carolina University
102 Joyner East
Greenville, North Carolina 27858
Phone: 252-328-5304
E-mail: privideral@ecu.edu
