The University of South Carolina offers a Certificate of Graduate Study in Health Communication, an 18-hour post-bachelor's program administered jointly by three departments. The program teaches students to design and evaluate health communication campaigns and interventions using relevant theories. Graduates find jobs in health organizations, academia, and other settings as communication directors, wellness coordinators, and researchers. The certificate can be completed in one year of full-time study and requires core courses, electives, and a practicum project.

1. University of South Carolina
Health Communication
Who We Are
Want a job informing and
educating the public about
health-related issues? The
Certificate of Graduate Study
in Health Communication may
be the right fit for you. The
goal of health communication
is to promote public health and
improve quality of life. Students
learn to design and evaluate
health communication campaigns
and interventions using media,
communication and health
behavior theory and frameworks.
Graduates of our program are
employed as communication
directors at health organizations,
wellness coordinators and as
researchers and professors in
academic settings.
Certificate Description
The Certificate of Graduate
Study in Health Communication
is an 18-hour post-bachelor’s
program. The Certificate is
administered jointly by the
Department of Health Promotion,
Education, and Behavior, the
School of Journalism and Mass
Communications, and the School
of Library and Information
Science.
Program Requirements
To earn the certificate, students
must complete:
1. A core of nine hours including:
• HPEB 711: Applied Health
Communication
• SLIS 749: Health Sciences
Information Resources
• JOUR 772 Seminar in Health,
Science and the Media OR
• JOUR 803 Seminar in Mass
Communication Theory and
Theory Construction
2. Six hours of directed
electives, depending on
the student’s interests. Some
potential topics include:
•Concepts of health promotion
•Consumer health information
•Health literacy
•Risk communication
3. A three-hour practicum or
project. Some examples include
appointments with health
agencies or an active research
project.
Certificate of Graduate Study in
The University of South Carolina is an equal opportunity institution.
Need the skills and
knowledge for a
career in health
communication?
This post-bachelor’s
program combines
health education,
literacy and hands-on
health communication
experiences to prepare
you for a job in
this field.
Broaden your skills
and expertise, while
strengthening your
understanding of the
research the public
needs to make healthy
life decisions.

2. General Information
Applications are reviewed
on a rolling basis and students
may begin the program in
fall, spring or summer semes-ters.
Admission decisions are
based on the Graduate Studies
Bulletin published University
policy. Students admitted to
the program are assigned an
advisor to assist in developing
a program of study.
Admission Criteria
Applicants are evaluated on:
•Baccalaureate degree from
an accredited college or
university, with a satisfactory
GPA
•Official transcripts of all
undergraduate and graduate
work
•Completed USC Application
form and fee
•Official GRE scores
•Written statement of intent
describing reasons for
seeking a Certificate in Health
Communication
• Résumé describing health
communication activities and
experience
•Three letters of
recommendation
How to Apply
Students apply directly to
the USC Graduate School,
www.gradschool.sc.edu, listing
“Graduate Certificate Program
in Health Communication”
as the degree pursued. The
University of South Carolina
does not discriminate in
educational or employment
opportunities or decisions for
qualified persons on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, disability,
sexual orientation, or veteran
status.
USC in Focus
For 200 years, USC has
distinguished itself as a center
of learning with a tradition
of leadership and services in
higher education. USC offers
a diverse and talented student
population, a dedicated and
successful faculty, a highly
regarded library, outstanding
research programs, and a
campus that has been named
one of the most beautiful in
America. If you want to know
more about the University
of South Carolina visit the
website at www.sc.edu.
Dr. Daniela Friedman
Certificate Coordinator
Department of Health
Promotion, Education, and
Behavior
Arnold School of Public
Health
Phone: (803) 576-5641
Email: dbfriedman@sc.edu
Dr. Andrea Tanner
School of Journaliam and
Mass Communications
College of Mass
Communications and
Information Studies
Phone: (803) 777-6827
Email: atanner@sc.edu
Dr. Feili Tu-Keefner
School of Library and
Information Science
College of Mass
Communications and
Information Studies
Phone: (803) 777-1026
Email: feilitu@sc.edu
www.sc.edu/healthcomm
Contact Us:
On the web:
www.sc.edu/healthcomm