Health Policy
Online Graduate Certificate

Prepare to make an impact in health policy

Build the knowledge and skills to understand, evaluate, and influence health policy. The UMass Dartmouth Health Policy Graduate Certificate prepares students with a bachelor’s degree to apply public policy principles to real-world challenges across government agencies, public health organizations, healthcare, nonprofits, community health centers, and other settings.

This certificate program is offered 100% online. Successful completion of this certificate program waives the GRE requirement for applicants to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program.

Application requirements

Review the admission process for the Health Policy certificate program. Additional materials required:

College transcripts
Bachelor's degree or proof of equivalency to a U.S. 4-year bachelor's degree.
Statement of purpose (1- to 2-page essay)
Resume

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Curriculum

To earn their certificate, UMass Dartmouth Health Policy certificate program students must complete 12 credits. These two courses are required:

Public Institutions and the Policy Process
Health Policy

Students choose 2 electives from courses such as:

Subnational Public Health Policy
Program Evaluation
Public Management

Students who successfully complete this certificate and are subsequently accepted into the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program who receive at least a grade of B (3.0) or higher in each course will receive credit for those courses towards the 12 course MPP program.

More information is available on the Public Policy Department website.

Graduate admissions requirements

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

Application form
$60 application fee (non-refundable)
Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
Resume
Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration.

Application dates

Customize your education and receive the help and guidance to finish as planned:

Value and affordability of a UMass education
One-on-one personal advising from enrollment through graduation
Free online and in-person tutoring and writing center

Learning style: online

Online courses are taught by UMass Dartmouth faculty to provide high quality instruction and personal attention. Students have the flexibility to accommodate work and home responsibilities within the structure of defined assignment due dates. The majority of our online courses are taught asynchronously.