Program Description
The Community Public Health certificate program exposes students to a variety of theoretical,
as well as practical public health service skills and concepts in order to meet the
increasing demands for entry-level public health professionals. Students completing
the one-year certificate program will be familiar with the basic organization of health
care, public health systems and the contributions of health professionals. The curricular
content includes understanding risk factors contributing to disease, options for disease
interventions, and health care policies to improve the health of a community. The
program structure builds upon an understanding of public health, social & behavioral
influences on community health care needs and global health care approaches for serving
diverse populations. Medical ethical issues relating to the study of incidence and
distribution of disease control are also covered. Students who successfully complete
the certificate program may continue their studies at Erie Community College in Health
Science associate in applied science degree programs. Graduates of the certificate
program may also consider further academic advancement by completing a Public Health
bachelor of science degree program at SUNY at Buffalo or a Health Promotion-Community
Health bachelor of science degree at Daemen College.
