Health Communication Certificate

We seek, create, share, and analyze health information (Kreps & Thornton, 1992) on a daily basis. The health communication certificate prepares you to effectively and appropriately engage with these processes across a range of channels and adapted to diverse audience needs. Supported by theory and honed through practice, our applied certificate equips you for success in emerging communication opportunities at work and across a range of careers.

Graduates of this certificate should:

• Engage with diverse definitions and conceptions of health
• Understand how roles, social and cultural issues, and resources impact heatlh communication.
• Examine health communication processes at interpersonal, organizational, and community levels.
• Apply theory to create health communication messages tailored for specific channels and unique audience needs.

Introductory courses (9 credits)

Pick three from this list, adding up to the credit requirements. COM 205 or COM 218Z must be taken as the first course.

• BIO 200 Medical Terminology
• COM 111Z Public Speaking
• COM 205 Intercultural Communication
• COM 218Z Interpersonal Communication
• SOC 205 Current Health Issues
• SOC 225 Medical Sociology

Advanced courses (6 credits)

Pick two from this list.

• BUS 313 Health Care Systems and Policy
• COM 320 Advanced Intercultural Studies in Communication
• COM 345 Organizational Communication
• PSY 347 Organizational Behavior
• PWR 306 Writing for the Health Professions
• SPE 321 Small Group and Team Communication

Capstone (3 credits)

• COM 346 Health Communication

The certificate is 18 credits.

Most students complete the certificate within three terms, about nine months, by enrolling in two classes per term. Many classes do not have set meeting times, so you can complete your coursework during your quiet hours. Assignments and exams still have due dates for completion.

Oregon Tech's online tuition is the same rate no matter where you live and each term's bill depends on how many classes you choose to take. Total cost of the program using the 24-25 tuition is about $6,200. Visit here for tuition rates.

The Academic Calendar details important registration dates and withdraw deadlines. The payment schedule, along with the payment plan application, is located on the Cashier’s Office website. 

Financial aid is not offered for this program but a payment plan is available. Follow the steps below to get started:

1. Submit the Non-Degree Seeking Application.
2. Watch for an email from the Admissions Office about registration.
3. Register yourself for classes when registration opens.

Non-degree seeking students do not pay application fees since they are not attending a degree program and are limited to 8 credits per term.