Health Communication Graduate Certificate
healthcare team discussing strategies for patient care improvement. Virginia Tech Graduate Certificate in Health Communication.
About The Program
The Health Communication graduate certificate prepares students to apply effective communication strategies that influence individual and group behaviors, raise awareness of disease risks, and promote healthier outcomes. Through this program, students will learn to craft and deliver targeted health messages that drive audience engagement. For example, they will develop the skills to design multimedia campaigns—such as creating videos for social media and websites—to encourage participation in health screenings. The curriculum also covers communication best practices during public health crises. Upon completion, graduates will be equipped to use media tools and communication principles to design impactful messages and campaigns around key health issues.
Type of Instruction:
traditional, face-to-face formats and fully online
12 hrs
Total Graduate Credit Hours
9 hrs
Core Courses
3 hrs
Elective Courses
Curriculum
What You'll Study
Core Courses (9 hrs)
- ADV 5204: Health Communication
- ADV 5554: Health Communication Campaigns
- PR 5534: Crisis and Issue Management
Elective Courses (3 hrs)
Students are required to select one elective. Some elective examples include:
- HD 5254: Social Epidemiology and Health Inequalities
- PR 5524: Organizational Communication
- SOC 5034: Social Inequality
Requirements and Tuition
Requirements
- Minimum GPA 3.0 (4.0 Scale)
- TOEFL/ IELTS score required (if applicable)
Application Materials
- Grad school application
- Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- Writing Sample
- Letter of Interest and Curriculum Vitae
Tuition
Need more info?
Schedule a Consultation with the Graduate Director
Cayce Myers, Graduate Director
Shanks Hall, Room 113
181 Turner St. NW
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-7165
mcmyers@vt.edu