Community Health Assessment Certificate

The health and well-being of our communities depends on many factors: social, economic, cultural, legal, and environmental. What’s happening in your city or town that is impacting the wellness of its individual residents? As a healthcare professional, this type of big-picture perspective can help you succeed and grow in your career—and better serve your patients and clients.

Earning a certificate in community health assessment from the College of General Studies will provide a foundation in theory as well as an understanding of the diverse populations you may serve. This 18-credit flexible program is perfect for social services or community health employees, nonprofit professionals interested in healthcare advocacy, and for those looking to advance into leadership positions.

Program Expectations

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds
• Understand how social, cultural, legal, and environmental factors may impact the behaviors of patients and healthcare workers
• Identify behaviors that tend to promote or compromise health
• Apply administrative and managerial skills to nonprofit and community health organizations
• Identify, recognize, gather, and analyze data pertinent to the health services field

Credit Requirements

• The community health assessment certificate requires 18 credits, including five core courses and at least one elective.
• Students must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) or better for all courses required for the program.
• Credits earned at other accredited educational institutions may be eligible for transfer. However, a minimum of nine credits must be earned at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Required Courses: (15 credits)

Complete all five required courses.

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^{Note: New course number effective Spring 2023; formerly COMMRC 1730: Special Topics: Health Communication (SEC 75XX)}

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^{Note: Formerly HRS 1017 Intro to Epidemiology}

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Electives: (3 credits)

Choose one of the following approved courses.

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Program Planning Checklist

Download our handy Community Health Assessment certificate checklist (PDF) to plan and track your progress in the program.

Important: Course Overlap Rules

As you plan your certificate coursework, please make sure to review the CGS Course Overlap policy for information on how many courses can be double-counted if a student elects to pursue a CGS certificate in combination with other CGS and non-CGS majors, minors, and certificates. If you have questions, please contact your CGS advisor or CGS Advising at CGSAdv@pitt.edu.

Note: Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.