Certificates and Badges

Undergraduate Certificates

Undergraduate Certificates are available in the areas of aging studies, health management, health science and public health. The certificates allow working professionals to expand their knowledge and gain essential skills for the workforce.

The credit hours earned in each certificate program work as stackable credentials and count towards either the BS in Health Management or the BS in Health Science.

Aging Studies
An undergraduate certificate in aging studies (UGC-AGE) allows students and working professionals to expand their knowledge in the fundamental concepts of aging, to better serve an aging population they frequently encounter. Students have an opportunity to focus on content specific to their area of interest as they choose from the rotation of aging studies electives for their final credit hours.
 
Health Management
An undergraduate certificate in health management (UGC-HM) allows undergraduate students and working professionals to expand their knowledge in the fundamental concepts of health care system administration. The UGC-HM prepares students in navigating the health care system and provides an introduction to health management.
Health Science
An undergraduate certificate in health science (UGC-HS) allows undergraduate students and working professionals to expand their knowledge in the fundamental concepts of clinical health science and the health care system. The UGC-HS prepares students in navigating the health care system and provides an introduction to the health sciences.
Public Health Science
An undergraduate certificate in public health science (UGC-PHS) allows undergraduate students and working professionals to expand their knowledge in the fundamental concepts of public health. The UGC-PHS introduces the field and practice of public health.

 

Graduate Certificates

Aging Studies

The online graduate certificate in aging studies (GCAGE) allows graduate students and working professionals to expand their knowledge of the fundamental concepts of aging, to better serve an aging population they frequently encounter. The GCAGE prepares students in aging-specific areas of health communication, navigating the Medicare system, public health priorities, family care management, and perspectives on an aging society. Combine what you do with aging studies.

Health Administration

The online graduate certificate in health administration allows students to complement existing experience and educational background in business, finance, or related management/leadership, building upon that knowledge base to better plan, direct, manage, and coordinate medical and health services. The program prepares students in areas of health care leadership, operations management, health care finance, strategic planning, health care policy, law and ethics, and trends in the health care delivery system. Enhance your knowledge in health administration.

Public Health

The online Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH) equips students with core knowledge in public health they can put into practice within the workplace. Through the graduate certificate in public health program, graduates bring population-based health knowledge to their work in health and medicine. Now more than ever, it is important to combine what you do with public health.

Badges

Care of Populations Badge

The online Care of Populations Public Health badges provide public health professionals the opportunity to increase skill development by addressing the Tier 1 National Public Health Domains and Core Competencies. Upon completion you will possess skills and tools to support core public health functions and essential services.

Working professionals who complete all six (6) badges may count this course towards the requirements to earn a bachelor's degree at WSU.

Public Health Science
Badge1_Public-Health

 

This badge introduces students to the tools of public health. Students will explore the history of the U.S. Public Health system and learn how public health practitioners integrate core competencies, essential services, and retrieval of evidence for the goal of improving the health of populations.

 

Cultural Competency
Badge5_Culture

 

Culture influences health behavior and when major differences exist between a patient’s and provider’s cultural framework for illness, a host of adverse outcomes may result. This badge introduces students to the concepts of health and health care disparity and the importance of learning how individuals define, react to, and treat illness and other health risks.

 

Leadership and Systems Thinking
Badge2_Leadership

Leadership skills consistent with collaborative approaches are essential and need to be part of organizations that interest with the larger public health system. This badge will introduce six key practices of collaborative leadership: Assessing the Environment, Creating Clarity, Sharing Power and Influence, Building Trust, Self Reflection, and Developing People. Course activities will build collaborative and team-oriented leadership capacity among public health professionals as well as diverse state and local community partners.

 

Community Dimensions of Practice
Badge4_Community

 

Improving the health in a community depends on effective community partnerships. This badge introduces students to the concepts of population-based program development, implementation, and evaluation. Additionally community-based relationships, program methodology, and the social determinants of health will be explored.

 

Financial Planning & Management
Badge3_Financial-Planning_0

 

Financial Planning and Management principals are key for all organizations. Understanding these elements are crucial for professionals to assist in keeping organizations financially stable. This badge introduces students to various management concepts, as well as the basic principles of financial planning. Students will be exposed to financial and management tools to learn how they are utilized in all areas of decision making.

 

Policy Development & Program Planning
Badge6_Policy

 

This badge focuses on developing Policy Development & Program Planning Skills, based on the Core Competencies for Public Health professionals, Tier 1. Course activities will help student build awareness, understanding and capacities related health improvement planning, developing program goals and objectives, strategic planning, public health policy, and quality improvement.

Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Practicum

Administrator-in-Training Practicum

The AIT is a practicum available to individuals with a bachelor's/master's degree, with course work or professional experience in aging programs or services, long-term care or senior living, management, and/or health care. This fulfills the practical experience requirement for licensure as a nursing home administrator in Kansas.

Administrator-in-Training Practicum