EWING, NJ April 13, 2023 – In March, a new report announced 2021 as a 58-year high for maternal mortality. The same study pointed out delayed preventive care during COVID and continued disparities in social determinants of health as key contributors. As at-risk communities face mounting health challenges, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is preparing students to help people pursue healthier lives with a new graduate certificate in health and risk communication.

Consisting of four courses, the new program will teach students how to develop, implement, and evaluate health communication plans — from research to program testing. Students will learn about health communication campaigns in community contexts, social media, digital health platforms and interactive video games.  

TCNJ Public Health and Communication Studies professor, John C. Pollock, PhD, expands on the benefits of this new program, saying, "This innovative graduate certificate offers robust training in creating, implementing, and evaluating professional health communication campaigns. Taught by health communication scholars and professionals, certificate courses employ knowledge about message formation and communication to teach students how to alleviate suffering, reduce risky behavior, and promote health equity."

Credits generated from this certificate can be applied to a Master’s in Public Health degree from TCNJ. TCNJ’s Public Health program ranks number two in New Jersey.

TCNJ Public Health Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director, Sylvia Twersky, PhD, MPH, adds, “Our department wants to arm public health and non-profit communities with the skills they need to succeed and thrive in their jobs and create healthier communities. This certificate in health and risk communication helps us do that. As a completely online program, it can meet the needs of today's busy professionals. It is also compatible with an MPH in Health Communication, so if a student wants to convert the certificate into a master's degree, they have a clear path forward.”

The School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dean Carole Kenner explains, “This new health and risk communication certificate is an example of how our Public Health program empowers students to positively impact surrounding communities during and after their college experiences. Whether for a full Master’s degree or skills improvement, our diverse certificate offerings give anyone the opportunity to advance their knowledge and empower others.” The School rebranded in 2022 to reflect its robust and diverse, cross-disciplinary health science curricula.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes. The School is nationally recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

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