Health Disparities Certificates

This eight-module micro-credential examines the causes and effects of health disparities, focusing on enhancing social competence and leadership skills, and includes a module on leadership for change in public health. Participants will explore social determinants of health, cultural competency, and systemic inequities, gaining practical strategies for delivering equitable, empathetic care. The program empowers professionals to improve patient outcomes and advance health equity through interactive sessions, case studies, and real-world applications.

This nine-module micro-credential examines how factors like economic stability, education, social and community context, healthcare access, and neighborhood environments contribute to health disparities. Participants will gain insights into the complex interactions between these determinants and patient outcomes and learn strategies to address and mitigate their impact within clinical practice.

Both certificates are designed to be *asynchronous and completed in no more than three months from the start date but can be completed sooner, depending on each learner's individual preferences. The content is available 24/7 on-demand. An instructional advisor is also available to answer questions during weekly office hours or by email, and faculty are also available to answer content-specific questions.

Requirements to achieve a certificate:

• Complete all module content and assessments.
• Actively participate in online discussion boards by responding to instructional prompts.
• Successfully complete a capstone project that demonstrates the application of acquired competencies to address a specific challenge in a professional, social, or policy-related context.
• Presentation of your capstone project during a networking event on the CSU campus (Zoom presentation options available upon request).

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  Meet your instructional advisor, Nina Pollard: 

  

  A passionate public health professional, Nina Pollard was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She pursued her academic journey focusing on health and medicine, earning a Bachelor of Biology with a Pre-Med emphasis from Kent State University in 2009. Building on this foundation, she obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Health Policy and Management from Kent State in 2015. Currently, Pollard is a Doctoral Candidate in Public Health, working toward a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree, further solidifying her expertise in the field.

  With a diverse and extensive career in clinical and public health settings, Nina has honed her skills in various roles, including student teaching, contract manager, clinical research coordinator, community outreach coordinator, and healthcare data and analytics contractor. Currently, she serves as a Clinical Research Site Lead, applying her experience to manage clinical trials and ensure high research integrity and patient care standards. Her work bridges research and practice gaps to improve patient outcomes.

  Nina’s goal is to enhance health literacy among patients and providers while working to advance public health initiatives, both in clinical environments and broader public health settings. Her dedication to improving health education and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health drives her work.

A certificate in health disparities can open the door to various job opportunities in public health, healthcare, and community services, focusing on reducing health inequities and improving outcomes for underserved populations. Some of the roles available to someone with this qualification include:

1. Community Health Worker: In this role, professionals provide health education, outreach, and support to individuals in underserved communities. They help navigate the healthcare system, educate on preventative health, and connect clients with necessary services to reduce disparities.

2. Public Health Program Coordinator/Manager: Individuals can manage programs that aim to reduce health disparities within specific populations. This role often involves planning, implementing, and evaluating health initiatives, as well as coordinating efforts between health organizations, government agencies, and community groups.

3. Health Educator: Health educators design and implement programs that inform communities about health issues and healthy lifestyles. They often work in schools, healthcare facilities, or community organizations, addressing topics like chronic disease prevention and health equity.

4. Healthcare Administrator: Those with a background in health disparities can work in hospitals, clinics, or public health agencies, helping to implement policies and programs that improve access to care and address systemic inequities in healthcare delivery.

5. Research Assistant or Data Analyst in Public Health: These positions involve collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to health disparities, which helps to inform policy decisions, design interventions, and conduct evaluations of health programs.

6. Policy Analyst or Advocate: With a focus on health equity, individuals can work with non-profits, government agencies, or think tanks to advocate for policies that aim to reduce health disparities and improve access to healthcare for marginalized groups.

These roles often exist within public health departments, non-profit organizations, hospitals, universities, and government agencies. A certificate in health disparities can make candidates competitive for positions that require expertise in health equity and the social determinants of health

The Health Disparity Certificates are a partnership with CSU's School of Nursing, the Diversity Institute at the College of Public Affairs & Education, MetroHealth Medical Center, and the Division of Continuing and Extended Education.