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Public Health Nurse Certification and Certificate Programs

Public health nurses specialize in treating low-income people and people with limited access to healthcare in their community.

If this sounds like something you'd like to pursue, a public health certificate and a bachelor's degree in nursing will give you the background knowledge you need.

Best of all, you can often earn a public health certificate online while still maintaining your job and other responsibilities.

Best Online Public Health Nurse Certificate Programs

Keep reading for more details on the top public health nurse certification and certificate programs available online.

1. Boise State University

Boise State University offers an online public health certificate that covers how to address health-related challenges in your community.

This 100% online program has no in-person requirements and includes 15 to 18 credit hours of study.

If you're already a Boise State student, you can add this certificate to your major while you're still getting your bachelor's degree.

Tuition for the certificate program starts at $375 per credit hour. Financial aid is available for all online students who qualify.

2. Chamberlain University

At Chamberlain University, you could earn a public health certificate online in as little as one year of full-time study.

However, you don't have to go full time. The program features asynchronous classes, so you can fit in your studies when it's convenient for you.

Chamberlain's public health certificate program is designed for working professionals, including nurses, who want to focus on public health.

Tuition for the program starts at $675 per credit hour. Scholarships and financial aid are available for all qualifying students.

3. Drexel University

Check out Drexel University if you're interested in getting a certificate in public health through a 100% online program.

Drexel's program is specifically designed to cater to the eight key competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health.

At the conclusion of the program, you'll be eligible to sit for the certified public health exam and earn your Pennsylvania state credential.

Tuition for the program starts at $1,335 per credit hour. Scholarships and other financial aid options are available for qualifying students.

4. Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University offers a public health certificate that you can earn online in as little as seven months.

The program is designed to introduce you to a wide range of public health theories and practices that are critical to public health practice.

Courses are asynchronous, so you can work your education into your schedule around work and other responsibilities.

Tuition for the program starts at $275 per credit hour. Financial aid is available and tuition is pay as you go to better fit into your budget.

5. Oregon Health & Science University

The Oregon Health & Science University has a public health certificate offered in conjunction with Portland State University.

This certificate program is designed for full-time professionals, including doctors, nurses, and social workers who want to focus on public health.

In addition to flexible, asynchronous classes, online students are guaranteed one-on-one time with professors.

Tuition for the program starts at $618 per credit hour for Oregon residents or $799 per credit hour for out-of-state students.

6. Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University's online certificate in public health is designed to be completed in as little as one year of full-time study.

However, the asynchronous classes can be completed at your own pace, so there's no need to push yourself to enroll full time.

The program is uniquely designed to address gaps in healthcare access that occur during pandemics and other large health crises.

Tuition for the program starts at $909 per credit hour, or $10,000 for the full certificate program. Financial aid is available.

7. University of New England

The University of New England's 100% online certificate in public health will provide you with a solid foundation to meet your community's needs.

The accredited program includes 18 credit hours of self-paced study and can be completed in as little as a year.

These courses also form the core of the University's master's degree program and can be applied toward a master's in public health.

Tuition for the program starts at $800 per credit hour. Scholarships and financial aid are available for all qualifying students.

FAQs About Online Public Health Nurse Certificate Programs

Read on for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about online public health nurse certification and certificate programs.

Do I Need a Nursing Degree to Get a Public Health Nurse Certificate?

Yes, most programs require that you have at least a bachelor's degree, since public health certificates are graduate-level programs.

If you are an RN, you can enroll in an accelerated online RN-to-BSN program to get your bachelor's degree in as few as 18 months.

Is Public Health Nurse a Credential?

Public Health Nurse (PHN) is a credential offered by state nursing boards after you pass a credentialing exam.

Public health certificate programs provide you with the public health foundation you need to pass the exam and become a PHN.

What Is the Difference Between a Public Health Nurse and a Community Health Nurse?

Public health nurses and community health nurses do much the same work. However, public health nurses typically work for the government.

Community health nurses often work for community clinics or nonprofit organizations and might specialize in a particular condition.

Find the Right School for Public Health Nurse Certification Today

After you've earned your bachelor's degree in nursing, get your public health certificate online to become a public health nurse.

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