www.ohio.edu/healthsciences/africahlth.htm
    
The African community health services certificate program is intended for health, health-related or socio-behavioral professionals who may have clinical skills or experience in public health, health communication, community development and organization, social marketing and social action but lack the basic community health skills or insight into community health organizations and development. The certificate program will enhance your ability to provide information on the role of culture in health and disease states, elements of African health care systems and global issues and problems that threaten community health and health care services across African regions.  

The certificate program is a unique blending of socio-behavioral, political, educational, communication, biomedical, environmental and public health dimensions to tackling the community health issues in African countries so that creative, programmatic, effective understanding and management of African contemporary health care environments and services could be achieved. The interdisciplinary program, overseen by the School of Health Sciences, is a partnership that includes the Ohio University Institute for the African Child, African Studies, Center for International Studies, School of Communication Studies, Tropical Disease Institute, and Biomedical Sciences. The program requires a minimum of 24 credit (quarter) hours consisting of at least 6 graduate courses.

Courses will be delivered in both the traditional format (on campus class) and Internet-based (web-based) with extensive use of distributed learning technologies. Students, who so desire, will have the opportunity to experience community health practices in Africa through the practicum course.  Partnerships and contacts with African countries for practical experience will be arranged. Ohio University already has contacts and liaisons in Botswana, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Eligibility to Apply

The African community health certificate program will accept students in two categories: those who have been admitted to an advanced degree program at Ohio University and those who possess a bachelor’s or advanced degree but are not currently in a degree program at Ohio University.

If you are a current advanced degree seeking student at Ohio University, you must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission to graduate certificate program:

1.    Acceptance into an advanced degree program.  Typically you will have earned a degree in health care or health care-related disciplines, social and behavioral sciences, biological and life sciences, African studies, communication and development studies or international studies
2.    Recommended completion of undergraduate  or graduate courses in basic anatomy and physiology, statistics, economics, and socio-behavioral sciences as reflected on official transcripts. These courses are prerequisites for some of the courses in the certificate program.
3.    Must have 1-2 years of professional-related experience in a community health/social service governmental or non-governmental agency, organization or business with health-related programs.

If you are not currently seeking an advanced degree from Ohio University, you must meet the following requirements to be considered for unconditional admission to the graduate certificate program:

1.    Earned bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited college or university. Typically bachelor’s degree and advanced degree holders will have earned their degrees in health care or health care-related disciplines, social and behavioral sciences, biological and life sciences, African studies, communication and development studies or international studies.
2.    Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in last 90 quarter hours or last 60 semester hours (undergraduate) or an earned graduate or professional degree.
3.    Must posses ability to do graduate studies as evidenced by one of the following:

a.    acceptable Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score within the last three years prior to application submission, OR
b.    interview with the program coordinator, OR
c.    descriptions of your significant work experience, such as a portfolio.

NOTE: if you intend to continue to a graduate degree seeking status within the School of Health Sciences, you must submit the GRE score. If you plan to apply to another graduate program, you must meet that program’s admission requirements.

4.    Recommended completion of undergraduate or graduate courses in basic anatomy and physiology, statistics, economics, and socio-behavioral sciences as reflected on official transcripts. These courses are prerequisites for some of the courses in the certificate program.
5.    Must have 1-2 years of professional-related experience in a community health/social service governmental or non-governmental agency, organization or business with health-related programs.

Application Process

Degree-seeking graduate student

If you are currently enrolled as a graduate student seeking an advanced degree from Ohio University, obtain an Application for Update of Program(s) from Graduate Studies, any dean’s office, or the coordinator of the African community health certificate program.  After completing the application and obtaining your advisor’s signature, you must submit this form to the African community health certificate program coordinator, Grover Center W317, along with the following:

1.    Official transcript from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended (official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution) or a copy of an official transcript, if one is on file in Graduate Studies.  If you attended a non-U.S. postsecondary institution an official or registrar-certified transcript from each institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution) or a copy, if an official one is on file in Graduate Studies. Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that were repeated or taken outside a degree program.
2.    A resume, including your educational background and professional work experience.
3.    A statement of goals and objectives (2-3 double-spaced typed pages), which serves as a writing sample and helps to convey a sense of who you are, what your experiences have been, and how these factors relate to your desire to pursue a graduate certificate. Be sure to include your goals for graduate study, how your goals for study relate to what you are currently doing or your plans following graduation, what research interests you may have, and why you want to receive this certificate.
4.    Two (2) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your potential to benefit from and contribute to the graduate certificate program in African Community Health Services, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the Office of Graduate Studies (www.ohio.edu/graduate).  Please make certain to include the program you plan to pursue on the form prior to giving the form to the person providing the reference.

If you are accepted into the certificate program, you will be contacted about picking up the completed Application for Update of Program(s) which now will have the Coordinator’s signature. You will need to turn this form in to Graduate Studies in McKee House. Each quarter on your DARS (Degree Audit Report System), you will be able to track your progress in the certificate program.

Non-degree student

Note: If you decide to submit a GRE score, you must request official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) be sent directly from the testing agency.  Student-supplied photocopies are not accepted as official, but may be included for review and to assist with official score matching.  The Ohio University reporting code is 1593. This requirement is waived for applicants who have already earned a graduate or professional degree.

When you submit an ONLINE APPLICATION, you need to provide printed copies of the following materials to complete your application.  You will need two separate envelopes for these materials.

In envelope #1 put items 1-3 (as applicable). Mail this envelope to: Graduate Studies, McKee House, 44 University Terrace, Athens, OH 45701.

1.    Copy of Application Submission page or the application transaction (order) ID. When completing the application, indicate admission as non-degree in the African Community Health Services Certificate program.
2.    Two copies of official transcripts from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. (Official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution.) Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.
3.    Two copies of official or registrar-certified transcripts/mark sheets and two certified English translations for each non-U.S. postsecondary institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible). Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that were repeated or taken outside a degree program.

In envelope #2 put items 4-6.  Mail this envelope to: African Community Health Services Certificate Coordinator; Grover Center E317; College of Health and Human Services, Athens, OH 45701.

4.    Three (3) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your potential to benefit from and contribute to the graduate certificate program in African Community Health Services, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the Office of Graduate Studies (www.ohio.edu/graduate).  Please make certain to include the program you plan to pursue on the form prior to giving the form to the person providing the reference.
5.    A resume, including your educational background and professional work experience.
6.    A statement of goals and objectives (2-3 double-spaced typed pages), which serves as a writing sample and helps to convey a sense of who you are, what your experiences have been, and how these factors relate to your desire to pursue a graduate certificate. Be sure to include your goals for graduate study, how your goals for study relate to what you are currently doing or your plans following graduation, what research interests you may have, and why you want to receive this certificate.

NOTE: if submitting an online application, do not submit a paper copy of the application for the same term/degree program.

When you submit a PAPER APPLICATION, you need to provide printed copies of the following materials to complete your application.  You will need two separate envelopes for these materials.
    
In envelope #1 put items 1-7 (as applicable). Mail this envelope to: Graduate Studies, McKee House, 44 University Terrace, Athens, OH 45701.

1.    One completed, signed application (Form 1).

2.    One completed, signed In-State Tuition Rates Form (Form 2).

3.    One completed, signed Background Information & References Form (Form 3)

4.    Non-refundable application fee (check, cash or money order) payable to Ohio University.

5.    Two copies of official transcripts from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. (Official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution.) Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.

6.    Two copies of official or registrar-certified transcripts/mark sheets and two certified English translations for each non-U.S. postsecondary institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible). Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that were repeated or taken outside a degree program.

7.    International applicants who need a certificate of eligibility, include one completed, signed Financial Affidavit of Support (Form 4).

In envelope #2 put items 8-10. Mail this envelope to: African Community Health Services Administration Certificate Coordinator; Grover Center E317; College of Health and Human Services, Athens, OH 45701.

8.    Three (3) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the Office of Graduate Studies (www.ohio.edu/graduate) or part of the paper application packet.

9.    A resume, including your educational background and professional work experience.

10.    A statement of goals and objectives (2-3 double-spaced typed pages), which serves as a writing sample and helps to convey a sense of who you are, what your experiences have been, and how these factors relate to your desire to pursue a graduate certificate. Be sure to include your goals for graduate study, how your goals for study relate to what you are currently doing or your plans following graduation, what research interests you may have, and why you want to receive this certificate.

All documents received by the University in connection with an application for admission become the property of Ohio University. They will not be returned or forwarded to another agency or college/university.