Certificate Program in Community Health and Nutrition Programs

Community Health and Nutrition Programs are crucial components for improving health and nutrition. They provide evidence-based interventions adapted to diverse settings. A key characteristic is the function of the frontline community worker – often the Community Health and Nutrition Worker (CHNW) – whose training, supervision, incentives, and work modes (e.g., ratio to households, home visiting frequency) are core factors determining impact. The interventions supported are complementary and viewed from both a public health and nutrition angle. This graduate certificate is intended for students planning to work in community health and nutrition programs, international and/or domestic. The courses provide the knowledge and skills to contribute to the design, management, and implementation of community programs.

Offered by: Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences

Faculty Lead: Diego Rose, PhD

Community Health Certificate Enrollment Form

Certificate Purpose

The Certificate in Community Health and Nutrition Programs is designed to add a further dimension for those with a public health background to design, implement and manage health and nutrition programs at a local community level. The certificate draws on current research and experience to improve access to services and programs, through primary health care (e.g. through health posts and local clinics) and related community programs usually supervised and supported by the health system.

Eligible Students

Students enrolled in a MPH, MSPH, MPH&TM, or MHA degree program at Tulane SPHTM. Students in the SBPS - Nutrition program area are NOT eligible.

Certificate Competencies

Students who earn the Certificate in Community Health and Nutrition Program will:

  • Assess community needs to identify opportunities for prevention and/or mitigation of nutritional problems through available resources (SBPS 6610, 7220, 6800, 6750);
  • Analyze the impact of a successful community-based nutrition program (SBPS 6760, 6610, 6750);
  • Analyze issues for the community worker: for training, supervision, and successful collaboration with community members (SBPS 7220, 6800); and
  • Explain how different socio-economic background, race, ethnicity, and gender inform nutritional problems as well as community work (SBPS 6760, 7220).

Number of Credits Required for Completion: 15

Required Courses
  • SBPS 6610 Local Food Systems & Nutrition (2)
  • SBPS 7220 Community Organization: Community Work for Social Justice (3)
  • SBPS 6800 Community Training Methodologies (2)
  • SBPS 6750 Population Nutrition Assessment (3)
  • SBPS 6780 Nutrition in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (3)

AND one of the following electives to make a total of 15 credits

  • SBPS 6770 Food and Nutrition Policy (3)
  • SBPS 7010 Health Communication Theory and Practice (3)
  • SBPS 6510 Essential Issues in MCH (3)

Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine which certificate best fits their professional and academic goals and how to best plan their graduate course schedule.