GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCE Introduction Areas of Focus Intended Audience Course Requirements Program Time Frames Transferability Application Tuition Transfer Credits Course Offerings Center Main Page Introduction The Graduate Certificate Programs at the Akamai University represents a documented and regimented exploration of post-baccalaureate level topics for students who do not currently wish to pursue a full Masters degree program. The Certificate in Applied Health Science consists of 15 credits of graduate-level coursework, representing the equivalent of six months of full time graduate study. Unlike our graduate degree programs, the Akamai University Graduate Certificate is entirely coursework based and requires no research (thesis) component. Students will work with their primary mentor to individualize course topics. At the beginning of the program, the student will identify a principal focus area, which will serve to target course readings and assignments to areas directly applicable to the student’s educational and professional goals. Areas of Focus Some suggested Focus Areas include (but are not limited to) the following: Health Administration Health Policy and Ethics Public Health Practice Environmental Health Studies Occupational Health Studies Environmental Health Law Global Warming and Public Health Disease Prevention Life Style Diseases and Public Health Injury Prevention Diseases of Poverty Biotechnology Pharmacology and Drug Development Toxicology Pharmaceutics Economic Development and Public Health International Nutrition Technology Transfer Behavioral and Lifestyle Medicine Holistic Health Integrative Healthcare Homeopathic Medicine Ayurvedic Medicine Chinese Medicine Herbal Medicine Applied Health Science Return to Top Intended Audience The Graduate Certificate programs at Akamai University are intended for mid-career professionals who require a structured, yet flexible post-baccalaureate curriculum focused on specific and practical topic areas within applied areas of the health science field. Course content and assignments will be focused on a student’s stated academic and professional goals. Graduate Certificates may be appropriate for demonstrating mastery of a specific set of topics or applications relevant to professional advancement, career change, or preparatory to future graduate study. Course Requirements A total of 15 credits (equivalent to six months of full time graduate study) are required for the completion of a Graduate Certificate in Applied Health Science. The student will be required to enroll in one of the 6-credit foundational reading courses (500-level) from the Akamai University Center for Global Health and Wellness, Course Offering List. The remaining 9 credits of required course work will be planned on an individual basis. The student and his or her advisor will work to select courses that will add academic significance and continuity to the Certificate program and focus the remaining coursework towards the student’s academic and professional goals. Program Time Frames Akamai University strives to create flexible programs where students can work at their own pace to accommodate professional and personal commitments while pursuing their higher education goals. The standard time frame for completion of a Graduate Certificate in Applied Health Science is 6-8 months. However, students may work at an accelerated pace and complete all course requirements in a minimum of 4 months. Likewise, students may work at a more gradual pace and complete the Certificate in a maximum of 14 months. Return to Top Transferability All successfully completed Certificate programs or program courses are directly transferable to Akamai University Masters or Doctoral programs within the Center for Global Health and Wellness. To be accepted for degree transfer, matriculation in a graduate degree program should begin within 5 years of completion of the Certificate program. Application Students wishing to enroll in an Akamai University Graduate Certificate program should first submit an Application for Admissions for Extramural Studies, along with all accompanying documentation and supporting materials. A requirement for enrollment in the Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Health Science is the satisfactory completion of a Baccalaureate degree (BA, BS, or equivalent) from a recognized university. A student’s undergraduate focus should be in a relevant academic discipline, however, applicants with academic backgrounds not directly related to Applied health Science may be accepted to the program, pending a review of their application materials and overall background and professional experience. Tuition Tuition for Certificate Programs are based upon course-costs of $150 per credit for a total Certificate Program tuition of $2,250. Other academic fees apply, including the $50 application fee and transcript fee, listed in the Program Handbook. Return to Top Transfer Credits and Course Waivers Since our Graduate Certificate programs are short intense courses of study; transfer credits, course waivers, or portfolio credits are typically not offered to reduce the total credit requirements for completion. Under extraordinary circumstances, individual exceptions may be made to this standard; however, students should expect to complete the full 15 credits for award of a Graduate Certificate. If a student has already demonstrated a level of mastery in a particular course topic pertinent to the chosen focus area, they will work with the advisor to choose another area of investigation relevant to the student’s learning objectives. Return to Top