Civically Engaged Health Equity Certificate

Take your knowledge from the classroom to the community

The Civically Engaged Health Equity Certificate is designed to prepare students to work in and with local communities focused on health equity efforts. The certificate leverages experiential learning in the State College area, with students participating in hands-on learning through interactions with community members and health-related organizations.

The certificate, which is offered by the Department of Biobehavioral Health, is well-suited for students interested in public health, health care, health promotion, social epidemiology, and other community-oriented careers, but is open to all undergraduates at Penn State University Park.

Why study Civically Engaged Health Equity?

This certificate utilizes community engaged learning to apply what you learn in the classroom to opportunities in the local community, while developing your career competencies in interpersonal communication, cultural humility, teamwork, and leadership.

Community engaged learning is a strategy that combines purposefully organized weekly service with opportunities for reflection, which reinforces learning outcomes and meets a curriculum-related community need. It is grounded in sustained, mutually beneficial relationships between Penn State and community partners, intentionally designed community experiences, and assignments and reflections that encourage understanding of the course content, local issues, community strengths, and systemic injustices.

The overall goal is to prepare you to be a more effective leader and a socially responsible, engaged community member who, through their actions, supports health equity.

Coursework and experiences

Coursework for the certificate is heavily experience-based, including weekly volunteering at predetermined locations, reflective writing assignments, and discussion in small-class environments. This offers the opportunity to share and discuss what you learn in the community, while linking your volunteer experiences to foundational knowledge. Course topics will explore the social and structural processes underlying health disparities and the ethical approaches for promoting health equity.

The courses below, totaling 14 credits, make up the required coursework for the certificate.  No additional courses or electives are required to earn the certificate. 

Take the next step

If you are interested in learning more about the certificate, please contact the adviser, who can help you understand how the certificate can support your career and personal goals.