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Online Graduate Certificate in Urban Health
Drexel University is Regionally Accredited
Urban Studies and Public Health Online Graduate Certificate
Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health’s online Graduate Certificate in Urban Health is designed to provide you with an introduction to urban health practice techniques that help you build foundational knowledge in the field. With a curriculum that puts an emphasis on built environment, healthy housing, and ecological concerns, you will learn how to become a culturally competent public health professional and apply your knowledge to real-world problems.
Program at a Glance
- 18 quarter credits
- Urban health industry-experienced faculty from Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health
- Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
- 100% online
- Upon completion of the Certificate in Urban Health, you'll earn 18 quarter credits that may be transferred into our online Master of Public Health program
- Drexel Dornsife is ranked #1 in Philadelphia and #19 in the nation for graduate schools of public health by U.S. News & World Report
- No GRE required
In the Program, You'll Learn To:
- Apply theories and frameworks from urban social sciences to identify social and other determinants of health and develop solutions to major urban health problems
- Critique policies and programs that contribute to promoting the health of urban populations and reducing urban health inequalities
- Engage various constituencies, including policymakers, community residents and leaders, civil society organizations, social movements, and public agencies, in identifying and reducing health problems facing cities
- Recognize ecological models to identify appropriate solutions to the health problems of cities at the individual, family, community, municipal, regional, national, and global levels
- Select appropriate epidemiological methods to characterize patterns of health, disease, and inequalities in health in urban populations and subpopulations
Is There a Relationship Between Urban Planning and Urban Health?
Urban planners develop land use plans and programs. Their goal is to improve the welfare of communities by creating spaces that are convenient, healthy, and equitable. Their work extends into areas like transportation, housing, environmental protection, commercial buildings, and healthcare infrastructure.
With their focus on health inequalities and vulnerable populations, the goals of urban health professionals often overlap with those of urban planners. Both study communities and strive to improve conditions. Together, they can use their research and resources to create safer, more equitable communities for all.
Why Does Urban Health Matter?
Currently, about 55% of the world’s population lives in cities, and that number is expected to rise over the next few decades. This means that the living conditions within cities continues to become more and more vital to the health of the overall population. And while there are benefits to living in cities (like access to top hospitals, for example), issues like health inequality can pose very real threats to many city dwellers. Urban health professionals work with vulnerable populations to address these inequalities and improve the lives of these communities.
What Can You Do with a Certificate in Urban Health?
Urban health professionals often work in areas like community health, health education, and research. Drexel graduates with backgrounds in urban health have gone on to find employment at organizations like:
- Public health agencies in cities and/or states
- Non-profits/philanthropies/NGOs (domestic or global)
- National government organizations (e.g., CDC, NIH)
- Private companies focused on urban health issues (e.g., insurance companies, hospitals, etc.)
- Research organizations (e.g., universities, institutes, centers, hospitals, etc.)
- Doctoral programs in public health, sociology, medicine, public policy, law, sociology, and anthropology
Learn more about public health jobs.
How Much Can You Make with a Graduate Certificate in Urban Health?
Urban Health Graduate Certificate Salary Expectations
Urban health professionals’ salaries will vary, depending on factors like location, title, years of experience, etc. Learn more about public health salaries.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Graduate Certificate in Urban Health?
Drexel’s online Graduate Certificate in Urban Health is an 18-credit program that can be completed in as little as nine months.
Unlike many universities, Drexel runs on a quarter system. This means that you’ll take classes during four, ten-week quarters each academic year. Learn more about the quarter system.
Related Programs
- Master’s in Public Health (MPH)
- Certificate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Certificate in Global Health
- Certificate in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
- Certificate in LGBT Health
- Certificate in Maternal and Child Health
- Certificate in Public Health
- On-Campus Public Health Programs
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period.
| Required Courses | ||
| CHP 673 | Process Monitoring and Outcomes Evaluation for Community Health Programs | 3.0 |
| EOH 550 | Introduction to Urban Health | 3.0 |
| EOH 642 | Healthy Housing & Built Environment | 3.0 |
| EPI 633 | Urban Inequality and Health: Theory, Evidence, and Action | 3.0 |
| Elective Courses (Select Two) | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 18.0 | |
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Resume
- Additional requirements for International Students
Computer Requirements
The software used in many of our courses requires you to have access to a PC. Apple doesn’t currently support the software needed to complete this coursework. Please visit Drexel’s computer buying guide for more information.
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2026-2027 is $1062 per credit. (A 25% tuition savings off Drexel's regular tuition rate of $1416 per credit)
- This program is not eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates are available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations.
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- These rates apply only to fully online courses. Hybrid or on-campus courses may have different rates.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans , you may not be able to combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2026-2027 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2026
September 22, 2026
December 5, 2026
December 7, 2026
December 12, 2026
Winter 2027
January 4, 2027
March 13, 2027
March 15, 2027
March 20, 2027
Spring 2027
March 29, 2027
June 5, 2027
June 7, 2027
June 12, 2027
Summer 2027
June 21, 2027
August 7, 2027
August 9, 2027
August 14, 2027
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