7 Best Health Promotion Certificate Programs 2025

Studying health promotion can lead to a variety of career opportunities. If you are looking to change careers or get started in this field, a certificate in health promotion can help you reach your goals. With this in mind, you may be wondering which schools offer the best online certificates in health promotion.

Keep reading to find out about some of the top programs available and the schools that offer them. We'll also answer a couple of questions you may have about completing an online program in health promotion.

Best Online Health Promotion Programs

Some platforms offer free online health promotion certificates, but it's important to choose an academic program to gain respected credentials. Below, we'll look at some schools that offer top programs for you to choose from.

1. Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University is a public school in Bowling Green, KY. Online students can pursue an undergraduate certificate in worksite health promotion and a graduate certificate in workplace health promotion.

Both non-degree programs are designed for professionals already working or aspiring to work in health and safety roles at worksites. Students study various topics related to workplace safety advocacy and interventions to protect workers.

2. Boston University

Boston University is a private school providing online and in-person degree and certificate programs. Students at this school can complete an online graduate certificate in healthcare promotion, media, and marketing.

This graduate program teaches competencies to help students pursue careers in both health communication and promotion. Comprehensive coursework covers topics like healthcare public relations, digital media, and epidemiology to prepare students for a range of health-focused careers in media, marketing, journalism, and more.

3. Liberty University

Liberty University is a large private school in Lynchburg, VA. It provides a wealth of online degree and certificate programs, including graduate certificates in health promotion and community health promotion.

Both programs feature flexible, eight-week course sessions and generous transfer policies, as students can transfer up to half of the total credit hour requirements into each program. Students learn to promote health and wellness in their communities and in various other settings. Both programs can be completed in as little as six months, though students also have the option to study part-time and earn their credentials at a more relaxed pace.

4. Washington State University

Washington State University is a public school located in Pullman, WA. Graduate students attending this school online can earn a certificate in health communication and promotion.

This program is designed for students already working in public relations, multimedia, public health, and other setting; its aim is to help students advance or tailor their careers to health professions and learn to promote wellness in their communities. The certificate consists of four courses (12 credit hours), and full-time students can complete their studies in as little as two semesters.

5. University of Illinois

The University of Illinois, located in the Urbana-Champaign metro area, is known as a leader in online education. Among its many remote programs is an online graduate certificate in communication and health promotion.

The certificate program is ideal for those with health campaign, PR, and marketing experience or for those hoping to gain more experience in these areas. Students in the program learn to tailor their communication efforts to improve health behaviors and habits among specific audiences. They learn effective communication strategies to promote health among both large and small groups.

6. Ohio State University

Ohio State University is a public school located in Columbus, OH. It provides an online nutrition and health promotion graduate certificate for registered dietitians and students currently pursuing graduate degrees in nutrition and dietetics at Ohio State.

Students in this program learn about evidence-based nutritional practices and how to apply them in real-world scenarios. Flexible coursework is ideal for working professionals and those with family commitments. The program features three start dates each year.

7. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a prestigious private school in Los Angeles, CA. The school provides an online graduate certificate in community health promotion.

Both working professionals in various fields and students looking to get their foot in the door in public health are encouraged to enroll in this program. It consists of 12 credit hours and features flexible coursework that students can complete in as little as three semesters. Credit hours can be applied to the school's Master of Public Health, enabling students to pursue further education if desired.

Our Selection Criteria

While many sources provide free online health promotion courses, we strive to choose only the best academic programs when compiling our rank lists. We used the following criteria to select the schools discussed above:

• Accreditation: All programs come from schools that maintain accreditation from U.S. Department of Education-recognized organizations.
• Reputation: Each school has a reputation as being a respected institution of higher education for both its online and in-person programs.
• Accessibility: Each program provides flexible coursework so students can study on a schedule that works for them. Many programs also offer affordable tuition rates, financial aid, multiple yearly start dates, and other features to increase accessibility for students.

Why Should I Pursue an Online Health Promotion Certificate?

Getting a health promotion certificate can help you enter various career paths quickly and affordably, without spending extra time or money on a bachelor's or master's degree. This is a great option for career changers who already have a degree in another field or for anyone looking to get their foot in the door.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, health education specialists earn a moderate income and have a faster-than-average job growth outlook. With this in mind, completing online health promotion courses can be worth the time and money if you hope to pursue any of the various careers in this field.

Health Science Careers With a Health Promotion Certificate

Perhaps you're wondering exactly what careers you can pursue with certificates you can get online. This type of certificate can help you pursue a range of opportunities in public health departments, nonprofit organizations, and health education settings. Common health professionals that can get started with health promotion certificates include:

• education program managers
• health program analysts
• employee wellness coordinators
• health service managers
• health educators

Find Online Certificate Programs and Start Learning Today

If you're ready to begin a fulfilling career in the field of health promotion, consider the colleges and universities featured here on Learn.org. Reach out to the admissions office at any of the schools to request information about the programs and to find the right one for you.