New interdisciplinary program is the latest initiative by three
USC schools to meet the needs of public health communicators
The University of South Carolina is offering
a new certificate program to develop expertise in health communication
for graduate students and working professionals.
Two years in development, the Certificate of
Graduate Study in Health Communication is a collaborative effort
of the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications; the
School of Library and Information Science; and the Department
of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior (HPEB) of the Arnold
School of Public Health.
 "I’m especially pleased that both
schools within our college are part of this collaboration," said
College of Mass Communications and Information Science Dean Charles
Bierbauer.
"This certificate program is truly the
product of months of hard work by multiple faculty across these
three colleges at USC—and all for the betterment of health
outcomes in South Carolina through more effective health communication," said
Arnold School Interim Dean Dr. Tom Chandler.
The certificate is designed to enhance the professional
or clinical skills of working practitioners in public health
organizations and the media.
"It is a great way for working professionals
to enhance their education without having to seek a master’s
degree," said Dr. Daniela Friedman of HPEB.
It will also help academics and researchers
to better design and evaluate health communication interventions
using media, communication, and health behavior theory and frameworks.
"We feel there is an information and communication
component to just about everything a university does. But it’s especially critical that people have access
to reliable and useful information regarding their health," Bierbauer
said.
The certificate program requires 18 hours of
post-bachelor’s study including a research project or practicum. The curriculum is structured so that students experience an
interdisciplinary core of courses and select an emphasis area
in Journalism and Mass Communications; Library and Information
Science; or Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. A
limited amount of credit hours in the certificate program can
be applied to other USC graduate degree programs.
The program culminates in a mentored research
project or practicum. Examples
of practicum projects or internships will include appointments
with local agencies involved with health communication, or with
active research projects on campus or in the community. Faculty
members will work closely with students to help secure their
practicum.
Dr. Ken Watkins, HPEB’s associate chair
and graduate director, said interest in the program is growing. "We have seen an enthusiastic response from current
graduate students who are seeking an interdisciplinary approach
to learning about the science and applications of health communication."
Six faculty members in the three collaborating
schools are participating in the program with more expected to
join as enrollment expands.
Dr. John Besley of the School of Journalism
and Mass Communications is also looking forward to seeing the
program grow over the coming months.
"I
hope all kinds of different students will get interested in studying
health communication, whether it's an existing professional
hoping to learn about the newest research or a young person who
is looking for an area in which to specialize. Health communication often attracts a
diverse range of participants to everyone's benefit," he
said.
For more information about the program, contact:
Dr.
Daniela Friedman
Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior
Arnold School of Public Health
University of South Carolina
Phone: (803) 777-9933
E-mail: dbfriedman@sc.edu
Dr. John C. Besley
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
College of Mass Communications and Information Studies
University of South Carolina
Phone: (803) 777-4105
E-mail: jbesley@sc.edu
Dr. Feili Tu
School of Library and Information Science
College of Mass Communications and Information Studies
University of South Carolina
Phone: (803) 777-3858
E-mail: tuf@mailbox.sc.edu
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