Why study this program?

Delivered 100% online, the four-course online Graduate Certificate in Population Health provides a flexible pathway for working professionals from diverse backgrounds to develop foundational and cross-functional competencies in population health. 

Using systems thinking, evidence-based practice and equity-focused solutions, students will learn to analyze, interpret and address root causes of real-world health inequities and lead collaborative efforts that create shared value for communities. 

Key Program Skills/Competencies:

• Data literacy and analysis
• Systems thinking and evaluation
• Equity-based culturally responsive practice
• Community engagement and advocacy
• Strategic program design and policy influence

Why Choose This Program?

Expanding Job Market

• Canada’s health workforce has more than doubled over the past 25 years and continues to grow twice as fast as the overall labour market.
• With health occupations representing nearly 8% of all jobs and accounting for 15% of current job vacancies, there is strong demand for professionals who can analyze population health data, design prevention strategies and lead health system innovation.

Source: Statistics Canada

Top-Ranked Institution in Canada

The U of A is #4 in Canada and ranks #77 globally in health disciplines. Gain access to world-class public health programming and earn a graduate credential in just four courses.

Flexible Completion  

Courses have an online, asynchronous delivery — providing you with flexibility through self-paced content and virtual connection with peers outside traditional course schedules.

Accessible Entry

With no minimum GPA requirement and consideration of prior learning or professional experience, the program supports learners who may be returning to school after time in the workforce or transitioning from other fields.

Practical and Applied Learning

The program embeds work-integrated learning (WIL) through assignments shaped in consultation with external stakeholders, exposing learners to real-world organizational and community contexts.

Who Should Apply?

• Recent graduates (~5 years out) who are looking to move up, move across or move into public health — without stepping away from their career. 
• Mid-career clinical or frontline professionals who are looking to shift into management roles, either health-related or in other fields. 
• Working professionals in fields related to population/community health beyond traditional healthcare sectors. 
• Health service professionals seeking to broaden their skills and knowledge of population health. 
• International graduates or newcomers to Canada who are seeking additional training in the healthcare field.

What You’ll Learn

• Evaluate underlying determinants and structural factors that contribute to population health outcomes and inequities. 
• Assess, plan, design, implement and evaluate interventions, using systems thinking, to solve/address complex population health challenges. 
• Critically appraise, select, analyze and interpret diverse forms of population health evidence, data and ways of knowing for use in a specified context. 
• Support and design diverse collaborations, networks and interventions to support improvement of population health systems and functions. 
• Compare and assess the organization and functions of health, healthcare and public health systems.

Program Structure

Earn your certificate by completing the required four (4) online courses for a total of 12 credits. Each course has a scheduled start and end date and is seven (7) weeks in length. These courses are fast-paced and move quickly. Students can expect to spend approximately 15 - 20 hours per week on coursework. The program can be completed in as little as eight (8) months (only for Fall start), but students can take up to four (4) years to complete the credential. 

The courses for the certificate are: 

• SPH 530: This is Public Health 
• SPH 562: Understanding and Improving the Health of Populations 
• SPH 535: Using and Creating Evidence in Public Health I 
• SPH 537: Using and Creating Evidence in Public Health II 

SPH 530 and SPH 562 must be taken sequentially as the first two courses. SPH 535 and SPH 537 can be taken in either order following completion of SPH 562. The certificate will be completed by taking one course at a time, ensuring a manageable workload. 

The course schedule for the Fall 2026 intake is: 

• SPH 530: Oct 26 - Dec 13, 2026 
• SPH 562: Jan 4 - Feb 21, 2027 
• SPH 535: Mar 1 - Apr 18, 2027 
• SPH 537: May 3 - Jun 20, 2027 

All four (4) courses in the Graduate Certificate in Population Health are also offered as part of the Master of Public Health. If you complete the certificate and are later admitted to the Master of Public Health, those courses will count toward the master’s core requirements through transfer credit. 

Important Timelines

Fall 2026 Admission

• Applications Open: May 11, 2026
• Applications Close: October 19, 2026
• Program Starts: October 26, 2026

Limited spots available. Apply today to secure your place and join a global community of learners and changemakers.