Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Health and Social Care Professionals (Spring 2024)

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Health and Social Care Professionals is an 18-hour certificate program that builds from the department’s existing undergraduate courses. The curriculum consists of six required classes that best suit students who are interested in pursuing careers in the health and social care industry (nurses, health technicians, patient ambassadors, health care managers, human service specialists, counselors, therapists, nutritionists, etc.).  The certificate is a freestanding credential that can be earned as a stand-alone certification or awarded on the way toward a bachelor's degree. 

Additional Information:  Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Health and Social Care Professionals
Required Courses
COMS 3375Strategic Organizational Communication3
COMS 3386Learning to Listen: A Key Communication Competency 13
COMS 3391Interpersonal Health Communication3
COMS 3392Risk Communication3
COMS 3393Environmental Communication3
HLTH 3355US Health Care Systems 23
Total Hours18
1

The Department of Communication Studies will waive the prerequisite for anyone admitted to this certificate.

2

COHS has agreed to make the HLTH 3355 prerequisite of 55 hours or more a non-issue for students seeking the certificate.

Additional Information:  Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Health and Social Care Professionals is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Communication Skills.  Students will be able to demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills in health contexts.
  • Leadership.  Students will be able to demonstrate effective leadership of small groups in health contexts.
  • Problem Solving.  Students will synthesize information and present different viewpoints related to health communication.
  • Planning.  Students will gather and evaluate health information critically.
  • Interpersonal Communication.  Students will be able to demonstrate interpersonal competence in health contexts.