Certificate Program

The GW Graduate Certificate in LGBT Health Policy and Practice takes an applied care approach to tackling health care disparities affecting the LGBT community. The 18-credit program is designed specifically for professionals who work on the front lines with clients and patients, as well as those who work on the health care or policy side to serve the physical and mental health needs of the LGBT population.

The hybrid curriculum combines online coursework completed throughout the year with two separate weeklong residencies on GW’s Foggy Bottom campus in Washington, D.C.


Program Components

 


Apply to the Program

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in October. Visit the GW Bulletin for specific requirements, and review the Columbian College's requirements for international applicants. You can access our application here.

  • Deadline for LGBT Program Financial Assistance: February 15
  • Final Application Deadline: May 1


 

Hybrid Curriculum

The graduate certificate requires 12 credits of core courses as well as 6 credits of electives. Core topics deal with LGBT health and well-being, mental health and health policy. Students also gain a solid foundation in relevant psychological, medical and public policy-based issues.

The curriculum culminates with a required capstone project initiated by the student, which enables them to put coursework into practice at a variety of nonprofits, think tanks and health care institutions in the D.C. area.

Most of the required online coursework for the certificate program is asynchronous — that is, students can complete discussion boards, readings, videos and other course assignments on their own time. Some classes also include a limited number of synchronous online meetings in the style of a webinar, which are recorded for students who are not able to attend live.

Course Offerings

 

Flexible Schedule

Students typically complete the program in one or two years. Students traditionally begin the program in the summer, when two core courses (Health Policy and Multidisciplinary Health) are offered and when the new-student oriented summer residency occurs. It is, however, possible to begin in the fall or spring semesters.

Students who choose the two-year option must complete the initial summer residency and the final spring residency before program completion. The additional residencies in between are optional. If a student needs more than two years, they must enroll in at least one course at GW during every fall and spring semester until graduation.

Core courses are offered in the summer and in the fall. The capstone course is offered only in the spring. Please feel free to consult with program staff or the director for assistance in designing your course of study.

Course Schedule Comparison Tool

 


Adam Ward

"The LGBT Health Policy and Practice program has uniquely prepared me to combine my two passions — biomedical research and LGBT advocacy — to address health disparities affecting LGBT people. This certificate has provided me with formal training that is not available through any other program."

Adam Ward
Certificate '15


Course Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

18 credits, including 12 credits in required courses and 6 credits in elective courses.

Required
PSYD 6201Multi-disciplinary LGBT Health
PSYD 6202LGBT Mental Health
PSYD 6203LGBT Health Policy
PSYD 6211LGBT Health Capstone
Electives
6 credits in elective courses selected from the following: 1
PSYD 6221Topics in LGBT Health 2
PSYD 8271Independent Study

1 Students may petition the program director to include other courses as electives. Electives should be graduate-level courses offered at GW that pertain to the LGBT population, physical or mental health with a focus on minority/underserved populations, or public policy with a focus on health and/or minority/underserved populations.

2 Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific topics offered.