What do Duke graduates say about the health policy certificate?

"I always knew I wanted to do something health related, but now I am more certain that I am interested in going to grad school for public health."

"I now plan on getting an MPH."

"Yes, my primary focus and interest was in enviromental policy/law with an interest in how envioronmental health affects human health. After completing the HPC, my interests are much more broad and I'm considering getting my MPH."

"It gave me a great foundation for public health school...would have never discovered my interest in health policy if it weren't for the required coursework."

"I am actually less certain I want to pursue an MPH now that I am more familiar with what policy work might entail, but my respect for the importance of health policy has deepened. If I do pursue an MPH, I will feel much more confident now that I have had some academic exposure."

"Has made me consider Health Law in the future."

"Getting a Health Policy Certificate was very helpful to change my career path."

"Had I not gotten into Duke Law, I probably would have done a JD/MPH at UNC. Now that I am staying at Duke, my plans are to pursue health law. Hopefully, my helath policy experience will help me get an internship in health law next summer."

"To be truthful, it influenced my job search. Although I'm not working in health care this fall, I plan to seek later employment in health policy-related fields. This job I have will offer good research and policy analysis skill development. Also, I plan to apply to graduate schools in public health."

"I am more likely to consider getting an MD/MPH rather than an MD alone."

"I came to Duke already interested in health care topics and the certificate helped further my interest--I'm wanting to probably focus on health law while in law school."

"It was an extremely valuable experience; many of my most favorite and useful classes have been health policy classes. I only wish the program could have been a little more integrated (e.g. lecture series, dinners, projects, job employment seminars) a little earlier on in the certificate timline. Overall though, a wonderful experience."

"I loved the certificate program!"

"It was great! I think the program really prepared me for a career in the health policy field."

"The health policy certificate was an extremely valuable experience and I hope future students will access it as well."

"I feel that the certificate was a valuable experience because it made me aware of the issues involved in health and public policy. This is knowledge every future physician should have."

"It was very valuable, both intellectually and in terms of my career. I would not have gotten this job without it!"

"Great interdisciplinary experience, though I wish more early guidance was available through perhaps the use of semesterly meetings or advisors."

"The certificate program was great. I loved my capstone course with Robert Cook-Deegan and it disappoints me that no mention of our work with the National Breast Cancer Coalition was made on our certificate. The certificate should, in my opinion, mention no one's work if it cannot be all inclusive."

"Very valuable-some of the best classes I took were part of the certificate program."

"Yes, {I} especially {recommend this program} for someone going to medical school, studying health policy in depth is helpful-- it gives important insight into a facet of medicine that is notoriously missing from the typical premed, science intensive curriculum."

"I truly enjoyed the opportunity to study health policy at an introductory level during my years at Duke. I hope to continue to be involved in this area throughout my career as a physician!"

"I really enjoyed the Certificate Program. I enjoyed its versatility and it really complemented my Enviromental Science major."

"I felt that there was a lot of useful information taught. I believe that I have been served well by the program. I took many interesting classes, and have broadened my knowledge."

"The Health Policy Certificate Program was one of the best programs I participated in at Duke. Honestly."

"The Certificate Program has been both rewarding and enjoyable. I have established contacts and learned valuable information, both of which will be useful in my professional career."

"Very valuable. I was always interested in public policy, but never knew what my concentration would be. The HPC gave me this concentration. The best courses I took at Duke were certificate courses. Though I am not certain of my future plans, I'm sure they will include education and emplyment in healthcare/policy/administration fields."

"Absolutely valuable. Economics is a valuable discipline but teaches little about equity, politics, law, etc. My policy courses filled in these gaps and help me to place economic research in the context of society."

"Yes, a very valuable experience! I was interested in studying the wide array of HP issues-political, employer related, and law. Looking back, I think the core courses should be expanded. Only one law class? 3 Econ courses? Is that a balanced with all the malpractice, etc?"

"The program was very useful, especially by allowing and offering such a broad selection of courses."

"The Certificate Program was a rich learning experience for me. I took the time early in the program to plan what courses were relevant for me and pursued them towards a wonderful finished product. I would recommend this program with high marks. Each course was stimulating and rewarding!"

"The certificate program was a valuable experience. The inter-disciplinary nature of the courses is both a strength and a weakness. I felt unprepared for the capstone course."

"Definitely a good experience; catalyzed a personal interest that may very well be my career choice-- it changed my focus and gave me an opportunity to combine my loves-- medicine and policy."

"Very valuable experience, helped gear my decision to go into public health. Very well taught classes that were most informative"

"The certificate and its corresponding education both prove themselves to be very attractive to health policy employees. It lends important credibility that someone is serious about health policy work."

"The HP Certificate helped focus my interest in Health Administration."

"Taking these health policy classes greatly increased my interest in this field..."

"I strongly believe that receiving a Health Policy Certificate greatly enhanced my skills in health policy and therefore worked positively in my job search."

"It has interested me in health policy jobs and possibly obtaining an MPH."

"The program was excellent!"

"The coursework, lectures, reading, group projects, and personal attention associated with the certificate were invaluable to developing an interest in and understanding of the healthcare system. Thank you!"

"The certificate program was extremely helpful. It gave me the necessary skills to work in the field of health, which I plan to do. It also helped me decide what I want to do down the road."