Home LGBTQ+ Public Health Graduate Certificate Careers

Public Health is Part of the Fastest-Growing U.S. Employment Sector

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the healthcare and social assistance sector will grow faster than any other sector and add about 45% of all new jobs through 2032.1

LGBTQ+ Health Careers Will Increase Relative to the Rest of the Field

Changes in the legal, cultural and demographic landscape of the United States have led to increasing demand for a better understanding of the unique public health needs of LGBTQ+ communities and more culturally competent healthcare services providers. 7.2% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+ and members of younger demographic groups are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+.2

At the same time, the Affordable Care Act, the American Rescue Plan and the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision have all worked to expand access to healthcare insurance for LGBTQ+ people.3,4 These two legal and cultural trends are increasing career opportunities in sexual and gender minority health.

Prepare for LGBTQ+ Health Professional Opportunities With Kent State

If you are a public health, social services or healthcare professional with a bachelor’s degree or more advanced degree, the two-semester Kent State online Graduate Certificate in LGBTQ+ Public Health can help you with the professional and cultural skills to advance in a variety of LGBTQ+ health careers, including:

  • LGBTQ+ health advocacy jobs
  • Jobs in LGBTQ+ health policy
  • LGBTQ+ health service providers
  • LGBTQ+ mental health careers
  • LGBTQ+ health outreach careers
  • LGBTQ+ health education careers

How Kent State's Online Graduate Certificate Supports You in LGBTQ+ Health Careers

The first and only public health-focused LGBTQ+ studies certificate program in the state of Ohio prepares you with the knowledge and skills to support this historically underserved population. Earning the certificate sets you apart as a professional committed to social justice and inclusive public health policy and practice, empowered with the skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to LGBTQ+ health equality.

You can complete the online Graduate Certificate in LGBTQ+ Public Health in as little as two semesters and customize the integrative learning experience to suit your professional interests and target your career goals.

Learn more about the LGBTQ+ studies certificate program

Women sitting on a therapist couch

Apply Your LGBTQ+ Public Health Expertise in These Industries

Fill the demand for public health, healthcare and social services professionals with growing numbers of employers including these:

  • Federal, state and local government
  • Human rights advocacy organizations
  • Hospitals; state, local and private
  • Healthcare organizations
    • Individual and family services
    • Nursing and residential care facilities
Man consulting his Physician in a doctors office

Work with Organizations Fostering More Equitable, Inclusive Public Health

Some top organizations that hire healthcare professionals with LGBTQ+ expertise include:

  • Cleveland Clinic5
  • Kaiser Permanente6
  • California Department of Public Health7
  • U.S. Veterans Health Administration8
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services9

LGBTQ+ Health Professional Opportunities

Professionals in many different areas of public health and healthcare services can expand their career options with the skills and knowledge gained in Kent State’s online Graduate Certificate in LGBTQ+ Public Health. Here are some professional roles focused on supporting LGBTQ+ health.

Manager, LGBTQ Unit (Health Program Manager I)

Employer: California Department of Public Health

Highlights: This role has oversight of program design, implementation, reporting and outreach to various health disciplines and community agencies.7

Search term: Jobs in LGBTQ+ health policy

Supervisory Public Health Analyst

Employer: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Highlights: Duties for this role include strategic planning, raising awareness of the organization's mission and disseminating policies, practices and strategies for improving the delivery of behavioral health services.9

Search term: Career paths in LGBTQ+ health equity

Program Manager, National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center

Employer: Fenway Health

Highlights: This role is responsible for online educational initiatives, internal and external training and technical assistance in a center that provides behavioral and clinical health information for the organization’s staff and others.10

Search term: LGBTQ+ health advocacy jobs

Transgender and Gender Expansive Case Manager

Employer: Planned Parenthood of Illinois

Highlights: Duties for this role include medical and psycho-social case management in support of the patient’s medical care plan and behavioral health needs.11

Search term: Transgender health specialist jobs

Kent State LGBTQ+ Public Health Research in Action

Kent State College of Public Health outreach program director and adjunct instructor Andrew M. Snyder has conducted extensive public health research projects about LGBTQ+ communities in Ohio. Learn about the 2023 study in a post on the College of Public Health blog.

Learn about the research

African American male confidently speaking at a podium

Man leading a work meeting within a small group of associates

Start Making an Impact

To submit a successful application, follow the steps in the application checklist.
Download the Application Checklist
Man working on a laptop with a cup of coffee

Gain Career Traction

Make your success your top priority. Apply to Kent State Today.
Start Your Application
Two women consulting with one another

An Immersive Curriculum

Designed for busy working professionals and students seeking to expand their career options.
Explore the Online Classroom

Advance Your Career With Kent State

Request Info
Apply Now

Featured Articles

Zibart (1).jpg
Addressing Health Disparities in Diverse Populations
November 20, 2023
Healthcare and public health practitioners and policymakers have become increasingly aware of the many nonmedical factors that contribute to health disparities for diverse populations and the negative consequences those disparities create. Read about addressing health disparities in diverse populations, including one Kent State alumni's experiences.
Read more
Kent-BSPH-Blog-Global-Impact--Public-Health-Policies.jpg
The Global Impact of Public Health Policies on Health Equity
August 31, 2023
Public health policies are essential building blocks of better health equity that can help break down socioeconomic barriers and allow broader access to healthcare. Read about examples of public health policies and their impact on health equity, along with some of the challenges to promoting health equity and strategies for overcoming them.
Read more
Air pollution from factory
Twelve Leading Public Health Concerns
May 11, 2023
Although they don’t receive as much attention as rising healthcare premiums or drug breakthroughs tend to, public health concerns that affect communities at large are among the biggest challenges on the nation’s healthcare landscape.
Read more
Kent faculty members Sheryl Chatfield, Ph.D., Deric Kenne, Ph.D., and Tara C. Smith, Ph.D.
College of Public Health Faculty Highlights
May 03, 2023
In this post, we introduce you to three of the COPH professors who are actively engaged with their communities and their students, and with advancing knowledge in their areas of expertise.
Read more
Andrew-Snyder.jpg
Instructor Leads LGBTQ+ Community Public Health Research
May 01, 2023
To better understand the needs of Cleveland's residents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, the Kent State University College of Public Health (CPH) launched the Greater Cleveland LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment project led by Andrew Snyder, CPH adjunct instructor. Learn more about the project here.
Read more
Woman seated in office working on laptop in front of shelf of books
Why earn a bachelor’s degree?
April 27, 2023
Earning a bachelor’s degree is a big commitment. Life and work can easily get in the way, so it’s no surprise that many people pause their educational pursuits so they can take care of family, career, or health-related concerns.
Read more
Dr. Jeffrey Hallam with his dog
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jeffrey Hallam
April 21, 2023
Learn more about Dr. Jeffrey Hallam, professor and associate dean for Research and Global Affairs.
Read more
Artist's conception of public health: drawing of diverse people surrounding a heart and a stethoscope.
Core Functions of Public Health and the 10 Essential Public Health Services
March 07, 2022
Organized public health efforts began in seventeenth-century Europe in response to the plague. Modern western public health systems, including hospitals for the ill and public sanitation services, started developing alongside scientific advances in the early nineteenth century and continue to evolve alongside science and culture today.
Read more
Happy woman wearing face mask, social distancing
American Journal of Public Health: What Is It All About in 2022?
February 06, 2022
The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) is one of the core professional journals for the field, reflecting the profession's diversity and addressing current public health issues. Read more here about the American Journal of Public Health, other notable professional resources, current issues in public health, and public health careers.
Read more
Scientists in a lab examine microscope samples and computer screens
Public Health Salary: What can I expect as an MPH graduate?
January 03, 2022
With the urgency of the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis and other global health challenges on the horizon, there is perhaps no more important field today than public health.
Read more
Two people examine graph data on a laptop screen
What is Descriptive Epidemiology?
December 30, 2021
Public health experts have never been more important than they are in the world today. From cancer to Ebola to COVID-19, major health events affect us all. As globalization, climate disasters and economic and social disruptions expand, we need trained professionals to help mitigate those threats.
Read more
stethoscope on a desk near person typing on a keyboard
What Factors Comprise the Epidemiologic Triangle?
November 30, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define epidemiology as the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events in specified populations. To complete this study of “health-related states and events”, scientists use a tool called the epidemiologic triangle, or the epidemiologic triad.
Read more
Admissions and Application Deadlines
Oct
27
Priority Application Deadline
Spring 2024 Semester
Jan
2
Final Application Deadline
Spring 2024 Semester
Jan
16
First Day of Class
Spring 2024 Semester
Sources
  1. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from .bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecopro.pdf
  2. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from news.gallup.com/poll/470708/lgbt-identification-steady.aspx
  3. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/lgbt-health-ib.pdf
  4. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from oyez.org/cases/2014/14-556
  5. Retrieved on November 7, 2023, from salary.com/job/cleveland-clinic-health-system/aprn-pa-i-lakewood-lgbtq-and-internal-medicine/j202305260456404179506
  6. Retrieved on November 7, 2023, from healthecareers.com/job/internal-medicine-lgbtq-hiv-primary-care-full-time/2803641
  7. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from lgbtqcenters.org/Careers
  8. Retrieved on November 7, 2023, from usajobs.gov/job/758674900
  9. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from usajobs.gov/job/750702400
  10. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from fenwayhealth.org/employment/
  11. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from chicagotherapycollective.org/job/transgender-and-gender-expansive-case-manager/