Creating a Well-Established Certificate Program in LGBT Health at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health: Lessons Learned

Background: In 2005 faculty at the University of Pittsburgh designed a training program that became the first certificate program in LGBT Health Research within a School of Public Health in the world.

Program Goals: The certificate program has three core courses, and electives, for a total of 15 credit hours. The first core course is an overview covering LGBT health disparities, the second is a research methods course focusing on challenges important to expanding knowledge regarding a specific LGBT health disparity and the third focuses on the implementation of interventions addressing a LGBT health disparity. The program also has practicum and thesis requirements. The program hosts monthly meetings to discuss topics in LGBT Health, hosts a Summer Institute in LGBT Health research and a Wednesday morning lab for advanced students, fellows and junior faculty.

Results: The Certificate Program has attracted a stable enrollment of about 15-20 MPH and doctoral-level students. The three core classes have been taught several times and now receive very positive evaluations from students. The Summer Institute has been the source of a set of publications that review the state of the field in a particular area of LGBT health research. The Wednesday morning lab has been used to develop approximately 40 peer-reviewed publications and a series of successful K and R grant applications to the NIH.

Ongoing Challenges: Transforming the University of Pittsburgh Certificate Program in LGBT Health to an on-line format remains an elusive goal. Funding support for MPH, doctoral and post-doctoral fellows remains uneven.