Human Health & Natural Environments Certificate Program
Time limit: 385 days
2.5 credits
Full course description
Program summary:
The Human Health & Natural Environments Certificate Program introduces learners to the scientific concepts that positively or negatively impact human health. In addition, it will make parks and recreation practitioners aware of evidence and research that supports the aims of their profession. Finally, it enables learners to understand the importance of an ongoing need for stewardship of natural areas.
This program is entirely web-based and consists of seven course units, each culminating with an applied assignment that can be directly related to your community, organization, or agency. This course of study provides you with the opportunity to receive individualized feedback from knowledgeable instructors who review the elements of your portfolio.
Program objectives:
After completing this certificate program, learners should be able to:
- Describe the diversity of definitions for health, wellness, and natural environments.
- List the ways in which characteristics of natural environments can affect human health.
- Discuss theoretical models and research-based support in the areas of human health, wellness, and natural environments.
- Develop a personal belief system regarding the relationship between human health and natural environments.
- Integrate a personal belief and research outcomes related to human health into a plan for recreation-based programming.
Recommended background:
This program is geared towards park and recreation professionals and students in park, recreation, public health, and related disciplines. No prior knowledge is required to complete this certificate.
Creators:
This certificate program was designed and developed by the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University and faculty of the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington.
Program topics:
- Course 1: Foundations of Human Health and Natural Environments
- Course 2: Natural Environments' Health Promoting Attributes
- Course 3: Environmental Health and Public Lands
- Course 4: Making the Case for Nature and Health: Theoretical Arguments
- Course 5: Science and Public Lands
- Course 6: Sense of Place and Environmental Education
- Course 7: Innovations and Applications in Human Health and Natural Environments
The certificate program includes the following elements:
- Seven self-paced, self-study e-courses
- Independent study assignments, which allow you to apply what you have learned in the courses and are reviewed by course instructors, with substantive feedback provided
- Informational text
- Interactive activities
- Supplemental reference materials
- Informal assessment quizzes
- Final assessments
These courses are self-paced, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the courses as quickly or slowly as they need.
After completing the content and activities in each course module, you will complete a final quiz to demonstrate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of all course module quizzes and assignments, you will be awarded a program certificate of completion.
How to access:
Upon enrolling, you will receive instructions and the link to the Canvas course. Note: When you register, you will receive an email invitation. Be sure to accept that invitation, or Canvas will not allow you to open the course modules.
Enrollees can move through content modules at their own pace within the course timeframe.