Apply Behavioral Economics to Health
Explore how behavioral economics can help explain and address health-related behaviors. The certificate connects foundational behavioral science with applications spanning disease prevention, health promotion, community health and public policy.
Harmful health behaviors contribute to the global burden of disease and can be modified in health-promoting ways through evidence-based applications of behavior theory and behavioral economics. This certificate reviews the foundations of behavioral economics and applications aimed at preventing or reducing harmful health behaviors and promoting healthy behaviors.
Why Choose this Certificate?
Advance your career with the science of decision making and behavior change. A working knowledge of the field beyond an introductory level is relevant and useful for behavioral scientists studying health behaviors; clinical, public health, and other allied health professionals concerned with treating and preventing risky health behaviors; health policymakers; and community partners concerned with promoting healthy communities.
The Behavioral Economics and Health Graduate Certificate is a three-course sequence that covers the scientific foundations of the field (Course One) and then presents applications that span health-relevant individual, community, prevention, and policy research and interventions (Courses Two and Three). Successful completion of the certificate will provide students with conceptual and practical knowledge and skills about behavioral economic applications grounded in its basic science origins.
Online, Asynchronous Format
Complete the 9-credit-hour certificate through three online, asynchronous courses. The program begins with Foundations of Behavioral Economics in Fall 2026, followed by Behavioral Economics and Health I and Behavioral Economics and Health II beginning in Spring 2027.
Completion Requirements
Complete all three required courses for a total of 9 credit hours. Students must maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA and earn a grade of C or S or higher in all required courses. HSC 6685, Foundations of Behavioral Economics, is the first course in the sequence and is a prerequisite for the remaining two courses.
Required Courses (9 credits)
HSC 6685: Foundations of Behavioral Economics (3)
Beginning Fall 2026
Reviews the scientific foundations of behavior theory, methods and findings that are fundamental to modern behavioral economics and its health-relevant applications.
HSC 6683: Behavioral Economics and Health I (3)
Beginning Spring 2027
Covers applied behavioral economic research and applications focused on understanding and modifying behavior related to disease prevention and health promotion. Emphasizes individual-level processes and local environmental contingencies.
HSC 6684: Behavioral Economics and Health II (3)
Beginning Spring 2027
Covers applied behavioral economic research and applications focused on understanding and modifying behavior related to disease prevention and health promotion. Emphasizes broader community, social, economic, health services, policy and regulatory influences.
Eligibility
Application to the Graduate Certificate program is open to:
- Currently enrolled University of Florida (UF) Graduate students and upper-level undergraduate students (eligible to enroll in 6000 level courses)
- Non-degree seeking students may also pursue this certificate with approval from the academic unit if the applicant has bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution
Complete Application Here: Certificate Application
*Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or better and a minimum upper-division GPA of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited institution.
Program Contact: Ali Yurasek (a.yurasek@ufl.edu)
Ready to Apply
Start your application for the Certificate in Behavioral Economics and Health.
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Have questions?
For questions about the Certificate in Behavioral Economics and Health, email Lesleigh Stinson