Systems Approaches for Healthy Communities is a web-based, professional development program that promotes the integration of policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change approaches with educational strategies. The program was designed for organizations* whose work focuses on health promotion, to help staff understand, reflect, and act on the many factors that influence whether individuals can easily make healthy choices.
*For those unable to participate with an organization, the program has been adapted for individual participation.
Course overview
Five online modules and two toolkits are the primary source of content for the program. Modules average about 60 minutes each, with material presented through activities, examples, stories, reflection questions, and interactive exercises. Participation in the course offers 5 hours of continuing education and has been pre-approved by:
The National Commission on Health Education Credentialing
The National Board of Public Health Examiners
Participants will learn:
Basic terminology
Examples of systems-thinking including the Social-Ecological Model, Spectrum of Prevention, and PSE concepts
Skills to expand your work across many levels to impact policies, systems, and environments
Strategies and tools for strengthening engagement, communicating with partners, and understanding community context
For more details on the program content, including learning objectives, download the Systems Approaches for Healthy Communities program summary (PDF)
Originally developed in 2015, the program has gone through two pilot phases and a peer review. For the full program history, download the development timeline and 2019 highlights
Course options
Participate as an organization
Systems Approaches for Healthy Communities was designed to be taken as a group. It is an online, on demand program that organizations, departments, networks and coalitions can begin at any time that fits their schedule. In addition to the online modules and two toolkits, the organizational option includes:
- Coaching process and coach guide
- Implementation guide
- Facilitation Guide
- Three online consultations
- Knowing Your Organization tool
Cost is determined by the number of licenses your organization would like to purchase or renew.
| Number of licenses | Initial price | Renewal price |
|---|---|---|
| 76+ | $4,000 | $2,000 |
| 51-75 | $3,000 | $1,500 |
| 21-50 | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| up to 20 | $1,000 | $500 |
Complete the form below to purchase or renew licenses and participate as an organization in the Systems Approaches course.
Contact the Systems Approaches Team with questions
Participate as an individual
If you are unable to participate with an organization or group, the program has been adapted for individual participation. Individual participants will work at their own pace and complete self-reflection activities to support learning. Individuals can begin the course at any time. We recommend completing the course in 10-12 weeks.
Cost — $75 per individual participant
You can register as an individual participant through the University of Minnesota online registration system. This will give you access to the course site where you can complete the program pre-survey, view the online modules, and access other program resources.
Register online for the individual option
Already registered as an individual participant? Access the course here.
Please note the individual option does not include program add-ons from the organizational version including coaching resources, consultations, and the Knowing Your Organization tool. If you have multiple people from your organization who would like to participate, we encourage you to select the organizational option. We can customize this program to your budget and needs.
Reviewed in 2023