Online Certificate Programs in Epidemiology

As the practice of public health changes, so do the educational needs of public health practitioners, particularly in the area of field epidemiology. In recent years, in the U.S. and across the world, we have faced a variety of new man-made and natural threats, including new strains of existing diseases and the re-emergence of threats that were thought to be eradicated. At the same time that these threats have increased we continue to face a shortage of adequately trained epidemiologists in state and territorial health departments. The need to prepare the public health workforce to deal with these threats is crucial and requires innovative approaches to education and training that encompass the latest surveillance techniques and take full advantage of current technology.

To address this need and fill the gap in educational programs available to practitioners, the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health has developed the Online Certificate in Field Epidemiology program, which is specifically designed for working practitioners and emphasizes practical, applied skills. All courses have been specially designed and developed for delivery online. A connection to the internet is required.

The curriculum for the Online Certificate in Field Epidemiology includes four courses totaling 12 graduate credit hours. Students enroll in one course per term:.

Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health (EPID 600) This is an introductory epidemiology course that considers the meaning, scope, and applications of epidemiology to public health practice and the uses of vital statistics data in the scientific appraisal of community health.

Fundamentals of Public Health Surveillance (EPID 750) This courseprovides the conceptual foundations and practical skills for designing and implementing surveillance systems and for using surveillance data for the conduct and evaluation of public health programs and research.

Methods in Field Epidemiology (EPID 759) This course focuses on the epidemiological methods required to investigate urgent public health problems. The skills and tools needed to conduct outbreak investigations and communicate findings to the public are covered in this course.

Principles and Methods of Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (EPID 758) This course encompasses the interaction between an infectious agent, host, and environment, modes and dynamics of transmission, the role of immunity in infectious disease epidemiology, and disease elimination strategies.

All courses for the certificate can be completed online in one year (four semesters).

EPID 600: Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health.

EPID 758: Principles and Methods of Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology.

Some of the Epidemiology courses cover quantitative subject matter and require a minimum level of math competency that should be obtained either through extensive experience or by having taken recent courses. Transcripts should include evidence of grades of B or better in math courses, covering both college algebra and calculus at a minimum.

Applications for the Field Epidemiology certificate for Summer 2023 start term opens August 3, 2022, to April 7, 2023.

Please note there are limited spaces available in the program. Thus, applying early will provide a better opportunity for admission.

Transcripts (official or unofficial) required for your highest degree earned and relevant completed coursework. Please indicate degree and date received. Also include transcripts that demonstrate any relevant coursework for quantitative competencies.

Please note that the certificate programs do not qualify for financial aid at UNC-CH.

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Epidemiology, as defined by the World Health Organization, is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.

Western Kentucky University does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program.

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