Public Health Certificate in Core Concepts

A University of Minnesota Regents' Certificate from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health

• Program Description
• Accreditation
• Professional Opportunities
• Program Faculty
• Admission Information
• Program Curriculum

Program Description

Offered by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities School of Public Health, the Public Health Certificate in Core Concepts (PHCert-CC) is a University of Minnesota Regents' Certificate designed for working health or human service professionals with completed baccalaureate or advanced degrees who wish to develop a credential in public health core concepts. The Public Health Practice (PHP) program certificate focuses on acquiring and developing public health knowledge and skills to better understand, assess, and manage population health in public health, health care, and human service settings. The PHP program encourages physicians, nurses, health care and human service professionals without formal training in public health to pursue advanced study in public health. Public Health is interdisciplinary and complements many health and human services fields with a unique emphasis on population science, research, and applications.

The certificate is awarded upon completion of 14 credits in the public health core concepts of biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, ethics, management, and social and behavioral sciences. Students will be required to make application for certificate completion within three years of matriculation. Credits acquired in PHCert-CC (15 credits maximum) may be credited to an M.P.H. within the Public Health Practice Major under specific circumstances. 

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Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

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Professional Opportunities

Interested individuals should apply to the Public Health Certificate in Core Concepts Program if they seek the ability to address the needs of populations through initiatives that protect, promote, and improve health in a multidisciplinary environment. Applicants' interests typically involve collaboration with clinicians, policy makers, researchers and professionals from communities, public agencies, and private organizations.

Students completing the PHCert-CC program will use their public health knowledge and skills to enhance effectiveness and opportunities in their current work or career path. Population science is an increasing valued area of expertise in many health and human service organizations. Health disparities, child poverty, emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, preventive health, an aging population, access to care, and other factors will create many job opportunities in public health.

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Program Faculty

PHP faculty focus their research, teaching, and community service expertise on the application of population science. Interdisciplinary faculties cut across the partnering Schools of Public Health and Medicine and offer expertise in epidemiology, environmental health services research and policy, biostatistics, and clinical practice specialties. Faculty research and community service activities afford opportunities for student training.

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Admission Information

The Public Health Certificate programs are designed for professionals working in health or human services. All applicants must have a baccalaureate degree. The admissions committee closely reviews the applicant’s work experience and grades in math and science.

Application
The online application for admission to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health is available at www.sophas.org (Schools of Public Health Application Service).

Supporting Documentation for Admission
Full detailed admission information is available at http://www.sph.umn.edu/prospective/admissions/index.asp. Supporting documentation should be provided directly to SOPHAS.

• Personal essay (Letter of intent)
• Resume or C.V.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from each college/university attended
• English language proficiency
  Applicants whose native language is not English or whose education was completed at an institution(s) whose language of instruction is not in English must prove English proficiency via TOEFL test scores; academic study completion in US/Canada; or USMLE or ECFMG certificate.

Application Deadlines
Final application deadlines for each term are:

• July 15 - Fall Semester
• October 15 - Spring Semester
• March 15 - Summer Session

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Program Curriculum

14 Credit Total
The content in the Public Health Certificate in Core Concepts is the same as the core content taught in the School of Public Health (SPH) Master of Public Health degree programs. All courses are available online. Students will be able to register, receive materials, interact with faculty and fellow students, and complete this program without traveling to the Twin Cities campus. Access to the Internet is required.

Course Substitution
Substitution with on-campus courses that meet public health core area requirements may be taken with prior approval.

Certificate Program Requirements
To be awarded the Public Health Certificate in Core Concepts, admitted students must:

• Complete the above listed courses (or approved substitutions) for graduate credit;
• Take the courses designated as part of the public health core for a letter grade (A-4). Students are required to achieve no less than a B- in each core course.
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least a B level (3.0 on a 4.0 scale); and
• Complete the certificate program within three years of matriculation.

Applying to a University of Minnesota School of Public Health Degree Program
Students enrolled in the Public Health Certificate in Core Concepts may apply for admission into a University of Minnesota SPH degree program. The application process for each degree program must be followed and determination of admission is at the degree program’s discretion (refer to www.sph.umn.edu). Admission to or completion of the PHCert-CC Program does not guarantee admission to any University of Minnesota degree program.

Tuition and Fees

• All certificate students will be charged in-state resident tuition rates regardless of state of residency.

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Contact Information

Maria L. Brown, MBA, MT (ASCP)
Program Director, Graduate Business, Management
and Public Health
University of Minnesota Rochester
300 University Square
111 South Broadway
Rochester, Minnesota 55904
Phone: 507-258-8058
Fax: 507-258-8066
E-mail: brow2785@umn.edu