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Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health

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Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health (CFPH) - Online

Apply online to the Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health (CFPH) distance-learning program.

Applications for Fall 2012 will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning early May, once the application is complete.

Program Description and Benefits

Working at desk computerThe Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health is a 16-hour interdepartmental online program that offers coursework in each of the five major disciplines of public health for students wishing to earn graduate credit. Courses are taught by University of Michigan School of Public Health faculty using distance learning. Certificate coursework may be transferable to a degree program within UM SPH or to other schools or programs of public health.

The certificate program offers flexibility in study for those wishing to develop foundational skills in public health without the commitment of pursuing a graduate degree. Benefits include:

  • No travel to campus
  • Courses taught by the same faculty who teach residential students
  • Flexibility to study at a student's convenience, any time/any place
  • Instructors mentoring students through interactive coursework
  • Developing a public health network through course discussion boards, team assignments, and faculty interaction
  • Flexibility to take one course each semester
  • Program can be completed in 8 to 28 months

The following comprise the required courses of the Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health. Read descriptions and outlines of the courses.

  • Introduction to Biostatistics
  • Principles of Environmental Health Sciences
  • Strategies and Uses of Epidemiology
  • Psychosocial Factors in Health-Related Behavior
  • Survey of the U.S. Health Care System

Students who successfully complete the 5 required courses with a B average (a G.P.A. of 5.0 on a 9.0 point scale) within four years of entry into the program will receive a credential from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, awarding the Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health. The certificate will be noted on the student’s transcript.

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Who Should Apply?

Those who would benefit from CFPH coursework include, but are not limited to:

  • public health certificate study groupPublic health workers who desire formal graduate training but who are unable to commit to full-time study
  • Working professionals who want to take the first step toward a master's degree (16 credit hours may apply to the M.P.H. or M.H.S.A. degree)
  • Public and private sector employees who deal with the public health system
  • Students in the health sciences who seek to enhance their public health knowledge without completing a master’s degree
  • Lifelong learners

Is distance learning right for you?

Take this self assessment to get more information about distance learning and to help you decide whether it is a good option for you.

Take the self assessment for distance learning.

Cost of the Certificate

The current tuition rate for U.S. residents is $726.88 per credit hour. There are additional mandatory fees of $97.19 per term in addition to tuition.

The current tuition rate for non-U.S. residents is $1,201.81 per credit hour, plus additional mandatory fees of $97.19 per term in addition to tuition. As part of our admissions process, non-U.S. residents will be considered for financial aid to bring their net cost down to the resident tuition rate.

Tuition & fees are subject to change without notice by the Regents of the University, have been updated for Fall 2011 and typically change in the fall term.

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How Will the Online Courses Work?

screen shot from CToolsFor the certificate program:

  • Courses will be accessed via the Internet, using C-Tools – the course management system of the University of Michigan.
  • Videos and narrated presentations of class lectures and discussions will be available online.
  • Each class session has web pages that contain the media (videos and narrated presentations), readings, assignments, and discussion question links for that class, along with a checklist to help students stay on track.
  • Assignments, quizzes and exams which need hand written elements will be scanned into multipage PDFs for submission.
  • Office hours with instructors will be available through both teleconference and the Internet meeting software, Centra.

Interested in the Next Step?

public health certificate screen captureApply Online

Experience the online program at your own pace, with the convenience distance learning offers.

View a sample course presentation regarding the use of theory to understand health behavior.

For more information, email us at CFPHinquiries@umich.edu or call 734-764-5425.

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