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| UM SPH Home > Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health > Frequently Asked Questions |
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Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health Application Guidelines & Apply Online |
Certificate Program Frequently Asked QuestionsCurrent StudentsWhat is the section number for the Certificate courses? Answer: Each Certificate course has the section number of 881. This section number designates the online version of the residential course. How do I receive technical assistance? Answer: Technical assistance is available by e-mail cfph-help@umich.edu and by phone 734-936-1248 during the hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (U.S. Eastern time) Monday - Friday. Limited hours are also available during the weekends during the first 3 weeks of each semester. Please allow up to 24 hours for reply. When will I receive a bill for tuition? How will I communicate with instructors and others with questions and problems? Answer: E-mail is always available to reach instructors, teaching assistants, other students and technical support. Telephone technical help is also available during limited hours. Most courses have regularly scheduled real-time web conference sessions where your questions on the subject of study are encouraged. There are also online discussions boards in use in most courses for ongoing dialogs. Can I transfer coursework earned outside the UM SPH to the CFPH program? Answer: At this time, we do not accept credits earned at other institutions for completion of the CFPH program. How are exams conducted? Answer: Most courses use online testing and all exams require proctoring. Some require scanned documents to be electronically submitted. Papers and/or projects - both individual and collaborative - may also be assigned. Am I required to complete Biostatistics 503 prior to enrolling in Epidemiology 503? Answer: Yes, completion of Biostatistics 503 is required prior to enrollment in Epidemiology 503. Permission for exception to this sequencing requirement may be sought from the instructor of Epidemiology 503. What happens if I am unable to complete a course? Answer: Certificate students typically enroll in 1 to 3 courses a semester. If you decide to drop a course, and are still enrolled in another one, you are still considered enrolled for the semester. If your decision to drop course(s) in a given term means you will not be completing any course for the academic term, then you are considered having withdrawn for the term. Please consult the University of Michigan registration deadlines for specific dates and penalties for not completing a course. What happens if I am on leave for more than 2 consecutive semesters? Answer: If a student has been away from the CFPH program for two successive terms or longer, they will need to fill out the Readmission Application and submit to CFPH Administration at CFPHinquiries@umich.edu.
Prospective StudentsCan I enroll in the Certificate program or take certificate courses if I am currently a UM degree student on the Ann Arbor campus? Answer: Unfortunately, you cannot be enrolled as a UM student on the Ann Arbor campus and also enroll in the Certificate program or take Certificate courses. How many courses am I required to take each semester? Answer: We recommend that you take 1 course each semester. This program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals who may, in addition to full-time jobs, have other responsibilities as well. The program allows the student to take these demanding graduate level courses over a period of time. Some individuals may choose to take 2 courses a semester. Most courses will involve 10 or more hours to view lectures and complete readings and assignments in any given week of the course. Am I able to take the courses that I want out of the 5 that are offered for the Certificate? Answer: The Certificate program is comprised of the 5 required online courses and only students enrolled in the program are eligible to enroll in these courses. Each course is offered either fall or winter term. Does residency affect my tuition rate? Answer: All U.S. residents pay the same rate of tuition. Visit our Cost of the Certificate section for more specific information. Can I get financial aid as a Certificate student? Answer: UM SPH does not provide financial aid to Certificate students, even though those taking 4 or more credits are classified as part-time graduate students. Certificate students are also not eligible for Federal Student Aid, so therefore do not need to complete a FAFSA. Any student enrolled in courses offered by the Ann Arbor campus is eligible to enroll in the UM Payment Plan. Students are allowed to budget tuition, fees, room/board (only if billed for room/board through the University) through the Payment Plan. The payment plan is handled by Student Financial Services (the billing office). See University of Michigan Payment Plans. If the student wishes to take out a loan instead of using the Payment Plan, the student should contact the Financial Aid Office. Again, Certificate students are not eligible for Federal aid (including Stafford, Direct or Plus loans), but they may still be eligible for a certified private student loan through a bank if they would like to do long-term borrowing rather than the short term payment plan. Certificate students may not qualify for all certified private student loans. If they have any questions about this they should contact the Office of Financial Aid.
What is the schedule of Certificate courses? Answer: The current course offering schedule is as follows:
What is the weekly time commitment for each course? Answer: The weekly time commitment for each course will, of course, vary by course and student. We recommend students plan for at least an average of 10 to 12 hours per week to successfully complete these rigorous, graduate-level courses. Each course requires a scheduled time commitment for a virtual class session, generally in the evening or on the weekend. For most courses, this is approximately 1 hour per week. For Biostatistics, 3 hours per week of scheduled virtual class time are required. These virtual class sessions are recorded for later viewing, should you occasionally be unable to attend at the scheduled time. Do I have to take all five courses to complete the Certificate? Answer:
All of the 5 required courses must be completed online and through the University of Michigan School of Public Health to count towards the Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health. I have never taken a course online. What is an online course like? Answer: Online courses in the Certificate program are comprised of narrated presentations, discussions, readings, assignments and assessments. Much of the work and interaction with the faculty and fellow students may be done on your own schedule. Some courses have defined weekly web meeting sessions with required real-time participation. These sessions are recorded and will be available for later viewing. View this sample course. You may also assess your readiness for online learning by viewing this assessment. What credential will I receive when I complete the Certificate? Answer: The Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health will be awarded by UM SPH and noted on your University of Michigan transcript. What are the technical requirements for this distance learning program? Answer: See the technical requirements page. Why is it important for me to clarify my Michigan residency status? Answer: The University of Michigan has specific guidelines regarding residency qualifications. If you currently reside in Michigan, and have worked or studied outside of the state at any point in your past, it is important that you contact the Residency Classification Office and clarify your residency classification status. This is strongly recommended for all CFPH admitted students who reside in Michigan. While your cost of the Certificate program is not affected by your Michigan residency status, residency status will impact the cost of study for degree programs at UM SPH. Will I be admitted to a master degree program at UM SPH if I am admitted and successfully complete the Certificate program? Answer: Admission as a Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health student carries with it no commitment by the school to subsequent admission to a degree program. To be considered for a degree program, you must formally apply and qualify for admission on the same basis as other degree applicants. If you are admitted to a degree program, all credits earned in the Certificate program would apply toward the master degree at UM SPH. What is the difference between earning a Certificate or Certification in the field of public health? Answer: A certificate is something that is earned through taking a series of courses from an educational institution. After meeting all the requirements of the CFPH program (Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health) a certificate is granted as well as noted on your UM SPH transcript. Certification is often granted through professional organizations through an assessment process. After a degree or certificate is earned, an individual can be certified in a field allowing designated credentials to follow one's name. It often involves an examination and demonstrating competencies in a specific field. For more information, please see our certificate vs certification page. Will I be admitted to the MPH program at UM-Flint if I am admitted to the Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health program? Answer: Admission to the CFPH does guarantee admission in to the University of Michigan-Flint's MPH program.
Student Testimonials
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"For a program designated distance-learning, I found that the CFPH online lectures and discussions facilitated learning in a way that did not feel distant. There were plenty of opportunities for discussion with my professors and classmates, and the professors were always quick to get back to me regarding questions I had. The CFPH has helped me expand upon my understanding of public health and encouraged me to pursue a Master's degree in public health upon its completion. I highly recommend this program!" 
"I found my first semester of the CFPH program to be very valuable. I began to learn information that is applicable to both my clinical and administrative roles within the first week of class. The coursework is challenging, yet manageable for a full-time professional. The faculty and staff are very knowledgeable, attentive and dedicated to providing the best learning experience possible. I am excited to begin the next semester, and I highly recommend this program to anyone that has an interest in public health or the health care system as a whole."
"The CFPH program has been a fantastic way to pursue a graduate level education and still be available to expand my global experience- whether that means holding a tooth-brushing clinic in a slum in Africa or educating teenagers in Colorado. The quality of UM SPH faculty has exceeded my expectations. They have done a phenomenal job developing a program that can be molded into any lifestyle without diluting the material or learning experience."
"I have found the Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health to be an excellent education delivered in a format designed for busy professionals. The professors and CFPH staff at the UM SPH are always willing to help and understand the demands placed on distance learners. This program has allowed me to begin work towards an MPH degree while still working full time."
"The CFPH program has allowed me to gain an incredible amount of knowledge about public health as I transition from a corporate marketing career into a role building a non-profit serving cancer patients. My husband and I move frequently in support of his career. When I started looking at public health programs, I knew that a full-time, traditional environment wasn't an option for me. I was initially hesitant about entering an online program. The flexible nature of the UM CFPH makes it very easy to mesh study with my busy schedule and the course content has been consistently outstanding. I highly recommend this program to passionate knowledge seekers looking for a high-quality academic experience."
I have worked in emergency response for an international aid organization for over a decade and have always been drawn to the public health aspects of our interventions. I wanted to deepen my knowledge of public health, but didn't want to commit to an MPH, especially with my travel schedule. The Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health was the perfect solution - I could gain knowledge while continuing to work, accessing the coursework from wherever I was, across the globe. The quality of the instruction and materials were of such caliber that I am now entering a Doctor of Public Health program next autumn and am very much looking forward to a career in this exciting field!
"When I was looking for a way to update my public health background and potentially open additional doors in the current job market, I decided to enroll in the CFPH program. I feel that the program is a great graduate-level overview of the current state of the field. Learning from the UM SPH faculty while still 'keeping my day job' has allowed me to augment my existing experience and my earlier education without having to take time off from work or travel to campus. This is my first formal on-line coursework but I find the program is well designed for distance-learning, making it possible to keep up with the classes."
"The CFPH program at the UM SPH is a unique way to receive instruction from world-renowned faculty and public health professionals in a flexible and challenging environment. Although this is a distance-learning format, I was thoroughly impressed by the dedication and intimate involvement of professors, fellow students, and CFPH staff. Thanks to my experience with the CFPH program, I am eager to continue my graduate studies in public health and complete my MPH in Epidemiology."
"My research career is moving in a direction toward the promotion of health behavior to control chronic illness. Accordingly, I needed to bolster my training in biochemistry and neuroscience with more public health education. The University of Michigan's Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health seemed like a great program to do that and I have been thoroughly happy with the decision to enroll. The material is timely, appropriate, thought provoking, and delivered by leaders across varying fields of public health. Furthermore, the distance learning has been smooth and easy to incorporate into my busy schedule."
"I am planning to go back to school for an MPH, but have been out of school a few years now. The part-time aspect of the CFPH program has allowed me to essentially get my feet wet and get back in the habit of studying before starting full-time courses."
"Thanks to the CFPH program it has been a dream come true to be able to pursue graduate studies at a prestigious institution such as UM SPH while working full time and raising a family. The quality of instruction has been consistently excellent and the coursework relevant for being able to appreciate current developments in public health and their implications for society."
"I took a break from my career in public health to care for my father and I was considering taking some classes while caregiving. A friend suggested the University of Michigan and when I learned of the CFPH, I applied right away. UM SPH is one of the BEST schools (of public health) in the country and the courses are taught by experts in the field! When I reenter the job market, I will have obtained an academic credential that will definitely enhance my resume. Taking classes online has been a GREAT experience. There is an excellent online format for the courses with weekly schedules to keep you on track." 
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