Certificate Program Frequently Asked Questions

Current Students
Prospective Students

Current Students

Question: What 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.

Question: How do I receive technical assistance?

Answer: Technical assistance is available by e-mail cfph-help@umich.edu and by phone 1-734-763-4355 during the hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (US Eastern time) Monday - Friday. Limited hours are also available during the weekends during the first three weeks of each semester. Please allow up to 24 hours for reply.

Question: How will I communicate with instructors and others with questions and problems?

Answer: Email 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.

Question: How are exams conducted?

Answer: Most courses use online testing and require proctoring. Some require scanned documents to be electronically submitted. Papers and/or projects – both individual and collaborative – may also be assigned.

Question: Am I required to complete Biostatistics 503 prior to enrolling in Epidemiology 503?

Answer: A waiver is being sought for CFPH students regarding this requirement. Inquires about this may be addressed to Dean Edith Parker and sent to sph.inquiries@umich.edu.

Question: What happens if I am unable to complete a course?

Answer: Certificate students typically enroll for one or two 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in a given term means you will not be completing any course for the academic term, then you are considered having withdrawn for the term.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 site for Winter 2009 for specific dates and penalties for not completing a course.

Prospective Students

Question: Can I enroll in the Certificate program or take certificate courses if I am currently a UM degree student?

Answer: Unfortunately, you cannot be enrolled as a UM student and also enroll in the Certificate program or take Certificate courses.

Question: How many courses am I required to take each semester?

Answer: We recommend that you take one 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 two 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.

Question: Am I able to take the courses that I want out of the five that are offered for the Certificate?

Answer: The Certificate program is comprised of the five required online courses and only students enrolled in the program are eligible to enroll in these courses.

Question: 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.

Question: Can I get financial aid as a Certificate student?

Answer: The UMSPH does not provide financial aid to Certificate students, even though those taking four 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). Sallie Mae administers the Payment Plan for UM.

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.

UM Office of Financial Aid, 734-763-6600, or email: financial.aid@umich.edu
UM Student Financial Services, 734-764-7447 or 877-840-4768

Question: What is the schedule of Certificate courses?

Answer: The current course offering schedule is as follows:

Term Course/ Credit Offered

Fall 2009, Fall 2010 Biostatistics 503 / 4 credits
Fall 2009, Fall 2010 Environmental Health Sciences 500 /2 credits
Fall 2009, Fall 2010 Health Behavior and Health Education 600 / 3 credits
Winter 2009, Winter 2010 Health Management and Policy 602 / 4 credits
Winter 2009, Winter 2010 Epidemiology 503 / 3 credits

Question: 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 -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 one hour per week. For Biostatistics, three 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.

Question: Do I have to take all five courses to complete the Certificate?

Answer: All of the five 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.

Question: 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.

Question: What credential will I receive when I complete the Certificate?

Answer: The Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health will be awarded by the UMSPH and noted on your University of Michigan transcript.

Question: What are the technical requirements for this distance learning program?

Answer: See the technical requirements page.

Question: 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 UMSPH.