Welcome to the Online Certificate in Public Health information page!
This 15-credit Public Health Certificate is an exciting way to build a foundation in public health, expand your job opportunities, or enhance your current degree program. This online certificate program is specifically designed for the working professional that wants to increase their knowledge of public health, but cannot come to a university campus for courses. All of which may be applied toward an online Master of Public Health degree at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions. This program is ideal for:
Health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and veterinarians, who work in public health and would like to increase their expertise and develop confidence in their knowledge of these issues |
Health professionals who wish to move into career positions in public health |
Program
The content of the online Public Health Certificate program is the same as the campus version of this program. What is different is the environment in which learners gather together. The online version of this certificate uses E-Learning, a course management system, as the classroom. The online program is a General Plan of Study Certificate consisting of five (5) Public Health graduate level courses. All five courses are offered within one calendar year so that participants can complete their coursework in a fairly short period of time, or take up to 3 years to complete.
Quick Links
| Course schedule | Application | Computer requirements |
| E-Learning | Technical Support | Textbooks/Materials |
| Immunizations | Payments | Costs |
| ISIS | Contacts | EEP policy |
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to many frequently asked questions about taking online certificate courses.
Prequisites
Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution. International students must provide translated, certified transcripts showing equivalency to the U.S. bachelor’s degree.
2009-2010 Online Public Health Certificate Course Schedule:
Fall 2009:
PHC 6313—Environmental Health Concepts in Public Health
(3)
Survey of major topics of environmental health. Sources, routes, media,
and health outcomes associated with biological, chemical, and physical agents
in environment. Effects of agents on disease, water quality, air quality,
food safety, and land resources. Current legal framework, policies, and
practices associated with environmental health and intended to improve public
health. Full
syllabus
PHC 6410 (previously 6406)—Psychological, Behavioral, and
Social Issues in Public Health (3)
Health and behavior from social and community perspectives, including comparison
of various theories regarding social and behavioral approaches to public
health. Full
syllabus
Spring 2010:
PHC 6050—Statistical Methods for Health Science I (3)
Appropriate use of data summarization and presentation of basic statistical
methods, including ANOVA, nonparametric methods, inference on discrete data,
inference on survival data, and regression methods for continuous, binary,
and survival data. Full
syllabus
PHC 6001—Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health-Spring
(3)
Overview of epidemiology methods used in research studies that address disease
patterns in community and clinic-based populations. Includes distribution
and determinants of health-related states or events in specific populations
and application to control of health problems. Full
syllabus
Summer 2010:
HSA 6114—Introduction to US Health Care Systems (3)
Overview of the public health system, including public health concepts and
practice and health care delivery and financing. Focus on understanding
of organization and administration of health services, structure and functions
of U.S. public health system, and health insurance programs. Sample
syllabus
PHC 6001—Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health (3)
Overview of epidemiology methods used in research studies that address disease
patterns in community and clinic-based populations. Includes distribution
and determinants of health-related states or events in specific populations
and application to control of health problems. Full
syllabus
Application Process
Susan White, MEd
Dean's Office, College of Public Health and Health Professions
PO Box 100182
Gainesville, FL 32610-0182
Phone: 352-273-5367
Fax: 352-273-5365
Click on the applications you need, listed below to open them.
Forms
Submit all of the following:
- Online Certificate Application Check List
- Postbaccalaureate application form with a $30 check to: University of Florida
- Certificate application form
- Personal Statement: not a form, but a 1-page written statement that outlines your reasons for pursuing the certificate
- Two official transcripts from all the colleges you have attended.
NOTE: all forms are in pdf format. You may download Acrobat Reader to open them if you do not have it installed on your computer, for free by clicking here.
Computer Requirements
Visit our computer requirements page for computer, software and technical requirements.
E-Learning
E-Learning is the online course management system that all certificate courses will use for course delivery. The University of Florida uses E-Learning for its online courses and also for many campus courses as a communication, submission and reference tool. E-Learning provides an online place for faculty and learners to meet and discuss course content, an access point for course announcements and content, and a place for submitting assignments.
We have developed a "Student Helpbook" to help you learn how to navigate within E-Learning. This manual is full of color screen-shots of the E-Learning environment and will take you from setting up your computer, to logging onto the site, to how to participate in the course. You may print the book, or bookmark it for easy reference. Download the Acrobat file of the help book.
Technical Support
You may experience technical difficulties from time-to-time when taking an online course. Technical assistance is available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (except holidays), but is not necessarily available after hours. Many students find it helpful to test out various features of their systems during these hours. We will work with you to make your online learning experience as smooth and problem-free as possible. When you do need help, here is the list of contacts to use:
- Problems with coursework: For questions about assignments, the first step is always to check your E-Learning course site. Your course web site is the place where you will see announcements and information from your faculty. Other types of messages at the web site include: Assignments, Announcements, Learning Modules, Calendars, Discussion Boards, and E-mail. E-mailing within E-Learning is easy as it contains an internal e-mail system that allows users to send e-mails to other users in the class, and discussion boards for posting questions for your professor or fellow students. Fellow students are often a quicker source of information and may be online and available for chatting. You may e-mail your faculty or the TA (Teaching Assistant) if you need additional information or have questions. Faculty often will set up times to be available online, particularly before exams or major assignments.
- Difficulties logging onto E-Learning: Contact the UF Computing Help Desk at 352-392-HELP, helpdesk@ufl.edu, http://www.helpdesk.ufl.edu. Assistance is available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (except holidays). During peak use, you may be asked to leave a message for someone to call you back, so plan accordingly.
- Courses not listed after logging onto E-Learning: Follow
the following steps:
- Verify your registration in the course via ISIS or www.isis.ufl.edu, all you need is your UF ID#.
- If you ARE registered, contact the instructor of the course or the online advisor, swhite@phhp.ufl.edu or 352-273-5367, and ask to be added to the course roster for the course at E-Learning.
- If you find that you are NOT registered, contact the College of Public Health and Health Professions registrar to verify your registration in the course at bhart@phhp.ufl.edu or 352-273-6443 or 1-866-62-UFMPH. Be sure to include in your message that you are calling to verify registration in your specific online course.
- Need guidance with navigating your way through E-Learning within your course: There is a very detailed description of the types of assistance that are available on our Frequently Asked Questions. Click here to go directly to this question. Or you may contact the online advisor at 352-392-5367 or swhite@phhp.ufl.edu
Course Text Books
A printable version of textbook requirements for certificate courses is available by clicking on the “textbook requirements” link. Textbook and material requirements for each course are also listed in the course syllabi. Open the syllabus link for the course to find out the text requirements on this page. It is recommended that textbooks be purchased no sooner than one semester in advance as textbooks are subject to change. It is also highly recommended that books and materials be purchased so that they are available by the first day of the course. This could take several weeks via a mail-service, please plan accordingly.
Textbooks may be ordered via the UF online bookstore at www.bkstr.com, use the "UF Bookstore - Health Sciences Branch" campus option. Course software can also be found here via the "Computer Products" option on this site. You will have to "search" for the SPSS software at this site for the PHC 6050 software requirement.
As a student you may also advance order your books. This is done in 3 easy steps!
- Students check Course Schedules by logging on with your student ID at ISIS, http://www.isis.ufl.edu/.
- Click on the button for "View Course Textbook Requirements".
- Then go to "ADVANCE ORDER YOUR TEXTBOOKS FROM THE UF BOOKSTORE!".
You are also free to order your text through any other book website or store.
Contact Information
Here is a list of contacts that you may find useful:
- Registration information: Brigette Hart, bhart@phhp.ufl.edu, 352-273-6443 or 1-866-62-UFMPH
- MPH and campus certificate advisor: Catherine Sembajwe-Reeves, nalusemb@phhp.ufl.edu, 352-273-6444
- Online certificate advisor: Susan White, swhite@ufl.edu, 352-273-5367
- Online technical support: UF Computing Help Desk, 352-392-HELP,
helpdesk@ufl.edu
http://www.helpdesk.ufl.edu
UF Immunization Policy
The University of Florida requires that all students who will be taking courses on, or visiting the UF campus for part of their coursework be vaccinated. Students who are enrolled ONLY in online courses that will not be visiting the UF campus for coursework will be granted an immunization waiver. Students will not have to request the waiver, as the college wiil secure this waiver. Students who are taking courses on the UF campus will not be allowed to register for their courses without proof of immunization.
Payments
Each semester's tuition payment is based on the number of courses taken
in each semester times the cost per credit. Tuition payments for the online
certificate program are due by the first day of the semester. Payments will
only be accepted via the UF DOCE office's website at http://xms.dce.ufl.edu/reg/groups/mph/default.aspx?p=171.
At this site you will be able to pay for your courses via credit card or
check. You will have the option to pay for only the courses you are taking
in a semester, or you may opt to pay for the full certificate. In addition,
you can pay for the certificate in two payments; half due in your first
semester, and the balance due in your second semester. The advantage to
paying for the full certificate is that you will lock in the cost of your
tuition and not be subject to increased fees over the course of the program.
Note: Do not attempt to make course payments via the UF ISIS payment site.
This site is for payments for our campus programs, not our online programs.
Your fees will not be reflected at the ISIS site.
Costs
The cost for the online certificate program is based on a per credit hour tuition rate with no additional fees. In-state and out-of-state tuition is at the same rate. The current tuition rate, as of January 2010, is $450 per credit hour. This equates to $1350 per course or $6750 for the entire program. See payments.
Employee Education Program (EEP) Policy
Post-baccalaureate students in the online certificate program cannot use
an EEP waiver or State Tuition waiver for certificate courses. The UF EEP
waiver can only be used in the campus program on a space availability basis.
For further information you may go to the UF EEP information page at: http://www.hr.ufl.edu/education/eep/default.asp
